About the cult leader IRL :
Vernon Howell, later known as David Koresh, was born on August 17, 1959, in Houston, Texas. He had a troubled childhood, marked by a lack of a stable family environment and difficulty in school due to dyslexia. Howell became involved with the Branch Davidians, a religious sect, in the early 1980s and eventually assumed leadership, changing his name to David Koresh. He believed himself to be a prophet and the final interpreter of the Bible.
Koresh was also a musician. He played guitar and sang, often using his music to attract followers and spread his teachings. His songs blended rock and religious themes, reflecting his charismatic and apocalyptic message. Koresh's leadership and controversial practices led to a standoff with federal authorities in 1993 at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. The siege ended tragically with a fire that resulted in the deaths of Koresh and many of his followers.
Resume of the Waco incident :
The Waco incident, involving the Branch Davidians and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), occurred in 1993. It began on February 28 when the ATF attempted to raid the group's compound in Waco, Texas, suspecting illegal weapons possession. A gunfight broke out, resulting in the deaths of four ATF agents and six Branch Davidians.
The standoff lasted 51 days, with the FBI taking over negotiations. On April 19, the FBI launched an assault using tear gas to force the Branch Davidians out. A fire broke out under unclear circumstances, engulfing the compound and killing 76 people, including the group's leader, David Koresh. The incident raised significant controversy over law enforcement tactics and the use of force.
Use of psychological warfare during the Waco siege :
During the Waco siege, psychological warfare tactics were employed by the FBI to pressure the Branch Davidians into surrendering. These tactics included:
Sleep Deprivation: Playing loud music, chants, and recordings of animals at night to prevent rest. Isolation: Cutting off electricity, water, and phone lines to the compound. Neglecting Promises: Breaking negotiated agreements, like sending in milk for the children, which eroded trust. Visual Pressure: Using bright lights and displaying military presence to intimidate the occupants.
The first Waco link comes with this part of the "amo cult leader costume" Stage outfit
We know with Nex gen leak 'UNBELEEVABLE' .doc that Skys was a musician as well, playing guitar like Howell
During the Waco siege, the medias were heavilly involved. They were allegedly called by the ATF themselves to record the raid (long story short : ATF botched a previous intervention and wanted to be seen ad the good guys on national television by taking out a polygamist pedophile cult leader)
In the Mantra Video clip, we see how the cult goes down : first we have a (stock) photo of a special unit team having the pressure to do something about the cult. Next frame is the cult members with weapons in their hands, ready to defend themselves against the raid. Third frame is Skys watching TV , supposedly the news. He ends up being desperate and overwhelmed, and then takes the pills supposedly leaving him dead. The cult members are then committing suicide with the same pills [like in the Jonestown tragedy IRL, referenced next to the Waco press article on the costume].
The use of animal noises at night to keep the Davidians awake might be a link to the animals images we get in between instagram stories : these animals images are filmed on night cam and we can hear some music as well behind. We also know that Mantra used weapons (or at least psychological ones) as per say in Jan15_2031_declassified__PROJECT D.U.S.T. 2 :
Despite the eventual defeat of Mantra, the cult's ability to incapacitate hundreds of troops using advanced psychological tactics remains fascinating. Central to these tactics were the induced psychological hallucinations colloquially referred to as "Mares."
The mention of "hundred of troops" may refer to a siege they went under before being "defeated".
Also about animals :
During the initial raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, ATF agents encountered resistance, including gunfire. In the chaos, several dogs belonging to the Branch Davidians were shot and killed by the agents. The incident with the dogs contributed to the escalation of violence and set the stage for the prolonged and tragic standoff that followed. This detail reflects the high tension and immediate hostility during the initial attempt to serve search and arrest warrants at the compound.
Might also be a link/easter egg with the death of Oskar (note : this is a reach, we know that!).
The Waco cult was a doomsday militarized cult, the end of the world is a recurrent theme within the BMTHverse.
Vice short documentary Wendigoon video about Waco (emphasis about the religous explanations and gun regulation, everything was legal in the US when it comes to the cult gun dealership)