MEXDefenderOfSteel wrote:the political criticism,coming specially from thrash bands from the late 80s was a big lyrical theme too, some were very well written,example Toxik-Think This album
Admittedly, I hate all the political criticism in all music thus far. It's all too radical, addresses too many problems that are far too obvious without suggesting any remedies (well to their credit, who would listen? They're metalheads, not scientists or politicians!), but that has never stopped me from enjoying great bands like DISCHARGE who are one of my favorites, even though they are so political.
That is okay though, I love metal because of the imagery and escapism, I can come to terms that most metalheads are NOT skeptics, hard-science atheists like myself, and I often get strange looks from many metalheads because I don't believe in anything supernatural, I don't care about culture/tradition/heritage that much (Yeah, I'm fine living in 2010 over any other age, except maybe having been 16 in 1984...?), and my political feelings would never make a great metal song. Who would want to hear a song about social democracy and criticism of unrestrained capitalism and libertarian nonsense?
That's probably true for a 25+ yo metalhead, all things might not be that obvious and clear to a 14 yo, so a song with political lyrics or a social commentary might be welcome.
I don't have a problem with political bands unless they don't put lyrics above music and overemphasize their message.
Good against Evil, Evil sure to win
"It really didn't matter if they liked it or not, i was going to give it to them straight down their throats" -John Stewart
nightsblood wrote:
The medieval fantasy imagry is one of the mainstays of heavy metal music. Be it vikings, axemen, enchanted swords, templars, hobbits, albino elves, dragons, knights, castles, etc., I'd wager this is the most popular lyrical topic for heavy metal bands over the years. What I wonder is- why? How many people are really that obsessed with ye old sword 'n sorcery when it doesn't come packaged in a Manilla Road or Omen album? Are that many metalheads closet D&D fans? I have nothing against the subject matter, I just wonder why it makes up such a huge hcunk of the metal universe.
If Helm was still around I'm sure he would give a 10000 word reply to your question, I am a bit lazy to develop my own thoughts on this, but to cut it short I'd say that metal is more esoteric and less socialized than other music genres, it glorifies the power of the individual and those themes are a good way to express those feelings
Good against Evil, Evil sure to win
"It really didn't matter if they liked it or not, i was going to give it to them straight down their throats" -John Stewart
daniel wrote:You might be pushing your luck on Miskatonic, but fortunately this place is far more 'open-minded' in the RIGHT way.
I'd post more thoughts but I'm restless and drinking.
Lay off it, will ya...? No need to grind the axe any further, I'm not interested...
What I wonder is- why? How many people are really that obsessed with ye old sword 'n sorcery when it doesn't come packaged in a Manilla Road or Omen album?
Have you read a Conan story? It pretty much is the embodiment of heavy metal thought - Rebellion, power, violence, glory, and Frank Frazetta's drawings of ideal women...
daniel wrote:Not going to Fuckin 'lay it off'. Don't joke about something HERE when you know what you're really referring to.
What the fuck are you on about? If you have an issue keep it to the PMs, I wasn't making any reference to Miskatonic at all. Your problem with Rich is not any of my business.
Haha, I just posted a really long reply that got lost and I can NOT remeber anymore. I LOVE COMUTERS!!! GREAT!!!
As for the Misaktonic thing, ok you don't want to admit Rich is a juvenlie idiot when it comes to a wide variety of things, but DON'T start acting cocky eith rme just because you can't admit it because he released your EP. Taking shit to 'PM:s' is like cencorship. Now, the point was I said this place is COOL and I got tired of Miskatonics fucking cencorship, and it happened becasue of your comment, which I never actually understood WHY you would post anyway. As for the rest, I'll probably never bother psoting it thanks to this wonderful computer.
Are you the tyrant, who cast them to the sea?
One day you'll be among the dead.
daniel wrote:Haha, I just posted a really long reply that got lost and I can NOT remeber anymore. I LOVE COMUTERS!!! GREAT!!!
As for the Misaktonic thing, ok you don't want to admit Rich is a juvenlie idiot when it comes to a wide variety of things, but DON'T start acting cocky eith rme just because you can't admit it because he released your EP. Taking shit to 'PM:s' is like cencorship. Now, the point was I said this place is COOL and I got tired of Miskatonics fucking cencorship, and it happened becasue of your comment, which I never actually understood WHY you would post anyway. As for the rest, I'll probably never bother psoting it thanks to this wonderful computer.
What the hell has this got to do with the topic?
It's cool you think this place is cool, but to keep it that way maybe FC's suggestion of keeping it to the PMs wasn't such a bad idea? (A big DON'T POST DRUNK-sign on the top of your monitor might also be a good idea)
nightsblood wrote:
The medieval fantasy imagry is one of the mainstays of heavy metal music. Be it vikings, axemen, enchanted swords, templars, hobbits, albino elves, dragons, knights, castles, etc., I'd wager this is the most popular lyrical topic for heavy metal bands over the years. What I wonder is- why? How many people are really that obsessed with ye old sword 'n sorcery when it doesn't come packaged in a Manilla Road or Omen album? Are that many metalheads closet D&D fans? I have nothing against the subject matter, I just wonder why it makes up such a huge hcunk of the metal universe.
If Helm was still around I'm sure he would give a 10000 word reply to your question, I am a bit lazy to develop my own thoughts on this, but to cut it short I'd say that metal is more esoteric and less socialized than other music genres, it glorifies the power of the individual and those themes are a good way to express those feelings
That's how I see it myself. Ofcourse there might be some other reasons as well like that this type of imagery got so cemented in Heavy Metal that some bands thought it's something you MUST do and gave little to no thoughts about it. But in general the sword and sorcery fantasy and medieval times are both good settings for themes of individualism and power of will which in my opinion are vital parts of the heart of this music. Many times these fantasy lyrics are allegories that help express things like overcoming yourself, to dare where others dare not and to conquer the impossible. Personal strenght.
"The very Hemoglobin of a persons blood is based on IRON! The same Iron in the earth that you turn into STEEL, that is in everyone." -Michael Coffey, Stone Vengeance
nightsblood wrote:Many times these fantasy lyrics are allegories that help express things like overcoming yourself, to dare where others dare not and to conquer the impossible. Personal strenght.
i've read some pretty in-depth critical speculation on why REH wrote Conan to be the way he was...to make up for what he saw to be faults in himself and to be what he wasn't or couldn't be
