Trivium’s bassist Paolo Gregoletto had some choice words yesterday for Taylor Swift’s army of fans, otherwise known as the “Swifties.”
What’s the metric for Greatest of All Time?? Insecure fan base? https://t.co/wIdKYLLOY5
— Paolo Gregoletto (@TriviumPaolo) August 10, 2020
The beef seemingly started when it was announced that Metallica had re-entered the Billboard 200, according to chartdata.org. Metalheads naturally celebrated this foundational band’s lasting success and cultural relevance. However, it wasn’t long before the Swifties arrived to spoil the moment.
anyways, steam folklore
— juniorミ☆ (flop era) (@gwsbxtch) August 10, 2020
Can Taylor Swift give you fuel, fire, AND that which you desire!? No, I didn’t think so sweetie. https://t.co/rkYHwFZ5k7
— Paolo Gregoletto (@TriviumPaolo) August 10, 2020
A particularly persistent member of the Swiftie legions appears to have pushed one too many of Mr. Gregoletto’s buttons, claiming that “Mettalica (sic)” couldn’t write an album on the same level as Swift’s Speak Now, Red, and the recently released Folklore. Ms. Swift’s loyal soldier went on to claim that nobody had ever heard of Metallica’s Master of Puppets (???), a crucially influential album that has so far sold six million copies in the United States alone.
Taylor Swift can write 'Mettalica' but Mettalica can't write Speak Now, RED, and #folklore. So sorry Sweetie, Taylor ended them. https://t.co/18t9UuMScH
— Love is a ruthless Game (@iAmAchmad) August 10, 2020
No one knows those album, but everyone knows Fearless, Speak Now, RED, 1989, reputation, Lover and #folklore. #SorryNotSorry https://t.co/j06HhUA5VG
— Love is a ruthless Game (@iAmAchmad) August 10, 2020
This spicy exchange predictably devolved into a flame war between the metalheads and the Swifties over which artist has sold the most music.
Oh please, Taylor outsold those fads.
Stop using old receipt, sweetie ?? https://t.co/pOG8IwzUX8 pic.twitter.com/WQrpltreTL— Love is a ruthless Game (@iAmAchmad) August 10, 2020
Well let's compare youtube views then. ??
— 13 ➐ (@Harusvx) August 10, 2020
So now your comparing videos because the music couldnt hold up?
You really need to take a music history class. Maybe look at the rise of music videos lmao, they werent big until later lmao.
Please stop embarrassing yourself with irrelevant grasps
— Dimukon (@Dimukon) August 10, 2020
Of course, all this drama begs the question: what pissed off the Swifties so much in the first place that they’d actively search Twitter for mentions of Metallica (the only metal band non-metalheads know) specifically to troll anybody giving them their well-deserved praise?
Well, long ago, the Swifties and the metalheads lived together in harmony, perfectly content to listen to their own music within their own separate bubbles. Then, everything changed when Ihsahn attacked.
So, anyone check out the new @taylorswift yet? Personally I like the design?? #Repost @davidthierree ・・・ Well, folks, I 'm not the only one to think that Taylor Swift' s new visual is very Metal… Even very close to Ihsahn 's artworks I made. I could have done it for her, probably for a cheaper price than what she paid ?? #taylorswift #taylorswiftfolklore #folklore #blackmetalart #telemark #davidthierree #darkarts #metalcovers #artist #artwork #metalartist #owlstrollsanddeadkingsskulls #blackmetalmusic #blackmetalcovers
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As reported by Metal Injection late last month, black metal icon Ihsahn (jokingly) called out Swift for the uncanny resemblance between her album art for Folklore and the art for his solo EP Telemark. The Instagram jab seemed to be just a good-natured ribbing, as Ihsahn has made no indication whatsoever that he is interested in legal action. However, that clearly hasn’t stopped the Swifties from coming to their queen’s defense. We’ll be watching this story with great interest.
However this plays out, one thing’s for certain: Mr. Paolo Gregoletto will stand ready to defend Metallica’s honor.
Finally https://t.co/hDaRDE1tx0
— Paolo Gregoletto (@TriviumPaolo) August 10, 2020
(Taylor Swift photo by Eva Rinaldi)
