Metal should have a FANDOM, not a community. The only thing that should unite us is love for the music and the ideals shared within the culture like individualism and defiance. I believe that the main reason Metal has so many subgenres is precisely because we can’t conform!
I'm glad this video was made! I'm absolutely downright tired of people linking their political agenda to metal music. It doesn't matter. Just listen to the music, by the vinyls or CDs, and go to the concerts
Yeah, but that sounds sadly superficial and consumerist, which is what metal (at least originally) stood against , just being..."that fun thing" or whatever. A lot of people look for "depth" in metal, and that's totally fine, even if you or I don't agree with everyone else.
I agree with you 100% man. I've noticed this kind of toxic mindset a lot the last couple of years as well with the most recent example being about Mike LePond who is the bassist from Symphony X. He leans right when it comes to his political views and I've seen quite a few people call him a piece of shit and say that he's a horrible human being just because he votes a certain way and it's disgusting. I've even noticed this ideological perversion of the metal head "community" within my own group of friends to which I always call them out on it. Music is supposed to bring us together regardless of whether our political opinions align or not yet there seems to be quite a few people nowadays who have this "It's our way or the highway" mentality and it pisses me the f*** off.
I agree with everything you said, except that we shouldn't be a community, cause I believe we are. In every community there's the assholes, but that doesn't stop communities from existing. I am personally an outcast of society (wow I sound cringy, it's just that I feel alone a lot of the times), and the only places where I feel like I truly belong are metal record shops, metal bars, metal gigs and places like that. Up until recently I was alone, when I met two wonderful people at a random underground black metal gig in my hometown. I've kept contact with both of these people, and it's the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to me. We might disagree on some things about metal and other stuff, but we all equally have a burning passion for metal, whatever the genre. I recommend we, as a whole, take a step back and know when to point out these assholes who try keeping someone outside of metal (and any other community). Let's acknowledge their existence and keep on with our business as usual. For example, a dear friend of mine is a "swiftie" and she's a wonderful person who can take critique about her liking, without going on a rampage about her idol, unlike what extremist fans of Swift might do. Let's all, as metalheads, let newcomers to the genre know that they're always welcome. And anyone trying to gatekeep metal can just go fuck themselves. I'd love to hear if you agree or disagree with the stuff I commented on, cheers from Greece! Another amazing video, and I cannot wait for your podcast! Wish you the best, and stay metal
It is a community whether anyone likes it or not. That word only means that its something specific that people communicate about. But maybe it shouldn't be lol it don't matter cus it is
I agree ive commented because no other top comment was like yours but the sense of belonging is 100% on the spot. Ive bring one of my good friend to 2 shows and he says the same about it.
I concur with you wholely. However I must admit that not unlike EVERYTHING else in Western society the political realm has seeped into the metal community. The newer generations have destroyed the metal community. Several years ago when I saw people in the pit swinging their arms violently intent on hurting people and dominating the pit instead of helping people up, that's when I knew the metal community was dead. And each year since I've been steadily proven correct.
I wish I could say this more eloquently. The term "community" has been tossed around and diluted a lot in the past decade or so. It's used it as an identity banner of emotions instead of a group of people in a defined area regardless of ideals. "Sense of community" has more to do with ideals and like-minded persons. I think a more correct term of people being social about something they like (music, movies, hobbies, trades) would be "fandom" or "enthusiasts". For persons that have actual matters in common (malignments, victims, class, so forth) perhaps the term "populace" would be better suited. I'm not totally set on that last one. Metalheads being assholes has been around since before the genre even had its name. As with many other "communities". I hate to be all Robin Thicke, but with the world being connected online, there are some blurred lines about what's ok to talk about in a public forum. Maybe I am misreading the situation, but If your friend is going on Metal focused tiktoks intent to complain about basic gun laws, they may be earning some ridicule. People in other countries or even other regions will see those videos and 1. Be horrified by what they see compared to their culture's stance on gun laws. 2. Find it really odd that someone would go to a Metal section to talk about guns.
