The Moral Panic Surrounding Heavy Metal and Satanic Cults in the 1980s

In the 80s, there was a moral panic about heavy metal music being associated with satanic cults. Christian fundamentalists and concerned parents accused musicians of hiding satanic messages in their songs. They believed playing records backwards revealed these messages. This fear stemmed from the public's memory of the Manson family murders and the media's portrayal of brainwashed young girls. Parents worried their children would join similar cults. This irrational panic was fueled by politicians like Reagan and Tipper Gore. It was a moral panic that had no basis in reality.