Poll: Why do lots of people hate Heavy Metal?

[Death God]

It's not really hate but fear. I had to do a HUGE research paper on musical effects on the brain and people fear that it makes you suicidal and homicidal which outright scares them. I myself don't enjoy the screaming or the harsh tones of it but I don't hate it. It's just not my genre of music. But yes, people are very stupid to shove people off to the side whom like metal and screamo.

 

[TeeBs]

I would say there wouldn't be such hatred for metal fans or metalheads if they weren't such purists. I don't care if you listen to metal, but refusing to give a band a chance just because its a part of another genre just seems ridiculous to me, metalheads have a tendency to stick out for hating on many genres, Rap, Country, Pop, and what they believe is Screamo. Most people I know don't glorify or define themselves by the type of music they listen to, and the only two groups I have found who do would be Metalhead and Hipsters/Indie Kids, and for the most part I can respect the latter more because even within the boundaries of whats considered Indie can fit into many genres. Though I dislike hanging out with ether group if they feel pride because they listen to a certain genre.

I my self am a metalhead. I do not like rap because i gave it a try and it never appealed to me, musically and culturaly (i found it to be a very immature genre with all the promotion and glorification of sex drugs and money) But do not think i hate it all. i finde some rap to be ok in my opinion. Some songs by MM or eminem how ever its spelled have appealed to me in a way. Though i will never go out and buy his music i will listen and appreciate it. Pop music on the other hand i can not stand. I have only ever found one pop song i liked and thats because it was a parody of its self. Pop musics culture is centered around the same as mainstream rap, and that is sex, money, and drugs. It also seems really blind to reality. I also dont like all the autotuned repetitiveness of the songs, i too gave this genre a try and i continually here it where i ever i go. I have nothing against country, real country not taylor swift pop country. I actually enjoy the genre. The Taylor Swift pop country i do not like because it is very basic and unmeeningful to me, infact the past two genres for the most part seem basic and unmeaningful to me ( not including the stated exceptions) So there is an honest and (hopefully) intelligent view of other genres from the perspective of a metalhead, enjoy.

But like I said, when you say stuff like that you come off like a purist. I don't like modern country and most pop, ive come to a point where I listen to Rap mostly for the poetry but I still like it, the word Metalhead though seems like something people should avoid calling themselves though. You don't see that in other genres at least to the level you see people call themselves Metalheads. I would hate to be called A Post Rock head, A Jazzdude or anything that would make people think I dislike and/or aren't open to any other genre. To me and I think to the majority of the world, and I understand your more intelligent then I give most Metalheads credit for, but it seems to come off like the term Juggalo, they base there lives around one form of music and it dominates more aspects then it should.

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

Why do lots of people hate Justin Bieber?

Seriously though I've never understood hate for a musical genre. Yeah I know that certain genres aren't to everyone's taste, especially metal (metal is definitely an acquired musical taste; if you don't have it, it can be harsh to listen too), but that doesn't mean you have to hate it.

I guess its just like they say: Dissenters will inevitably dissent.

 

[TonyVonTonyus]

It's exactly what I'm saying. I love metal so why do people have to say I'm abnormal for listening to it. I may not be conformist or a perfect person but that shouldn't be based on music preferences.

Why do you care about being normal? "Normal" is a lie.

Abnormal as in considered to be wierd. I don't WANT to be normal. Like cake, normal is a lie and so in conformity. But i'd rather not be seen that way for music because than someone can argue from that point that everyone who listens to heavy metal isn't normal and other people are offended by that. People could also use it as an excuse by saying something along the lines of "I listen to metal so I'm a rebel" and it takes away from being a rebel.

 

[Dindril]

I think people don't like heavy metal because it tends to be more focused on percussion than melody... Personally, I like almost anything you can classify as music... meaning pop and rap are things I dislike.

 

[Cain_Zeros]

For a lot of people, it is our old friend personal preference. Others are idiots and actually believe all that "metalheads are Satanists and all heavy metal is about Devil worship and corrupts the soul" bullshit, or similarly retarded things. I've actually had people who'd only heard what I was currently playing call Cradle of Filth Satanic. Now yes, the album I was listening to was Midian, a concept album heavily inspired by H. P. Lovecraft, but I don't really see the Satanism there...

 

[Redalert9r9r]

Its like asking "Why people don't like rap" or "Why people don't like country," its simply personal choice, now why does this need to be a thread?

