Heavy Metal: Why all the hate?

[Mr. Eff_v1legacy]

I love metal.
What I find funny, however, is how the metal culture is seen (and it seems to encourage this image) as a fringe culture that is misunderstood and hated.
Then elitist metal heads look down on you because you don't like or listen to the bands that are commonly accepted as "the greats."
THAT irritates me.
Maybe it's just the people I hang around.

 

[Ensiferum]

Because to most "average people" the equation is simple.

Metal = Screamo = gay = bad.

Now, I dont mind metal, I just dont like American Metal. Dont know why, but I love Swedish metal (except that screaming death stuff).

That's just a huge misconception though, metal with screaming in it and screamo are two very different things.

(EDIT: I know,) thats why I said the average person. And theres a different between the metal with screaming and the screaming death metal that I'm talking about from Sweden

EDIT: Sorry, I'm in a rather foul mood at the moment, and that was uncalled for.

It's cool bro, was just agreeing with you and I didn't intend to sound like I was trying to correct you.

 

[Berethond]

For me, Heavy Metal is the evolution of classical music.
I see no reason why you should hate that

Because it is in no way the evolution of classical music. Classical music was about clarity and precision.

 

[demoman_chaos]

I love metal, both the material and the music varieties. Everything from the classic 80's "hair" metal, to some modern death metal (thanks to Dethklok and the show Metalocalypse).

 

[Berethond]

For me, Heavy Metal is the evolution of classical music.
I see no reason why you should hate that

Because it is in no way the evolution of classical music. Classical music was about clarity and precision.

I would like you to take a look at Melodic Death Metal, good sir. Nightwish should do as well.

I have, and I hated it. Well, Nightwish is alright, I guess.
But Melodic Death Metal is definitely nothing like classical music.

 

[octafish]

Because metal ended when Sepultura released Roots. All heavy music beyond that point is redundant.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Probably because it has a reputation of being all about that Cannibal Corpse crap and very few people like that kind of music. Most people who enjoy other kinds of rock probably wouldn't be to opposed to Iron Maiden or Metallica.

 

[lacktheknack]

Eh? This site is so pro-metal, it's hilarious.

I don't listen to most of it, because I listen to music to relax, not get pumped up.

 

[InfiniteSingularity]

It's not very well understood by the general public; it's often frowned upon, and to the casual listener it can sound like "noise", and most people don't appreciate such music. And most people won't bother to try to understand it, because they're weak and can't tolerate, and therefore understand, the style. I personally will listen to almost nothing else, I have quite a range of metal I listen to.

 

[Random berk]

but I can't stand the screamo 'singing' and would turn it off if I heard it. Whatever style of music you play, you should at least have decent vocals.

Its not screamo.

And its as good as normal vocals.

Deal with it.


Growling takes alot of skill in general. Dunno about Black Metal or other harsh vocals though.

If you say so. I'll still take Robert Plant or Bruce Dickinson over any of these guys who growl, scream, or whatever you want to call it though.

 

[Zack McSleuthburger]

I'm the only one of my friends who isn't big on metal. I enjoy some of it, but it is far from my favorite genre.

Although just about everyone on this site seems to love it.

 

[Dimensional Vortex]

Heavy Metal and Metal is meh. Its just like any other form of music, it has some good and some bad. Personally I don't like to listen to Heavy Metal or Metal, I just don't like it, but I wont condemn someone who does.

I'm sure there are some good metal songs that I could enjoy on occasion but usually, for me, I cant even enjoy the average metal songs. When someone here at the Escapist posts a YouTube video in their comment and it is a metal song, I usually think that it sounds exactly the same as the last person who posted a metal song.

But I would think metal music is hated because there seems to be a lot of chauvinism about it. Things like "My life is based around Heavy Metal!" "Every music sucks 'cept Heavy Metal!" Often make me dislike music, if you like something fine, but don't go and say that it is the best.

PS: I had a friend who showed me a Heavy Metal song that featured a guy playing the drums really, really fast. I thought afterward, how the hell is that even music? You should like music because of its sound not because a drummer can play really, really fast with no beat or tune.

 

[Cerdog]

there may be a difference in vocal tone or pitch but the way or style that they sing is all the same

Isn't this essentially the same in any genre?

I like metal a lot, and am probably one of the only people I know who does, but I also like a wide variety of other music.

no its not really essential to all genres, many genres show great variation. there are other genres that suffer the same problem as metal, like pop music or a lot of punk music, but its still not essential. all of the greatest singer/songwriters i like have unique voices that are unmistakable their own like Tom Waits, Kate Bush, Melora Creger, Nick cave, David Bowie or Roger Waters for example.

That could easily be said for metal though, if not more so. Off the top of my head, the following are all unique singers that are unmistakeable:

James Hetfield, Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Mustaine, Bruce Dickinson, Mikael Akerfeldt, Phil Anselmo, and, if you're more lenient on what is classified as metal, Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian. I'm sure a more knowledgeable metalhead could give you even more examples.

 

[Radoh]

Because people are hate-filled, spiteful creatures that do very little other than spew bile and malice in whatever direction they don't particularly care for or find pleasing.