| Why is it that apparently any type of music is deemed as acceptable apart from metal
Posted: 10/19/2009 3:00:20 AM | OK, first off, I did a thread search on this topic and yes there was one, but it was closed for drifting off topic and also I wanted to discuss it in a more general forum and not a polarised one such as the Art/Music forum so all you forum nazis can stop typing up your redundant generic diatribes about doing a thread search ummmmmmm..........right now.
Onto the actual topic.
As a metal fan it becomes extremely frustrating when reading the phrase "I am into all kinds of music...apart from heavy metal". It's crazy just how many people appear to share this sentiment.
What I don't quite understand is, why?
Is this a fashion thing? Is it seen as being too outrageous to be into music that doesn't get played on mainstream radio?
So I pose these questions to you, the ever knowledgeable, all knowing Plenty Of Freaks UK forum users.
What is it about heavy metal that makes it divide opinions the way it does?
Why is it that apparently any type of music is deemed as acceptable apart from metal?
Does someone saying they like all kinds of music apart from heavy metal actually mean they are more close minded than someone who says they only like one particular kind of music?
Thanks for any input. | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 3:06:37 AM | I have that comment on my profile
Actually I don't like jazz or some of the operatic stuff either so maybe I should add in that too so it doesn't seem as if it's anything BUT heavy metal. I do like some rock but the real heavy metal stuff is really just like white noise
It's not that it's not acceptable, its just personal preference. | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 3:08:00 AM | | i think people put that because they don't like metal ...... just a guess .. a wild stab in the dark | |
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sjxx
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Joined: 8/27/2009
Msg: 4 | |
| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 3:14:48 AM | I have on my profile that I like Metallica. Thats not true at all. In fact I dont think I even know any of their music. I just wanted to be contrary. In reality metal gives me the right hump, it winds me up but no more than r and b or hip hop or Daniel O Donnell.  | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 3:20:23 AM | Obviously when you break it down it comes down to a personal taste thing and as we all know personal taste is subjective.
Yes, the statement no doubt comes down to the fact they don't like metal as their personal opinion but I'm not really questioning peoples individual taste as such but more as to why is it you see the words "apart from metal" way more than you see the words "Apart from dance" or "Apart from Pop"???
Metal music seems way more divisive than any other kind of music, mainstream or not and I'd like to know why.....I mean I have my own theories but I'm keeping those to myself in order to gain some other untouched or biased opinions. | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 3:29:53 AM | I suppose that many people do not understand that there are different versions of metal. These range from the classic heavy metal (which is a slightly harder version of rock) right upto extreme death/thrash metal, where lyrics and instruments are hard to decipher.
You know what. I like classic metal. I like listning to it. I however hate thrash metal. This whole generation of people who just bark and growl down the microphone uttering guteral words that you cannot hear, unless you download/read the lyrics.
This kind of oversite is the same with all forms of music. There is always one extreme that people don't enjoy (fussion jazz, hardcore dance to name two examples). What people are doing is stating their preference in the music that they like to listen to on a regular basis. However some are just Naïve.
I'm a real music fan. Something cheesy on the radio that i can sing along to, or something heavy that I can headbang to, something chilled out that i can relax to, or something uplifting to increase conversation and stimulate ideas. I will give anything a go, but i know what type of music I enjoy so I often stick to that. | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 3:40:27 AM | maybe it's not the metal but the metal-heads they don't like .... dodgy tee-shirts, bad tattoo's and bits of metal stuck through various bits of their anatomy ......
i have nothing against metal-heads personally ..... | |
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| Apart from metal
Posted: 10/19/2009 3:48:45 AM | Too much treble. Cant make out the lyrics. Sometimes difficult to find any melody. Pompous and generic lyrical content. Its the same as radio friendly pop to me. I suppose I just dont get it. Give me The Beach Boys anyday, you cant beat a bit of auditory sunshine 
I must admit, metal heads certainly know how to have a good night out though!  | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 3:51:11 AM |
I suppose that many people do not understand that there are different versions of metal.
Indeed, Metal is such a broad genre that it actually has a little of something for everyone however people are generally unaware of this because they assume it all sounds the same.
maybe it's not the metal but the metal-heads they don't like .... dodgy tee-shirts, bad tattoo's and bits of metal stuck through various bits of their anatomy ......