 

[GiantRaven]

I think people don't like heavy metal because it tends to be more focused on percussion than melody... Personally, I like almost anything you can classify as music... meaning pop and rap are things I dislike.

I am facepalming you so hard right now it hurts.

I mean...seriously? You're going to come into a thread to defend one genre of music whilst being a complete and utter hypocritical idiot about others? For reals? Do people not see how little sense this makes?

Also, I hope to god I have just been epicly trolled.

 

[Azaraxzealot]

It's exactly what I'm saying. I love metal so why do people have to say I'm abnormal for listening to it. I may not be conformist or a perfect person but that shouldn't be based on music preferences.

Quote when replying

Its just a common courtesy here my friend.

And I have no idea why I'm supposed to judge you by your choice of music. Does the fact I listen to jazz, techno, latin and classical music make me abnormal?

Humanity, always looking for stereotypes. I try to break them but I'm just one man.

Sorry about that. I think one of the worst stereotypes is that we worship satan. Some metalheads do but I'm pretty sure one rapper or two does it too. I try to break them to. I'm italian and I've have people tell me "Your italian, you people don't like metal". One of the wierdest statements I've ever heard.

you're italian? hmm... you like Stormlord? i love those guys

anyways. most people hate metal because of the puritanical conservatives who were basically force-fed the idea that "metal is bad for kids!"

plus, it's not what the corporate music industry wants people to listen to, so they shoot it down with bullshit like Ke$ha and Bieber by giving them HUGE marketing pushes

other than that, people dont like what isnt easy for their simple brains to comprehend. a song that has more than 2 chord changes is immediately too crazy for them and their heads would explode

 

[velcrokidneyz]

i dont understand either, its high energy and i just love the rush i get from listening to it, i feel bad ass walking down the sidewalk to class good feelings by me.

 

[Dindril]

I think people don't like heavy metal because it tends to be more focused on percussion than melody... Personally, I like almost anything you can classify as music... meaning pop and rap are things I dislike.

I am facepalming you so hard right now it hurts.

I mean...seriously? You're going to come into a thread to defend one genre of music whilst being a complete and utter hypocritical idiot about others? For reals? Do people not see how little sense this makes?

Also, I hope to god I have just been epicly trolled.

... I think I just learned an important rule about the Escapist Forums... Don't joke about stuff, or people will RAAAAAAAGEE!!!

 

[Papadam]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF_YIiRoRFM

inb4 just screaming

Thanks for posting, never heard them before and I liked it alot!

 

[GiantRaven]

I think people don't like heavy metal because it tends to be more focused on percussion than melody... Personally, I like almost anything you can classify as music... meaning pop and rap are things I dislike.

I am facepalming you so hard right now it hurts.

I mean...seriously? You're going to come into a thread to defend one genre of music whilst being a complete and utter hypocritical idiot about others? For reals? Do people not see how little sense this makes?

Also, I hope to god I have just been epicly trolled.

... I think I just learned an important rule about the Escapist Forums... Don't joke about stuff, or people will RAAAAAAAGEE!!!

Haha, my bad. =p

 

[anthony87]

Bollox to all that, Metalheads are some of the friendliest people people I've met.

Been going to a metal bar for the past three years without a single incident, compared to any other pub/nightclub where you always get dickheads wasted on alcopops starting shit.

 

[Carnagath]

Well, some people just don't like the sound of electric guitars, period. Others are put off by the fact that metal usually requires the listener to pay to attention in order to enjoy it and they don't listen to music with that mindset, they just want something silly and upbeat. Often, the hatred is born out of ignorance. Most people who claim to hate metal do not know that the word is just a label that includes a multitude of different subgenres, each of which sounds different enough that it could belong to a different category of music altogether. Getting to know all those subgenres and discovering the ones that you enjoy the most is also something that requires a lot of time and commitment, which is not what some people are prepared to offer.

As for me, I like many different kinds of music, from weird experimental electro music to Krautrock to silly but fun bands of today, like Black Eyed Peas. As for metal, I am 28 years old and have been listening to it since I was 13, without ever losing my affection to it. Discovering Iron Maiden when I was 13 was a great moment in my life, and I never stopped finding new metal bands that I love since then. I never saw it as anything too special though, I never felt like I "belonged" somewhere because I like metal, nor do I listen exclusively to it. It's just music and I love it, others don't and that's fine. I'll never say no to listening to "Dead Heart In A Dead World" album by Nevermore again however, even if it's the thousandth!

 

[Bernzz]

-snip-

I'd say more, but it'd be a copy of this. Lemme just say: Best. Opinion. Ever.

