Bulletin Bloodbath posted on myspace

We have just learned that our recent 'Mock the Cross' shirt design (front / back) has run into some controversy. Actually, It’s been a bit of a rocky road from the start with this one. Back at the sketch board, some of our art direction ideas were met by hesitation and according to the designer would feel “uncomfortable to do”. However, the design went through and obviously with such a fantastic piece of artwork and beautiful symbolism the t-shirt has hit home with Bloodbath’s audience all over the world, but apparently a demon vomiting on Jesus on a cross, surrounded by snakes, vultures and skulls was over the line for some confused ” death metal” fans. Perhaps they should ask themselves if it was really death metal they were searching for in the first place.
Here are examples of some Dr Phil approved quotes we recieved:

“Recently saw your t-shirt “Mock The Cross.” It seems rather childish and immature not to mention very dangerous, to ridicule Christ. Why such disdainment for the incarnate God who died to save all mankind, even your sorry asses! If you have a problem with organized religion that’s one thing. It has little to do with Christ and His life and teachings. Of course if you curse Him in apparent ignorance, then you wouldn’t know the difference. Hell won’t be a cool place to be. The power of the cross is foolishness to those perishing.
”

“I Don’t care about all the satan woreshippers that are gonna flame me. But, BloodBath YOU JUST LOST A FAN. On that degrading shirt. I believe what i believe. I rather not have bands mock it. This band is done. Never again. See you on judgment day.
”

To top it off, we also just recieved the following message from Raw Talent, the printer of the merchandise:

“I have just been informed by the owner of the company that unfortunately we will not be able to print the “mock the cross” design again for you guys. It is against the owner’s moral and ethical standard for himself and also for the company. He wanted me to let you know and to send his apologies.
”

With that said, let’s get the weak aside and the Bloodbath choir ready to mock the fucking cross again as we moved on to a new printer for our latest over the top ‘Iesous’ shirt design.
Original artwork by Alex Norman features a detailed drawing of a dead Jesus with a crown of thorns and blind eyes, bleeding crosses in the background on both sides, and his hair engulfing skulls and the Bloodbath logo. The back features a cross dripping in blood with the lyrics: “Eeso Yeshua Iesous Die by Our Rage”. The design was also printed using a technique which results in the ink becoming one with the fabric, creating a soft vintage look and feel.
Not a shirt to miss, grab one now!

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What I find really bad is that someone says they're a Bloodbath fan but won't be any longer because of the t-shirt. It's like they never looked at their lyrics. Or even the song/album titles. Hello, asshole. "Mock The Cross" is a Bloodbath song. If that didn't offend you why did a stupid little t-shirt?

And since the links aren't working because I copy and pasted:
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Well, obviously I think it's stupid, but hey, I listen to metal, and that stuff's everywhere within the genre, and outside of it, so whatever.

Saying, "Perhaps they should ask themselves if it was really death metal they were searching for in the first place" is pretty darn weird, though. Searching for? What? It's so weird to me that metal is like a lifestyle for some people. It's just music.

I think the shirt is kind of lame and cheesy... I just think it's ridiculous that people are outraged by the shirt but they thought it was okay when they heard it on cd.

Well first off, numerous times people cant tell what is said, and listening to it isn't the same as visually wearing it. Visuals can sometimes get people to realize just what they do or like can paint them as, and for a Christian society sometimes finding the hypocrisy in such stuff and they choose god over a form of music.


I complete agree with Chris, though. I'm not really proud nor happy with a lot of the Christ/god hatings themes and lyrics that Metal is associated with but it's what comes with the genre and having a big tollerance to it makes it easy to just let it slide even if it should abhor me. Biggest thing that helps though is that most of the time the level that certain metal bands get with their "anti-christian" or "Satanist" or whichever ways is that it's so cheesy that half the time I can't believe they are sincere in the least. Showing off a Vital Remains cover is one of the last things I want to do, but I wont let it effect me. As long as I'm not forced to associate with both extremes of the metal scene.