I'm wearing my Metallica MoP shirt and my nan reads the song titles on the back and asks what they are so i tell her that it is the track listing of the album. She then asks my auntie about Metallica, my auntie then proceeds to say all this bullshit about how they are weirdos and satanists and it's like i'm suddenly in the 80's. She bases all this off of a documentary of the band she watched on More4 the other day and this is coming from a woman who thinks James Bunt is talented...

It really pisses me off about how people are so close minded and know everything when it comes to music regardless of wether or not they play an instrument, sing or have heard any songs of a band or entire genre they still dismiss it as crap. My family still seems to think they know more than me about guitar playing and music in general. My nan even stated that all guitars are the same in every way and that i was stupid for wanting another one for christmas.

At least with metal people turn up to concerts, buy cds and respect the band because they like their music, as opposed to shit like the Jonas Brothers who just have pre-pubescent girls that like the way they look and aren't really fans of any music, just like the people who listen to rap at my school, when the teacher lets us listen to music they change the song they listen to like every 30 seconds. I hate their music but it still pisses me off that they profess to like an artist yet own no cds, have been to no concerts and have almost zero respect for the artists who make the music they claim to be massive fans of.

The metal stereotypes that you are familiar with aren't much to be worried about, they're just extensions of the stereotypes that the music before it had. Remember how satanic the Beatles were, or the backmasking crap (not literally remember, I guess...)? It's really nothing to pay attention to, remember, you can create stereotypes about their music too :)

The other issue with the kids at your school, however, that has a lot of truth to it (and it partially explains the rest of your post). As you may or may not have figured out on your own, music fans fill a spectrum with two extremes: those who view music as a commodity, and those who view it as an art. Those who view it as a commodity generally don't think about what they listen to, they just see and hear what's on the radio/MTV/etc and like it, because the music there is meant to catch the listener as fast as possible (the kids who switch songs so frequently might be leaving the song after the hook is played). On the flipside, there are the fans that view music as an art and try to find what they like best and genuinely show allegiance to it by buying albums/merch, going to concerts, and other things (sometimes within the limits of a genre, ie metal). Now, this is all fair and good, and probably fairly obvious too, but it's still very important, and can explain a whole lot that you talked about.

The people who view music as a commodity (there is grey between the black and white, I'm just being general with alignment) don't actively go out and find music they like because they don't have to, but this doesn't mean that they aren't "fans" of it (remember, they ARE fans, but for the commodity), or that they don't really like it. Honestly, I can attest that they do like it as much as they say they do, mostly because the hooks and choruses are most likely very catchy, because that's how they're written. I'd even say that it takes self-brainwashing to completely ignore the effects of catchy hooks and declare them bad, be it by culture from birth, or by new allegiance to music that you prefer, but that's completely off topic. The differences in audiences of popular (or not) music create the grounds for closed mindedness and stereotypes. For example, the uber-conservative (I am willing to bet) slanderers of metal music within your family fit this, especially since you said your auntie was a fan of James Blunt.

At the same time, however, this also spreads among fans of music that is less mainstream, and more experimental, sadly. In fact, based on my own experiences, I might also say that the more 'elite' music fans create more stereotypes, mostly because they view their music as 'better' (impossible). Metal, sadly, is a breeding ground of elitism (almost as bad as punk), but it's not only metal, in fact it has nothing to do with metal. One example of this would be your rant, Steve (sorry). Now, I'm not sure if you get a lot of concerts for the musicians that the other kids at school like, but we do, and I can assure you, these kids DO go to concerts, and often (at least, where I live). Saying that they own no CDs is also a generalization, and even fans of the most impeccably mainstream and commercial music will most likely own a few albums (even if they're digital). No comments on the respect, I'm sure they do respect them, but it's probably a different respect if they're not musicians. Elitism in 'superior' forms of music is probably a phase for fans (I know I went through it, I also know some people never get out of it), so it's understandable. You also seem to be leaving out the legions of metal fans who are just like the 'other' fans of popular music, but with more elitism (this isn't you, Steve). These fans exist in all genres.

