Is Heavy Metal "Rebellious"?

[IronWolf]

I'd say the Shaman is just looking at the pop-metal bands like A7X, which while "rebellious-y", are so mainly in terms of form and not message.

There are still metal bands out there that espouse anti-Christian, anti-conformist, anarchic, violent or pro-drug etc. messages- and some that even live their music- that I still have to point at metal as one of the truly rebellious musical genres out there.

That was my thought as well. While I have not kept up with the heavy metal scene for many years, I know when I was that what the mainstream were listening to and calling heavy metal was *not* the heavy metal that I was listening too.

 

[Umbran]

At one time, listening to Elvis was rebellious.

At one time, listening to the Beatles was rebellious.

At one time, listening to Heavy Metal music was rebellious.

Today? None of those are rebellion. Heck Elvis, the Beatles, and a goodly amount of Heavy Metal are "classics" at this point.

The root of rebellion is doing that which is not acceptable - doing that which drives your parents up the wall, which your peers look at you funny for doing. HM is too old a genre, too well-known, too accepted as they way things are to be rebellious.

 

[Cor_Malek]

No that isn't normal at all, in fact someone will be around to drag you into the street to be beaten to death with clubs.

Nah, that's just called moshpit.

There are still metal bands out there that espouse anti-Christian, anti-conformist, anarchic, violent or pro-drug etc. messages- and some that even live their music- that I still have to point at metal as one of the truly rebellious musical genres out there.

First off - those bands mostly insist on not being called heavy, but rather [grim adjective] metal. Psycho Death Neo Pagan Metal +6.

And... Yes, but those are as common in rap music - maybe even moreso. In fact, hip hop is the sound of rebels in many Arabic countries (not anti-religious though AFAIK).
Many genres are being used to express those messages, sometimes the artist doesn't even limit himself to one.
As to "anti-christian" messages - it might be that we've been exposed to different ones*, or a cognitive bias of one of us - but I mostly see pro neopagan/satanist, and if Christianity is mentioned - it's as The Big Dog, and often mashed with rest of Religions of the Book.

*99% it's the first one, but I wanted to throw the idea out there, as many people mistake messages of ie Vader as being "anti" whatever, while it's more about being pro - their mojo. Just making sure.

 

[IronWolf]

The root of rebellion is doing that which is not acceptable - doing that which drives your parents up the wall, which your peers look at you funny for doing. HM is too old a genre, too well-known, too accepted as they way things are to be rebellious.

The genre evolves over time and can still push the limits. While Metallica is mainstream now, heavy metal evolved past that and beyond. I am pretty certain there are still forms of heavy metal that are on the fringes of mainstream and pushing styles and such that are non-conformist.

Just like back in the 80's all the mainstream high school kids thought Poison, Skid Row, White Lion were heavy metal, there were those of us listening to Metallica (still not mainstream at the time), Motorhead, Megadeth, Slayer on the fringes.

 

[Remus Lupin]

The problem with the idea of music as "rebellious" in any sense these days is that the music industry has developed such a slick method of commercializing music that as soon as anything becomes even remotely popular, all of a sudden there are a dozen copy cat bands with big label contracts and major radio play. Heck, in the 1990s, one day there was no such thing as alternative rock, then there was Nirvana, and then for a decade you couldn't get away from alternative rock.

 

[Morkul]

i went with NOT REBELLIOUS. all current musical genres have been watered down for consumption by the masses and have a corresponding look to go with...

 

[jonesy]

My mom listens to it.

How can you be rebellious when my mom listens to it?

 

[Aeolius]

...but I mostly see pro neopagan/satanist, and if Christianity is mentioned - it's as The Big Dog, and often mashed with rest of Religions of the Book.

Before this thread gets closed, I might point out that I can think of no two beliefs more diametrically opposed that satanism and neopaganism.

As for me, I tend to avoid music where the music is screamed or slurred beyond recognition; including bits from heavy metal, hair bands, Creed, etc. About the closest to heavy metal I'll get is hard rock bands like Twisted Sister or Scorpions. I enjoy New Age, 80s New Wave, Jazz, music from the 30s/40s, movie soundtracks, classical, and similar genres. I've had the same favorite song for nearly 40 years - Hot Butter's cover of "Popcorn" (by Gershon Kingsley).

I admit to an inexplicable fascination with calliope/circus organ music. Now THAT'S rebellious... just ask my kids when I blare "Under the Double Eagle" in the mornings, to get them out of bed.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

First off - those bands mostly insist on not being called heavy, but rather [grim adjective] metal. Psycho Death Neo Pagan Metal +6.

They could call themselves Gummi-Bear Swing if they wanted- musically, they're a subset of Heavy Metal.

As for pro-pagan vs anti-Christian, yes, it's a matter of which particular band youre listening to; both exist.

 

[Janx]

In the US, I don't think heavy metal was ever watered down for the masses. Namely because, even today, the only heavy metal you'll hear on the radio is Metallica.

there might be a rare station that'll play black sabbath. But you'll never hear a station that is nothing but heavy metal in all in its varied forms. Note, I discount the hair bands like Motley Crue, Poison, Skid Row, etc. They looked heavy, but they were not.

So, in the US, heavy metal is listened to by a minority. Those of us from the 80's who still like it, and counter-culture youth.

Nowadays, it seems rap is the new counter-culture thing, at least for the white kids.

Back in the 80's my HM listening included:
Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeath, Iron Maiden, Manowar, Fates Warning, Death Angel, Exodus, Twisted Sister, Forced Entry, Mordred, Suicidal Tendencies. Just to name a few of the stuff I had on tape.

Now, of that, I pretty much only still listen to Iron maiden. I can only think of a couple of newer bands nowadays that are releasing that I've heard (nightwish, Rhapsody).

I do know there is a slew of modern HM bands I've never heard of. So it's not dead. I'm just not into that flavor of music anymore.