Heavy Metal Community

[willmeister87]

Hello

I am an undergrad writing my dissertation on Heavy Metal fans. If you could post your answers to my questions I will be eternally grateful.

Cheers.

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?
2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy
metal fans?
3.How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?
4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?

If you could also include

a) Age
b) Employment
c) Location (nothing specific)
d) Race

 

[VelociBrad]

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?

The passion for the music being written - people who make heavy metal music know they are not going to be making money off of this. They (most of the time) do it for the love of the music and the people that love the music. The intensity the music creates - metal creates an atmosphere that other music doesn't, in my opinion. It's a kind of intensity I don't find in other music, like an "otherwordly" style that truly brings the music to another level.

2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy metal fans?

Oh definitely. Look where you are right now. This is a community. There are huge metal festivals around the world where thousands of people who love metal come together to enjoy the music. There are bands who pay for their tours out of their own pocket - with money they earned by working, not by some label creating their music for them and paying them for it, just so their fans can see them play. Metal is a fairly unpopular style of music in the mainstream/commercial world, it takes an open mind to enjoy a lot of the music being created, and it's not for everybody, but I think all that combined creates a great community of people who come together to discuss and support their love of metal.

3.How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?

As an angry delinquent. Someone who hates society and only listens to metal to piss off my parents or something like that. I never liked how the media portrayed "metalheads". We get an unfair reputation for no good reason, if you ask me.

4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?

Personally? No.

If you could also include

a) Age - 28 (29 this year)
b) Employment - Currently unemployed. Last job was an accountant at an advertising agency.
c) Location (nothing specific) - New York City.
d) Race - White/Caucasian.

 

[willmeister87]

Great responses thanks a lot man.

 

[SouthernTrendkill]

This sounds sort of cheeky but I'll play along because I'm an egomaniacal narcissist.

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?

Too many things to mention. I love it because it's "good" of course! But more specifically... The instrumentation is just incredible. I love a lot of different kinds of music but I'm never going to find instrumentations that are more captivating than metal. In most genres, the music takes a backseat to the vocals. In metal, the music is always up front and takes the primary position. Metal is often raw and unconventional, to the extent that it forms its own autonomous categories and scenes and record labels, etc. Metal's labyrinth of subgenres and sects is enthralling and highlights the variance in the music like no other style of music does. I have to laugh when people try to tell me that little verse chorus indie bands -- which are basically just pop music with a geek slant -- are so uncommercial and unconventional when they're more tailor-made for the Top 40 than the absolute most commercially-oriented popular metal bands like Lamb of God. Plus metal rocks.

2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy
metal fans?

Of course. Likely more so than any other genre. In fact I find that a lot of the metal fans I know don't seem to take me as a true metalhead because I'm not out there at every single area metal show supporting the scene and buying local merch and all of that. To me, metal fandom denotes a deep love and appreciation for metal, and I revel in the community therein. Beyond that, though, there is obviously a wide network of people who choose metal as their daily obsession and engage it on a holistic level. There's a lot of camaraderie there, which I sort of envy.

3.How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?

Dumb, I suppose. Metal fans are supposed to be maladjusted, childish, dateless freaks who live in their parents basement and mooch off of their friends.

4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?

I suppose it sucks that we're portrayed that way, but it would hurt more if the media ever demonstrated an understanding of metal, instead of typifying it with bands that by and large aren't even considered metal. How close of a look can they be taking, in that case? For me personally, I enjoy being labeled a freak. But that's a distinction that would be (and is) bestowed upon me now matter which style of music people see me listening to. Metalheads often display a vast and intricate music appreciation and as much social aptitude as any group. But, after all, every music genre's fans are portrayed through vapid stereotypes. Think of geeks, jocks, airheads, don't they all have styles of music associated with them?

a) Age: 22
b) Employment: Utensil Maintenance Technician/Practical Sanitation Expert (Dishwasher/Janitor)
c) Location: USA
d) Race: European descent

 

[Heavy is this crown]

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?
the music

2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy
metal fans?
physical co-presence + shared knowledge conversation breeds that sort of thing yeah

3.How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?
if you base your entire personality around the tuneless shit you listen to then you deserve to be stereotyped

4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?
i laughed at a metalocalypse episode once

If you could also include

a) Age
19
b) Employment
app. tattoo artist (pig skin decorator extraordinaire)
c) Location (nothing specific)
uk
d) Race
dwarven

 

[Episteme]

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?