Like you said, Metal is about freedom of expression, but within having that freedom you have to take all sorts of feedback, even if it’s negative. & who gives a shit if you think all metalheads have to be the same? It’s all about the music & rebellion
holy shit, I've hated the "metal community" concept for so long and never knew anyone who had a similar opinion. I've always found Metal music embraces unique and errmmmm individual thought patterns lol Thats why so many Metal fans have unorthodox, unpopular world views.
1.) I posted a video of me playing some riffs in a thrash metal discord. I'm Pakistani-American. The people in the server called me a hard R'd N word and put monkey and shit emojis on my posts. 2.) Varg vs Euronymous, Megadeth vs Metallica, Amon vs Deicide, and other feuds 3.) Some Metalheads I meet in my college classes avoid me. I don't wear any "poser" shirts and I like the music so Idk why. TL;DR Metalheads just don't get along most of the time.
Don't listen to those posers mate. Just keep blasting the music that you love, even if you have to do it in solitude. The metalhead community, as a whole, is cancerous and is best avoided at all costs.
That's what I believe as well with this whole about metal being a community. Because not everyone has the same taste within metal itself and beliefs. Black Metal Werewolf always comes up with interesting topics for damn sure.
I believe in the “Metal community” However I believe people seeking validation for their own opinion should examine themselves. Hypothesis: If you have to seek approval from someone else in order to feel comfortable about your own opinion, then that is not your own opinion. Even more so to be intolerable of another opinion and slander someone’s legitimate love, “music” in this case. Music is art, which is open to interpretation. I see the metal community only within concerts and albums. The only time ive felt…, idk the right word without sounding hypocritical but “awkward” at a show was a Ghost concert with Amon Amarth opening. That was not a community. Although i had 0 negative interactions. Not everyone is meant to be your friend, you’re not entitled to having friends either. The joy of metal for me is just letting loose, bumping bodies, and overall like mentioned in this video freedom of expression. Even more so ive never seen a community that has the self control of the metal community to protect the “anarchy” of desired freedom
Saw the title and was more than willing to hear you out. Can't say nothing more except you made a lot of good points. Great video as always. And from what I can tell, you don't have X either; smart dude
Well said!! I think there is a connection between people that love metal, for instance at my job, theres only Like 2 other people out of 25, that love metal, so theres a musical connection. we would never tell each other we all have to believe the same things, or think alike, its just the music thats key. I think it’s anti metal if someone forces their views on someone!! 🎶🎸🐈⬛🎃 love the channel!!
dude you are 1000% right and just gained a subscriber. Cant stand when people say you shouldn't listen to this or that band because I believe this or that. The only thing I will say is if someone is offended by Satan stuff or what could be seen as sexist lyrics and videos as two examples then don't complain on facebook and x, just don't listen to it, listen to bands you think are safe
True! I’m technically new in the metal “community “ and I’ve been looking at how to be more involved and interactive with other metal heads. Like I’m brand spanking new. I’m learning new bands. I’ve always been interested for many years but it wasn’t until late 2023 that I took a change to it. Music should be about music. It’s sad that there are gatekeepers. I, too, am starting up a podcast soon about paranormal! I’m In the works of getting it set up, mine will be slightly more aimed towards the Native American/indigenous stories and experiences as I am also indigenous. If you are ever looking to have a guest on your podcast, I think that’d be pretty cool!
Are you talking about the metal-head 'community' on-line or the real-life community you meet at gigs? I for one have never met any metal-head irl here in Australia who is pushing a political, social, religious or any other agenda. If I encounter such people on-line, I ignore them. I, for one, am proud to call my local group of metal-heads a community and I'm proud to be part of it.