Assuming I still have a point this far into an ill-planned post, I guess what you need to remember is that 1) Stereotypes and generalizations are stupid, you can safely ignore them (trying to avoid making them is nice too!), and 2) Commodity music fans in a consumerism based culture is normal, and if you don't like it, you can safely ignore them too (the music tastes, at least). Fandom is gained and expressed through different ways, spending time hating it is a waste of energy and time. I will admit though, some of the music today is pretty bad in my opinion :)

Note: replying to rants with bad essays makes the world go round!

I'm not sure if Lektro said this but


I think most people see metal as emo music. Thats what I thought before I starting learning guitar. Many people think metal is like A7X. A7X sucks!

But some types of metal are rly weird. ( black metal, death metal .etc)
But it rly depends on what people mean by "Metal". But Metallica isn't bad at all.

Unfortunate but true... most people are very ignorant and not smart enough to realize it, and end up thinking they know everything.

I don't think people who don't play an instrument or know about music theory at least, should talk about decent music as imo they don't have the right to do so.

I showed my freind at school Air by jason becker and he started laughing when he heard it and said it sounded like music from the sims video game. Not everyone has to like Becker but he doesn't even know the amount of knowledge required to compose that song because he's not a musician and so is totally ignorant.

I think thats very very precious steve, if your in a creative profession there will be criticizim, in all of life your going to come upon people who will criticize what you do. If your true about your artistic vision, you need to look past that and to the ultimate goal of what yu hope to achive. Alex Grey wrote a book called 'The Mission of Art' and though he is primarily speaking as a Visual artist he speeks at great length on topics that cover all art forms.

The beauty of a creative art form be it visual art, audio art or some combination of the above is that is speaks to people. Sure it doesnt say the same thing from person to person, but the point is that even if you dont have the technical ability to create that you can still find beauty in it. Art forms exist because people are finding a way to communicate a message, something (in an ideal situation) that that artist feels or believes or perhaps a message they hope would better humanity or the world... or perhaps not.

Why go to tis trouble? Because ultimatly a creative art form has some vague sence of altruisim or at the very least understands that there are people out there who will identify with the sentament.

I personally love art but do not require the requisit skills to produce what i would describe as a well rendered art work, but i still love to look and disuss art. If your statment were to become true steve i would no longer be able to talk about that...

People who were not working in Television would no longer be able to discuss TV shows... indeed one would wonder why they would rpoduce television shows...

Hell if the only people who were alowed to comment on music were musicans i wouldnt want to be a musican, for me it would seem vacuous... and indeed i would suggest that music would become the pretentious equivilent of a pissing contest, where people just try to top each other... similar to the 80's shred movement.

Think about everthing that you like to discuss, books, tv, films, food etc... then think about how much you know about each of those subjects, then think about how much more a pro at each one of those professions knows about the topic than you do... then think about how little you would be left with to discuss after that.

Now, Steve, I do agree that most people are ignorant and stubborn about music and all art, but that's just going over the top.

There are a ton of people who don't play instruments or know any theory at all, but are still better at discussing the aspects of music than many of us will ever be. Music is a personal revelation to everyone and everyone has a right to have their own opinions.

But thats the thing, most people don't care that much or view it as an art, most people just listen casually to crap on the radio. To most people (That i know) music is just pleasant noise and just let it play in the background as opposed to actually listening. Like people at my school who would say that 50 cent or Kaiser Chiefs are better than Mozart, it's people like that who have literally no knowledge that should shut up.

When i come into power only musicians will be able to talk about music.

Steve i prey that day will never come.

And i think you have missed the point of what i was saying entierly... people who think that music is a beautiful note or a plesent background are still getting something from the experiance. Who are you to say that thats somehow a poorer or less true experiance of the music... whats more whats to say that what you propose as being better music is actually better... its all about what the individual gets out of it, for you it may be motzart thats true for you but not for me, for me it may be Tool or Death thats true and counts for me.