As opposed to the non metal heads who wear dodgy t-shirts have awful tattoos and piercings right?
Too much treble. Cant make out the lyrics. Sometimes difficult to find any melody. Pompous and generic lyrical content. Its the same as radio friendly pop to me.
Care to give any examples of such? Can't say that I've ever listened to much Metal with too much treble given that it's very much a mid to bass range frequency style of music.... | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 4:04:11 AM | I like all kinds of music…apart from Jazz, Opera and much of the classical (there are a few exceptions - but no Jazz exceptions). The heaviest concerts I’ve ever been to were Aerosmith (Steve Vai was the support act), Joe Satriani and Ice T & Bodycount. Some of the bands come up with classic tunes, Ozzy, AC/DC, Metallica, Iron Maiden to name but a few, but in the main I am not a fan. Worked with a young guy who was in to Death Metal and I could never be a fan. The young lad nearly made my ears bleed with that stuff!
Edit: I realise Aerosmith is rock as were a couple of others, but Bodycount…I think they were a boyband! | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 4:06:15 AM | Actually that's an interesting question Octo.
I think Metal has a particular energy about it, it's in the undertones of any Metal be it Nightwish or The Hurt Process or anything in between, it's an energy that is distinct in it's ability to jumble up the brainwave patterns and alot of people don't want to hook into that energy. I think you have to be in a certain frame of mind to get it, sometimes I loves it, other times I'm wanting to listen to something far more ambient. It's about the emotions it evokes, isnt it.
Then you've got the whole perceived lifestyle, connotations of aggression, pain, anger, general negative emotions that people want to stay away from. The clothes styles etc can add to the misconceptions, but you have to admit it's all part of the whole thing and historically the roots of metal were born from anger and frustration, so this also adds to why some people don't like Metal, they subconsciously don't want to tap into an emotion they'd rather be free of. | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 4:53:32 AM | Iv always been a complete rock chick so im never put off by a bit of metal, never really got death metal and dont like the kind that have gory stuff on stage but love the rest from the softer stuff like Bon Jovi thru to Maiden  | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 5:19:06 AM | Well see the biggest misconception is that all metal fans are same which of course is a sweeping generalisation.
I like loads of bands and sub genres within rock and metal but I too draw the line at Death Metal. That's not to say I am not into particularly heavy stuff but even Death Metal to me as a well versed metal fan does nothing for me.
As for the comments about metal having it's roots based around anger and negativity, sure this is a valid point but one that has been losing relevance in recent years.
In fact, I was lucky enough to go see my Favourite band Chimaira in London last Monday night. The band had not played the UK in over a year and a half and it was the last night of their European tour and only UK date this year.
The band got such an amazing response that they were totally overwhelmed and Mark Hunter their singer even commented that the chorus line "I hate everyone" from their last song "Pure Hatred" couldn't have been further from the truth.
Upon chatting with the band extensively afterwards they had all said how they were welling up a bit on stage to the crowd constantly chanting the bands name and had to force back the tears of joy and everyone in the audience had a smile on their face after the show. | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 5:31:53 AM | I have been brought up with listening to metal from its inception in the mid sixties (I had an older brother!) and early Deep Purple stuff through to the stuff that we get today - I can go with most of it, some of it is a bit teen-metal-pop stuff, and some of the screamo stuff I dont really like (eg Bullet for My Valentine, Taking Back Sunday etc ). That said, I like also some blues, some rap, some country, some pop, etc etc etc
But I think that actually a lot of people who put " except for metal" are actually not too sure what "metal" is - I think that maybe in the years gone by, they heard one or two tracks by (for example) Metallica, or UFO, and decided that they didnt like it full stop. And never will. Like all genres, its eveolving and changing. There are actually some quite sensitive and beautiful 'metal' tracks around .
Keep an open mind - never say "never "
Just me two pence worth ... | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 7:18:28 AM | I'm not a 'metal' fan - though (apart from the almost ubiquitous dislike of heavy Jazz) I can enjoy almost anything else.
Why?
I feel (and I suspect that there are many others who do too) that it's a very negative genre.
It's most often performed by people with an axe to grind against society, and consequently usually comes across as both angry and depressing. Not in any way pleasing to listen to unless you too are angry and depressed.