 

[Latinidiot]

I think it sounds that way because most metalheads absolutely thrash anything they don't like, which includes other Metal sub-genres.

 

[Aerialfrogg]

Having hunted down this ManOwaR you speak of, that is probably not what people think of when you tell them you like heavy metal. I'm pretty sure they go straight to that there's-a-dragon-in-my-throat-trying-to-get-out sounding metal. I don't know what specific one that is and most people who don't listen to metal don't bother to distinguish (sorry).

Coming from the Bible Belt in America, I think it is the fact that lyrics are hard to distinguish, particularly for older ears. This seems to be the big draw on it being "Satan's Music". Faster rap has this similar quality for them so it gets lumped in as well. However, this is less prevalent as kiddies who grew up on Led Zeppelin ect. are becoming the middle agers who run the church (like my parents...).

I find that my personal preference for metal is in soundtracks and background music. The final fantasy X opening is exactly where I feel comfortable with metal. It is wrought with energy like the excitement of some pro ball game event or going into battle. (Although this would definitely fall in that throaty metal category rather than Heavy Metal)

Spoiler

[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uooAufOpm4c&feature=related [/link]

I guess I've listened to it from some of the guy's computers during LAN parties. But it's nothing I would want to listen to in my on my mp3 player. As to the throaty metal, seriously HOW DO THEY MAKE SOME OF THOSE SOUNDS? Marilyn Manson is about as rough as my throat can take.

 

[open trap]

I would say there wouldn't be such hatred for metal fans or metalheads if they weren't such purists. I don't care if you listen to metal, but refusing to give a band a chance just because its a part of another genre just seems ridiculous to me, metalheads have a tendency to stick out for hating on many genres, Rap, Country, Pop, and what they believe is Screamo. Most people I know don't glorify or define themselves by the type of music they listen to, and the only two groups I have found who do would be Metalhead and Hipsters/Indie Kids, and for the most part I can respect the latter more because even within the boundaries of whats considered Indie can fit into many genres. Though I dislike hanging out with ether group if they feel pride because they listen to a certain genre.

I my self am a metalhead. I do not like rap because i gave it a try and it never appealed to me, musically and culturaly (i found it to be a very immature genre with all the promotion and glorification of sex drugs and money) But do not think i hate it all. i finde some rap to be ok in my opinion. Some songs by MM or eminem how ever its spelled have appealed to me in a way. Though i will never go out and buy his music i will listen and appreciate it. Pop music on the other hand i can not stand. I have only ever found one pop song i liked and thats because it was a parody of its self. Pop musics culture is centered around the same as mainstream rap, and that is sex, money, and drugs. It also seems really blind to reality. I also dont like all the autotuned repetitiveness of the songs, i too gave this genre a try and i continually here it where i ever i go. I have nothing against country, real country not taylor swift pop country. I actually enjoy the genre. The Taylor Swift pop country i do not like because it is very basic and unmeeningful to me, infact the past two genres for the most part seem basic and unmeaningful to me ( not including the stated exceptions) So there is an honest and (hopefully) intelligent view of other genres from the perspective of a metalhead, enjoy.

But like I said, when you say stuff like that you come off like a purist. I don't like modern country and most pop, ive come to a point where I listen to Rap mostly for the poetry but I still like it, the word Metalhead though seems like something people should avoid calling themselves though. You don't see that in other genres at least to the level you see people call themselves Metalheads. I would hate to be called A Post Rock head, A Jazzdude or anything that would make people think I dislike and/or aren't open to any other genre. To me and I think to the majority of the world, and I understand your more intelligent then I give most Metalheads credit for, but it seems to come off like the term Juggalo, they base there lives around one form of music and it dominates more aspects then it should.

I admit it dominates alot of my life, but its also a culture, and a well developed one. Im growing my hair long and i ware black shirts and jeans every day, but i also value intellect, honor, clearity of thought and a sense of reality, education, wide vocabularies, and just being a good person. I find these values come off in the music. The term Metalhead may give the image that im like those narrow minded baffoons, but thats a stereotype, just like a whole lot of other stereotypes. It shows the ignorance of others if they choose to belive that, and i dont care if they vue me as such. This is all choice. im not image concious, i also like long long and think it looks good on me, and in my opinion jeans and black go well. if i did not like it i would not ware it. But back to the origional point yes the music dominates my life in many ways, but its also by choice not because my friends will make fun of me in their narrowmindedness if i dont fit in.