Siren calls of anti-government extremism: Far-right influences on the German anti-vax ('Querdenken') protest milieu through music

The German anti-vax milieu broadly referred to as 'Querdenken' or 'Corona-denier' milieu has grown rapidly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and radicalized in parts to a level of open calls for as well as use of violence and anti-government extremism. This has led the German authorities to designate this specific environment as a new form of extremism called 'delegitimization of the state with relevance for the protection of the constitution' (Verfassungsschutzrelevante Delegitimierung des Staates) in April 2021. Beyond personal and organizational links, far-right actors attempted to influence the emerging protest milieu from the beginning of its emergence in early 2020 through subcultural products specifically designed to appeal to that milieu, most notably pieces of music focusing on the pandemic and stirring up anti-government hatred as well as conspiracy theories. This article explores the ideological narrative tropes, antagonists, and rhetorical strategies of eight far-right songs supposedly designed to target this milieu. The analysis shows how strategic adaption of usually openly far-right musicians reflects in the song lyrics. A key finding is that the far right uses a combination of personally empowering lyrics on the one hand, and open calls for action, resistance, and revolution against the government or specific individuals on the other.