Melody and diversity of vocal sounds are not usually evident.
Lyrical content is often of the 'oh my god, I think I'll cut my wrists because the world is so horrid to me and no-one understands me' type.
On the whole: I can rarely relate to what is sung (or rather shouted) and when I do hear much of it I'm left with a feeling of wanting to slap the performers legs and tell them to stop being silly and grow up.
Dont be offended by the above, OP, that was not my intention. You asked for an opinion, so I'm giving it.
I should add: Just because it's not to my taste doesn't mean I dont respect each persons right to choose who/what they listen to at any given moment in their lives. | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 7:26:30 AM | My youngest son is just aquireing his own musical preferances (he is almost 15) And yep this is exactly the kind of music he likes. But I'm afraid I just cant stand it. It just sounds like a group of people shouting at the top of their voices with a load of noise going on in the background I kno that makes me sound incredibly old but thats the reason I dont like metal music | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 7:36:18 AM | A lot of music genres are easy listening and inoffensive in tone and content to the ears that even if it doesn't get the juices flowing or excite you your unlikely to hate it.
Metal is more of an acquired taste and further to the extreme of what is popular that more people will not like it and that is why people will have more definitives on the subject.
It is also less mainstream and your unlikely to hear metal music on tv or on the radio unless you tune to a dedicated station so have less exposure to form an complete informed view.
I would suspect that if I avidly tried to listen to metal music I would find the majority not to my taste but a few songs that I liked, every other genre you hear enough to know that you like some if not all of that genre. | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 7:43:40 AM | | its all down to personel taste..im into alot of heavy stuff..rammstein..ac/dc..guns n roses..the murder dolls..slipknot..and loads more..but i dont like thrash and doom metal..it sounds fecking awful.. | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 7:44:18 AM | | I like rock/ indie music. however heavy metal has never done anything for me. Young people I think though do tend to follow the herd and like what is fashionable. I mean if your under 25 right now you have to like RnB & Hip Hip otherwise your just not hip and happenin. Chicks are even worse, they rarely find a rock chick they tend to gravitate towards soppy rubbish like westlife! | |
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| Apart From Metal.
Posted: 10/19/2009 7:53:41 AM | | When did you last hear a westlife song played? Not all girls like "soppy rubbish" admitedly I listen to KISS radio mostly but you dont hear westlife on there. I am cetrainly not in the under 25 catogory either. But neither am I in a music time warp. I am sure there are plenty of girls who enjoy rock/metal etc as I am sure you are likely to be told in the not to distant future. | |
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| Apart from metal
Posted: 10/19/2009 8:01:46 AM |
As someone who appreciates music I dislike the over amplified distorted guitars especially when they go on a repetetive over used fuzz boxed never ending solo !!
I also like to hear lyrics sung rather than screeched.
I think metal has moved too far from its blues/rock origin and maybe it should have stopped at Deep Purples level ?
The fact that the rockabilly band I was in at 17 was booed off stage by a field full of bikers when we supported 'Dumpys Rusty Nuts' (you probably never heard of them) at a bikers rally 26 yrs ago has nothing to do with my dislike ..............well 'erm ......much.
OT Maybe people just think metal is shite .........'tis music preference!!
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| Apart from metal
Posted: 10/19/2009 8:16:25 AM | 'Dumpys Rusty Nuts' "A splosh of tea and a greasy dog, I ain't happy 'less I'm riding me Hog... Box Hill Box Hill here we come, I ain't happy less I'm doing a ton" etc... saw them several times at many biker events and they were good (great guitarist). But heavy metal - I don't think so.
I think a lot of people who say they don't like metal would really like to say they have MOR music tastes - bland. Metal can be tedious and boring at its worst - but bland it never is. So what is Metal anyway? Which bands define the point at which rock stops and metal begins? | |
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| Apart from metal
Posted: 10/19/2009 8:38:12 AM | the origin of metal came from ...... black sabbeth who got the influence from the heavy industry around aston, where they grew up. interestingly enough they started out as a blues band and only got into the heavy set up due to the lead guitarist losing a bit of his finger. hence most of the original bands around the area followed suit, such as led zep, again largely blues influence. also judus priest etc
why dont the bints like it? well you know what they are like take one look and make up there minds straight away without listening or understanding 
im quite lucky as just outside brum and most of the bints around here enjoy 70s metal, but not the new stuff as its not as original. | |
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| Apart from metal
Posted: 10/19/2009 8:57:53 AM |
I'm not a 'metal' fan - though (apart from the almost ubiquitous dislike of heavy Jazz) I can enjoy almost anything else.
