What does it mean to be Metal? (Re)(de)constructing a definition of Metalness. \m/
January 15, 2008 8:18 PM Subscribe
What does it mean to be Metal? Towards a [new] working definition of Metalness as an adjective, and corresponding philosophy.
Image and Posturing: As fan of Metal, I'd like to think that it can be (re)defined in terms that isolate it from the [at-worst bigoted, at best hetero-male-centric] behaviors and ideas currently associated with it.
Negativity and Violence: Can someone who sees themselves as compassionate and peace-loving simultaneously accept metal, wholeheartedly (honestly)? Can one be Buddhist and Metal? Is there a place for metal as a positive force despite its inherent darkness? (I'd say yes, of course, but there are moments when I wonder...)
What does it mean to be Metal in 2008?
Why not start with a universally respected source, eh? Oxford English Dictionary:
"d. heavy metal, a type of loud, vigorous rock music characterized by the use of electronically amplified instruments (typically guitar, bass, and drums), a heavy (usu. fast) beat, intense or spectacular performance, and often a clashing, harsh musical style; formerly identified with hard rock. Freq. attrib. or as adj. phr."
That's a pretty musicological definition, and doesn't get at much below the surface. Allmusic takes us a bit further: "Of all rock & roll's myriad forms, heavy metal is the most extreme in terms of volume, machismo, and theatricality. There are numerous stylistic variations on heavy metal's core sound, but they're all tied together by a reliance on loud, distorted guitars (usually playing repeated riffs) and simple, pounding rhythms."
So now we have the first glimpses of philosophy and culture (along with some references to adolescent rebellion and evil lyrical content later in the article).
To give some impression of the stuff that's out in the cultural void, but not yet represented by traditional (or even non-traditional) media, we look at the bowels of the internet and what it has spit out over the years. There are numerous text files (ie. 101 rules of death metal...), obviously joking and tongue-in-cheek, but they reveal an ugly side of metal culture. If you confronted someone about their use of "gay" as an antonym to metal (perhaps citing openly gay Judas Priest frontman, Rob Halford), they'd likely just say "oh, I didn't mean anything by it!" Right.
Then in far left field are the folks over at ANUS.com (American Nihilist Underground Society), who connect metal with their (his) version of Nihilism, which also happens to be a bit racist. But the philosophical stuff is still pretty interesting. See my post here for a critique of the ANUS.com stuff and general commentary on the effects of race in the metal community.
also posted to my blog
What does it mean to be Metal in 2008?
Why not start with a universally respected source, eh? Oxford English Dictionary:
"d. heavy metal, a type of loud, vigorous rock music characterized by the use of electronically amplified instruments (typically guitar, bass, and drums), a heavy (usu. fast) beat, intense or spectacular performance, and often a clashing, harsh musical style; formerly identified with hard rock. Freq. attrib. or as adj. phr."
That's a pretty musicological definition, and doesn't get at much below the surface. Allmusic takes us a bit further: "Of all rock & roll's myriad forms, heavy metal is the most extreme in terms of volume, machismo, and theatricality. There are numerous stylistic variations on heavy metal's core sound, but they're all tied together by a reliance on loud, distorted guitars (usually playing repeated riffs) and simple, pounding rhythms."
So now we have the first glimpses of philosophy and culture (along with some references to adolescent rebellion and evil lyrical content later in the article).
To give some impression of the stuff that's out in the cultural void, but not yet represented by traditional (or even non-traditional) media, we look at the bowels of the internet and what it has spit out over the years. There are numerous text files (ie. 101 rules of death metal...), obviously joking and tongue-in-cheek, but they reveal an ugly side of metal culture. If you confronted someone about their use of "gay" as an antonym to metal (perhaps citing openly gay Judas Priest frontman, Rob Halford), they'd likely just say "oh, I didn't mean anything by it!" Right.
Then in far left field are the folks over at ANUS.com (American Nihilist Underground Society), who connect metal with their (his) version of Nihilism, which also happens to be a bit racist. But the philosophical stuff is still pretty interesting. See my post here for a critique of the ANUS.com stuff and general commentary on the effects of race in the metal community.
also posted to my blog
This post was deleted for the following reason: Uh, you seem to be answering a question, not asking one. This isn't remotely what AskMe is for. -- cortex
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