Its not the metal community that's bad, yes there are loud elitists and all that, but it's primarily the TikTok community. I've never seen so much bullshit and control in metal ever since the trend came around on TikTok. Good example is the "cancel Metallica" shit a little bit ago
This is nothing new. I recall the metal message boards of the 90s, which would succumb quickly to infighting due to - you guessed it - politics and religion. As for me, I keep my interests in those subjects separated from metal when online, so that on metal pages I post only about music. Yes, I would say metal is a community, in that we bond over our shared love of the music, but that implies a set of standards and rules of etiquette, just like any actual community offline. Really, it's just being an adult.
Hey Werewolf, how's it rocking? Just like to say that I love ur channel and have already subscribed. My fave bands are Metallica (obviously, ❤ their music since, like, forever), Megadeth (Hangar 18 and lot of their other stuff bangs), other thrash metal, death metal (esp. Obituary), a lot of the Nordic black, death and doom metal (who doesn't know about Mayhem's mayhem, ha ha!), Nine Inch Nails, and I could go on forever, of course. I like the more traditional metal, not much into metalcore, djent and the other newer sub-genres. Imo, being a metalhead is about loving the music, artwork and fashion, not about which side of the political spectrum you're on. If somebody wants to support a certain political party, that's THEIR business, and no one else's. The metalhead community should always place their love of metal first, and then we can discuss other things afterwards. If some people are gonna be jerks to others just because they're on TikTok, then they should really have a good think about their priorities. I too don't think much of TikTok. Glad to know you have an IQ of above 60 - that made me laugh - and I think all true metalheads IQs are at least 120. Do you know that some metal and classical music are not that different in structure (not talking about the instruments, obviously)? Yngvie Malmsteen is often considered neo-classical metal. I enjoy classical music, too! Anyway, ❤ ur channel, and you, me and all metalheads should STAY BRUTAL!!!
A few things as a "metal scholar" (the metal community and masculinity is what my thesis is on): 1. Music is nothing without politics, sorry. Politics is so inherent in the world that there is no escaping it. I mean: "Kool-Aid" by BMTH is political, "Hero" by Skillet is political, "Psychosocial" by Slip is political, "Toxicity" by SoaD is political... etc. etc. it's all politics, all the way down. Usually people only point out that things are "political" when it's a version of politics they do not agree with, that is why it is tricky at first. But once you see that politics is art and art is politics, then it gets easier. Gatekeeping in metal is a HUGE fuckin problem, for sure. I enjoy the definitions of people like Robert Walser who say, not verbatim, but that metal is the emotions that are at play. I expanded the definition in my thesis (no plug here) to have the emotions be everything in metal. If a song has elements of power and raw emotion, then it's metal. I even tell my audience to "vibe check" it--- does it sound metal to you? If yes, it's metal. I love the concept of the metal community. Spaces are important for people to be able to express themselves. Scenes are just communities on a smaller, more active level. This concept is very important because it allows an easier flow of not just musical talks, but connections on deeper levels among fans with common interests. The opinion of edgy teens on TikTok should not be the driving force to disband the word community. I make friends at many of the metal shows I've gone to (benefits of community) but I've also been with people who have felt unsafe at metal shows (downsides of metal culture). What we need to do is cull the negative hostility from the community and make it more accepting and inclusive.
I enjoy when you do topics like this, it really helps deal with those kinds of jerks and think about the person I am, also that CD was released in 2014 which was 4 years after the death of Dio, and I agree with on Corey Taylor's take on Rainbow In The Dark but that Killswitch Engage cover version of Holy Diver was actually originally a bonus track part of a special edition of As Daylight Dies years before that and I thought it was an ok cover but maybe a little too fast
Back in the 70s-80s, the "metal community" was people who listened to metal music and hung out together. We had all kinds of "political" and "religious" and "social views" and we expressed those views through music. Nowadays, EVERY "community" is infected with the ideology of "political correctness" and mass hypnosis compliance to the borg collective. ALL of us OG metal heads always rejected any kind of mandatory collectivism, ESPECIALLY any kind of collectivism promoted and enforced by goobermints and mainstream tardbots. So, all the people saying one's political or social views automatically makes them "not metal", are simply, not metal. :)
it's kind of comedy to see metalheads complain about politics only when it's concerning left-wing ideologies, but never when it involves nsbm or anything. 'keep politics out of metal' is always coming from some dude who's triggered that he got picked on for saying he likes burzum on tiktok or some shit. it would be impossible to keep all politics out of any form of art, the problem comes when you can't tolerate feedback or anyone existing in 'your' space with another ideology. my solution is to touch grass and go to a show. this online shit is toxic no matter what you believe
It’s the reason why I don’t go on any metal groups forms anymore because stuff like this really do happen. Metal elites getting their feelings hurt over someone opinions on something or they didn’t like so n so music. To me all it’s not worth your time talking to them like what you like music is music whatever you believe in that’s yours. Like I have opinions on things I enjoy weapons I enjoy collecting knives and such doesn’t mean I am an insane evil evil person that gonna go out and do mayhem vibes nop never was like that.
