The making of A culture: A History of Metal. By Ryno de Lange
Heavy
metal has become one of the most out spoken and controversial musical
cultures of our decade . Even though metal is the most suppressed and
attacked music culture, it has no doubt always fought for what it represents.
....Welcome to the culture of Heavy metal.
The early years...
This is an account of metal through the years, my personal account of metal. It may not be the complete historical account, but I assure you that it is as accurate as possible.
Most metal enthusiasts start from as early as the 50's.
I on the other hand, am going to start from the Black Sabbath day's in 1970. The argument of who is the first metal band is an age old battle, many enthusiasts will agree with me that Black sabbath started it all with their dark demonic guitar riff's and dark stage appearance. Iron maiden, Judas priest are just two to mention in the 80's. These three bands have influenced metal more than most people would think. Cradle of filth have done two Iron maiden covers,
Hallow be thy name and Fear of the dark, and a personal favorite Children of Bodom have done Iron Maiden covers as well, Aces high, and The trooper. That just shows you how these bands have influenced
metal bands of today.
1980 was the year thrash metal hit the scene, at that time glam rock was big with bands like Motley crue and Twisted sister. In the early 80's Metallica hit the music world with their debut album Kill em' all. Their killer riffs and heavy double bass drum work struck the metal fans with a staggering blow to the heart. With the opening track of Hit the lights.
Metallica reigned the metal scene for many years to come. After kicking Dave Mustain out for personal reasons. Megadeth, Dave's "new found group" back then joined Metallica on the trash metal scene. In Norway the black metal scene started up with Angel witch and Emperor, starting a new kind of metal,
a darker and more sinister type of metal. Involving the occult, Norwegian black metal had added elements, such as orchestral keyboarding and synth. And a much more operatic feel to their music.
In
the late 80's more thrash groups sprang up, one that I must mention
is the Texas trashing cowboys from hell, Pantera. With
their supper aggressive
guitar work from Dimebag Darell Abot and drummer brother, Vinnie Jonnes
Abot, Pantera
ripped through the thrash scene.
In Norway, Finland and Sweden other metal groups formed.
In 1990 the Swedish death metal masters Opeth formed, with their dark epic sound. In 1993 Finish youngsters Children of Bodom blasted through
with their debut album Something wild at the age's of 18. Alexi Laiho as their front man, shredding away with classical influences, and only to be complimented with keyboarding from Jaska. Around the same time
the black metal group in Norway Dimmu borgir rised up from the underground with symphonic elements. In 1996 Arch enemy formed from Sweden, with guitarist's Michael Amott of Carcass an older
death metal setup. Later on Angela Gassow joined, the first female death metal vocalist to become renown for her brutal vocals and aggressive stage performances. Metal was on its way to conquering
the underground music world.
Religion, politics and Anarchy ...
This may be the most touchy part of metal. The meanings and messages brought out by these artists. I myself try not to get involved in the religious
side of metal, in whole I look at the political aspects and musical aspects.
I listen to these groups with an open mind, and determine what I agree with and what I don't.
I shall start with a genre of metal that I have become most fond off.
Trash
metal/Speed metal.
Most trash bands speak out against unjust political actions. Such as unfair treatment by governments, holy wars, war in general and the corrupt system.
Two
specific band come to mind as I am typing this, Megadeth and Metallica.
Strong lyrical content, speaking out against societies taboo's as well as their government.
Showing anger towards what is infringing their personal beliefs.This is just one of the many examples I can use, to show how some metal bands use their music for political purpose. From the early days metal has been out spoken, confronting what few would. Thrash metal also has a strong point of view on religious belief. One big issue they confront is holy wars, Whats the reasons for two, or the same religion fighting for. A question I ask myself.
Child abuse is an issue that has being thrashed by numbers of bands, fighting for the rights of children under abusive circumstances.
Thrash metal also resembles patriotism and individualism. The constitution in America and South Africa states that we as civilians have the right to freedom of speech, and the freedom of expression. Yet in many occasions many different types of cultures come under attack. To hush the unjust actions in the government, parliament as well as other vindications.
In South Africa we do not notice such things, but I urge you to take a good look at what is being said, and done. Yet the struggle is more apt in America it seems, or are they more out spoken?
