Heavy Metal is a style of music that began to develop between 1969 and 1974 from Psychedelic and Blues Rock and Classical music. The aural aspects of metal generally revolve around highly-amplified guitar distortion, heavy bass lines, fast and melodic guitar leads and varying styles of vocals ranging from operatic to guttural.
Many bands create giant props of Satan for their concerts accompanied with flames and fireworks in order to recreate the conditions of Hell.[Citation Needed] Metal songs that promote Satanism include "By Demons Be Driven" by Pantera, [1] [2] and "The Conjuring" by Megadeth.[3] [4]
The "corna" hand signal is a common gesture made in metal culture. This is done by placing your ring, and middle finger together along with your thumb and then raising your index and pinky fingers. It is identical to the "Hook' em Horns" hand gesture made by University of Texas students and alumni.[5] This is done to look like the horns of Satan.[Citation Needed]
Heavy Metal music and Spirituality
While Anti-Christian sentiments are quite common amongst the extreme metal sub genres, especially in the Scandanavian black metal scene, there are some heavy metal bands with an overtly Christian message (i.e, Tourniquet, Mortification, As I Lay Dying, Believer, Stryper). These bands are often labeled as Christian metal. Several musicians that perform in secular metal acts also profess faith in Christ. Examples of such musicians include Alice Cooper,[6] Dave Mustaine of Megadeth,[7] Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden,[8] and Dan Spitz of Anthrax.[9]
Many metal bands are opposed to Christianity.
The down side of metal
Besides Satanic criticism, Heavy Metal music has been known to promote violence, sex and suicide among youths. Glamorization of suicide can be observed in songs such as "Suicide Solution" by Ozzy Osbourne [10] and "Fade to Black" by Metallica, [11] while violence is promoted in songs like "Take No Prisoners" by Megadeth [12] and "Die by the Sword" by Slayer.[Citation Needed] According to one study, metal songs with violent lyrics have shown to possibly lead to an increase of the amount of aggresive thoughts within the listener. [13] However, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) point out that heavy metal music "is not usually a danger for a teenager whose life is balanced and healthy".[14]
Sub Genres
The following are sub genres of heavy metal:
- Black Metal
- Death Metal - morbid lyrics
- Thrash Metal
- Speed Metal
- New Wave Of British Heavy Metal
- Doom Metal - gloomy, pessimistic lyrics
- Folk Metal
- Viking Metal
- Power Metal
- Progressive (or Avant-Garde) Metal
- Gothic Metal
- Swedish Death Metal
Heavy Metal Bands
The following artists are considered to be heavy metal:
- Metallica
- Pantera
- Megadeth
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Black Sabbath
- Rob Zombie
- Marilyn Manson
- Opeth
- AC/DC
- Alice Cooper
- KISS
- Slayer
- Anthrax
- Deep Purple - although they resist the classification
References
- ↑ By Demons Be Driven lyrics
- ↑ Rock music: Devil's advocate
- ↑ The Conjuring lyrics
- ↑ Rock music: Devil's advocate
- ↑ University of Texas Traditions: Hook'em Horns
- ↑ Alice Cooper goes with God 'Shock-rock' pioneer now 'dedicated to follow Christ'
- ↑ Megadeth's ringleader loves God; hates Satan, meth
- ↑ Iron Maiden undergoes a renaissance: Nicko McBrain opens up about the original line-up, the new CD and finding God
- ↑ Back from the Belly of the Beast: Former Anthrax lead guitarist Daniel Spitz is now a Messianic Jew
- ↑ Suicide solution lyrics
- ↑ Fade to Black is about suicide
- ↑ Take no prisoners lyrics
- ↑ Violent Music Lyrics Increase Aggressive Thoughts and Feelings, According to new Study
- ↑ Facts for Families AACAP Accessed 1 January 2008.