From sketch-checker
Researches metal bands for ties to far-right, NSBM, or fascist movements using community databases and produces sourced sketch reports with historical tier and current status verdicts.
npx claudepluginhub sam-dumont/claude-skills --plugin sketch-checkerThis skill uses the workspace's default tool permissions.
Research whether a metal band has ties to far-right, NSBM (National Socialist Black Metal), or fascist movements. Produces a sourced "sketch report" with dual-axis verdicts using the Hellseatic community convention.
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Research whether a metal band has ties to far-right, NSBM (National Socialist Black Metal), or fascist movements. Produces a sourced "sketch report" with dual-axis verdicts using the Hellseatic community convention.
This skill uses a 3-phase parallel research methodology: cast a wide net across community databases, music industry records, and press/interviews simultaneously, then follow up on specific leads, then synthesize into a structured verdict.
Output: A markdown report saved to sketch-reports/{band-name}.md plus a concise conversation summary.
Evaluates the band's entire history from formation to present.
| Tier | Meaning | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Safe | No connections found | No sketch ties in any research phase. Clean across members, labels, splits, and statements. |
| Mild Sketch | Tangential or ambiguous connections | One-off split with a sketch band. Appeared on a compilation with sketch acts. Single member's very old side project had sketch ties but was brief. |
| Moderate Sketch | Pattern of connections or significant single incident | Multiple splits/collaborations with sketch acts. Played known sketch festivals. Member(s) with sustained sketch side projects. Dog-whistle lyrics that go beyond "edgy." |
| Major Sketch | Direct ideological engagement | Band members made public statements supporting far-right ideology. Lyrics with explicit NS themes. Close, sustained ties to NS organizations or labels. Band logo/imagery incorporates explicit NS symbolism (beyond standard BM aesthetic). |
| Nazi | Openly NSBM or white supremacist | Self-identifies as NSBM. Explicit NS lyrics across discography. Active in NS organizations. No ambiguity. |
Evaluates the band's present-day stance and activity (last ~3 years).
| Tier | Meaning | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Safe | Currently clean | No current sketch ties. May have distanced themselves from past connections. Active statements or actions against far-right. |
| Mild Sketch | Minor current concerns | Still on a label with some sketch roster. Hasn't explicitly denounced past connections but isn't actively sketch. |
| Moderate Sketch | Active sketch-adjacent behavior | Currently playing sketch festivals. Active collaborations with sketch acts. Ambiguous statements when confronted. |
| Major Sketch | Active ideological engagement | Recent far-right statements. Current NS-adjacent projects. Active in sketch scenes. |
| Nazi | Currently active NSBM/WS | Self-identifies as NSBM. Active NS organizing. Explicit current propaganda. |
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| High | Multiple independent sources confirm the assessment. Direct evidence (statements, credited releases). |
| Medium | Sources agree but rely partly on secondary evidence. Some gaps in the record. |
| Low | Limited sources. Conflicting information. Mostly anonymous/forum-based evidence. |
Launch exactly 3 Task agents in parallel using the Task tool. Each agent searches independent source categories and returns structured findings.
Sources to search:
site:hellseatic.de "{band name}" or hellseatic "{band name}" sketchsite:sketchycon.blog "{band name}"Search queries for each source:
"{band name}" sketch OR nsbm OR fascist OR far-right site:reddit.com/r/rabm
"{band name}" site:reddit.com/r/IsItSketch
"{band name}" sketch OR avoid site:rateyourmusic.com
"{band name}" site:hellseatic.de
"{band name}" site:sketchycon.blog
Reddit access strategy: Reddit blocks automated access aggressively. Use this fallback chain:
site:reddit.com/r/rabm "{band name}" — read the snippets in search resultsold.reddit.com URLs (more accessible than new Reddit)"{band name}" sketch reddit without site restrictionAgent output template:
## Community Database Findings: {band name}
### r/rabm
- Found: [yes/no]
- Threads: [list URLs and key quotes]
- Community verdict: [summary]
### r/IsItSketch
- Found: [yes/no]
- Threads: [list URLs and key quotes]
- Community verdict: [summary]
### RYM
- Found on avoid lists: [yes/no]
- Details: [summary]
### Hellseatic
- Found: [yes/no]
- Details: [summary]
### sketchycon.blog
- Found: [yes/no]
- Details: [summary]
### Key Leads for Phase 2
- [List any member names, side projects, labels, or connections that need deeper investigation]
Sources to search:
Critical: For EACH member listed on Metal Archives, search their side projects. This is where sketch connections most often hide. A vocalist's ambient side project on a known NS label is a significant finding.
