A1 Journal article (refereed)
Politics, violence and transgression in Finnish Rock Against Communism music : a cross-genre case study (2020)

Kotonen, T. (2020). Politics, violence and transgression in Finnish Rock Against Communism music : a cross-genre case study. Patterns of Prejudice, 54(4), 409-432. https://doi.org/10.1080/0031322x.2020.1800988

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kotonen, Tommi

Journal or series: Patterns of Prejudice

ISSN: 0031-322X

eISSN: 1461-7331

Publication year: 2020

Publication date: 25/11/2020

Volume: 54

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 409-432

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0031322x.2020.1800988

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

The Finnish far-right music scene has grown and become more ideological during the past ten years. Today there are more Rock Against Communism (RAC) bands whose messages are more political and ideological than those of old-school bands. One peculiarity of the Finnish white power music scene is that bands representing different genres, such as RAC, black metal and power electronics, often perform at the same events. Ideas and forms of expression spread between genres and, as this case analysis of the lyrics of the Finnish RAC band Vapaudenristi shows, genre crossing may result in novel but also paradoxical ideological combinations. In order to contextualize the reading of RAC lyrics, Kotonen’s article traces changes in Finnish white power music culture, and highlights the most important ideological sources of inspiration, among them the growing interest in the writings of Julius Evola.

Keywords: countercultures; ideologies; far right; music; music culture; transgression (violation of norms); violence (activity)

Free keywords: RAC counter-culture; far right; Finland; Julius Evola; music; Rock Against Communism; transgression; Vapaudenristi; violence

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 2