Tag: heavy metal music
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Is folk metal dead?
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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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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Top five albums of 2022
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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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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Heavy metal and technology in retrospect and prospect
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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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…
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