I have 2 specific examples here. RABM (red anarchist black metal) and NSBM (national socialist black metal). I myself listen to both. Im left leaning myself yet i still listen to nsbm, i couldnt care less about their ideology, if i like the music, then thats all. Though i prefer RABM cause A. good music and B. i agree with the ideology. Literally so many ppl that arent even left leaning like RABM, cause its good music. SO what i wanna say is, no one is forcing their ideology upon anyone, not from what i have seen at least. Also why not be a community? I can promise you that every other community out there has ppl of different wievs and ideologies. Its about the music etc, and enjoying it together.
I agree with you big time! Also, I got that tribute album to Dio the day it was released. I got the Cd, Vinyl, and a poster of the full artwork. Yeah some bands butchered dios songs but there are some great ones. Doros version of the song "Egypt" is amazing.
I absolutely agree with all your points. I also believe that because metal as a music genre and a culture has an anti-conformist style in it, because it looked like a movement against the more conservative society of the era it appeared. That's a reason I believe that certain ideologies that are more close to the anarchist, anti-conformist and leftist philosophies in general are more dominant in the metal community. I don't want to get political but I also think that everyone should be free to express themselves in the way the want as metalheads and as bands alike. If someone doesn't support the views of certain person or a band, they can simply just stop listening to it if that's why the want to do but not enforce that on others also. The same ideological bullying and elitism from either side exists as a phenomenon in every other type of entertainment nowadays, when someone says something or express an opinion that's against the "mainstream" ones almost immediately he or she gets demonized. Also, I want to pose myself as an example recently I discovered that sometimes I maybe listen to albums but I'm not an album listener and I prefer listening to metal songs individually depending on my taste. That's something that might make me less of metalhead for some people even a "poser" for others, but this is the way I enjoy listening to metal and I don't want to change it just to feel more accepted, I don't think I have to prove to anyone that I'm a metalhead. I buy T-shirts,CDs,I listen to the music my way with passion and attend concerts of my favourite bands (one of are Sabaton and Manowar btw) and that's enough to call myself a metalhead.
We don’t even have to go into politics. I thinks it’s safe to say the idea of a “metal community” died the moment people started gatekeeping for their imaginary club because someone else likes a band that they don’t. Ignoring the fact that these arguments wouldn’t be taking place among individuals if they weren’t already listening to the same type of music which brought them into the same circle to begin with.
I’m very conservative Christian and a very good metal friend of mine is a left leaning person who’s atheist and we get along pretty well. We always talk about metal and share music n when we do get on the subjects of politics or religion we’re very respectful of each other.
