This month, Glenn Danzig, the iconic frontman of Misfits and Danzig, commenced a short tour across the United States, featuring performances supported by Down, Abbath, and Cro-Mags. The tour is set to continue until the end of March, promising an exhilarating experience for concertgoers. However, a segment of fans has voiced concerns regarding Danzig’s merchandise, which allegedly incorporates Nazi iconography, sparking a significant debate in the music community.

Understanding the Controversy Surrounding Danzig’s Merchandise

In the last 24 hours, numerous Reddit threads have surfaced across various subreddits, showcasing images of Danzig merchandise that prominently features the controversial “Black Sun” symbol, also known as the “sunwheel” or “sonnenrad” symbol. The Anti-Defamation League explains that this symbol is among a series of ancient European emblems that were co-opted by the Nazis to fabricate a glorified notion of an ‘Aryan/Norse’ heritage.

According to the ADL:

The sonnenrad holds significance in the traditional symbology of various cultures, including Old Norse and Celtic traditions. It exists in numerous forms; the swastika and similar rounded variants are indeed manifestations of the sonnenrad, as are specific iterations of the Celtic Cross. During the era of Nazi Germany, the Nazi Party, along with the SA and SS, utilized sonnenrad imagery, which has consequently led to its adoption by contemporary neo-Nazis and other white supremacist groups. A particular variant of the sonnenrad, characterized by two concentric circles with jagged rays extending from the inner circle to the outer circle, is notably favored among white supremacists. Often, these groups will insert another hate symbol, such as a swastika, at the center of the inner circle.

However, due to the widespread historical usage of sonnenrad imagery across numerous cultures, it’s crucial not to hastily interpret all sonnenrad-like symbols as indicators of racism or white supremacy; instead, they should be scrutinized in the specific context in which they appear.

The ongoing Reddit discussions have predominantly revolved around the same image used for Danzig’s concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, on March 29. This image depicts a stylized cartoon version of Danzig, donning an upside-down cross, with a fierce expression as he stands before the “Black Sun” symbol, his fists ablaze. Additionally, some versions of the merchandise are designed to glow in the dark, adding a unique element to their appeal.

For instance, a thread on the r/Danzig subreddit titled “Nazi merch at the Danzig show last night” emerged on March 30, quickly garnering numerous comments that both confirmed and condemned the merchandise’s associations. One user remarked, “His stage name is Danzig; he has always intentionally courted controversy,” while another voiced, “You cannot display Nazi imagery in a time when there are actual Nazis in power and label it ‘occult.’ Stop endorsing this fascist imagery.”

Another thread on the same subreddit, named “FFS, Really Glenn? This is over the line,” ignited a similar wave of passionate and divided opinions. One commenter reflected, “It’s as if people forget Glenn Danzig’s nearly 50-year career. He has consistently utilized controversial symbols and imagery. This is the same individual who penned ‘Bullet.’ He employs iron crosses and pentagrams and relishes in provoking reactions. Is he a Nazi? Highly unlikely. Just let it go.”

Similar discussions have also emerged within the r/punk and r/AntifascistsofReddit subreddits, where Danzig has been both criticized and defended for his use of the symbol.

As of now, Danzig has yet to issue any official statement regarding this controversy, and you can view the contentious image alongside two conflicting reactions below.

READ MORE: Detroit Venue Issues Statement After Shutting Down Black Metal Concert With Strong Racist + Neo-Nazi Associations

Exploring Danzig’s History of Controversial Statements

This incident is far from the first time that Danzig has found himself at the center of controversy in recent years. In 2021, for example, Loudwire reported on his statements questioning whether punk bands, including the Misfits, could continue to produce edgy material in today’s climate, which he deemed filled with “woke nonsense.”

Specifically referencing the song “Last Caress,” which discusses dark themes of violence against children and women, Danzig expressed to Rolling Stone:

It’s just a crazy-ass song. We would create music solely to provoke a reaction. . . . People fail to understand, due to the current atmosphere of cancel culture and woke culture, that such a punk explosion could never occur today. It simply wouldn’t be possible. We were fortunate to experience it when we did because it will never happen again. The emergence of bands like ours won’t recur; everyone is so uptight and politically correct nowadays, it’s just, “Okay, whatever.”

In a 1994 interview with Rolling Stone, Danzig reflected on a moment from his “1990 long-form” video concerning his book collection, where he asserted that “every school child” should have access to a copy of The Occult Roots of Nazism:

“It was meant to be sarcastic. Nevertheless, you can learn from it. If a book is published, it contains knowledge. Allowing your bias to interfere only results in ignorance. If I were a Nazi hunter, I would want to read this book. If someone deems it politically incorrect to own this book, my response is, ‘Screw you.’ If you attempt to dictate what I can or cannot read, who is truly the fascist?”