There is no diffinitve genre of 'good music' its just whats good for you, to then judge a person as not havng good taste based on what you assume is good music is equily shakey as assuiming that they know nothing about music.

Yea, i get what you're saying and i understand but i'm still angry about what was in my rant.

Also, when i do come into power, who i let discuss music will be the least of anyones worries as everyone will be in for a rough couple of centuries.

You know...as you get older your anger will turn to pity for the ignorant. Until then...enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m99ybtk4QNs

I agree. Other people are always going to have opinions about music that don't conform with your own, even if they are ill-informed. It's a complete waste of time worying about it.

Sometimes I like to take advantage of that ignorance though... I go to a catholic high school and occaisionally we get casual fridays.... just to see their reaction, i wore a slayer shirt... priceless... muhahahahaha

but i do have to admit, usually ignorance can't be helped and i did sort of pity them... the prank was still worth it though! :P

Haha classic. Welcome to Neoclassicalmetal.org. Glad to have you here.

you're preaching to the choir man, I hate it when I throw my horns up and some ignorant fuck comes up thinking he knows everything about the bible and accuses me of being satanic without even knowing the horns originated as a religious symbol to deflect the evil eye, popularized by RJD. Another thing is, I get all these Christian, old lady, Jesus freaks saying I should cut my hair, they see metal band members wearing their hair long and accuse it of being satanic, completely ignorant of the fact that Jesus himself wore his hair long. I'm a Christian myself, though not the strongest Christian, but It pisses me off when people see me in an Iron Maiden or AC/DC shirt and just assume I'm satanic or athiest. Srry to rant there man, you just can't get me started on this haha

I'm in the same boat. I do consider myself a Christian but am not willing to change my life because of it. I still cuss, listen to angry music occasionally, and etc. but I do believe. It also pisses me off when people in the church judge me or look down on me. My guitar instructor keeps trying to get me more into the Bible but it's just not interesting to me. I want to live the way I feel comfortable with.

That's great, haha! Welcome to the site.

I've sometimes thought about what would wearing one of those Cradle of Filth shirts with a nun masturbating with a cross lead to in a religious school - probably getting expelled. Overkill.

Alot of people are always going to look at metal from a negative point of view.I listen to Heavy metal/thrash/death/blackmetal and i do not believe in or worship satan i have never killed anyone i am not a sadist or masochist so i really dont understand the problem.Back in the day it was that evil rock and roll now its metal and hip hop...Dont get me wrong i understand that there is music that is completely negative and there is also music that is considered satanic but alot of this devil worship crap to me is all hype a gimmick that certain bands use but actually dont believe in.On the flip side people who generally stereotype metal dont see that it is not all about satan there are actually bands that try to get important messages across but most people have already made up their minds (about it being the devils music) and therefore are too closeminded to actually hear something that might be of importance or something that could actually make them think about something in a different way.

In my opnion...

When ignorance meets frustration, people change reality just to put some things down or to worship others. We all can do a little like this without realizing.

Heavy metal stereotype? If you have long hair and go to dance salsa, even if you are dressed with a white shirt, they will ask you: "So... you like metal?"

On the other hand, heavys don't dance salsa or latin dances -according with the stereotype- then I guess I am not very "heavy" at all... Some "metal" friends instantly refuse going to that kind of "discos", but may do other things which keep them far from the stereotype for a "moment"...

In my country, the stereotipe of HM is changing: they are rather seen as fat people who drink lots of beer and love watching soccer; a kind of music "nerds", peaceful and disgraceful, but no very "satanic" at all. There is a good satiric film about this topic called "Eisi Disi" (spanglish for AC/DC). Also, there is a radio program called "Rock and Goal" who emits rock music and soccer/sport news, all mixed...!!!

I'd like to talk about this a bit more, but it can be boring...
Anyway, all I would say is very simple:


ILLEGITIMIS NON CARBORUNDUM!!!

:D I agree.

Heavy metal is THE STUFF!!! It combines all the forms of music into its own style.Totally awesome.Crank it up untill the ears bleed