That is what patriotism is. Staying true to ones self and standing for what you believe in. Individualism is a part of patriotism, We as humans are all individual
and we have that freedom to do so. Yet majority will prefer to conform, to be accepted in society no matter the cost of selling ones self. Metal celebrates individuality, to accept each other as we are, and what we look like. Not to be all the same, and act the same, dress the same. This is why metal has so many different types of genres within metal. To explore individualism.
Thrash metal stands for what is just and right, a lesson in human value is to be learned in these bands messages...
Death metal. This is a another genre of metal that goes where few would dare.
The realms of death. It may sound evil, maybe even satanic, but rest assured it is not. In fact, death metal just explores the questions we as humans ask
each and every day. Where do we go after the grave, how we may die. Death in whole is apart of every day living. The meat on your table, of which
you eat was apart of life, until it was slaughtered and met death. Death may also be used in a metaphorical manner by some.
To others it could be used as an expression, Death is apart of life, and one should not be afraid of death. Death metal embraces death, accepts that
non
of us are immortal. Bands such as Children of Bodom, Arch enemy and
Opeth explore these grounds, each in their own right and respectful
way. Children of Bodom use the reaper as their mascot. A symbolism of death.
One would think a death metal fan would look at life in a morbid, almost suicidal way. Well in fact what I have learned throe death metal is not to live a life where one must embrace death, but a life where
one must value life, and accept death as just another part of life.
Death metal does just that, some bands though, such as Cannibal corpse takes death metal to a much higher extreme. Album cover art, such as human mutilation and limb disembowelment. Quite a twisted
vision, Incorporating more outrageous elements and continually putting up the shock value one could say. Gruff and evil like vocals is an important
element in death metal, emphasizing the musical aspect of death metal.
A group such as cannibal corpse represents the obsession of death. And breaks down humanistic value.
Death metal represents nihilistic value. A belief system for those in society that have a dualistic out look (heaven versus earth) and liberal(individualistic/
egalitarian) as it denies societies system values are more real than events in reality. To a nihilist truth is a way we describe some things in reality, there is
no eternal life nor truth which exists in separate from immortality. In other words accepting mortality, and rejecting religious or moral truth. Can be
confusing, and frightening.
Death metal is not to be always to be taken to heart. Yet between the lines
valuable lessons are to be learned.
Black
metal.
Even though I know little about the ocult, I know enough to know what messages lie in the lyrical content of any black metal group.
The origin of true black metal started in Norway, where religion was forced onto them from western civilization. This is what I have gathered
from history. It is not something I am agreeing with. I am merely pointing it out. For many black metal groups point this out as a reason for their
believes. Yet I must point out that if the Christian religion was forced upon them, and they do not believe in Christianity, why follow satanism?
This question I cannot answer. Its just something that has crossed my mind.
Specifically the bands from Norway.
Anyway back to the music.
Black metal has brought some positive elements to heavy metal, symphonic, and epic musical structure. Some of these groups, such as Dimmu borgir have
caught my attention and have become a part of my music arsenal/collection. And so have Old mans child and Covenant, purely for their musical attributes.
I for one cannot deny that these groups can shred their instruments. And create pure beauty. Black metal has being the most underground genre in metal,
in the late 70's and early 80's. Certain Norwegian black metal bands went as far as burning down a number of churches as an out cry against the religion
being forced upon them, this is an age old battle from the old Norse days.
Black metal is deconstructionism, a belief where society is ruled as incompetent and weak. Where populace is nothing but sheep to the followers
of Satan. And only the strong and courageous will overcome. It becomes darker and more frightening as I go into black metal. The mind set of any black
metal follower will most likely have a self - destructive principal. And rejecting everything society stands for to such an extreme that many fall into their own “world” within their minds, and the conclusion of lapsing into hedonistic attitudes of hailing Satan
paeans to deviant creativity of what ought to be done in ones own mind, and thus humanistic value is thrown out the window. Leading to the vast destruction upon others and ones self.
Thus if one does not know exactly what black metal stands for it can become a dangerous attitude at the end of the day.
