Heavy Metal: Why all the hate?

[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

 

[Verlander]

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....

While I don't disagree that Slipknot is bollocks, that might be your problem? If you are gonna be elitist and say only Norwegian black metal or whatever counts, then you are never gonna find anywhere, because most people don't like that. It doesn't mean there isn't metal or rock around though. Seriously, the majority of adults prefer it, there's a huge biker scene in the UK, and then you go to any city, and find 20+ rock/metal bars, pubs and clubs. I live in London now, but have been around, including 4 years up north, and have always found it an easy, accepting community to find and get into. It is all 18+ obviously, but then most pubs and bars are

 

[Verlander]

I shall be on the look out for those Metallica,Black Sabbath,Megadeth and Judas Priest people i guess...


:<

Slipknot is bollocks though.[/quote]


Haha, true dat. Where do you live if you don't mind me asking?

 

[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.

-Mainstream cool genre being Death Metal.

Super wrong there.

no, mainstream cool is rap/hip-hop. Death Metal does have a very big following though here. To me though, it's nearly incomparable to older metal.

 

[orangebandguy]

I personally hate it because I think it sounds like absolute crap.

To me it's unpleasant noise, but far be it from me to hate the metal heads. Loads of people I know like it so I'm not bothered by it unless I'm forced to listen to it.

 

[Verlander]

Haha, true dat. Where do you live if you don't mind me asking?

Hertfordshire. I suppose there are a few Metallica fans, but if there are actual metal fans, they should go beyond knowing Metallica,Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath.

Well you get the Sonisphere festival, right? I officially live in Essex, but on the border to Herts, we have a few pubs round here that play rock and metal. Head into London, and check out these beauties:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devonshire_Arms

http://www.crobar.co.uk/

http://www.intrepidfox.com/

http://www.myspace.com/theunicorncamden

etc etc... there are loads, those are some of the more well known ones

 

[Ickorus]

I don't like it just because im not interested in that style of music.

I also have a deep dislike of that Macho-manly-man thing a lot of metal musicians have going on.

 

[Dethpixie]

I'm the devil I love metal
Check this riff it's fucking tasty
*awesome guitar riff*

I feel as though I've made my point.