As metalheads, is it compulsory that we must hate?

[Acier]

I've noticed it quite a lot that alot/most metalheads (including myself), are guilty of, well I hesitate to say music snobbery but something along those lines.
Is it because metal had pretty much always been an underground thing that any mainstream medium of music is automatically seen as an enemy of metal?
Like my opinion is that Indy and pop music must die in a big fire, with lots of screaming and laughter but is that just me being, I dunno, pretencious or something?
Or is it because metal itself has always had a soul and a beating heart to it, the fact that a style of music tends to become soul-less and same-ie when it hits the mainstream.

Since metal is so supa underground, it is indie.

Indie is not a genre, it hasn't legitimized itself yet.

[sub]sorry just a pet peeve of mine
edit: Ahh, I have been ninja'd, it feels good to know that people are aware of this <3[/sub]

But anyways, you are pretentious. Implying that metal is the only genre with a "beating heart" to it (ignoring what that could even mean) and just because something become popular doesn't mean it sucks or becomes homogeneous.

Example, Th Flaming Lips have basked in mainstream success for at least decade. Compare The Soft Bulletin to Embryonic. The latter was released this past year, and it's much more experimental in nature than the somewhat poppy Soft Bulletin that was released in '99.

Another example of becoming less homogeneous with fame, Nirvana. Nevermind by itself pretty much changed mainstream music, and mainstream music changed itself to be more like them. What was their next release? In Utero. Despite not being mainstream and finding immense mainstream success, they became even less mainstream. By the time Incesticide was released they had pretty much relapsed back to their original underground Punk aesthetic.

So yeah, metal really isn't special, it's great that you like it so much, but it's hardly the apex of musical achievement.


Also, I find it hilarious saying you hate pop, yet your username references one of the most iconic pop songs of all time. Or maybe it's just me.

 

[Dexiro]

I usually find people like OP to be pretty close-minded. I understand that you might find Metal fun, but you're automatically writing off every other genre.

What you think is deep and meaningful in some way, a lot of people think is pointless aggression and noise. Just like others can look at other genres and appreciate that a lot of skill does go into a lot of their music.

A lot of my 'metalhead' friends are actually becoming a lot more open-minded. Instead of listening to just the one genre they're taking the effort to filter through what they don't like in other genres.
Mainstream music does have a lot of crap in it but their are a lot of gems too. A lot of people seem to be getting into the 'electro' genres too.

It might be that you do only like metal, I'm just saying don't write off other genres so quickly

 

[UberNoodle]

I don't hate any music. I like what I like. Other people like what they like. Peace is maintained.

 

[Yagharek]

This is just to do with what kind of music people like. People have wide tastes, but generally, there are certain kinds of music a person doesn't like, and they will tend toards styles of music with certain things-whatever it is they like in music.. The only people I know who don't care what kind of music is playing, are those who don't really like music.

I think it's just due to the differences in music. Pop music is very different from metal, and so people aren't that likely to like both. If someone likes heavy riffs, they aren't likely to find them in pop. If they like technical accomplishment, they might not like a lot of the simplistic mainstream soft-rock, but might like some jazz etc.

I think there is also a bit of resentment in the people you see raging about emo/pop music. Usually their hatred seems to come to down to the fact that these bands aren't as talented, technically, as whatever their favourite metal band is. A lot of the time this is true-metal does seem to attract a lot of technical musicians. The difference in the guitars between mainstream rock and metal is very obvious, and generally the metal guitarist are far better technically. This doesn't make them sound better though. A lot of people don't like shred solos which are just a demonstration of how fast you can play. Some people seem to dislike lots of music(and this goes for older rock aswell. I've seen people rage at Hendrix, Page, and Clapton for the same reasons) because they are very highly regarded, but not as technically skilled as a modern metal band.

I am not talking here about the people who don't like a certain kind of music(this doesn't just go for metal fans ofc). This is just aimed at those who feel the need to tear into a certain kind of music, and those who like it, because they don't like it.

 

[Danistuta]

I'm a fan of metal if that constitutes liking Pantera, Morbid Angel, Slayer, Deicide... However, I wouldn't refer to myself as a metalhead any more. The metal I've heard over the last 10 years just hasn't cut it (but for occasional ecxeptions). So I suppose I'm out of touch with the modern metal scene. And I kinda got sick of most of the girls in the scene being ugly (disclaimer: there are some hotties, sure, but how many of them work out etc?).

