Lately I’ve been having uncomfortable “discussions” in which I am supposed to defend the music genre I like most. I feel that I have finally found and settled into the genre that I like to listen to most and it happens to be in the metal region, mainly black, folk, Viking, and symphonic. I the problem is I don’t know how to explain why I would like it or why people would listen to any kind of “metal” none the less something like black or death metal. The similar ideas people throw up are about the yelling, not being able to understand what is about, or why I would listen to something they find offensive to their ears.

Personally I find that I like symphonic and folk metal most because a lot of it has that medieval fantasy theme and it can be amusing since it’s commonly about dragons, Vikings or trolls. It’s easier to explain to people that I like the melodic nature and themes of that kind of metal but defending black metal is a little harder. People seem to think two things, Satan and angry yelling. For one thing it’s not all about Satanism, I’m not a Satanist, and most people don’t know what Satanism is in the first place. (More of a way of life than a religion. based on believing in one’s self rather than a god or code.) I just can’t figure out how to explain such genres as death or black metal further than “I like the way it sounds.” In a way I’m glad most of them don’t know of or remember things like church burnings, animal sacrifices on stage or eating your dead band mate’s brain (Mayhem) so they can’t bring that up. People seem to think it’s all the same and sounds all the same which is common thought of a genre you do not like to listen to but I can’t seem to explain differing themes and styles especially when who your talking to (roommate) continually counters and denies any explanation with something about yelling or grunting about Satan. (Don’t “discuss” things with a future a-hole politician) In turn I have always turned off my music when people come into my room especially since I know it seems to annoy people. Personally I think that metal takes a more sophisticated ear like classical to hear the underlying sense of the music sonicly, although that could just be my audiophile side. (I can’t stand lo-fi recordings or crappy reproduction.)

Most people seem to not like:
Double bass drums
Yelling
Fast tempos or playing in 32nds
The idea that what they are hearing might be something about evil

Personally I like:
The melodic nature
ItÂ’s not slow
ItÂ’s not about your feelings or some girl
The use of synthesizers, symphonies, or choirs to add an aura of fantasy or evil
The “humorous” themes of dragons, warriors, Vikings, and what not
The sense of community with other “metal” people. You see other “metal” people and there seems to be that sense of acknowledgement

Most people do not seem to understand other genres they do not like and so stereotype it. They find it very odd that I would listen to such music especially since IÂ’m NOT Caucasian (white). I just need help figuring out how to explain it to others effectively. IÂ’ve already tried the thing about respecting other genres and respecting otherÂ’s tastes as opinions if they want respect for their thoughts and ideas in return, but that isnÂ’t always applicable.

I guess it may help to say my top 3 favorite bands are:
Rhapsody (dragons, simply epic)
GWAR (how can you not like them? Space aliens who spray blood and what not on you)
Dimmu Borgir (I think itÂ’s well produced)
Other bands I listen to are Emperor (true black metal to most), Ensiferum (Vikings) and Finntroll (trolls) I listen to a lot of different kinds of music from hip hop to industrial but I just like metal that seems to have a world of warcraft or dungeons and dragons feel which may seem kind of nerdy.

Another related thing is this GWAR hoodie I have. Personally I don’t think there is anything wrong with it but one certain person has complained that it looks (of all things for something metal) “gangy” somehow. They think that because they work at an urban public high school they know, and the red looks gang related. She also said it looked “gory” or “gruesome” (I think it’s supposed to be) and connected the blood look in her mind with “bloods” and thinks that living downtown a gang of bloods will jump me on Broadway. All the people I have talked to had the same two responses of there is nothing wrong with it and I’m an adult and can make my own decisions. Personally whenever I have worn a GWAR tee shirt or this hoodie someone usually comments on how awesome the band is. So I think its stupid and no gangs roam where I go and I don’t think gang members are stupid enough to not know that what I’m wearing is related to a band plus they dress nothing like I do. I think it’s another case of someone not understanding something then stereotyping it. They didn’t seem to notice I was wearing a tee shirt with a baphomet (pentagram with a “goat”) on it during thanksgiving and I’m sure if more people knew what it was would be far more upset over that and some silk screened blood. It doesn’t look “offensive” does it? And definitely not gang related especially since it is a metal band. Right? Or am I risking getting “jumped” and should give it to a girl I know who likes GWAR?