I respectfully disagree on your concept of Community. Its not because we like metal that we must be all from the same cookie cutter. I bet that NSBM opinion strongly differ from RABM (red and anarchist black metal) fans. Its the same for all community: like car communities for example: we are gatherd in the same bunch from the love of extreme music(instead of cars) but we dont share the same ideas and opinions. After all the sense of being unique, anticonformism and freedom of opinion is in my opinion strongly present in the metal following. We may argue a lot online but of all metal show i have been theres a sense of community and brotherhood(if we may still say that without causing prejudice to the womens in attendance) that i dont see in rap or EDM music. From my 18 years of attendence to live metal music heres my experience: Between bands we gather outside and speak to strangers, comments on nice shirt/patch ive never seen ppl blast other becaus they arent dress metal enough" damn poser", ive only seen 2 small fights occurs and ppl were restrained by peers(almost all edm and rap show i seen there was chest puffing and punch thrown), whenever i fall in the pit theres always folk to help and no im not a cutie, im a 300 lb plus man😅 , young folk in the pit dont get absolutely destroyed, sure there is sometime injurys but at much as i know its not intended. I could continue on my diatribe but its already too boring to read😂 i guess the only negativity i seen is ppl too drunk or some rare stinky dudes but its not that common… didnt seen any stinker post Covid😂
I agree, especially regarding black metal! Metal is based on goig against mainstream culture's social norms and expectations. AKA Individualism. You can't have a community and be an individualist.
I am a black metal guy. NONE of my friends are into that shit. None of them share my political views. Hell, none of my friends share most of my interests (politics, cars, yugioh). I despise the concept of "community" just because our music shares certain frequencies. A family and a nation is the only community I belong to (that which I have no control of). My beliefs and actions do not need a scene or validation, nor do I ask for those. Now, modern metal scene being a piss poor parody of itself is a different topic. PS love the panzer divison flag. Got my bass signed by Marduk a long time ago, good times...
I do but more of a listening, paranormal casts used to be what help me sleep as weird as it sounds. So the podcasts sounds awesome. One problem I've noticed, it's hard to justify the term metal community, when there's so many sub genres. Well for instance, I was recently told gravitate to Symphonic Experimental Gothic Metal.
It's funny I always found Metal pretty political but never in a partisan way, always more of a rejection of society, the system, and the man. I have always had metal friends but always cringed at the idea of a greater community beyond the love of Metal!
There's a guy who has a youtube channel. He did an episode about Straight Edge Hardcore. He mentioned that they, like him, despised Christianity in their group of friends. I left Thrash in 1990 and devoted more time to Hardcore, specifically Straight Edge. My fellow Straight Edges knew about my faith and they weren't bothered by it at all. The guy on RU-vid said his favorite Anthrax album was State Of Euphoria, which was one of the albums that caused me to leave Thrash.
the metal community like any other community has its origins way back before the Net, social media. as times changed, technology evolved allowing people from all over to connect the community grew. unfortunately along with that came the beginning of the toxicity. Elists bashing others for not liking the same bands or never listening to a subgenre of metal. personally, 'disbanning' the metal community would re enforce decades old sterotypes that people that listen to metal are social outcasts,loners
Disagree completely. This is taking idealistic individualism to far. Its a community whether anyone likes it or not because a community is a thing that people commune over, thats it. A group of people communicate about something; the people who like it, sometimes the people who hate it and the people who don't give a shit don't communicate about it and aren't part of the community.. And thats where the buck ends eternally
Like most communities, the heavy metal community isn’t perfect as human beings are not perfect. I can definitely agree that heavy metal is pretty much nonconformity and doing what you want on your own terms. And I do have a TikTok account just to share my favourite metal songs and that’s just about it. And I love the T-shirt, that’s my favourite Cradle of Filth album🤘
When you were talking about "insidious ideologies" I thought you were going to talk about the overt fascism in NSBM, or the chauvinism in subgenres of metal like deathcore. The people who support these ideas will actually call you a fake metalhead snowflake for even mentioning these things. Now I don't give a damn if people like that want to believe they are real metalheads, but the idea that metal is for or about those things and someone isn't metal because they push against them should definitely be pushed back against. There is a difference between tackling unsettling subject matters and pushing dangerous ideologies. See, this is a nuanced subject. One that most people want to dodge by saying "they aren't political" which is impossible. To be apolitical means you are in a privileged position and that nothing is on the line for you. You can't go out of your way to reprimand one "side" (even though politics are a spectrum that differs for each individual country) and then turn a blind eye while the other side runs rampant.Then claim apolitical status. Libs are going to lib and take anti-gun stuff to the extreme. We should however look at other select countries who ensure gun owners can pass psych tests and have permits for the guns they have.
