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Over the past 23 years, I have attended shows by iconic artists like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, and Megadeth. Interestingly, I have yet to see Metallica and it is worth noting that I intentionally avoided them to some extent. Like many metal fans, I have conflicting feelings towards the genre’s most recognizable…
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KISS is finally retiring, 23 years after I attended their first “farewell tour.” Though enormously influential to heavy metal, KISS sometimes gets a bad rap in underground circles due to their over the top marketing and mediocre musicianship. While I don’t disagree with these criticisms, the band’s achievements are impressive and reflect an innovative strategy. …
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Folk metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that reached peak popularity in the mid to late 2000s. Mixing old-world European folk melodies with death metal and black metal, the trend spawned popular multi-headliner tours like Pagan Fest and Heathen Fest. Fans danced jigs in the center of circle pits to a backdrop of kilts,…
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Metal culture includes a host of rituals (head banging and moshing), gestures (throwing “devil’s horns” or forming a “claw”) and fashion (battle vests). Importantly, concert attire must adhere to the following unspoken rule: When you see a band play, you should not wear that band’s T-shirt to the show. Why is wearing the performer’s T-shirt…
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Different metal scenes exist around the world but the global metal community shares a set of key values. These values have historically included the opposition to authority, a focus on independence and freedom, and an emphasis on being an individual while also being part of a unified group. While these elements are significant, the most…
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In this post, I venture into new territory – album reviews! While they are not the focus of this blog, I wanted to provide a brief overview of five recently released albums that I listened to extensively in the past year. All of them exhibit greatness but I have specific criticisms that help shape the…
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Heavy metal music reflects the economic circumstances of its creators. After Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi lost his fingertips in a factory accident he went on to found a new brand of rock music, cultivated by the doom and gloom of Birmingham’s post-World War II industrialism. As conditions improved in the UK, the metal it…
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This post originates from a recent discussion I had with my dad about the use of harsh vocals in heavy metal. He brought up the point that death metal “growls” limit the economic prospects of metal bands who would otherwise be popular if they introduced clean singing (or as most people call it, singing). It…
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“Name three songs!” Women who listen to metal music are familiar with this demand from men who question their interest in the genre. Metal culture places considerable value on authenticity and women are often subject to greater scrutiny to prove that they are legitimate fans. While female listeners face skepticism, the treatment of women who…
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Since its inception in the late 1960s, certain elements of heavy metal music remain unchanged. Metal bands still consist of 4 to 5 members covering guitars, vocals, bass, drums, and sometimes other instruments such as keyboards. The live experience is largely consistent and the best shows are still in a gritty basement. Nonetheless, heavy metal…
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Metalnomics 