When metalheads ***** about other music, I tend to step away and, well, drink beer or something more interesting.

 

[meticadpa]

No.

"Metalheads" who hate anything that isn't metal are so narrow minded and seriously need to open their musical horizons. It's the same with most people who listen exclusively to one genre of music.

I'd consider myself a metalhead, but I'm also a classical music guy, an electronic (mostly trance and dubstep) music guy, rock, blues, rap, pop, anything that shows talent, pretty much.

Don't think that just because you label yourself in such a way that you need to conform the the label's associated connotations.

I'm a metalhead who likes Glee and Lady Gaga. Who cares? Music's just music. No one should have to defend their music tastes.

 

[open trap]

I never liked music, never, i listened to all types and the only thing that sticked was classic rock. So one day i listened to a friend and tried metal and it changed my life. I was some kid with the potentil to be a jock fag and your standered prep but instead i became a metal head with a deep burning hatred for all those who sorround me. All other types of music are unworthy to be seen on the same plain of existence as metal. The uninspired soless abominations who have no emotion or thought must be burned with the sacred fire of the gods and its burnt ashes sucked into a black whole where its atoms will be torn apart and gone forever. \m/

 

[meticadpa]

I never liked music, never, i listened to all types and the only thing that sticked was classic rock. So one day i listened to a friend and tried metal and it changed my life. I wont to some kid with the potentil to be a jock fag and your standered prep to a metal head with a deep burning hatred for all those who sorround me. All other types of music are unworthy to be seen on the same plain of existence as metal. The uninspired soless abominations who have no emotion or thought must be burned with the sacred fire of the gods and its burnt ashes sucked into a black whole where its atoms will be torn apart and gone forever. \m/

I hope you're joking.

If not, it's pretty pathetic that you think like that just because of music.

 

[alexjones89]

i dont think genres in music should change who a person is or who they can hang out with, saying that i do agree that metalheads are usually the calmer and nicer group of people, and im in no way a metalhead.

 

[open trap]

I never liked music, never, i listened to all types and the only thing that sticked was classic rock. So one day i listened to a friend and tried metal and it changed my life. I wont to some kid with the potentil to be a jock fag and your standered prep to a metal head with a deep burning hatred for all those who sorround me. All other types of music are unworthy to be seen on the same plain of existence as metal. The uninspired soless abominations who have no emotion or thought must be burned with the sacred fire of the gods and its burnt ashes sucked into a black whole where its atoms will be torn apart and gone forever. \m/

I hope you're joking.

If not, it's pretty pathetic that you think like that just because of music.

Well i have always hated my peers, they sortof disgust me in a sense.

 

[razer17]

I've noticed it quite a lot that alot/most metalheads (including myself), are guilty of, well I hesitate to say music snobbery but something along those lines.
Is it because metal had pretty much always been an underground thing that any mainstream medium of music is automatically seen as an enemy of metal?
Like my opinion is that Indy and pop music must die in a big fire, with lots of screaming and laughter but is that just me being, I dunno, pretencious or something?
Or is it because metal itself has always had a soul and a beating heart to it, the fact that a style of music tends to become soul-less and same-ie when it hits the mainstream.

No, it is definitely music snobbery. And it annoys the shit out of me.
Metal is underground? Errr... no. Just because it isn't pop music doesn't make it underground. Some of the more obscure sub genres are, but metal really isn't. LEd Zep, AC/DC, Metallica. They are all household names.

That is definitely you being pretentious. Just because it's "mainstream" and you don't like it, doesn't mean it should disappear.

And a heart and soul? There is just as much genericness in metal as with any other genre. IT isn't immune from "selling out". Plus hitting the mainstream doesn't necessarily make something generic. That's more music snobbery. "if the general public likes it, it must be samey and crap" No. That's not how it works.

Case in point, drum and bass. Pendulum have come up and got massive mainstream success. They haven't suddenly gotten "same-y and soul-less", and it's not like the whole genre just died because it's started getting mainstream success. All it means is that more people are getting into the music, not that more people are trying to please an audience.

 

[maffro]

I was a 'metalhead' for quite a long time, but now I'm much more well-rounded. There isn't a single genre I'm prejudiced against.

However I'd disagree with the "metal having a heart and soul" idea. Maybe when it first began, just like every genre. But now it's a case of wading through the endless souless garbage to find the few good bands and the heart of it all. In that sense there's no need for snobbery, as it's the same as everything else.