The topic of black metal is vast, dark and extreme. I am not going into any more detail on black metal. There is no humanistic moral, value or any real patriotism in black metal, one can argue.
I
have done my home work on all of the aspects of these cultures within metal.
I am not a supporter of the out look of some of these artists.
Power metal. A lighter side of metal, kind of like a breath of fresh air. Power metal is operatic, and dramatic, yet the lyrical content is pure
fantasy. Witches, wizards, dragons and everything that one would find in a dream. Power metal has a lot of elements that one would find in
death and black metal, just more happy and energetic. With copious speed and flashy,melodic guitar work. Along side with operatic vocals and symphonic keyboarding and synthesizer work, and the usual fast and machine driven drumming and thumping bass. Power metal is just a work of art.
And finish power metal kings and queen. Nightwish proves the brilliance of power metal, along side Stratovarios and Halloween.
Now that I have explored some area's of heavy metal, to just give you an idea of the back round of these metal genres, we can now take a look at what influenced the instrumental side of heavy metal.
Musical influence...
Heavy metal's instrumental foundation consists of various elements.
The main element would be distorted guitars with really big and loud amps. Another would be a heavy bass foundation laid with a thick bass line and
double bass drums kicking away for that machine gun effect. But these are definitely not the only elements, I think I should go into more detail...
Historical influence...
The influence on metals instrumental part, comes way back from Bach and Beethoven's time. Classical music is the biggest influence of metal.
Classical scaling and style is used at the utmost in metal. There is no simplicity in classic music, as there is no simplicity in heavy metal.
From the start of heavy metal, which would be Black Sabbath. Classical elements has being used, dramatic and orchestrated.
Black Sabbaths leading guitarist Toni Iommi used the triadic diminished 5th tone for most of their songs. In the 18th century it was believed to be the tone of the devil, and used to call up Satan himself. But now we are in 2000s and we all know that was a superstition. Many metal bands still use that tone, I do when I
want to put down a morbid bass line. The triadic 5th is a classical musical component. Metal is constructed very tightly, much like classical dramatic and epic..
Metal has one more root, that lies in the American blues, it may be hard to believe, but its true. As a musician who plays blues and metal I myself
have come to realize this. Blues was a form of music created by the slave populace of America. Their get away from everyday struggle, specifically from Mississippi. Lamb of god uses a lot of diminished blues scales to construct riffs.
And so do many others. Megadeth is another group that uses a lot of blues influence. I have studied a lot of bands guitar work for my own musical
pleasure.
Heavy metal's focus is on construction of music, metal emphasizes a melodic narrative structure in the same way that classical and baroque music does.
Each piece is utilized in other techniques, but holds it together as a melodic narrative. That does not fit into simple verse – chorus descriptors, such as pop.
This concludes the instrumental side of metal music as a poetic form of music. Metal is the most constructive alternative type of music in todays every day life. In metals use of power chords, the most flexible chord shape, and tendency towards melodic composition, metal emphasizes an experience.
I think I have made my point, if you ever wondered what music influenced
heavy metal, well now you know.
Sub cultures...
Goth..
Goth was a late 70's off – shoot of punk. In the early 80's as metal grew bigger
the punk fashion grew darker and more morbid. While cultivating into the
metal scene, an air of theatrical glamor and darker artier influences such
as nihilism, the occult, Romantic literature, paganism and beauty within misery.
With these influences came the crossover of punk into the metal scene. And
thus goth arisen from the punk grave. Goths out look is much like that of a black metaler. Deconstructionism and nihilism. Just at not the same extreme as black metal. Romeo and Juliet romance is a big part as well. Self – mutilation
and an almost fantasy in between reality mind set.
Rock & roll
Rock was the foundation for metal. And blues the foundation for rock. In the 70's groups such as Led zeppelin, deep purple. Uriah heep, AC/DC
influenced the groups of the 80's. Gun's n' roses, Def leopard, Tesla, ect..
which influenced many metal groups. So its one huge chain reaction, rock was the freedom power struggle of the hippie culture. Specifically
during the Vietnam war era. And who can forget Woodstock rock festival a part of history in music that affected every sub genre. Rock broke the
boundaries to electric guitar and metal took it from their...
