It would be a stretch to call industrial provocateurs Skinny Puppy “metal,” as the UK’s Independent does. However, it’s pretty insane to read that their music was used to torture prisoners in Guantanamo Bay prison camps, and even more insane to hear that, upon finding that out, the band invoiced the United States government. In an interview with the Phoenix New Times, the band’s cEvin Key states that it let to the title of the band’s new album, Weapon.
“We heard through a reliable grapevine that our music was being used in Guantanamo Bay prison camps to musically stun or torture people,” Key said. “We heard that our music was used on at least four occasions. So we thought it would be a good idea to make an invoice to the U.S. government for musical services, thus the concept of the record title, Weapons.”
Because the band makes unsettling music, Key said he understood why it could be used that way, but he said it didn’t “sit right” with the band. There’s no word on how or even if the government responded. Weapon was released in May of last year.
