Danzig under fire for using Nazi-associated symbol on new merch

Danzig are facing criticism for using a Nazi-associated symbol on their new official merchandise.

The New Jersey heavy metal band are currently out on the road for a run of US West Coast headline shows, which kicked off earlier this month.

As Metal Injection reports, the group are selling some new T-shirts and posters with a questionable design at the dates. Numerous fans have noted the use of the Sonnenrad – aka Sunwheel or Black Sun – on the merch.

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), this symbol is “one of a number of ancient European symbols appropriated by the Nazis in their attempt to invent an idealised ‘Aryan/Norse’ heritage”.

The ADL added: “The sonnenrad appears in the traditional symbology of many countries and cultures, including Old Norse and Celtic cultures. It has countless variations; the swastika and similar rounded variants are actually sonnenrad forms, as are certain versions of the Celtic Cross.

“In Nazi Germany, the Nazi Party, the SA and the SS all used sonnenrad symbology at times, which has led neo-Nazis and other modern white supremacists to adopt such images. One sonnenrad version in particular is popular among white supremacists: two concentric circles with crooked rays emanating from the inner circle to the outer circle.

“Often white supremacists will put another hate symbol such as a swastika in the center of the inner circle.”

It continued: “Because sonnenrad imagery is used by many cultures around the world, one should not assume that most sonnenrad-like images necessarily denote racism or white supremacy; rather, they should be analyzed carefully in the context in which they appear.”

Danzig frontman Glenn Danzig has not yet commented on the issue. However, some extreme right-wing figures have been endorsing the merch and welcoming the band as their own.

‘Johnny Doomsayer’, who calls himself “pro-White” on X/Twitter, said that the lead singer was now “one of our guys”. Sharing an article on Volk News, he also pointed to fans calling out the band on Reddit.

Can't spell Danzig without nazi pic.twitter.com/1KLako805S

— jam (@newdayfalling) March 30, 2025

Ok, which one of you maniacs designed the current Danzig merch? Read More