I just came across this thread and read the article. Interesting.
First off, I'm not sure who to blame on the murders that have been committed. It's quite clearly the accused/murderers are some fucked up deranged nuts. Tell me, does anybody here in MR take any of the lyrics seriously? Yeah, I do go "HAIL SATAN, BURN THE CHURCH!!!!" at times but it's just purely for fun, I never really mean it. I don't see how these types of lyrics can emotionally influence anyone, although I do admit I enjoy such lyrics. They have to be really emotionally fragile to actually do something of that sort just because a guy with a branded-inverted-cross-over-his-forehead said so.
On the other hand, I think accusing bands for your heinous acts is downright silly. True metal has always preached about being yourself, doing your own thing, and not taking orders. Now if you're a tr00 metalhead, why would you listen to someone's lyrical preaching and do what he says? Isn't that being hypocritical?
I think I mite make some enemies with my comments here. But I think it's worth telling you guys. I don't blame the churches and christians for hating metal, accusing us of being the devil's seed etc. The blame has to be put on those metalheads who committed all these stupidity. They gave us the bad name in the first place. If they had not done all these disgusting things (I'm focusin on the murders, ritualistic sacrifices here), these religious institutions wouldn't have anything against us at all.