Why?
I feel (and I suspect that there are many others who do too) that it's a very negative genre.
It's most often performed by people with an axe to grind against society, and consequently usually comes across as both angry and depressing. Not in any way pleasing to listen to unless you too are angry and depressed.
Melody and diversity of vocal sounds are not usually evident.
Lyrical content is often of the 'oh my god, I think I'll cut my wrists because the world is so horrid to me and no-one understands me' type.
On the whole: I can rarely relate to what is sung (or rather shouted) and when I do hear much of it I'm left with a feeling of wanting to slap the performers legs and tell them to stop being silly and grow up.
Dont be offended by the above, OP, that was not my intention. You asked for an opinion, so I'm giving it.
I should add: Just because it's not to my taste doesn't mean I dont respect each persons right to choose who/what they listen to at any given moment in their lives.
I'm not offended at all really because what you described above doesn't really pertain much to many of the bands I listen to and in theory, you could easily be describing Rap music.....
A lot of music genres are easy listening and inoffensive in tone and content to the ears that even if it doesn't get the juices flowing or excite you your unlikely to hate it.
Metal is more of an acquired taste and further to the extreme of what is popular that more people will not like it and that is why people will have more definitives on the subject.
It is also less mainstream and your unlikely to hear metal music on tv or on the radio unless you tune to a dedicated station so have less exposure to form an complete informed view.
I would suspect that if I avidly tried to listen to metal music I would find the majority not to my taste but a few songs that I liked, every other genre you hear enough to know that you like some if not all of that genre.
You have hit on one of my theory's in that in order to be able to listen to metal music and appreciate it to it's fullest you need to have a higher state of comprehension when listen to it at first. Some people just don't get it and never will. Some people who are open minded enough will possibly never be an actual fan are often still able to appreciate the talent required to make good metal music and that the skills metal musicians have are far superior to most mainstream bands today. It's a different level of musicality in all aspects.
I like rock/ indie music. however heavy metal has never done anything for me. Young people I think though do tend to follow the herd and like what is fashionable. I mean if your under 25 right now you have to like RnB & Hip Hip otherwise your just not hip and happenin. Chicks are even worse, they rarely find a rock chick they tend to gravitate towards soppy rubbish like westlife!
All music goes through cycles, usually every 8 to 10 years or so. Music genres never go away, the simply fall out of fashion where as the true fans remain ardent fans even when their favourite kind of music has gone in or out of fashion. The rest are just sheep.
I think a lot of people who say they don't like metal would really like to say they have MOR music tastes - bland. Metal can be tedious and boring at its worst - but bland it never is. So what is Metal anyway? Which bands define the point at which rock stops and metal begins?
Oh, I don't know, I have heard a few pretty bland metal bands in my time however this is again down to personal taste.
I think I can answer your question in relation to what makes Rock Music and what makes Metal though.
Rock music usually has melodic singing and more often than not, single kick drums. The guitar tones will also generally be a lot less harder driven.
Metal on the other hand usually has screaming/growling vocals and double kick drums and the guitar tones generally sound harder and heavier due to them being way more over driven.
Neither of those rules are hard and fast and are interchangeable on occasion between genres but can generally be used as a rule of thumb. | |
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| Apart from metal
Posted: 10/19/2009 9:04:19 AM | i agree with the OP and I suppose we'd have to possibly try draw a boundary for where heavy metal starts till where it ends.
i would call heavy metal, iron maiden, ACDC, Metalica, Dragonforce(ok its speed metal if we want to be anal about it) Ramstein is heavy metal to some, but its more german opera rock to me.
i suppose it be fair to say what is the kind of barrier we'd blanket heavy metal in?
i hate the whole growling shouting down a mic while everyone makes as much noise as possible and i believe they call that death metal...
examples of what people would call heavy metal? | |
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