 

[Yagharek]

I never liked music, never, i listened to all types and the only thing that sticked was classic rock. So one day i listened to a friend and tried metal and it changed my life. I wont to some kid with the potentil to be a jock fag and your standered prep to a metal head with a deep burning hatred for all those who sorround me. All other types of music are unworthy to be seen on the same plain of existence as metal. The uninspired soless abominations who have no emotion or thought must be burned with the sacred fire of the gods and its burnt ashes sucked into a black whole where its atoms will be torn apart and gone forever. \m/

I hope you're joking.

If not, it's pretty pathetic that you think like that just because of music.

Well i have always hated my peers, they sortof disgust me in a sense.

What bands do you listen to?

Does it not occur to you that a large amount of metal(like every other genre) is very cliched and uninspired?

 

[Ickorus]

Like my opinion is that Indy and pop music must die in a big fire, with lots of screaming and laughter but is that just me being, I dunno, pretencious or something?

You do realise that Indie music means independent music and independent music has something from pretty much all genres including your beloved metal, right?

 

[meticadpa]

What bands do you listen to?

Does it not occur to you that a large amount of metal(like every other genre) is very cliched and uninspired?

What bands do I listen to?

Lots.

Currently I'm listening to a lot of Racer X and Mr. Big, but that's because I want to have man sex with Paul Gilbert.

But usually it's some Metallica, Lamb Of God, Megadeth, Vinterland, Extreme, GNR, and actually, screw this, I'm not gonna list.

I don't really listen to much metal in comparison with everything else though.

Lamb Of God's lyrics are among the best I've ever heard.

 

[soilent]

I never liked music, never, i listened to all types and the only thing that sticked was classic rock. So one day i listened to a friend and tried metal and it changed my life. I wont to some kid with the potentil to be a jock fag and your standered prep to a metal head with a deep burning hatred for all those who sorround me. All other types of music are unworthy to be seen on the same plain of existence as metal. The uninspired soless abominations who have no emotion or thought must be burned with the sacred fire of the gods and its burnt ashes sucked into a black whole where its atoms will be torn apart and gone forever. \m/

I hope you're joking.

If not, it's pretty pathetic that you think like that just because of music.

Well i have always hated my peers, they sortof disgust me in a sense.

That's funny, people who don't even try to properly speak English, they disgust me.

 

[Yagharek]

What bands do you listen to?

Does it not occur to you that a large amount of metal(like every other genre) is very cliched and uninspired?

What bands do I listen to?

Lots.

Currently I'm listening to a lot of Racer X and Mr. Big, but that's because I want to have man sex with Paul Gilbert.

But usually it's some Metallica, Lamb Of God, Megadeth, Vinterland, Extreme, GNR, and actually, screw this, I'm not gonna list.

I don't really listen to much metal in comparison with everything else though.

Lamb Of God's lyrics are among the best I've ever heard.

Racer X are good. Gilbert is one of those(seemingly few) guitarists who manages to be really technical skilled, and also melodic. Also has unbelieveably long fingers.

Metallica are metallica. Like some of their stuff. Don't think Hammets very good. He manages to be technical without being melodic too much.

It's a pretty nice list though.

 

[Kyriptonite]

I cant say I have a problem with rap, r&b or even pop. What I do have a problem with is people trying to force a certain genre or artist on to me. Its just not right, you like the music that you like because of things that has happened in your life.

An example, my friend found out I never really liked Queen that much, I dident hate them or anything just dident enjoy the music they made, but when he found out he made me listen to them over and over and over again which instead of making me like, made me hate them for that reason.

 

[DSEZ]

well i think we are prone to hate because most of society bashes heavy metal because certain people are retarded and have done stupid shit with it *cough*gorgoroth*cough* or maybe because we are more deticated to our genre than most

 

[Kyriptonite]

well i think we are prone to hate because most of society bashes heavy metal because certain people are retarded and have done stupid shit with it *cough*gorgoroth*cough* or maybe because we are more deticated to our genre than most

I have to say that what you said dose hold water but I think the cause is more the way die hard fans dress (not that theres a problem with it) just make people nervous and spread rumors tat we are violent because of it.

The most violent people I have met are mostly chavs (not all but some) they seem to be more violent to people like us and if we stand up for ourselves we get blamed because we don't look normal and not just to metal heads but to anyone that looks different. It makes me sick to be honest.