JudasMyGuide
Ancient Mariner
I am unhappy that Maiden chose Ghost as their opening band for the 2017 US tour. Ghost is pretty overtly Luciferian, if not outright Satanic. As a Christian, this is repulsive to me. I love Maiden and have always defended them against accusations of being Satanic. (The Number of the Beast is a warning against the devil.) I don't like Maiden being associated with Ghost.
If I ever decide that Maiden is Satanic (and please God don't let it be true), then I will abandon them.
I can see how this might be seen as an unpopular opinion, especially here (apart from me and Travis I think most people here are atheists/"ex-theists")
Anyway, as a pretty devout believer I have never even slightly felt that Maiden might be in any way dangerous. True, some parts are quite close to the edge, I guess (but I'd rather point to Moonchild in that regard than to TNOTB ), but in general I actually feel Maiden are pretty pro-Christian and were so even before Nicko's conversion. There's more references to praying, belief, hey, Jesus even (the last stanza of FTGGOG is pretty explicit, IMHO) than most other metal bands. (True, Bruce and his Aleister Crowley obsession that he managed to drag over to his solo career are a bit annoying, but nobody's perfect, eh?)
That said, I can see how the choice of Ghost might be problematic in that regard. I don't know what to think myself. Well, first of all, Ghost are overrated. But so are most bands, actually. As for the satanic angle... Dunno, I have always strongly disliked that in any band, even before my conversion. Because either they are serious about it and that gives me the creeps or they do it just for the show and controversy and that's cheap and stupid. It's the equivalent of bringing a stripper to the stage. Ghost are... so over the top I actually don't mind it all that much. I can't take that seriously any more than I'd take seriously Cannibal Corpse and their entrails ripped from an infant zombie or whatever. Still doesn't make the image in any way intelligent or appealing to me.
So when I saw them as the opening band on the Maiden England tour... Well, I actually discovered them there. Give their albums a few spins, so as to know what the buzz is all about and decided they're not for me. They are pretty monothematic and their music's not that great.
However, better stay away from Therion - now that's a pretty occultic band