Known sketch labels to auto-flag: Darker Than Black, Hammerbolt, Purity Through Fire (some releases), Heidens Hart, Werwolf (Satanic Warmaster's label), Vinland Winds, Elegy Records, Totenkopf Propaganda, Breath of Pestilence, Signal Rex (some releases), Amor Fati (some releases), Lower Silesian Stronghold, Nebelfee Klangwerke, Militant Zone
Search queries:
"{band name}" site:metal-archives.com
"{band name}" site:bandcamp.com
"{band name}" discography label site:discogs.com
For each member found on Metal Archives:
"{member name}" metal-archives.com
"{member name}" side project OR other bands
Agent output template:
## Metal Archives & Industry Findings: {band name}
### Band Profile
- Active: [years]
- Country: [country]
- Genre: [listed genre]
- Labels: [list all, flag any known sketch labels]
### Members & Side Projects
For each member:
- **{Member name}** ({instrument}, {years})
- Side projects: [list each with genre and label]
- Flagged projects: [any with sketch connections]
### Discography Red Flags
- Splits with: [list split partners, flag any sketch bands]
- Compilations: [list, flag any with sketch acts]
- Label history: [any known sketch labels?]
### Bandcamp/Discogs Notes
- [Any relevant statements, imagery, or connections found]
### Key Leads for Phase 2
- [List specific connections that need deeper investigation]
Sources to search:
site:eclipshead.com "{band name}""{band name}" interview + look for political questionsKnown sketch festivals to auto-flag: Asgardsrei (Ukraine), Hot Shower (Italy, defunct), Steelfest (Finland, some years), Chants de Guerre, Under the Black Sun (some years), Fête du Soleil, Runes & Men (some editions)
Search queries:
site:eclipshead.com "{band name}"
"{band name}" interview political OR ideology OR nsbm OR fascist
"{band name}" festival lineup
"{band name}" controversy OR problematic OR sketch
Agent output template:
## Press & Public Statements Findings: {band name}
### eclipshead.com
- Found: [yes/no]
- Details: [summary of any coverage]
### Interviews
- [List interviews found with relevant quotes]
- Political statements: [direct quotes if any]
### Social Media
- Platforms found: [list]
- Notable follows/endorsements: [any sketch figures or orgs]
- Statements: [relevant posts]
### Festival History
- Known sketch festivals played: [list with dates]
- Other notable festivals: [context]
### Key Leads for Phase 2
- [List specific claims, connections, or leads that need verification]
After Phase 1 agents return, synthesize their findings and identify gaps or leads that need follow-up. Launch 1-3 additional Task agents depending on what was found.
Only launch Phase 2 agents if Phase 1 produced leads worth chasing. If Phase 1 returned a clear Safe or clear Nazi verdict with high confidence, Phase 2 may be unnecessary.
If Phase 1 identified specific members with potentially sketch side projects:
If Phase 1 identified the band on a potentially sketch label:
If Phase 1 found conflicting claims or unverified allegations:
After all research phases complete, synthesize findings into a structured report.
Tier evidence by source reliability:
| Tier | Source Type | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Strongest) | Band's own statements, credited releases, official imagery | Highest |
| 2 | Investigative journalism, well-sourced articles (eclipshead, etc.) | High |
| 3 | Community databases, curated lists (r/rabm, Hellseatic, sketchycon) | Medium |
| 4 | Anonymous forum posts, unsourced claims, speculation | Low |
Distinguish between:
Direct evidence outweighs association evidence, which outweighs aesthetic evidence.