The feeling of power, aggression, intensity and the ability to evoke many different emotions. Metal is also a challenging listen and as a musician with my own band, I really enjoy the degree of precision, musical understanding and technique required in the composition of heavy metal and its subgenres. Whilst I do enjoy and appreciate many other genres of music, I find myself still coming back to metal because of the raw passion that's felt through the music. Also in metal there is no need to please anyone else's ears but your own and similar like minded people. The bands that do it, mostly do it for themselves instead of tying themselves to commercialism.

2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy metal fans?

Indeed. I think metal is one of the genres of music with the strongest followings. The community is global, and whilst there are silly disputes over what band is better etc, there's still a sense of belonging that seems to be unparalleled by other musical genres. As other have said in this thread, metal isn't exactly music that's easy to listen to. Whether it be power metal with soaring vocals, or the most extreme brutal death metal. If you don't get it, the metalheads don't care. And if you do, the scene is usually more than willing to accept you as one of their brethren.

3. How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?

We are usually looked down upon as uncouth, foulmouthed, uneducated, unkempt, angry delinquents. More often than most, listening to metal is thought of as a "phase" that most teenagers go through, by the media and most adults. While it is the case for some people, these people do it to garner attention and be "different". The real metalheads are the real ones who see it as musical understanding and have a hunger for more music and are alot more open to music.

4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?

No.

If you could also include

a) Age
23
b) Employment
Full time university student studying Chemical Engineering. Working part time as a bartender in a hotel.
c) Location (nothing specific)
Perth, Western Australia
d) Race
Asian

 

[Chanakya]

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?

Apart from what others have mentioned, it's the fact that you can attach virtually any form of music to the 'metal' component to get your own style. It is a highly expressive form of music and more of than not requires dedication and hard work. It not only has the element of energy packed action but can bring about so many different emotions in me. Lyrically and conceptually a large number of bands tackle a ridiculously wide range of topics and is one of the only few genres that I find intellectually stimulating.

2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy
metal fans?

Most definitely. As with any other sub-culture, fans of heavy metal are like minded to a large extent and also includes a small minority of scum. With regards to the like-mindedness, it's very easy to relate to another metal fan despite geographical/linguistic/social barriers. At most concerts there's that feeling of brotherhood though amidst complete strangers.


3.How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?

The media in my country is completely unaware of the metal phenomenon and tend to bunch it with rock. If the term media is expanded to include public perception, then everyone connects long hair/band t-shirt with drugs.

4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?

Yes. To a large extent. I cannot view a gig beyond a certain time because the cops assume we are going to break into a riot. I've once been hit by a cop all over my shoulders and chest when I was right up against the barrier. He thought that I was trying to break it while all I was doing was jump around screaming lyrics and head-banging. The negative image associated with metal has ensured that very few metal gigs happen.


If you could also include

a) Age - 18
b) Employment - Student
c) Location (nothing specific) - India
d) Race - .

 

[Pessimism]

Cheers.

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?
Many before me have already encapsulated my feelings: Musical intensity, the technicality/precision, the musicianship. The ability to evoke any emotion, speak out about any single thing in the world, or just create something new. The visual and auditory depth of many genre's just fills me with an unending pleasure.

2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy metal fans?
There is a sense of camaraderie, but only to an extent. Small minded and bigoted individuals exist within every social network and those are usually the beings who ruin things. Personally, I hate most people who label themselves as “metal-heads” because metal to the general metal-head seems to just represent sex and drugs. I hate that descriptor and stay away from fans like that because they piss me off. But yes, there is a community.

