Heavy Metal: Why all the hate?

[zehydra]

I like metal as long as the vocals are melodic. I don't really like metal that is all screaming and nothing else (in terms of vocals).

I also don't like speed metal with tons of harmonics. I prefer grunge metal, or sludge metal as is sometimes called.

 

[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.

 

[zehydra]

If I had to guess, it's the ridiculous amount of people who create threads on here about how it's the only "true music" and all the people who try to "out-metal" each other by claiming to be fans of increasingly obscure artists. We get it, you guys like metal. I do to. Now lets move on...

On the internet, metalheads are everywhere, but IRL, we're few and far between.

Sorry, but where are you from? Metal is easily the biggest musical community, the best selling live community, and one with the broadest selection of bands. Throw a brick, and you'll hit a metalhead. I mean, even in the smallest of towns in the UK, there's a pub or bar that plays rock and metal. There are hundreds of festivals tailored to the community and, frankly, it isn't a taboo anymore, if it ever was. I don't know what it's like in America, but in Europe it's so big it's getting boring

What part of UK are we talking.

Mostly England, but all through Scotland as well. Even if the pub itself isn't overly "rocky", at least they'll have a jukebox that plays rock and metal a lot. Seriosuly, I've not been to a town in England without one, nor in Scotland

I have a hard time believing you. No one round these parts likes metal that much.

And if they do its bollocks like Slipknot....

yeah, here in America, no place like that exists. While there are still metal festivals and stuff, metal is no longer a mainstream "cool" genre (with the exception of death metal, or screaming metal) in at least the eastern united states.

 

[RJ Dalton]

I don't have a lot of metal that I like, but that's mostly because I've only been recently exposed to it and I'm still exploring the Genre. I've found a few I like. I don't let things like genre get in the way of my decision making. I like what I like.

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

I personally dislike heavy metal and metal in general (is there a difference?) intensely. It's just not my thing; I couldn't tell you why really. I just enjoy the sound of lighter, soothing indie/alternative/folk/pop rock a lot more.

There's definitely a difference: "Heavy Metal" (taken from the phrase "heavy metal thunder") is the original style to which the "metal" nomenclature was first applied, making it both the oldest variety of metal and, ironically enough, the least 'heavy'. Classic Heavy Metal is the sort of music that people who claim to hate Metal wouldn't actually recognize as Metal, because it's musically quite similar to a lot of examples of "classic rock"; they might even like it.

"Metal" on the other hand encompasses every form of the medium, and there is an almost bewildering variety of sounds within the broad umbrella of Metal. For instance, the song below is technically Metal.

I don't harbor any hopes that you'll like it mind you, I brought it up just to illustrate that Metal can sound very different from what you might expect.

This next song though I think you might very well like quite a bit, given what you've told me above:

 

[emeraldrafael]

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).

 

[Arkhangelsk]

I loooove metal. Particularly this kind:

 

[Flames66]

I don't hate it, it's just usually too heavy for me.

 

[Ensiferum]

I absolutely LOVE Heavy Metal and almost every sub-genre that falls under it, especially symphonic metal, folk metal, melodic death metal, gothic metal, power metal...er, yeah, again I ABSOLUTELY LOVE METAL! *Goes back to headbanging.*

 

[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.

 

[IamQ]

I don't know if I hate Heavy Metal. I can't point out genres to save my own life...

I do know what Power Metal is though. I love Power Metal.

 

[emeraldrafael]

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.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

As much as I love metal, I can easily see why a lot of people don't. It's loud and angry and definitely not the kind of thing my aunt would be into. Besides, it has a huge image problem, lots of people I know think all metal is just stuff like Cannibal Corpse or Burzum. I mean what do you think people will say when you tell them your favourite band is called Anthrax?

 

[Azaraxzealot]

i hate that everyone thinks metal is a bunch of people screaming... these people have NEVER listened to the classic metal that is Dio or Sabbath or Deep Purple (kinid of more hand rock, but still metal)

then they all think when they hear a drum or bass solo in their crappy pop songs its the best thing EVER then they think that that drummer or bassist is the best EVER (even though i could do better in my sleep) then they just... they just... AAAAAAHHHH! THE STUPIDITY OF THE MAINSTREAM! IT IS TOO MUCH!

 

[uncle-ellis]

I enjoy scremo more than metal, sue me, I can't stand growlo though.

 

[Totenkopf]

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

Spoiler: Great music, Death Metal