Top 10 Myths About Metal

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[Brewdog]

Top 10 Myths About Metal

by The Black Frost

For over 40 years people across the world have explored Metal and it’s many subgenres. So many misjudgements popped up over time that I believe it is important to let people know how misunderstood the music really is. Here are my top ten myths about Metal, and the truth that comes with them. Please note that these are not my personal opinions.

10  Heavy Metal


Myth: The music is called “Heavy Metal”

So I thought I’d start you off with an easy one. Most people believe that the name of the harsh-sounding screams and heavily distorted guitars is “Heavy Metal”. In actuality, Metal has hundreds of subgenres and “Heavy Metal” is barely even one of them. Bands such as Cream, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath paved the way for metal bands by creating a unique sound. But while these bands can be called heavy metal, an alarming majority of non-metalheads, especially elderly people and teenage girls, refer to all rock music as heavy metal. Simply because they know nothing of the diversity in the genre.


9  Barbarian


Myth: Metal musicians are uneducated freaks who can’t form sentences

Another common one. Most people view metal lyrics and music as simple and stupid. In reality, most metal musicians are highly intelligent, highly focused people who are capable of writing deep, meaningful lyrics and music. For example, the black metal band Bathory derived much of their music from classical composers. And most metal lyrics are surprisingly literate.


8  Anti-Religion


Myth: All metal is against religion

In most non-metalhead opinions, metal bands religion deserves to be hated, but such is not the case in metal. In most cases, metal is not anti-religious in general, but it is often against Christianity or forms of Christianity. However, many artists are religious, like the American Metalcore band As I Lay Dying, or David Dramian of Disturbed. It is safe to say that Religion is not well liked in metal, but it’s not exactly hated. Although there are exceptions to all rules…


7  Satanic


Myth: Metal promotes Satanism

The genre of music that does feature lots of satanic themes and imagery is called Black Metal, derived from Venom’s thrash album; Black Metal. Although some death and thrash metal, like Slayer, Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel features Satanism, very few black metal musicians actually have satanic beliefs, and the ones that do tend to try not to promote it.


6  Crime


Myth: Metal promotes criminal activity, like murder

While a few people in the metal community have been tied into crime and murder, only one predominant case; that of Varg Vikernes, is relevant. Most metal bands that do have violent or disturbing lyrics and imagery have stated that their content is not to be taken seriously. Most notably Cannibal Corpse, who are infamous for their lyrics, which often elaborate on the more gruesome depictions of murder, death and sexual fetishism.



5  Sexism


Myth: Metal is sexist

While it seems that much of metal, especially in the late 80’s, was designed to trivialize sex and women, now the issue is much less common. And many bands, especially of the Black, Grind and Doom metal genres avoid the topic of sex completely.


4  Fascist


Myth: Metal musicians have fascist, racist or neo-Nazi beliefs

While many musicians say they believe certain races or ethnic groups are better or worse than others, and while some have legitimate beliefs, it is most common that it is part of a stage presence. A good example of this is former Gorgoroth vocalist Gaahl, who is not only homosexual, but has stated that he has racist views, but that he is not serious about them and tries not to express them openly.


3  Children


Myth: Metal is bad for children

Much of metal is oriented towards children and teens as a less serious way to cope with stress than other means available. Although people may tell you that metal poisons the minds of our children, keep in mind that those people are generally very closed-minded and don’t understand.


2  Talentless


Myth: Metal takes no skill to play

Any professional will tell you that metal and jazz are the two most difficult genres of music to play. And while it seems that metal musicians just thrash around while hiding behind distortion, the fast riffs and extreme percussion are almost always 100% real, without any synthesized material. The subgenres of music that tend to edit their music digitally are metalcore, industrial and grind. Most everything else is legitimate.


1  Screamo


Myth: Metal vocals is just screaming

If you like metal, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Wow, can’t he actually sing?” This really annoys metalheads as it is a fact that metal vocals are extremely difficult. And while it seems like it’s effortless, metal vocals range greatly, from growling, to screaming, to shrieking, and everything in between. Next time someone says metal vocals are not singing, simple reply; “It’s just different.” So that concludes my list, and to all those who believe these stereotypes and think metal is dumb. We’ve had a great 40 years, and were getting along just fine without you.

[Sir_Gawain]

Another myth: that bands like Disturbed and As I Lay Dying are metal.