Lol i sure hope so but as much as i was a Wintersun stan, ive lost some respect for the band. i member when Jari told all was written but his software was limited to 32bit and he could not run his songs in 2007, i waited for so much time for Time that Time 1 was kinda frustrating, knowing he split the famous masterpiece. Then seen em live twice the first time the sound of the stage was horrendous, it sounded more like dubstep the base and drum burried all the rest and got into the mics creating a womping noise. The second time the sound of the venue was very good, but Jari stopped playing guitar live for like 6 months and the 2nd guitarist didnt have his visa to tour and Jari prefered doing moves with his hands rather than take the guitar and play his creations. I understand that he may not play them perfeclty but it was kinda disapointing. Since Wintersun dont have a very huge repertoir and considering his guitar abilities im pretty sure he could do an okish job at it. Then the studio crowdfunding and all... Its sad to say but its lessered my fervor for the band even if their music is very much pleasing! PS im not a ticktoker but ive seen youtube short ripped from ticktok of awesome guitarist and drummers so i disagree on the first statement
@@michellemire8462 Can't u just forgive and forget? The album is being released this year so it's pretty immature to still be childish about it, not just u but many others are still being like this smh -_- Ok yh Jari cut his hair but the album we always wanted to hear... fucking bring it
@@jaysonwitting4671 i dont hate but im not as hyped as i was back in the days. I didnt teard off my Wintersun shirt at the second bad show...At least theres a chance that im not dead before the release 😂 its been almost 17 years waiting for album after all! It's down to them to release the album now, if its good ill go buy it for sure. But again i disagree, about the part "immature and childish" of your comment, in my opinion overexpectation, fanboyism and overhype is. They have to gain the praise, rather than having me jumping up and down feeding the hypertrain. If the album is very good, ill let everybody's even remotely interested in metal around me know but only Time II will tell. I wish they are able to do a good live show, on par of all the Children of Bodom, Arkona and Insomnium show i seen... The kind of show that sound so good it throw shivers in your body, and make you scream so much you can bearly speak the next few days.
I’m a metalhead who is a Christian and I am a conservative politically and I agree with this video!!!! I think music is about expression of what you believe I love Christian metal and one day I hope to be in a band with a Christian message but that doesn’t. Mean that I have to be hateful towards people of different viewpoints… music is sharing what you believe and people can just take it or leave it. Whenever I go to a Christian metal show I often times meet non Christian’s who love the music of the band I mean Heak I still love Iron Maiden, Megadeth, etc.. Here’s one thing I will say about politics in the metal community that I find kind of humorous. At one point, heavy metal, punk rock, and just the alternative scene in general was about being anti-authoritarian. To see a lot on TikTok, who are metalhead and are fighting freedom of speech, freedom of thought. And many of them are fighting for politicians that are trying to be authoritarian. Just a thought
I wouldn´t consider myself a metalhead, just someone who happens to also listen to metal. I think, subcultures are currently suffering from the same phenomenon many parts of society suffer from. Everything has to be black or white, left or right, good or evil. Making up you own mind about complex issues, taking a step back and trying to get an objective view about stuff, irony, humour, provocation, ambivalence and so on are not valued anymore. In the 80s it was the satanic panic and christians thought, that you are literally worshipping the devil bcs you use a certain kind of language or imagery, now it is the political left which thinks everyone who is fascinated by another kind of provocation or metaphorical language is a fascist. I think we need a place for more edgy, nihilistic and provocative stuff. Thats what "dark" subcultures like metal or goth should be for. Even hip hop is doing it in a - very different - way.
And people wonder why others are gravitating towards more edgy forms of art. When you push an agenda, others will push back by going to the opposite side.
