backmasking
Backwards hidden message
Backmasking is a recording technique where sounds or messages are recorded backward onto a track meant to be played forward.
The practice gained notoriety in the 1980s when religious groups claimed rock albums contained hidden satanic messages audible only when played in reverse: They accused the band of backmasking subliminal commands into the song.
Most alleged examples are pareidolia—the mind finding patterns in noise.
Complete change of direction
- reverseTurn to opposite
- backwardToward what's behind
- playbackReproducing recorded media
- rewindReturn to beginning
phonograph · turntable · vinyl · record · tape · hidden message · satanic panic · Led Zeppelin
Moral terror about devil worship
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- warning labelText alerting to dangers
- moral panicIrrational collective fear wave
- religiousOf faith or worship
evangelical · ban · lawsuit · Judas Priest · Led Zeppelin · hysteria · parental advisory · congressional hearing
Covert communication within another
- subconsciousBelow conscious awareness
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- satanic panicMoral terror about devil worship
- brainwashingCoercive psychological manipulation
manipulation · propaganda · controversy · moral panic · conspiracy · influence · psychological · persuasion
reversal
Complete change of direction
rewind · phonograph · turntable · vinyl · record · tape · hidden message · satanic panic · Led Zeppelin · Beatles
satanic panic
Moral terror about devil worship
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- warning labelText alerting to dangers
- moral panicIrrational collective fear wave
religious · evangelical · ban · lawsuit · Judas Priest · Led Zeppelin · hysteria · parental advisory · congressional hearing · accusation
hidden message
Covert communication within another
- subconsciousBelow conscious awareness
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- satanic panicMoral terror about devil worship
brainwashing · manipulation · propaganda · controversy · moral panic · conspiracy · influence · psychological · persuasion · secret message
- word gamescrossword, Scrabble, crossword puzzle, anagram, word game
- cryptic puzzlesriddle, cipher, code, cryptogram, enigma
backmaskingexplicit lyrics
Profane song words
clear speech · subliminal messaging · plain speech · plaintext · spoken word
back, mask, unmask, masked, masks, masking, unmasking, unmasked, masquerading