Vietnam Requiem

Annotation

Heavy Metal band, formed in 1986, Haarlem, Netherlands, and disbanded in 1992, shortly after this, their only album. The final song "The Vietnam Requiem" was split into eight parts, which included documentary clips, included quoting Lyndon B. Johnson, US president (1962-1968). It referenced many well-known themes and episodes, including combat conditions, search and destroy, the Tet Offensive, the My Lai massacre, missing in action (M.I.A.), killed in action (K.I.A.), medals (the Purple Heart and Silver Star), and the treatment and impact on the veteran. Sections 1-6 focused on the combat zone: "Hueys sliding up to combat zone... lock and load and on patrol". Sections 7-8 focused on the post-war negative impact of the war, on those that fought: "it’s all over now...our youth was blown away". It also contained descriptions of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - frequently referenced in post-war 1980s songs about US veterans, often connected in songs to stress, shell shock, flashbacks, nostalgia, and feelings and dreams related to an event: "it left scars in their minds... back home, still in the jungle" The veteran also recalled various place names, familiar sayings, and…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

About the artist

Heavy Metal band, formed in 1986 in Haarlem, Netherlands, disbanded 1992 shortly after their only album.

Themes

Combat · Search & Destroy · Tet Offensive · My Lai · M.I.A. · K.I.A. · Purple Heart · Silver Star · Medals · Vet · Mistreatment of Vet · PTSD · Khe Sanh · LBJ · Helicopter · Foxhole · Jungle · Da Nang · Saigon

In collections

European Songs · Metal Songs · My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs