Here's an interesting piece forwarded by a metalhead friend of mine. As most people who know me know that I'm a true blue metalhead. Ever since I first heard the deafening sounds of old Metallica and Slayer and to eventually stacking up on the more extreme stuffs. It's really a cool genre to listen to and its the music that I always highly recommend. \m/
source: http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-True-Metalhead
Whether you’ve never listened to metal before, are just getting into it, or have been listening to it for years, this guide will help keep you on the right track in the world of metal.
STEPS:
1. Realize that the amount of musicianship required to write and play most metal is astounding. A lot of ignorant people say otherwise, because they’re used to mainstream bands that are based on poppy vocals backed up by simple power chords. How many times have we metalheads been told that metal is just a fat sweaty guy screaming into a mic? That’s too bad, because people like that are missing out on some great instrumentals.
2. Realize that metal is ALL about the music. You don’t need to go around wearing fancy clothing or acting a certain way. Just be yourself.
3. Don’t just listen to the vocals. Appreciate the drumming, guitar riffs, and the heavy bass lines. If you can’t understand the vocals the first time around, look up the lyrics. Understand what they mean, analyze them and form your own opinion around them. And realize that Metal isn’t all about death, and many many of the lyrics can be beautiful.
4. Get your hands on some good metal. The variety is endless, ranging from soft to rock-your-face-off. Keep in mind, however, that a lot of bands who focus solely on being “hard” play very simple music, probably aren’t real metal, and aren’t worth listening to. A good idea is to find someone you know is a metal head and just ask him/her if you can borrow a few CD’s or just ask if you can listen to their headphones. Chances are the guy who is a metalhead will know just what to hook you up with.
5. Find some metal you like. Don’t just go for whatever all the others are listening, or what they tell you to listen to. Be an individual, thats respected in the Metal subculture. Conformity will get you nowhere. Stay true to yourself, and true to the music. Once you have obtained a love for metal, let your tastes guide you. There are always new (and old) bands for you to discover. In fact, why not try playing metal yourself?
6. Defend the music if you like it. Be prepared for criticism of the music. Tell the uneducated about the message and the meaning behind the lyrics, and to look past the lyrics.
7. Go to shows! Shows can be hard to handle at first, but eventually you get used to it. Get lost in the music; fun is what it’s all about. Going to concerts is strongly advised, as they are often almost a “magical” experience, and is a great way to meet people with similar music taste.
TIPS:
1. Feel free to listen to genres other than metal, though many people who listen to metal agree that a true metalhead prefers metal to other musical idioms.
2. Buying lots of band shirts is a great way to support the metal bands that you like (as applies to all genres), and possibly meet new friends with similar musical tastes. However it is not needed but it does reinforce your tastes. Be sure you know about the bands you’re wearing. People may come up to you and engage you in a conversation about them.
3. Ask around. If you’re interested in metal, you’re bound to meet someone who can let you listen to some good stuff. This way, you can get a feel for what you like in a metal band and start to purchase albums from there.
4. Start off slow, and your tastes will expand. A lot of metal bands’ vocals are based on screaming, which will be hard to get used to and is probably the sole reason that the majority of people shun metal the way they do. Screaming maintains the heavy, hard atmosphere, and allows a band to spread their message while using no definite tone… allowing the instruments do the melodic work. A good way to start would be to listen to a metal band whose vocalist sings with occasional screaming, like Pantera. If you’re feeling daring, though, you could try a band whose screaming vocals blend in better, like Children of Bodom.
5. Many older bands use high-pitched but melodic vocal styles, often of very high quality. Examples include Iron Maiden, Queensryche, King Diamond, and Skid Row. Many fans prefer this style to the more modern scream or growl commonly found in a lot of death/black metal. In addition, there’s a growing style in Europe called “gothic metal” that typically features female vocalists of extremely high, often operatic quality. Examples of this include Within Temptation, Epica, and After Forever. Nightwish could be considered similar in many respects to this style. There are many subgenres of metal, (speed and thrash, glam, power, death, black, doom, grindcore, industrial, new wave) and a great variation of vocal styles among them. Many of the best are extremely demanding and skillful in their execution, as much so as the music itself.
6. Check out some bands like Slayer, Mercyful Fate, Anthrax, Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Megadeth and Manowar.
WARNINGS:
- If you don’t like (or down-right hate) some of the first metal material you hear, don’t back off right away. Metal is very diverse, and there’s something to be had for everyone. Some metal is fast, (Progressive Metal) and some is slow (Doom Metal). There is even Christian Metal!
- Stand up for your music. Do not be afraid to voice your opinion and stand up for what you believe in [but watch your back]. After all metal is one of the greatest genres of music.
- Try not to illegally download the music you are trying. This wrecks up the album if you eventually get it. Try free legal music download sites like purevolume and the bands MySpace for free tracks.
THINGS YOU’LL NEED:
- An open mind.
- Optional: Money for CD’s and shirts.
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