Save the full report to sketch-reports/{band-name}.md (create the directory if it doesn't exist). Use lowercase, hyphenated band name for the filename.
# Sketch Report: {Band Name}
**Date:** {YYYY-MM-DD}
**Researcher:** Claude (sketch-checker skill)
## Verdict
| Axis | Rating | Confidence |
|------|--------|------------|
| **Historical** | {tier} | {High/Medium/Low} |
| **Current Status** | {tier} | {High/Medium/Low} |
**Summary:** {2-3 sentence plain-language summary of the verdict and key evidence}
## Band Identity
- **Active:** {years}
- **Country:** {country}
- **Genre:** {genre}
- **Current label:** {label}
- **Current members:** {list}
## Member Analysis
For each member with relevant findings:
### {Member Name} ({instrument})
- **Side projects:** {list}
- **Flagged connections:** {details}
- **Assessment:** {clean / sketch connection with details}
## Lyrics & Imagery
- **Lyrical themes:** {overview}
- **Flagged content:** {specific lyrics, album art, imagery with context}
- **Assessment:** {standard BM aesthetic / dog-whistle concerns / explicit NS themes}
## Labels & Releases
- **Label history:** {list}
- **Flagged labels:** {any known sketch labels with context}
- **Splits/compilations with:** {list, flag sketch acts}
## Festivals & Live Activity
- **Known sketch festivals played:** {list with dates, or "none found"}
- **Other festival context:** {relevant bookings}
## Community Assessment
- **r/rabm verdict:** {summary or "no threads found"}
- **r/IsItSketch verdict:** {summary or "no threads found"}
- **Hellseatic:** {summary or "not listed"}
- **sketchycon.blog:** {summary or "not listed"}
- **Other community sources:** {any additional findings}
## Redemption & Evolution
- **Has the band addressed past connections?** {yes/no, details}
- **Evidence of change:** {specific actions, statements, timeline}
- **Assessment:** {genuine evolution / performative distancing / no change / N/A}
## Sources
{Numbered list of all URLs and sources consulted, with brief descriptions}
1. [Source description](URL)
2. [Source description](URL)
...
## Research Notes
- **Phase 1 findings summary:** {brief overview of what each agent found}
- **Phase 2 investigations:** {what leads were followed and outcomes}
- **Gaps in research:** {what couldn't be verified, what sources were unavailable}
- **Dissenting views:** {any contradictory evidence or alternative interpretations}
After saving the full report, provide a concise summary in the conversation:
## {Band Name}: Sketch Check Result
**Historical:** {tier} | **Current:** {tier} | **Confidence:** {level}
{2-3 sentence summary}
**Key findings:**
- {bullet 1}
- {bullet 2}
- {bullet 3}
Full report saved to `sketch-reports/{band-name}.md`
Apolitical band on a sketch label: This is sketch-adjacent. The label relationship matters: is it a one-off release or their home label? Did they know? Did they leave? Rate the association, not the band's ideology.
Eastern European context: Some Eastern European BM scenes have pervasive sketch problems, but individual bands should be evaluated on their own evidence. Being Ukrainian, Polish, or Russian is not evidence. Playing in a local scene with sketch bands is weak evidence. Actively collaborating with sketch bands is evidence.
Members who left sketch projects: When did they leave? Did they denounce? What have they done since? A member who left an NS band 10 years ago and has been vocally anti-fascist since is different from one who left last year with no comment.
"I'm not political" statements: These are neutral at best. Many sketch bands hide behind "art, not politics." Evaluate the actual evidence, not the PR statement.
Aesthetic gray zones: Some bands use imagery that overlaps with far-right aesthetic (Slavic symbols, certain rune configurations, totenkopf imagery) without NS intent. Look at the full context: lyrics, statements, associations, label. One ambiguous symbol is not evidence. A pattern of ambiguous symbols plus sketch associations is evidence.