Death metal performers and fans

[Ando85]

I have noticed a lot of people have a big misconception when it comes to how they think about death metal fans and performers themselves. They think they are horrible antisocial, violent members of society. I told a friend I was going to see Cannibal Corpse and jokingly asked him if he wanted to come (as he has different music tastes). His response was something along the lines of "no, I don't want to die."

I kind of compare this to say Stephen King. Stephen King's books feature evil and violent things, but most people wouldn't think anything of Stephen King being like the characters and stories he portrays.

I have noticed in fact that death metal fans are extremely friendly humble people. Going to a death metal concert there is a great sense of comradely. Some of the nicest people I have met in my life are fans of vulgar and violent bands like this.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Fappy]

I agree with you and I am not entirely sure if its an ironic phenomenon or not. Rob Zombie isn't DEATH metal, but he's a really good example of this. He is a pretty funny and cool guy with a huge passion for cult horror films that he likes to share with his fans. If you've ever listened to live album for a Death Metal band it usually sounds like the band and fans are having a blast. One of my favorite live albums I have ever heard is by Lamb of God.

Sure, sometimes people mosh, do drugs, get into fights, etc. But that's really no different than most rock concerts.

 

[yeti585]

Sure, sometimes people mosh, do drugs, get into fights, etc. But that's really no different than most rock concerts.

Funny story, I was at a small concert (it was a skateboarding event with a concert at the end). The band "Set Your Goals" was playing, here's a taste of what they sound like:

Spoiler

Now here's what happened:

Spoiler

OT: It comes with the sound I guess. That and rumor type things that go around. Like the belief that every electronic festival/concert/rave has massive amounts of people on MDMA/"e"

 

[Fappy]

Sure, sometimes people mosh, do drugs, get into fights, etc. But that's really no different than most rock concerts.

Funny story, I was at a small concert (it was a skateboarding event with a concert at the end). The band "Set Your Goals" was playing, here's a taste of what they sound like:

Spoiler

Now here's what happened:

Spoiler

OT: It comes with the sound I guess. That and rumor type things that go around. Like the belief that every electronic festival/concert/rave has massive amounts of people on MDMA/"e"

Gah, I'll have to watch these after work D:

 

[Sleeping Giant]

As a death metal fan and aspiring musician, I agree. I think the genre and it's fans and musicians are just misunderstood by people who aren't part of it. The way that the people dress, grow their hair out and portray their violent imagery is just different from what's considered normal, so it freaks people out.

Of course, there definitely are some death metal fans who are violent, angry assholes. But that has nothing to do with the music they listen to or play. They're just like that as people, regardless of their taste. Most people aren't like that. Being at metal shows definitely has a great sense of camaraderie, though.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

Well, death metal is my favourite musical genre, and I do admit I am mostly anti-social. That doesn't mean I live in a basement with a sacrificial altar and plotting murder sprees (sure, that might be more of a black metal stereotype, but it still applies). I think the big problem with all of this is a clash of cultures. A lot of people listen to music solely for the voice and lyrics. With death metal, vocals and lyrics take a back seat, since every little detail is often treated as a whole equally. So lyrics aren't meant to be the focus and the be-all and end-all. So people who don't have this line of thinking go in with the idea everyone listens to such music to hear lyrics concerning murder, gore, destruction and many other extreme things, when really it is meant to simply support the music itself.

At least that is one of the theories I have come up with. It might also be because of the general appearance death metal fans take. I myself have very long hair, often wear military-style clothing and black work boots. When I walk around town, I sometimes attract odd looks from people, like I am something completely unknown to them. This by itself also conjures up incorrect rumours and ignorance I suppose.

Oh, and then there are the "YouTube metalheads". Little kiddies who hate on everything slightly mainstream so they can feel elite and "brutal". Those guys certainly don't help matters. "You say Justin Bieber, I say SLIPKNOT!!!" Ugh.

 

[aba1]

Well, death metal is my favourite musical genre, and I do admit I am mostly anti-social. That doesn't mean I live in a basement with a sacrificial altar and plotting murder sprees (sure, that might be more of a black metal stereotype, but it still applies). I think the big problem with all of this is a clash of cultures. A lot of people listen to music solely for the voice and lyrics. With death metal, vocals and lyrics take a back seat, since every little detail is often treated as a whole equally. So lyrics aren't meant to be the focus and the be-all and end-all. So people who don't have this line of thinking go in with the idea everyone listens to such music to hear lyrics concerning murder, gore, destruction and many other extreme things, when really it is meant to simply support the music itself.

