Panopticon Tri-Flag

Here's a patch I found and purchased at a metal festival where Panopticon was featured on the roster. I asked the salesman about the patch before buying it, wanting to more about its meaning and significance, but all he could muster up was that, "yes, it is a Panopticon patch and its official."

I wasn't quite satisfied with that answer but I bought it anyways, wanting to have something related to this incredible one-man bluegrass/black metal project that has really taken me by storm over the last few months.

On went the night, and eventually Panopticon played their set. Austin Lunn, the man solely behind the band's entire discography, covered lead guitar and vocals while tour musicians from other black metal projects covered the rest. They launched into a torrent of intricately woven pieces as destructive as they were inspiring. Clearly the band had chemistry, and the audience, now full-bellied with the sloshy syrups of select breweries from across the country, responded with generous praises and horns held high.

After the show, I happened to run into Austin. I noticed the very same patch sewn onto his vest, just above the left breast pocket, and couldn't help but ask for the meaning behind it. He told me, "this is a symbol of my three homes - the theee places I've lived. Its a combination of the flags of Minnesota, Kentucky, and....." (here is where my mind draws a blank. I can remember it was something in Scandinavia, but the exact place I can't recall). Should I ever see him again I'll be sure to ask for clarification, and maybe an autograph next time. But for now this is all I have from it.