US forces fight Taliban with heavy metal

[Whisper]

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/5/22/1243004976943/American-soldiers-on-patr-001.jpg

American marines in Afghanistan unveil secret weapon against resistance – Metallica, Thin Lizzy and Offspring albums

The sounds of Metallica and Thin Lizzy are now being used on the frontline in Afghanistan, according to a report by the AFP. Marines are allegedly blasting heavy metal into villages in Marjah, hoping to subdue the Taliban through ringing ears.

"Taliban hate [this] music," said a US special forces sergeant. "Some locals complain but it's a way to push them to choose [sides]. It's motivating marines as well." Apparently, when rebel forces start firing on American soldiers in Marjah, an armoured vehicle with "powerful speakers" fires up the tunes, blaring rock and heavy metal so loudly that it can be heard two kilometres away. The tactical playlist continues for several hours.

As the military blasts Offspring's Pretty Fly for a White Guy, children cover their ears and, it is claimed, insurgents lay down their arms. Mixed in with the songs are messages from the Afghan government and threats to the Taliban resistance. There are no obscenities, the AFP's contact promises, "but we tell them they're gonna die".

Soldiers may not be DJing in Marjah for much longer. "It's inappropriate," said lieutenant colonel Brian Christmas, the commander of marines in northern Marjah. Christmas claimed he had not heard of (or heard) the audio attacks. "I'm going to ask this to stop right now."


Source (http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/apr/07/us-forces-fight-taliban-metal)

[Perseus]

Lame, they should play some Iron Maiden. Now, that would be awesome.

But, that's actually really unique. I think I've heard of that before. It's smart.

[Hatsune Miku]

So...much...win
I think I'm going to cry

Fucking America, they finally did something right ;~;

[Peace God]

I was reading the other day that they were using extremely loud music to torture Guantanamo prisoners. Rage Against the Machine(ironic), NIN and some others.
“Guantanamo is known around the world as one of the places where human beings have been tortured – from water boarding, to stripping, hooding and forcing detainees into humiliating sexual acts - playing music for 72 hours in a row at volumes just below that to shatter the eardrums. Guantanamo may be Dick Cheney’s idea of America, but it’s not mine. The fact that music I helped create was used in crimes against humanity sickens me – we need to end torture and close Guantanamo now.
Sources:
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/musicians-protest-tunes-used-in-interrogations/
http://newsecurityaction.org/pages/music-used-to-torture

[ShatteredWings]

Full of win.

[Kahn]

I might join the Armed forces now.

[Sugaree]

>Thin Lizzy
>heavy metal

Uh, no. Then again, I haven't listened to TL in a long time...might be a bit off. That's not a bad strategy, good on them.

[Hatsune Miku]

I might join the Armed forces now.

That's what I was thinking

[Patchy]

Hmm and they say this is a bad idea?

It stops troops from running in fighting without a chance, gives them a chance to creep out the enemy and make them slightly deaf.

[Peace God]

I still dont get how that would work.

[Sage]

It improves soldier morale and stops the enemies in an (arguably) non-violent manner. Why stop? Rock on, soldiers.

[Patchy]

It improves soldier morale and stops the enemies in an (arguably) non-violent manner. Why stop? Rock on, soldiers.

Exactly!!!

If it makes it more enjoyable (not the best word to use) for them to enter a battle then so be it.

[Whisper]

I still dont get how that would work.
Its psychological warfare
Its been used throughout history to great effect

Boosts troop moral and resolve while frightening and confusing enemy forces
and if they really are surrendering without any shots fired
I don't get why they wouldn't continue this in other areas of Afghanistan and Iraq

[Perseus]

Its psychological warfare
Its been used throughout history to great effect

Boosts troop moral and resolve while frightening and confusing enemy forces
and if they really are surrendering without any shots fired
I don't get why they wouldn't continue this in other areas of Afghanistan and Iraq

Maybe because it's too loud and the villagers don't like it? I don't know, though.

[Whisper]

Maybe because it's too loud and the villagers don't like it? I don't know, though.
true but villagers also don't like getting shot and when theres a big fire fight or IED's going off allot of civilians die
so if all its taking is a few headaches to make them surrender or retreat then as far as im concerned its a small price to pay

-shrug-

[dontknow2010]

I might join the Armed forces now.

Me too...

[Perseus]

true but villagers also don't like getting shot and when theres a big fire fight or IED's going off allot of civilians die
so if all its taking is a few headaches to make them surrender or retreat then as far as im concerned its a small price to pay

-shrug-

Lol, maybe the lieutenant colonel is just angry.

[Peace God]

Its psychological warfare
Its been used throughout history to great effect

Boosts troop moral and resolve while frightening and confusing enemy forces
and if they really are surrendering without any shots fired
I don't get why they wouldn't continue this in other areas of Afghanistan and Iraq
well ive never been in a war environment but i dont think the enemy blasting music that i dont like would do much
plus wouldn't the music be louder for the american forces?
i sort of get the morale part but i still think it would make american soldiers less efficient
im not trying to say this idea wasn't awesome because it was.

but watever im not really here to debate it...i just dont see the effectiveness of it

[Hatsune Miku]

The start of a revolution...

Burn your guns...
Defuse your bombs...

Plug in your Amp!
AND FUCKIN ROCK!

[Alfred Pennyworth]

all of this is pure genius

and zelda, right on!!!


NOW WHO'S READY TO ROCK!!!!!

[jojo1282]

i akmost hate america but i am an american anyways we have done so many bad things but at least we did somethin gud

[mrmcdonaldduck]

if they played better songs, i might just want to join them, and i give them 5 stars for originality in the idea.

[Kahn]

It is awesome. Imagine being on the battlefield, and all of a sudden you just start to hear heavy metal? I'd go fucking super soldier on them.

[Perseus]

It is awesome. Imagine being on the battlefield, and all of a sudden you just start to hear heavy metal? I'd go fucking super soldier on them.

"All right Marines, move out. Stay frosty and all that jazz." *Cue the music*
"Fuck yeah, I will never die!!!!" *Ten seconds later, marine is dead*

I wouldn't go super soldier just because of music. :P

[Kahn]

I still would go Super Soldier.

[scuba steve]

the British use something similar, i seen it on a documentary that when they get pinned down they have an interpretur on a load speaker literally saying stuff like "fuck you" and "your cause is dommed" etc through a big loud speaker, to give away the Talibans possition