3.How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?
&
4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?
See Below:
The media (on the national scale) is generally an incapable mass of idiocy. So to a degree, yes, because when any massive organization fails to report accurately :cough:: Fox News ::cough:, then irreparable damage may be done to a cultural movement in the eyes of the masses. Now that doesn't affect the fans of said movement individually (to a large degree that is), but it does affect social relevance and acceptance. I should also state though that I feel if metal became a widely accepted form of entertainment, damage would also be done. There is a fine balance that exists within the “metal” culture, which is usually accented by solidarity (cultural isolation if you will), from that standpoint a tight knit kinship tends to form with other like-minded people.As most metal-heads have experienced though, when a new “scene” emerges that is labeled as metal (yet has nothing to do with it; examples include nu-metal, death-core, the mislabeling of hardcore music, etc.) steps into the spotlight, you can correlate the rise of said scene with the dissolution or tightening of a community. This is especially true when you begin to see the emergence of “new fans”; i.e. the many people who are trying to be one thing or another rather than themselves. Quite frankly, seeing millions of people act a certain way to be cool is quite infuriating; plus, with the mislabeling of subcultures and the idiocy that runs rampant within the mislabeled fads, metal-heads have even more stereotypes attached to their already well “documented” social template.

Side-notes:
Perception is also different based on geographic area; here in the U.S., the spectrum ranges from metal being a music of delinquents to just a jarring musical preference (unless you talk to fans). In Europe, in is actually pretty mainstream to a degree. Now, crosscheck the perception of metal in other countries that are not well off; see how well death metal is accepted in Saudi Arabia, or any other “extreme” government. Perceptions vary greatly depending on the cultural, political, economic and religious makeup of the society at large.

Personally as a fan of metal, I don't go around brandishing my taste like a sword by shoving it into the ears of unbelievers/non-listeners. If I meet someone who likes it then cool, but I don't try to convert anyone. If I am asked about it though then things become different. Since I don't go around throwing my personal tastes in people's faces, they don't know I listen to metal. People still think I look pissed off and angry though, the long hair and the beard doesn't help that.

P.S. I don't have long hair because I listen to this music, I have long hair because:
1. I like it
2. If I shaved my head I would look like a skinhead... I really don't want that, especially since I apparently always look angry or pissed



a) Age
23

b) Employment
Walmart Maintenance slave/$8; Full Time Philosophy and Genetics major (Senior)

c) Location (nothing specific)
California

d) Race
My ethnic background is Danish and Russian primarily. Take from that what you will.



@OP: I'm surprised you didn't ask about any religious preference.

 

[razoredge]

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?
It's got balls, articulation, perhaps an unspoken product of industrialization as it chugs it's way with the best of machines. As a genre its also diverse and covers the many moods of life.

2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy
metal fans?

Everything has a community, communities suck, agreement is split and the sides stand on the outskirts of town and throw rocks at each other but get together a few times a year for a festival and act like nothing ever happened... LOL

3.How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?
4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?

I dont know how the media feels, what media ? Is the media relevent ? Check the metal media, it too is surely the pride and joy of humanity


If you could also include

a) Age
fucking old
b) Employment
both construction and production based blue collar
c) Location (nothing specific)
upstate N.Y. country boy
d) Lineage (Race)
limey... a slightly green white
e) Religion
prefer multiport recievers

 

[willmeister87]

It's something that has always suprised me, but in audience studies religion never seems to have come up. In relation to to other heavy metal audience studies done, it has never been used.

 

[WCannibal]

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?

Very difficult question to answer, but probably my favorite things about metal are the passion put in the music and the variety found in the genre.

2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy
metal fans?

There is to some extent. Take forums like this or concerts, for example. People get together and indulge in the genre of music we love.

3.How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?

I haven't really heard much negative criticism of metal fans in the media, but that's mainly because of genres like metalcore and nu-metal commercializing the genre to the point where it's socially acceptable to listen to "metal" as long as it's a spawn of the more mainstream subgenres.

4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?

Nope.


a) Age: 15, about to turn 16 in two months
b) Employment: none
c) Location (nothing specific): Oklahoma
d) Race: White as a piece of paper

 

[damnromulans]

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?

I love the cathartic, aggressive aspect of the music - how it often explores the darker side of the human psyche, and we as the listeners can experience it on a visceral level and really feel it. It's hard to make any sweeping generalizations since there are so many subgenres covering such a vast quantity of aural ground, but I also really dig the challenging musicianship and the fact that so much technical skill is required to play it. Lyrical content is often based on anger, fantasy, misanthropy, mythology - whether or not we admit it, I think a lot of enjoyment of metal comes from thinking about what the artists want to say. And of course, there is that tiny nagging inkling of "rebelliousness."

