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Heavy Metal Band Labelled 'Sick' Over Choice Of Name

October 11, 2008

UK's The Huddersfield Daily Examiner reports that the Huddersfield, England-based heavy metal band GATES OF JANUS, which took its name from a book by moors murderer Ian Brady, was today labelled "sick."

GATES OF JANUS will tonight play in Manchester — home of Brady's five victims.

Lindley man Edwin Williams said: "When walking through Manchester I noticed a poster for a band called GATES OF JANUS. The name stuck in my head, for some reason, and it wasn’t until I reached home that I realized this name is taken straight from Ian Brady's book on serial killing."

Williams, 37, added: "It is an outrage that such a band should be allowed to play in the city, where the events of the moors murders are still very sensitive. I am very offended by this, as I am sure many people will be. If this isn't a case for censorship, I don't know what is. Something should be done to stop this sick band playing in Manchester, Huddersfield, or anywhere in the North where the murders are a not-so-distant memory."

A spokesman for GATES OF JANUS denied that the band's music glorified Ian Brady.

He said: "Clearly this person has not understood the message of our music. Our lyrics do not 'glorify' the murders, merely tell part of a story that is ingrained in our local history. Even 20 years ago, bands like SLAYER were writing about religious hypocrisy, and historical events such as the Holocaust, and they have consistently said they are not themselves supportive of those events."

The spokesman added: "Bands such as CHILDREN OF BODOM and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER are also named after famous murders, and they are successful international acts. Outside of metal, artists such as THE SMITHS have dealt with the moors murders as well."

GATES OF JANUS is:

Joey Alderson - Guitar, Vocals
Alex Haydock - Guitar
Tom Robinson - Bass
James Bentham - Drums

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/gatesofjanus.

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