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Two things...

1. Why defend it? Personally, I don't give a rat's ass about how someone feels about how I feel about something. If I like it, then I like it. If they don't like the fact that I like it...oh well, they aren't living with it. Trying to please everyone isn't going to happen.

2. You should pick up the album, Manowar "Fighting the World". If you like that, check out some of their earlier stuff...I think that you'll like it.

Rob

Nothing wrong w/ it at all. I'm a head banger.

Heh, I don't go in for all that fantasy/evil ****. You want proper metal, go listen to bands like Carcass, Decapitated, Mendeed, Behemoth and Mastodon.... I do like DragonForce though

There was a lot of fellow metal heads back home, but here in Bradford, I seem to be the minority

There is a rock/metal/punk club just accross the road though from the Uni. Gonna go see American Head Charge and Soil there soon

Don't understand why anyone would like that crap. But, in this day and age, you can like whatever you want. It doesn't matter what I or anyone else thinks about it. Who cares what they think.

You like what you like, and that is all that matters.

I'm not into death metal in general, but the swedish group Opeth is an amazing band. They've got the screaming fast guitars, double bass and savage drums and inhuman vocals, but then the song seamlessly switches to a very melodic acoustic guitar and the guy has a beautiful voice and sings in flawless english, proving that they have a vast amount of talent.

A very good friend of mine is into that kind of music... If you like it, why bother defending it?

I mean you'd only need to do that if you want to belong to a group of people not interested
in your music, which, imho, shouldn't be your group of people anyway...

On the other hand.... I'm into Metal myself but more into Power, Speed, Trashmetal & Gothic..
I don't care what other peeps think of my music choice, I just listen to what I like, I don't really care
what music other peeps listen to... and my friends don't care what I like to listen to... and I don't care
what they listen to... so.. no need for any "defending" there either...

Speaking of your choice of music... I really do like the instrumentals but not the singing & lyrics...
but that is just my opinion, listen to whatever you like!

TDR

Well, i listen to David Allen Coe, Jhonny Reb alot ...ALOT and if anyone has heard thier not very public music its VERY rasist/sexist , but its what i like i dont impose it on others so , if they dont like it they aint gotta listen to it. Rob is right about MAN-O-WAR listin to thier early stuff you love the fantacy aspect of it . As for defending your personal choice in WHATEVER , as long as your not harming anyone and/or imposeing your choice on anyone else , if they feel offended by it or upset by it or anything else tell them with a smile to GO TO HELL !!

the freedoms we have here in the USA are very presious, many men/wemon have dyed to make sure we have these freedoms, and your personal choice in music is one of them so exersize it .

and those who try and take it away BE DAYUM'D

Hey, tell that gal who complains she's absolutely right. You'll switch over to gangsta rap immediately...

Then tell her to get her bitch, baby-got-back, ass on the street corner and make you some money while you go blast some fool for dissin' your gear.

I used to deal with the same crap back in the 80's for my Iron Maiden/Megadeth shirts... I had an art teacher threaten to send me home the next time I wore a certain shirt in... those were the days...

Yep... these days, I wear the wrong shirt in, it's "We don't believe that is professional attire"... I guess school IS preparing you for the future

GWAR GWAR GWAR!!!!

WELL EAT YOUR CARS!!!!

inside joke. move on people. nothing to see here

Defense of the music you like is not required.

However if you enter the MOSH PIT be prepared for all consequences.

Last night 10 people were thrown out of the bar for being @ssHats, and fighting,
and throwing beer bottles.

Like what you like and respect others that may have different tastes.

i already dont care what "they" think of the genre but what i'm looking for is a quick strightforward explanation or some kind of educational blub for people who ask why i would listen to such music. the universal response of "because i like how it sounds" isnt enough for some and can lead to arguments or fights. i just cant stand how people cant respect other genres and can pretend your not in the room.
quite a few have reccomended Manowar, Hammerfall and Dragonforce to me but its alittle too progressive for my tastes.
the pits can be scary. especailly when they want it (circle pit) to expand as large as possible and you back up but its like some kind of hurricane. insane

Quote: Originally Posted by musclecars&computers Nothing wrong w/ it at all. I'm a head banger.

ROCK ON!!!