Family charged with stirring up racial hatred through far-right songs

An Essex family has appeared in court on charges of stirring up racial hatred through the dissemination of far-right songs.

Robert Talland, 56, an accused neo-Nazi music producer, and his daughter, Rosie Talland, 30, and son, Stephen Talland, 33, are all charged with conspiracy to incite racial hatred through the distribution of sound recordings between 1st January 2019 and 10th October 2020.

Rosie and Stephen allegedly performed in the band Embers of an Empire and were said to be involved with the Rampage Productions record label, which reportedly caters to the neo-Nazi music scene.

One of the charges involves the distribution of a song by Embers of an Empire.

A second charge sees the siblings accused of inciting racial hatred over songs performed at a club in Leeds on 21st October 2021.

Robert Talland faces several charges, one of which accuses him of possession of the songs “Flame of the gods” by Mistreat and “Decase of defiance” by Squadron, a band who appear to have utilised Nazi iconography during their live performances. The songs are allegedly threatening, abusive or insulting and intended to stir up racial hatred.

He faces two further charges of disseminating a terrorist publication.

At the preliminary hearing, during which the Talland family did not enter any pleas, Mr Justice Sweeney informed the defendants of their bail conditions, which included a ban from partaking in music events commemorating Ian Stuart Donaldson, the late singer of the far-right band Skrewdriver. 

The family is also prohibited from having involvement with Rampage Productions or the far-right group Blood & Honour, who are believed to be active in working with musicians whose lyrics promote white supremacy.

Campaign Against Antisemitism closely monitors the far-right, which remains a dangerous threat to the Jewish community and other minority groups.