Wednesday, 7 May 2014

Metal music and stereotypes

I listen to metal since 1988, when I discovered this music thanks to some “metalheads”friends : at this time, I was listening to The Cure, and I remember that my friends told me : "Yeah it’s not bad music, but it lacks guitars ! ".
Then, they made me discover two amazing albums : " Master of Puppets " (Metallica) and "The Number of the Beast " (Iron Maiden) and I immediately plunged into the pot and  never emerged !

During all these years of listening, I could hear everything and anything about this music and those who are fans of.
No, metalheads are not marginal or antisocial (for the anecdote, one day my little sister and I had to go outside and I proudly put on my perfecto – with a lot of patches and badges - and she said, totally scared “Do you go outside like that ???”.and she didn’t accompany me... and after that, in the street, an old woman did an amazing detour to avoid having to cross me : she was probably afraid that I steal her handbag... pffff...
"Clothes do not make the man" right ?).
Stereotypes about metal will unfortunately always exist...

 
Metal isn’t music , it's noise !
Not music ? Indeed, everybody knows that metal musicians don’t play with real instruments like guitars or drums...
Ok, guitars can be noisy and saturated, singing is sometimes grunts or screams, but the metal isn’t only that, it’s also very melodic songs, with nice and intelligent lyrics, beautiful clear voices and it even can be lyrical or symphonic.

 


Only teens in adolescent crisis listen to metal
I 'm 42 and I listen to metal for approximativly 26 years.
When I go to a concert, I often see (with a great pleasure) that several generations are represented, not just young generation, you know what I mean ? I know that many teenagers listen to metal and move on with that ; but many of them (like me) continue to listen to this music during their whole life. Moreover, some great cult bands are still there : Iron Maiden, AC.DC , Metallica, Aerosmith... Metal isn’t just a rebellion act...

 


Metalheads are satanists
No, metalheads don’t kill sheeps for the glory of Satan...
Ok, it’s clear that metal attracts some provocative people, but it's often folklore (except for a few of them who are really satanic - but I don’t know enough about this subject to talk about and they are a minority). We all know that in all kind of musical style, we can find persons who want to shock.
And I can add that metal isn’t anti-religious as it’s often said... There even exist some Christian metal bands.

 
Metalheads are alcoholic
Or course, they like drinking beer (or Jägermeister ;-) ). That’s all.
Metalheads simply like to party, like many people on the planet ! What’s the interest to be totally high , for example, when you’re at a concert ?
Or course, exceptions exist, but like everywhere, right ?

 
Metalheads are macho
Metal music has a highly masculine image, it's true. But there are more and more women who play metal, and many others who listen to it.
And there isn’t any problem between males and females. Metalheads are very tolerant, however your gender, skin colour or job...

 
Metalheads are awful , dirty and ugly
They have long and greasy hair, they stink and they’re always looking for a fight.
Contrary to what was said concerning some tragic events (with Judas Priest for example), metal music doesn’t create violence or criminal acts. It may seem violent and some lyrics are, but it’s just an outlet.
I’ve never seen any fight at a concert. Even the famous “pogo” is only a funny moment. Metalheads are most of the time very solidary and friendly.

And concerning it’s negative image, are Nikki Sixx or Jon Bon Jovi ugly ? ;-) ? 


                         Horns up !!
PS : feel free to comment ;-)

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