Seinfeld26 wrote:
May be join or start a political rally? Try bringing their music and political views to a wider audience? Volunteer? Start a non-profit? Do something I haven't even thought of? If Sepultura and Testament can be socially active, so can Lamb of God, Slayer, Phil Anselmo and Exodus (Lord bless them, I love all four bands - three if you don't count Phil Anselmo, who's basically a solo artist for all intents and purposes).
I know a lot of metal bands probably don't have the money, respect or resources to do all these things. But it's a little hypocritical of them to rant about how society's going to pot, and then spend their non-music time just sitting around watching TV or goofing off, rather than at least attempting to do something about what they're complaing about. Even if they're just starting a local non-profit to deal with, say, a corrupt mayor or Urban Apathy. It's better than nothing at all. But if you front a metal band and don't even have the incentive/wish to better society, then may be you shouldn't be ranting about it so much in your music. Otherwise, you're not really accomplishing anything other than may be gaining a few anti-social adolescent fans.
It has always been the duty of the "arts' to provide social commentary via whatever branch the artist is involved. They're doing their part by focusing attention on whatever particular issue that they're commenting on. Case in point would be the recent attention Dave Mustain has conjured due to Megadeth's "United Abominations" track. Well, really the entire CD but that song raised the ire of a few over at the UN obviously. Dave has safely performed his civic duty.