Why do people like metal so much?

[BlackKraken]

I love metal, but not so much that it blinds me to other genres.

I'm a guitarist and like a wide variety of music, i'll listen to Dimmu Borgir and then Mozart, then some john lee hooker and afterwards some jimmi hendrix rounded off with some feeder.

Death metal, classical, blues, mental guitaristness (?), indy/pop/rock.


OT: Its the raw aggression, the low notes, the rumbling bass and drums, the wailing epic guitar solos... Metal is raw anger given musical form.
I'm reminded of what someone else said about metal, it's honest and it's ugly.

That having been said, it's probably one of the more diverse genres out there.

 

[TheIr0nMike]

It's still not mainstream enough so it can still be considered non-conformist; it's hated by those who don't like it, so there's some appeal there; it's considered bad ass because they play shit loud.

That's what I came to.

 

[tthor]

i like metal for its sudden rhythm changes and its energy. it always makes me feel excited

 

[Canid117]

I will agree that most metal would sound more awesome without the vocals. As to why people listen? Some because they genuinely like it, some because they have a very loud sound system and hate their neighbors, and some because they want to piss off their parents. I respect one of those groups if not agree with them, I chuckle at the other and go about my day, and I loathe the third group with a passion. You can guess which is which and why.

 

[Extraintrovert]

I don't know about the other aspects of the original poster's question, but as for gamers seemingly having a predisposition towards liking metal I think it's because metal is often used so effectively for gameplay that's frantic and energetic (see games like Guilty Gear and Blaz Blue) and the enjoyment of one transfers into enjoyment of the other.

Personally I tend to avoid music with lyrics almost out of principle, so I don't experience what the original poster describes. Then again my musical preferences are obscure for even this place, metal included (Demetori and NeutraL for the motherfucking win), so I doubt I ever have any idea what anyone is talking about.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

Listening to that Hammerfall video reminded me of these two bands for some reason, they're not exactly similar but you might find something you like. I suggest listening to each one in their entirety.

<youtube=lJpkQWbarKo>
A lot of their music gets much heavier and growlier (for lack of a better word), but the balance between singing and growling is pretty even, if you can tolerate such a thing. And then there's this:

<youtube=W0ClpbEAYHE>
Similar genre/style, they sound like they're trying to be Shadow's Fall. Maybe that's something you like, maybe not.

And if you just want something else that I think kicks complete ass, I submit to you this gem:

<spoiler=Only click here if you LOVE thrash metal><youtube=AGuhziU_dzc>

 

[Vlassic]

I don't like metal, I like indie stuff. But people have different tastes in music and that's awesome. As long as I don't have to listen to it.

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

Because metal is such a powerful musical genre. It can affect my own emotions and mood depending on my feelings at the time. The deep chugs and visceral vocal can either soothe or excite me and it all just sounds so damn strong.

 

[HardkorSB]

Because we hate wood and plastic.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

Well, some like the aggressive vocals. I love screaming and growling, as long as it isn't over the top. Here's an example of a song with much growling.


Maybe it's the vocals contrast to the melody, but the raspy tone brings a nice balance to the whole song. If it was all clean, the song would sound too light of tone, and it would ruin the mood. That's why I hate extreme death metal such as Cannibal Corpse. There is no balance between light tone and dark tone mooding, it's just dark with no sort of contrast. Don't get me wrong, there are some bands that do it good, like Adversary and possibly Slipknot.

Besides, can we explain why we like anything? We just do. I enjoy growling. Some enjoy clean. I enjoy the smell of gas, some find it disgusting. I listen to tons of music. I listen to mostly metal, but I also listen to country, rockabilly, psychobilly, electronic, rap, and so on.

 

[rockingnic]

If you don't like "screaming" but like the music and want vocals that are pleasant to listen to, try Avenged Sevenfold. M. Shadows is the lead vocalist and he can do just about any type of singing. He goes from screaming (mostly in the early albums and a couple songs off of their new album) to actually sounds like a women singing in the song "Victim" off their new album. His screaming is also easy to understand unlike alot of screaming that sounds like a dog barking. They're also a very varied group too, they do metal but some of their songs sound progressive, classical or even have a slight country vibe (in a good way with "Gunslinger") while still maintaining their own identity.

 

[Fallen-Angel Risen-Demon]

Because I like fast-paced music in general. I prefer power metal though, like this.

Spoiler: This

I generally like it more when I can understand what they say through.

 

[Pikeperch]

I think you would like Blind Guardian, they have a very operatic feel to them, particularly the later albums. Heh, one album is actually called "A night at the opera".
They're on Spotify, go check them out.

 

[Withall]

Me personally, I like metal because unlike pop-music, the musicians generally know how to play their instruments, and they know how to play them well. Metal is.... rawer, harder than ordinary music, but it also brings up the techniques of older music.

And, of course: it's good noise.

 

[xXAsherahXx]

Because it is good music. Metal Operas are cool in my opinion. Dream Theater's Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence is one of my favourites.

 

[NoNameMcgee]

There are some cool Iron Maiden songs from the 80s that I like.

I can't really think of any other metal I enjoy.. I mostly like electronic music.. Anything that makes me want to dance

 

[NotSoNimble]

If those two songs represent metal, than I agree..... why the hell does anyone like metal?!?

Metal died over 10 years ago, it's really hard to point to any new stuff as being good.

 

[Jezzascmezza]

I can't stand the stuff most of the time, especially if it's screamo-ish as well, (and as far as I'm concerned, metal and screamo are fairly similar, don't hate on me.)
I don't understand the appeal of instruments clashing and clanging and some long haired "hard core" dude bouncing around and screaming into a microphone.

 

[EightGaugeHippo]

I can unnderstand what you mean about the vocals, I my self can only stand a few metal bands that have vocals like Satans ass hole. But I am what people would consider a Metal head.

There are loads of sub gernes to metal and there are alot of great bands that have the great guitar/drums etc but are not ruined by the vocals.
Thrash metal is my favorite, while still having the aggression and passion of most other forms of metal, it is usually acompanied by melodic singing.

If you really want to find bands that you like, I suggest digging around thrash metal, its quite easy to get into, but dont get swayed from your seach if you find a few bands with "cough syrup" vocals.