YouTube DOOM's signature "Gladiator" inspired face plate gets replaced with a…
US Troops Blast Metallica and Thin Lizzy at Taliban
- Posted on Apr 8th 2010 8:15AM by Matt Glazebrook
NATO has been struggling to win over the hearts and minds of the local population throughout its eight-and-half year occupation of Afghanistan: Seems like it isn't having much luck with their ears, either.US special forces in Marjah have hit upon the genius idea of blasting deafening Metallica, Thin Lizzy and Offspring tunes in the general direction of suspected insurgent strong-holds in a bid to root out hard rock-averse guerrillas. Only problem is, the civilians aren't exactly ecstatic about the constant barrage of 'Enter Sandman' and 'Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)' either.
Marines in Marjah, a farming community in the middle of Afghanistan's poppy belt, have rigged up an armoured vehicle with massive speakers that can be heard up to a mile away. "Taliban hate that music," explains one officer of a multiple-hour playlist that includes the aforementioned rockers interspersed with Afghan government propaganda and death threats.
The sergeant admits that "some locals complain" (children have reportedly been seen trying to cover the ears against the sonic assault) but argues that "it's a way to push them to choose [between the insurgents and occupying forces]."
It is not clear how the farming community is reacting to the choice between one group of people who threaten to behead them and another that plies them with ear-splitting renditions of 'Master of Puppets' -- but the commander in charge of the US troops in Marjah is certainly unimpressed. "It's inappropriate," Lieutenant Colonel Brian Christmas told AFP. "I'm going to ask this to stop right now."
This isn't the first time the US Army has been criticized for using loud music in its operations in the Middle East. Red Cross reports have found that interrogators at prison camps in Iraq and Afghanistan use a barrage of songs by Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails and others to cause sleep deprivation and stress in detainees. Rage's Tom Morello and NIN's Trent Reznor are among musicians who have subsequently signed up to campaigns opposing this form of music torture.
All the AOL Music info you want to know
Nine Inch Nails Rumored to be Working…
NoisecreepMichael Buckner, Getty Images Will dark minds think alike? It looks as though…
Philip Anselmo's Crushing New Song…
NoisecreepFrazer Harrison, Getty Images With the July 16 release of Philip Anselmo's first…
Rihanna Surpasses Justin Bieber in…
The BoomboxTerry Richardson It has been a steady climb for Rihanna as she has finally…
Add a Comment
rob in Texas
I have a good suggestion. Go to Youtube and do a search for Yoko Ono's 'Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's only looking for her hand in the snow)"
I'm not sure if the Taliban would simply surrender or commit suicide. The song is 4:57 and pretty much will rape your ears within seconds. Amazing and go give it a listen!
Jose
Metallica is weak now,they should play Bolt Thrower instead.
April 09 2010 at 4:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Taterbug
Maybe a rendition of sweet artillary from a few miles away on the side!!
April 08 2010 at 8:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Taterbug
Theres nothing like the beat of a couple of 50 cal. ma deuces. that oughtta do it,and the Army thinks its very humane!!
April 08 2010 at 8:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
RealFudd
Hit them with Lawrence Welk's rendition of Stairway to Heaven, followed up by Feelings and then some show tunes
April 08 2010 at 4:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Tom
Not exactly a new idea-poeple have been playing loud music in battle for centuries, mostly to beef up their own courage, eg, Robert Duvall in Apocalypse Now. So, what do you think of your neighbor when he plays loud crude music? Better to support embryonic local bands to promote the rise of contemporary culture and give everyone an iPod nano to spread the news...
April 08 2010 at 4:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Daniel I. Radakovich
If the purpose is to win "hearts and minds" it is one of the stupidest things I ever heard of. In WWII both sides' propaganda played music the listeners on the other side WANTED to hear.[even if not from their side e.g. Lili Marlene]. To use music as an annoyance is merely advertising your futile inability to harm the foe, akin to childish taunting. It was stupid when used vs. Noriega [where they blasted "I fought the law and the law won" towards the Vatican embassy where he had holed up pro tem, but the thickness of the walls prevented him hearing it--it was the pressure from the nuncio that got him outta there not the tune(s)] and is stupid now.
April 08 2010 at 3:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
basketpam
I think it's brillant. I don't like the music either, but then, I'm not trying to behead my neighbors or blow away the enemy. I say if it works, let it be.
April 08 2010 at 3:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
James
NO!!!! Play the Taliban - Doe a Deer a female Deer - Ray a Drop of Golden Sun - Me a name I call myself & Madonna & Punkie Brewster & Britney - Just put the Albums on an Endless Loop and watch them Surrender.
April 08 2010 at 3:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
purple nurple
what u really want here is Lawrence Welk !!!
April 08 2010 at 3:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
93 Comments