Walt Disney Co., which has built its reputation on being a
bastion for wholesome family entertainment, is about to release
an album by Danzig--a heavy metal singer whose work is laced
with satanic themes.
The album, "Blackacidevil," will be released by Disney's
Hollywood Records division on Oct. 30--the day before
Halloween and celebrated in some cities as "Devil's Night."
Danzig, a 20-year music industry veteran, has long denied
that he is a satanist, according to his publicist. She also said
that the new album contains no satanic references, but includes
lots of "dark, gothic and sexual" imagery.
Hollywood Records, which has been a financial
embarrassment to Disney since its launch in 1990, wooed
Danzig away from Time Warner's American Recordings for a
lucrative seven-figure deal, sources said. Until now,
Disney has shied away from affiliations with controversial rock and rap
acts.
Several competitors questioned Disney's decision to sign
such a controversial artist, particularly one who sells so few
records. Sources said that no competitor even came close to
Disney's bid for Danzig, whose recent recordings have not sold
more than 500,000 copies each.
Disney has been branching beyond its franchise in family
entertainment in recent years. It has been the target of
conservative and Christian fundamentalist criticism for several
movies released by Disney-owned Miramax. And some
groups are boycotting the company in part because it extended
same-sex benefits to its employees. Disney executives declined
comment.
By CHUCK PHILIPS, Times Staff Writer
Copyright Los Angeles Times