There are only a few things in this world that get me by, and my metal is certainly one of them. Now when I refer to Metal, I'm not refering to a peice of steel or a object created out of metal. When I say "Metal" it is in reference to that music that adults tend to hate so much, that they cringe just to the sound of. They often say that it all sounds the same, or "how can you listen to that crap?" "Doesn't it drive you crazy"? My response to that is..."What can I say metal is in my blood". "They don't call me Metal Michele for nothing"! I love all music dont get me wrong, but if you were to go to my inner core metal is what you will find. To many it is just a distorted sound, but for others it's the sound of freedom; it speaks the words we are afraid to say aloud.
For me Metal runs a lot deeper than your typical main stream metal song that's played a million times on the radio. Yes when it comes to metal there are quite a few genres that can be classified, you have your black, your death, your thrash, your speed and your hardcore. I place myself in between Death and Black, but yes it is all metal. For me it is the air that I breath, it's what gets me by and allows me to express feelings that are forbidden in the norm world. It is a place where I can go when the world has become to much. Metal is not for the timid, nor is it for just anybody and can be like beer; a very aqiured tatse. I spent most of my life around rock 'n' roll and it just grew from there.
I have been through every genre of Rock 'n' Roll there is. As I listened I found the heavier the better and the more intense it becomes. Let me tell you there's nothing like tearing up a pit when the heaviest most intense music is playing and you have that rage flowing through your veins, theres nothing like that shit! In many ways it has become my therapy, as for many people who share my same passion. My metal will never let me down, just like a tattoo it will always be there forever. For me it has become a big part of who I am and for many like me it is a way of life, and it gives meaning to who we are. Ask any metal head and they will tell you. Metal is something that is so keen to the ear that only the true heart felt listener will embrace its true meaning and beauty. Horns up!
Michele, one of my best friends also spells her name with one L, and she is utterly into music (she has a radio show on KRCB http://www.krcb.org/Red-Shoes-Rodeo.html. Check out her dscription of her show, and you'll hear similar intensity and love for the music, though a bit different than yours. For her, it's The Ramones, the Sex Pistols (who I saw in their last performance ever), and other punk-inspired stuff. Music has sustained her. Your description of your love for Metal is great! I still want you to check out Muse; I want to see if you think they fit within your definition of Metal. I'm not sure how to classify their music. As you and I once discussed, I saw a lot of the early bands who you consider to be Metal (LZep, etc.). I saw Muse a few years ago, and in their better moments, they were as strong as the best of them... the live show was a life-changing experience, such was their intensity and artistry).
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I'm glad you posted such a great description of your love of music. You write really well.
My friend mentions a guy, Richard Gossett as her radio mentor. He was a DJ on one the first alternative radio stations in the country to play other than top 40 music, right here in San Francisco; KSAN. Arguably one of the greatest radio stations ever to be on the air, during their days of alternative radio broadcasting. There are NO (nada, not one...) radio stations like them, today, which is sad, because good radio is so culturally important. The station was a life line for people who wanted to hear other than mainstream music, and to be in tune with artists who were really the voices of a generation of people who were looking to create a better world. Under the program directorship of Tom Donahue, from 1968 to 1975 were the station's great years. The radio-listening public would never have heard the music of Led Zepplin, or Jimi, Black Sabbath, and on and on, or any of the great album-oriented, alternative musicians, had it not been for the format of radio that Donahue pioneered with KSAN. People who were driven to take risks.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you describe what you like, I can see that you put a lot of passion on what you do and you defend it, it's great because not so many people does it. I see that you not only listen to Metal because you like it, but you also identify with it and as you said you ambreace its trues meaning and beauty. Well, i am more into romantic songs and I like songs when their content have messages and are meaningful.
ReplyDeleteYou write with so much passion it really comes across from your writing.
ReplyDeleteMetal is not my kind of music, but i know a lot of people who like it a lot. Many of us are so different and like so many different things. I believe that if something makes you happy or relaxes you than you shouldn't care about the comments what people have made in the past. you are your own person with different needs and likes.
Good job.
I like how you have a real passion for this music. There aren't a lot of people out there who can really get into music and get the deeper meaning behind the words. I haven't listened to this genre that much. I think there is a lot of music out there and each person connects differently to each type. I would definitely like to listen to some songs of this genre.
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