2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy
metal fans?

Yes. The metal community is almost rabid when compared to other music "scenes." I feel like we all walk around throughout our daily lives ever so slightly smug that we've discovered such a well kept secret. Bonding between fellow metal fans takes place on its own level. You see someone on the street wearing a band shirt and think "yeah, I'd like to talk to him/her!"

3.How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?

I'm not exactly under the radar since in my case it's not a lifestyle so much as a music preference/part time hobby. But in general there are a lot of stereotypes about metal fans that may or may not be true - namely that metal fans are all just like Beavis and Butt-Head, and in some circles I'm sure metal is still viewed as Satanic or totally counter-cultural.

4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?

I wouldn't say so, I manage pretty successfully to be oblivious to what "the media" thinks. This applies to everything in life of course, not just metal.


If you could also include

a) Age - 23
b) Employment - Assistant English teacher
c) Location - Kyushu, Japan - originally Albany, NY
d) Race - Asian
e) Gender - Female (perhaps this is pertinent to your study)

 

[King Richard]

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?

The music. ldo

2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy
metal fans?

Yes, and it's a massive, smelly, angst ridden sausage fest. We need more bitches pronto.

3.How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?

Who fucking cares? It's metal not to give a shit. Fuck the media!

4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?

Fuck no!

If you could also include

a) Age - Older than time itself
b) Employment - The fucking boss bitch!
c) Location (nothing specific) - Hell \m/
d) Race - Corpse

Fuck you.

 

[damnromulans]

what crawled up your ass and died there? the man is trying to use this information for a fucking dissertation

 

[Episteme]

It's metal to not care about dissertations.

 

[King Richard]

what crawled up your ass and died there? the man is trying to use this information for a fucking dissertation

Lighten up cheese tits, it was all in fun.

It's metal to not care about dissertations.

Fukk yesss bro!!!!

Skool is for tools! Bang until you die son!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[damnromulans]

it's also metal to rely on a bunch of sarcastic dweebs for your dissertation, apparently.

willmeister, DO NOT CITE WIKIPEDIA IN YOUR FOOTNOTES

 

[VelociBrad]

what crawled up your ass and died there? the man is trying to use this information for a fucking dissertation

Angry nu-metal kids have to do stupid things, it happens.

 

[willmeister87]

Thanks to everyone for replying. Krampuss, in nearly 30 replies I have recieved you are the first Female! For that I thank you because it hopefullly means I can add an extra 1000 words of waffle. You are also only the second non-caucasian.

Dissertations are a total pain in the arse, but at least doing it on metal, I can include swear words on it and it really does suck not to be able to use Wikipedia.

 

[waif]

1. What do you love about metal as a genre?

I love the music. I love picking apart the song structures and such, and as a guitarist I love playing it, but mostly I love how it affects me, whether it's a Hammerfall song that makes me want to rock and roll all night or a Nocturnal Depression song that makes me want to self-harm or an Alcest song that makes me want to just curl up in a little ball and pretend I'm in the forest. Metal just affects me more than any other form of music.

2. Do you feel there is a community within heavy
metal fans?

Well yeah, absolutely. With hardly any mainstream media support or major money coming in, except for a very few bands that have broken through, the only way metal can exist is with fans supporting the bands, word of mouth promotion, underground gigs, and basically a very strong community.

3.How do they feel you (as a metal fan) is perceived by the media?

Not sure what you're asking. How does the media perceive metal fans? There are a couple stereotypes; stupid burnout type, introverted school-shooter type (perhaps some accuracy here?), etc. None of these are completely accurate, but all have some truth to them.

4. Are you affected by the media’s view on the genre?

No. I don't watch television except if I'm watching with other people at their house, I typically just read the front page of the New York Times, so I very rarely see metal in the media. But frankly I don't give a shit. If they want to give a fair and accurate view, then maybe more people will get into it and that's good. If they want to sensationalize it, then I get kvlt points for being into metal, which is also cool I guess. It doesn't influence my enjoyment of the music.

If you could also include

a) Age
b) Employment
c) Location (nothing specific)
d) Race

3/4 will be changing in about 2 months so I included both.

a. 18/19
b. Photo tech/full time student
c. Boston/Montreal
d. White