Poll: Is Led Zeppelin Metal?
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Some songs moreso than others. I would say proto-metal if anything, because I don't really think they're a metal band, but they set out a lot of the style and themes of metal.
'Genres' are just labels to categorise music, and so are often arbitrary and ascribed post-event. In 1750 I don't think music critics suddenly decided, 'Right, Haydn's just started writing his symphonies, therefore the Baroque period is over and now Classical music is the thing!'
The whole argument has a touch of the absurd - there are no cut-offs, music is constantly evolving. These categories are just something we've invented to box music up into manageable chunks for our brains to understand.
But in this specific case, my personal view (and that's all it can be) is that Led Zep (like Cream and Hendrix) were primarily blues/rock groups who developed a sound best described as Rock or Heavy Rock. For my money, it wasn't until Sabbath, and then later Judas Priest and Maiden, that Heavy Metal as a genre took off.
But as I said, this is all make-believe to help my simple brain conceptualise the changing sounds; in reality they are all great bands who have stylistic qualities in common, but all evolved differently. If every band conformed to what a certain 'genre' said they should be, I think music as a whole would be poorer.
The whole argument has a touch of the absurd - there are no cut-offs, music is constantly evolving. These categories are just something we've invented to box music up into manageable chunks for our brains to understand.
But in this specific case, my personal view (and that's all it can be) is that Led Zep (like Cream and Hendrix) were primarily blues/rock groups who developed a sound best described as Rock or Heavy Rock. For my money, it wasn't until Sabbath, and then later Judas Priest and Maiden, that Heavy Metal as a genre took off.
But as I said, this is all make-believe to help my simple brain conceptualise the changing sounds; in reality they are all great bands who have stylistic qualities in common, but all evolved differently. If every band conformed to what a certain 'genre' said they should be, I think music as a whole would be poorer.
Sigh. Why do you guys never allow for a nuanced option in the polls?wastedyouth89 said:
Zeppelin mixed southern rock and blues chords with all sorts of other musical styles - the bridge of "Fool in The Rain" is a Latin jam. Metal chords are based on blues chords, and a lot of early metal guitar stylings were based on Page's guitar work. "Glam metal" (which isn't metal at all), such as Def Leopard and about 3 dozen other top 40 bands of the 80's, was greatly influenced vocally by Robert Plant's voice, which is to say they tried to emulate it without really getting it. This is just like all the "Pop Punk" bands that tried to ape NOFX but didn't understand what they were co-opting.
I wouldn't call Zeppelin "a metal band," though without their influences and to a lesser degree Black Sabbath's, metal would be either nonexistent or dramatically different. And we never have to have a lapdance ruined by "Pour Some Sugar On Me." Or "Girls Girls Girls." Or "Cherry Pie." Jesus, why do women who dance professionally love such shit music?
The thing is that Black Sabbath were also totally influenced by blues(probably more than Zep). Started out as a blues band and even included a blues cover on their first album, but still ended up being heavier than some modern metal bands.Nigh Invulnerable said:
Liquidacid23 said:
Hmmm... Metal up your ass I do believe I still have that t-shirt and it refering to mace coming from the toilet... hence the name "Metal up your ass." While we are at it, I guess we can call Metallica a black or death Metal band because they had a "Black album." All I am saying is they were not identifying themselves as metal until latter. At the end of the day many bands have crossed over into other genres and are never what they are labeled as. Kid Rock started off as rap and is now country, is he calling himself a rapper while trying to sell country albums, no, does it really matter...no!
If they are, they're a very weak Metal. They're new stuff is hardly Hard Rock, and their old stuff wasnt very metal.
Though, then again, Deathmetal wasnt huge, and there's nothing wrong iwth the level of metal they are.
At least they are at the music store I go to.
Though, then again, Deathmetal wasnt huge, and there's nothing wrong iwth the level of metal they are.
They're filled under grunge if its a 90s CD while Layne Staley was lead vocals, but their new stuff like Black Give Way to Blue is called Hard Rock (since grunge pretty much... you know, died).L8NEYET said:
At least they are at the music store I go to.
I think that George Starostin from "Only solitare" said it very good:
"'Heavy Metal' as we know the expression, is a fairly diluted and vague notion. While there is generally no doubt that such a genre as metal actually exists in music, the number of opinions on its nature more or less equals the number of people in this world. Some think the Who is heavy metal; others think Iron Maiden isn't heavy metal. Unfortunately, over the years, as more and more talentless, rip-off-ey, dumbhead bands with a lot of fuzz, distortion, hair and tattooed skulls settled on pumping out countless and absolutely worthless albums of 'heavy' music, the word itself has become a somewhat unpleasant cliche. Thus, people who love Led Zeppelin prefer to speak of them as 'hard rock', while leaving 'heavy metal' to Def Leppard and company. In other words, 'heavy music that I like' = 'hard rock', 'heavy music that I do not like' = 'heavy metal'. No need to say that such an approach is plainly ridiculous..."
I, personaly, look at led zeppelin as a metal band. Very diverse and by todays standards somewhat light metal band but still a metal band.
"'Heavy Metal' as we know the expression, is a fairly diluted and vague notion. While there is generally no doubt that such a genre as metal actually exists in music, the number of opinions on its nature more or less equals the number of people in this world. Some think the Who is heavy metal; others think Iron Maiden isn't heavy metal. Unfortunately, over the years, as more and more talentless, rip-off-ey, dumbhead bands with a lot of fuzz, distortion, hair and tattooed skulls settled on pumping out countless and absolutely worthless albums of 'heavy' music, the word itself has become a somewhat unpleasant cliche. Thus, people who love Led Zeppelin prefer to speak of them as 'hard rock', while leaving 'heavy metal' to Def Leppard and company. In other words, 'heavy music that I like' = 'hard rock', 'heavy music that I do not like' = 'heavy metal'. No need to say that such an approach is plainly ridiculous..."
I, personaly, look at led zeppelin as a metal band. Very diverse and by todays standards somewhat light metal band but still a metal band.
Oh, we were going to use those stupid sub-genre definitions? Nevermind then.Skjalg Kreutzer said:
They're Led Zep.
They invented it.
They perfected it.
No man can best them in the ring of honour.
<spoiler=Except for one, mighty force>
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XNDMszEhFyg/TCYUbcXOkGI/AAAAAAAADGk/bXSJwYD0TXk/s1600/black_sabbath_1024_1.jpg
Unfortunately, a whole generation is growing up that can't process the idea of metal without screaming and insecure posturing. I find that sad.
They invented it.
They perfected it.
No man can best them in the ring of honour.
<spoiler=Except for one, mighty force>
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XNDMszEhFyg/TCYUbcXOkGI/AAAAAAAADGk/bXSJwYD0TXk/s1600/black_sabbath_1024_1.jpg
Unfortunately, a whole generation is growing up that can't process the idea of metal without screaming and insecure posturing. I find that sad.