Category: Uncategorized
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See you on the other side
The prince is dead, long live heavy metal Today, Ozzy Osbourne is laid to rest in Birmingham, and I must admit, his death affected me more than I thought it would. With deep gratitude, I am compelled to write a few words about the man who conjured the spirit of metal into the world all…
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Life lessons from heavy metal
“If you’re doing your thing, and you’re doing it in New York, you are metal. And New York is metal because of you.” – Linda Leseman This past academic year, I had the opportunity to teach an undergraduate class on heavy metal music and culture as part of an off-campus intercultural studies program that I…
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On Metallica
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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The KISS formula
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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The signaling role of metal band T-shirts
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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Metal family values
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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Working-class origins and the intellectual evolution of heavy metal
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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Product differentiation with harsh vocals
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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Metal’s gender inequity problem will not solve itself
“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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Why are some countries more “metal” than others?
Maybe if I was born in Kazakhstan it might have been different! I’m sure that, as it would still be me, I’d have still been a metal guy, but obviously in some countries the possibilities are more limited than in others. Alexi Laiho, Guitar World, 2019 Heavy metal music and culture is a global phenomenon…
Metalnomics 