At least that is one of the theories I have come up with. It might also be because of the general appearance death metal fans take. I myself have very long hair, often wear military-style clothing and black work boots. When I walk around town, I sometimes attract odd looks from people, like I am something completely unknown to them. This by itself also conjures up incorrect rumours and ignorance I suppose.

Oh, and then there are the "YouTube metalheads". Little kiddies who hate on everything slightly mainstream so they can feel elite and "brutal". Those guys certainly don't help matters. "You say Justin Bieber, I say SLIPKNOT!!!" Ugh.

I agree actually I find metal more than any other genre has particularly strong focus on the over all sound rather than any lyrics or message.

Also I think the screaming is part of what makes people think it might be really angry and therefore have angry fans.

 

[WaysideMaze]

One of my favourite bands is Amon Amarth, and I've seen them live a few times. And every time Johan Hegg spends nearly the entire time on stage smiling. And the crowd is all loving it as well.

I think with the heavy sound, and the harsh vocals, and especially with the moshpits, people just assume it's all violence and anger, and it really isn't.

Oh, and then there are the "YouTube metalheads". Little kiddies who hate on everything slightly mainstream so they can feel elite and "brutal". Those guys certainly don't help matters. "You say Justin Bieber, I say SLIPKNOT!!!" Ugh.

I don't have enough hate in my body for those people.

 

[Scrustle]

Some of the most intelligent, kindest and calmest people I have ever met are in to the most heavy and extreme stuff out there. They tend to be people who like the music they do because they genuinely love it, not because they're trying to put on an act. I find that those who aren't in to the heaviest stuff are far more concerned with image than actually seeking out or enjoying the best music, or even just being a nice person.

Oh, and then there are the "YouTube metalheads". Little kiddies who hate on everything slightly mainstream so they can feel elite and "brutal". Those guys certainly don't help matters. "You say Justin Bieber, I say SLIPKNOT!!!" Ugh.

That's the exact kind of thing I'm talking about.

 

[Shaved Apple]

What you say is true.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

I don't have enough hate in my body for those people.

Likewise. I agree with the Amon Amarth thing too. They seem like some of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet.

 

[Jonluw]

I don't know about death metal, but black metal bands can have a tendency to be a bit... church arson-y.

 

[Lionsfan]

It's just a (somewhat) outdated stigma. Look at Rap. You bring it up and everyone's just like "Oh my god don't you mean cRap? It's all about bitchez money and shooting up people. How can you like that Ghetto stuff?"

 

[Jonluw]

I don't know about death metal, but black metal bands can have a tendency to be a bit... church arson-y.

That, and as much as I may like some of the better music made in that sub-genre, I have to admit that it draws a certain kind of immature boys among the fans who really believe the church-arson-y act too, and it's kind of pathetic.

Oh, I didn't mean it was an act.
I don't mind the fact that they sing about church arson or whatever. I don't care what people sing about.

It's just that I don't like it when the performers set fire to my treasured cultural heritage.

 

[Ando85]

I think with the heavy sound, and the harsh vocals, and especially with the moshpits, people just assume it's all violence and anger, and it really isn't.

Yeah have tried to explain to people mosh pits. Outsiders looking in just think its a bunch of guys wanting to hurt one another to the sounds of violent harsh music. This is far from the truth. For example, say someone falls to the ground people immediately pick him back up. People do get hurt in mosh pits but it is rarely to never someone going after a specific person with an intent to injure them deliberately.

 

[WaysideMaze]

-snip-

I don't think you can explain moshpits. If people don't 'get' them, then they don't 'get' them.

Personally, I love them. When I'm at a gig, fuck going to the front, the first thing I find is the pit.

 

[Trololo Punk]

Was In my first pit about two summers ago and thought it was great. I totally agree that they get a bad rap overall.

Should be interesting cause I'm taking my long time friend with me and my fellow concert going cousin to a heavy metal festival in Toronto. Hopefully he'll enjoy himself.

 

[jurnag12]

I'm just annoyed that some people immediatly connect metal with satanism, regardless of what kind of metal, or how it could even relate with eachother.
Because the shirt with the picture of a derpy alien with a big-ass coffee cup and the title 'Ziltoid the Omniscient' obviously marks me as a hardcore satanist, right.

Though it might have something to do with the fact that of the grand total of 8 obvious metal fans on my school (As in long hair, band t-shirts, actual social interaction instead of smartphone zombies), 4 are or were satanists of various denominations.