Former Gorgoroth frontman Gaahl isn't the only metal head getting in on the Pride playlist fun. On Friday, we noted that Apple Music featured a playlist by the black metal legend in celebration of World Pride Month. It was part of a series on the streaming service that also included other hard rock and heavy metal musicians.
Faith No More's Roddy Bottum, Cynic's Paul Masvidal, Torche's Steven Brooks, Russian Circles' Brian Cook, and Life of Agony's Mina Caputo also submitted playlists.
“Pride for me is about being authentic, honest, and fearless,” says Paul Masvidal of progressive metal outfit Cynic about the playlist he’s made for Pride. “It’s about being my own best friend, and having a complete, lovingly open acceptance of who I am as a queer person. I’m gratefully gay! I chose these songs because they represent musical freedom, deep forms of creative expression, and fearlessness.”
“Pride to me began as a very lonely and personal mission,” Roddy Bottum tells Apple Music. “I came out in 1985 and had no role models. Elton John, Rob Halford, and even Freddie Mercury were still in the closet. Today it means being at a political rally with my community; the sound of our collective chants and handclaps and cheers of confidence. I hope my playlist can somehow reference that through my passion of music listening.”
Here are all the playlists, embedded:
