As most of you are probably aware, Oliver Sykes has been forbidden to encourage mosh pits, walls of death and anything of a similar nature after a distressed mother attempted to sue him because her daughter was injured in a mosh pit at a Bring Me The Horizon gig.
Personally I don't believe that the woman should have any right to sue Oli, as her daughter's injury is actually due to her own irresponsible parenting. She knowingly allowed her underage daughter to attend a concert alone, when there was clearly an age restriction. Indeed, perhaps security should have been more strict, but it's more than likely that the girl simply appeared old enough, as young girls can often look older than they actually are with the aids of makeup and provocative clothing. To me, the fact that she has tried to sue Oli just shows that she feels guilty about what's happened, but is refusing to accept the blame. Moreover, had the girl actually been old enough to go and was injured, it still wouldn't be Oli's fault. While he may have encourgaged people to mosh, the choice to enter the pit was hers and hers alone. She should have had more common sense than to enter a mosh pit full of older men at least twice her size, in which she was obviously going to get hurt. I myself went into a mosh pit at a Slipknot gig when I was twelve. Needless to say I left it quickly and didn't go near another for at least three years, but the important factor is that I never whined about it. I understood why people did it, I just knew that at that time it wasn't for me.
Of course, sometimes mosh pits can be dangerous, but so can crossing the street. Sometimes there'll be a brick shithouse in there that's sole interest is beating the shit out of everyone, but in general the people in mosh pits are some of the nicest in the world. They'll pick you straight back up if you fall down and never intend to hurt anyone; it's all just part of the fun. If you know what you're doing and stay out of pits you know are too hardcore for you, then moshing is a fun and exciting experience.
Moshing has always been a part of the culture surrounding metal and hardcore bands, so why shouldn't we be allowed to do it? And shouldn't the government be focused on more important matters like underage drinking and violence on the streets? Mosh pits occur at most gigs, whether you go to see an indie rock or a heavy metal band, yet somehow it's the metal that's being called the bad influence, as per usual. I think this is completely and ridiculously unjust, especially when we live in a society where it's acceptable and even considered funny to wish for cancer so that you can meet Justin Bieber. With everyone so focused on gay rights, we forget about the prejudice that exists within music genres, and it's actually quite serious. Whilst a few people may have died from injuries attained in mosh pits, what about the thousands more murdered for their interest in the alternative lifestyle? The world is a fucked up place.
I for one will continue to mosh just as hardly as ever, especially at Bring Me The Horizon gigs. Remember guys, as long as it lives within us, they can never destroy the mosh. Peace x