Also, I haven't been up on my Cannibal Corpse lately, but I don't remember any Satanic themes in either their lyrics or image.  In fact, the song "Condemned to Agony" off of Bloodthirst could even be seen as quasi-Christian, since it describes in graphic detail the torments of a serial killer sent to hell after his death.

That said, I tend to agree with a lot of this.  Looking back at the lyrics of bands like Black Sabbath and Pentagram in the early '70s, it's sort of ironic that metal got the reputation of being "the devil's music."  Lyrics to songs such as "Lord of This World", "Hand of Doom", "When the Screams Come", and "Review Your Choices" read like invectives against the amorality of the hippie/drug/free love/party zeitgeist.  It sort of reminds me of the Old Testament prophets.  And of course, "After Forever" is openly pro-Christian.

Of course, by the time Venom came along things had come full circle, but I for one have no problem with that.  I think all of us metalheads are strong enough to think for ourselves about religious matters, and while Venom, Bathory, Sabbath, and Trouble might run the spiritual gamut, I only care that they all kick ass.

[Phoenix]

Much of metal is oriented towards children? I wasn't aware it was really strongly oriented at any particular age group...

edit: Holy crap, this is retarded. Complete nonsense. Most of these 'myths' are obviously myths to anyone with a passing interest in music. There's a bunch of terrible misinformation in that article, like the part about "most metal bands in the 80s was designed to trivialize sex and women," or the bit about how metal lyricists are oh-so-deep and intelligent...I really don't know how this could get any more pretentious, ponderous and all around asinine. And I love how at the end the guy says that the metal scene doesn't need people who believe in the stereotypes. Yeah, that must be why you wrote this article trying to convince them, right? I really doubt anyone's going to be amazingly convinced by reading this...

[darigaaz]

Seems to me like this was written by someone (most likely late teen) who just started 'listening' to metal and those where his and his friend's own top 10 myths before ever hearing of what heavy metal is all about.

The way its written clearly shows the person does not agree or like the more extreme bands popular in metal like  Cannibal, Morbid Angel etc....  because they give a 'bad' name to metal? 

[Lord John]

If anything, Metal owes a lot to religion.  Even though many may not hold to the beliefs of a certain religion, biblical references and imagery are in the music of most metal bands. 

[Sargon the Terrible]

If anything, Metal owes a lot to religion.  Even though many may not hold to the beliefs of a certain religion, biblical references and imagery are in the music of most metal bands. 

Most?  Hardly.  Some.

[Master Cthulhu]

And many bands, especially of the Black, Grind and Doom metal genres avoid the topic of sex completely.

This is complete horseshit, most of it. I agree with some of the points, for instance the fact that all metalheads aren't barbarians (although I have met a lot that could easily fit the criteria).

[Warhammer]

If anything, Metal owes a lot to religion.  Even though many may not hold to the beliefs of a certain religion, biblical references and imagery are in the music of most metal bands. 

Black Sabbath is a great example of that. As long as Metal doesn't go all "praise and worship," I'm fine with biblical themes. Satan is biblical!

[Lord John]

Most?  Hardly.  Some.

Perhaps it's the music I listen to; but a lot of music includes biblical allusions in it's lyrics.  I don't mean they are constantly spouting bible verses.  Just the themes are very prevalent.   Perhaps "most" was an overstatement.

In regards to the list above, the one I can relate to most is No.1 as when you say "Metal" to people they generally think of Bullet-for-my-Valentine-esque screaming, whinging music.  How wrong they are!

[bj_waters]

I think this stuff is pretty old news for anybody who's been into heavy metal long enough to know about The Metal Crypt.

[tbab]

Much of metal is oriented towards children? I wasn't aware it was really strongly oriented at any particular age group...

edit: Holy crap, this is retarded. Complete nonsense. Most of these 'myths' are obviously myths to anyone with a passing interest in music. There's a bunch of terrible misinformation in that article, like the part about "most metal bands in the 80s was designed to trivialize sex and women," or the bit about how metal lyricists are oh-so-deep and intelligent...I really don't know how this could get any more pretentious, ponderous and all around asinine. And I love how at the end the guy says that the metal scene doesn't need people who believe in the stereotypes. Yeah, that must be why you wrote this article trying to convince them, right? I really doubt anyone's going to be amazingly convinced by reading this...

Yeah, it's really poorly written as well.