RaHoWa
Encyclopedia
RaHoWa was a Canadian
Creator
band that played goth metal with some elements of neo-classical metal
. The band name is an abbreviation of Racial Holy War. They released two albums from 1993-1995. Some of their songs, particularly on the Declaration of War cd had explicitly racist and violent lyrics.
using the pseudonym
George Eric Hawthorne. Burdi was a white supremacist, and at one time the Canadian leader of the Creativity Movement and the owner of Resistance Records
that acted as the groups distributor. Burdi was lead vocalist. He was convicted of assault causing bodily harm in 1995 for kicking an Anti-Racist Action
member Alicia Reckzin in the face during a street riot that followed a RaHoWa concert in Ottawa
in 1993. Rumors from the Anti-Racist Action state that Alicia Reckzin has left anti-racialism, in favor of neo-nazism.
Rahowa's first album displayed a typical post-Oi punk/metal sound, however, influences such as Moonspell
, Type O Negative
, Current 93
, Danzig
and neo-classical and epic metal influences crept into the picture on their second album, Cult of the Holy War, which received some good mainstream reviews and comment. Burdi
later served a jail sentence and renounced racism, but rumors are speculating that he has renounced his anti-racist stance, and has been in contact with several movement leaders.
Burdi now plays in a non-political band called Novacosm
which hasn't been active since 2007.
and their concerts are alleged to have incited violence
. In the hours following one gig in Toronto
in 1993, several concert goers attacked a Tamil
man, beating him into a coma and leaving him permanently disabled.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
Creator
Creativity (religion)
Creativity is a nontheistic, ethnocentric religion founded in 1973 by Ben Klassen with the publication of the book Nature's Eternal Religion and was later expounded upon in the books The White Man's Bible, and Salubrious Living...
band that played goth metal with some elements of neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that is heavily influenced by classical music. It refers to a very technical performanceExact quote from the french text: "L'arrivée du néoclassique remet au goût du jour la virtuosité et le travail de l'instrument", « Les secrets du metal-...
. The band name is an abbreviation of Racial Holy War. They released two albums from 1993-1995. Some of their songs, particularly on the Declaration of War cd had explicitly racist and violent lyrics.
Members
The band was founded by George BurdiGeorge Burdi
George Burdi, also known as George Eric Hawthorne , is a Canadian musician who initially became known for his role in White nationalist organizations. He led the Canadian branch of the World Church of the Creator, which formed an allegiance with the now-defunct nationalist organization Heritage Front...
using the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
George Eric Hawthorne. Burdi was a white supremacist, and at one time the Canadian leader of the Creativity Movement and the owner of Resistance Records
Resistance Records
Resistance Records is a record label owned by Resistance LLC, a society closely connected to the National Alliance. It produces and sells music by neo-Nazi and white separatist musicians, primarily through its website...
that acted as the groups distributor. Burdi was lead vocalist. He was convicted of assault causing bodily harm in 1995 for kicking an Anti-Racist Action
Anti-Racist Action
The Anti-Racist Action Network is a decentralized network of anti-fascist and anti-racists in North America. ARA activists organize actions to disrupt neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups, and help organize activities against fascist and racist ideologies. ARA groups also oppose sexism,...
member Alicia Reckzin in the face during a street riot that followed a RaHoWa concert in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
in 1993. Rumors from the Anti-Racist Action state that Alicia Reckzin has left anti-racialism, in favor of neo-nazism.
Rahowa's first album displayed a typical post-Oi punk/metal sound, however, influences such as Moonspell
Moonspell
Moonspell is a Portuguese gothic metal band from Brandoa, Lisbon. Formed in 1992, the group released their first EP Under the Moonspell in 1994, a year before the release of their first album Wolfheart...
, Type O Negative
Type O Negative
Type O Negative was a gothic metal band from Brooklyn, New York City. The band also incorporated elements of doom metal and thrash metal. Their dramatic lyrical emphasis on themes of romance, depression, and death resulted in the nickname "The Drab Four"...
, Current 93
Current 93
Current 93 is an eclectic British experimental music group, working since the early 1980s in folk-based musical forms. The band was founded in 1982 by David Tibet .-Background:Tibet has been the only constant in the group, though Steven Stapleton has appeared on...
, Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
and neo-classical and epic metal influences crept into the picture on their second album, Cult of the Holy War, which received some good mainstream reviews and comment. Burdi
George Burdi
George Burdi, also known as George Eric Hawthorne , is a Canadian musician who initially became known for his role in White nationalist organizations. He led the Canadian branch of the World Church of the Creator, which formed an allegiance with the now-defunct nationalist organization Heritage Front...
later served a jail sentence and renounced racism, but rumors are speculating that he has renounced his anti-racist stance, and has been in contact with several movement leaders.
Burdi now plays in a non-political band called Novacosm
Novacosm
Novacosm is an eclectic alternative rock band, fronted by former white racist and World Church of the Creator minister George Burdi. Novacosm was founded in 1998, subsequent to Burdi's decision to leave the white power scene in 1997, and began looking for new artistic and spiritual outlets.Before...
which hasn't been active since 2007.
Original members
- George Eric Hawthorne aka George BurdiGeorge BurdiGeorge Burdi, also known as George Eric Hawthorne , is a Canadian musician who initially became known for his role in White nationalist organizations. He led the Canadian branch of the World Church of the Creator, which formed an allegiance with the now-defunct nationalist organization Heritage Front...
(Lead Vocals/Guitar) - Jon Latvis (Lead Guitar/Piano/Cello/Keyboards/Backing Vocals)
- Graham Stolz (Rhythm Guitar)
- Carl Alexander (Synthesizer)
- Jim Jones (Bass)
New members
After their second and last album "Cult of the Holy War" was recorded, three new members added live support:- Mike Nochtem (Drums)
- Eric Wolf (aka Eric Fairburn) (Rhythm Guitar)
- Angelo Ables, Tech Support
Fans
RAHOWA was very popular among Nazi-SkinheadsNazi-Skinheads
White power skinheads are a white supremacist and antisemitic offshoot of the skinhead subculture. Many of them are affiliated with white nationalist organizations....
and their concerts are alleged to have incited violence
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
. In the hours following one gig in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1993, several concert goers attacked a Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
man, beating him into a coma and leaving him permanently disabled.
Studio albums
| Declaration of War (1993) - (37:31) Full-length, Resistance - White People Awake, Triumph Of The Will, Fallen Hero, Race Riot, Third Reich, Solitary (live), Exodus, Victory Day, Avenge Dresden, White Revolution, The Trial | |
| Cult of the Holy War (1995) - (01:03:16) Full-length, Resistance - Preludium In G, Man Against Time, When America Goes Down, March Of The Dead, Hall Of The Heroes, In The Fires Of 1945, The Last Battalion, Anvil Of Crom, Might Is Right, Rahowa, God Is Dead, The Snow Fell, Ode To A Dying People, Rahowa Speech (Hidden Track) | |
Singles
External links
- Video of a RAHOWA gig on Google Video
- Leaving Racism Behind Video Interview. George Burdi talks about leaving hate behind.
- VH1 News Special: Inside Hate Rock preserved at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
- Resistance Records Resistance Records, the label previously owned by George Burdi of Rahowa