Best of the Spectator Spectator Out Loud: Luke Coppen, Mary Wakefield, Daniel McCarthy, Michael Simmons & Hugh Thomson
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Nov 4, 2025 Mary Wakefield, a seasoned writer for The Spectator, celebrates cartoonist Michael Heath's remarkable 75-year career and shares insights from their engaging conversation. Daniel McCarthy warns about the dangers of US-led regime change in Venezuela, highlighting potential chaos and mass migration. Michael Simmons critiques the reliability of Britain’s official data, stressing its implications for governance. Hugh Thomson reflects on 1970s terrorism through Jason Burke’s work, revealing the complex legacy of that era.
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Religious Imagery Fuels Black Metal
- Luke Coppin observes that black metal's anti-religious imagery often borrows Christian language and ritual.
- This allows converts like Emil London to create “Roman Catholic black metal” that reclaims the genre's drama and romance.
Emil London's Catholic Conversion
- Emil London converted to Catholicism and formed Revorum Ibn Malacht, releasing De Mysterious Dom Christi in 2014.
- He feared backlash but experienced none, showing the scene's surprising tolerance.
Longevity Through Constant Work
- Mary Wakefield highlights Michael Heath's 75-year tenure at The Spectator and continuous work ethic.
- Heath credits chronic observation and constant drawing for his longevity and output.
