Busch Gardens Announces Verbolten

The Nazi s has been used in a lot of pop culture with no cnnection. Mairlyn Manson used it a lot in his Antichrist Superstar album, with the only alteration being an arrow, or devil's tail, at the bottom of the symbol. Rock band Kiss used it in their logo, seen throughout their career, as well.

However, I can see this symbol as resembling a lightning bolt and not a Nazi SS symbol. It's such a simple symbol, and has probably been used to represent lightning for far longer than it has represented the Nazi SS.

Now that I think about it, the Verbolten logo (and the Kiss logo as well) is pointed at the bottom, more like a lightning bolt, and less like the Nazi SS symbol.

I love symbology.

The KISS logo resembles the Nazi SS pretty closely; there are no points at the bottom. That said, before now I'd never associated the two and certainly don't think of the Nazi symbol any time I see a lightning bolt.

And considering Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are both Jewish, I highly doubt there was any intentional borrowing involved.

Concerning KISS: I am pretty sure that they knew exactly what they were doing when they used those runes (thats what they are in the first place): Pure shock-value and provocation!
Since all nazi-symbols are forbidden in Germany, all KISS records and merchandise had to be released with a different design by their german record company. Even the logo on the bass-drum was changed when they toured the country.

As for the Verbolten-logo: Yes, it looks more like the logo for a car, but the association with the runes is clearly there (maybe subconsciously). I think I wouldn´t have noticed it if they had used different colors than red, black and white.

I am in no way implying that the park is trying anything on purpose here, but someone said in this thread that Busch does solid market research before they decide on a name and a design. I can´t imagine that nobody had the same association, especially since the name, theme and location are "fantasy german".

I still think that the name is creative and the logo is good...I just imagine what would happen if this would appear in Europa Park...

Perhaps I'm naive or insensitive, but I get the impression that the rest of the world isn't nearly as sensitive to the SS thing as you think. I don't think it's something that people are even consciously aware of.

I don't mean to be a jerk (this time :) ) but I'm kind of chuckling that you think those connotations (KISS and Verbolten) are intentional and anything more than a graphic design choice.

I just don't think it's something on the collective consciousness of the world outside of a specific region or two.

I'm struggling for the right words, but I find it interesting that you see it that way.

Well, to be fair to tricktrack, they are kind of aware of the SS logo in Germany...

Oh, definitely. No doubt.

The assuredness that the use is intentional is what I find interesting. Opened my eyes to perspective, if you will. :)

Personally, I think the comparison is a bit of a stretch. The SS "S" is straight-edged, and constant-wdith from top to bottom. The Verbolten bolt has a bit of a curve to it and comes to a point. I suppose you could see it there, but I don't think most people will, particularly given the name is evocative of a thunderstorm. It still looks like lightning to me.

Perhaps Mel Gibson is on the design team.

I just wantto make it clear again that I don´t think that the Verbolten-logo isintentionally designed to resemble the ss-runes!

Originally the S-rune was associated with "sol" (sun) which wouldalso explain the connotation with a lightning bolt. The nazis have re-named itto "sig" or "sieg", meaning "victory".

As i said I probably wouldn´t have associated the logo with the runes if theyhad used different colours (red, black and white are associated with the"third-reich-symbolism" after all) and if it wasn´t connected to agerman theme.

I am quite aware that the conscious or subconscious level of triggering islimited to people of a certain historical and regional upbringing.

The english Wiki doesn´t mention this (I checked).

Even after being told about it, I still don't see it.

Yeah, exactly. It's a lightning bolt.

tricktrack said:
I just wantto make it clear again that I don´t think that the Verbolten-logo isintentionally designed to resemble the ss-runes!

Oh. I thought is sounded that way with the last post.

Now I know. :)

I see a lightning bolt... Anyone that draws more than that is trying to read into it, IMO.

I hate Illinois Nazis

Shades said:
I hate Illinois Nazis

Especially when they're NOT on a mission from God.

The correct answer is "Mormons", anyway.

Hello, my name is Elder Price, and I would like to share with you this most amazing book.

Latest construction pictures show all the track in the event building is complete, including the vertical drop track.

"Making of Verbolten 2" video (not sure where #1 is):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOXPsxJK6f4&list=FL6e95cQQbOxpzNDyQgt-DgA&inde

Looks like some great work!

(EDIT - sorry everyone, looks like the video has been removed. Too bad, it was really nice :)