Yeah the idea of someone having to think a certain way in order to be a “metalhead” is just dumb and authoritative 😂 sure image is definitely prominent in metal with long hair, black clothing, spikes, yada yada yada, but you don’t HAVE to look that way in order to be a metalhead so why should you have to think or vote a certain way? Makes no sense and idk why these people are making the rules when they’re are no rules.
@@Selynn. also they think they’re special and unique from everyone else by… hating mainstream bands, calling everyone who isn’t like them a poser, saying Christians can’t like metal, being edgy and pretending they have depression. It’s just so cringe and derivative.
while my experience with the metal community has so far been positive and we seem to be watching each others back... i don't expect everyone to have the exact same political beliefs as me just based ont he fact that we listen to the same genre of music. about the gun thing: i believe some sort of gun control should exist, regardless of constitution. honestly, the US is far less safe than where i am from so if i lived there, my feelings on it might be different. also, if someone is using a gun to learn a skill at a shooting range, whos problem is that again? but anyways, you know its gonna be a dumb statement when someone says "but than you aren't a real x" almost regardless of what x is.
7:36 Man, here’s a great paradigm of how enlightening your videos have been for me. Really only serious about Viking Metal (I will go on to say if “White Metal” is a legit sub-genre then the same should be with VM🤘) since ‘17ce, and hadn’t touched anything blacker than Sabbath from High School til Utgard took me down the Trve historical path. I’ve had to take a triple look at Marduk and how easy it is to brand something NSBM. And you pointing out their album covers switched out from Allied to Nazi according to country release date helped me realize it can be game of footsie between Ska and Doc Martens. I would’ve dismissed them completely and not finished celebrating Enslaved’s catalog and actually seeing them live due to them thanking Marduk. Also it helped looking up the Babylonian origins. FFS is Ki⚡️⚡️to be considered NS Kabuki Glam Metal? Metal isn’t for pussies, and neither is Odin😢 but we all know he’s 😼🪡🧚🏼☄️🎸🗡️
I agree with almost everything you said in this video EXCEPT your take on Killswitch Engage's cover of "Holy Diver." How dare you call yourself a metalhead?!? I'm going to lambast you on TikTok now!
Curiously, I think the same, or similar. For me the "Community of Metalheads" is just as toxic as society itself, because it obviously carries all the ideologies that have nothing to do with music, envy towards popular people or people who have "better possibilities" that foster envy, hatred towards others for thinking differently, for dressing differently or for idiotic things like denigrating people for listening to other musical styles that are not Metal, stupid things like that, etc. Of course, a possible "community" must be a social group where a taste for music is shared, for similar ideas, mutual respect between each member, that is possible and would be expected. I'm not saying that it's bad that we "help" each other as people who listen to practically the same music and like almost the same thing, I mean not bringing the negative to the social groups that each person frequents. Likewise, it is not bad to send people to hell, and not belong to any social group, no one is obliged to follow social rules, but it is not necessary to be a bitter hermit either.
For some, heavy genres are a tool for carrying political movements and for others it's only a musical aesthetic that brings them to a comfortable mental place. Can't make a whole community out of both things that make any sense if they mean different things to different people. I support only the bands and people I believe in, regardless of all of it being called "metal" or "punk" or whatever, and from a long time I've already given up the idea of supporting a "scene" just because it means we're in together for some reason.
Interesting topic you chose. For me, I don't necessarily have a problem with the idea of a community, to me the issue is more about: A. Certain members wanting it to be less of a community and more of an echo chamber where only x or y opinion is valid B. Outsiders/newbies/normies trying dictate what is right or wrong then telling long-standing fans what the scene "should" be like, essentially gentrifying it in the process In person, I rarely have these sorts of interactions and things tend to be way more positive. But in online circles, I think people tend to be a lot more volatile since anonymity gives them a bit of a power trip. The way i see it, it's okay to listen to music even if you dont agree with the musicians' beliefs regarding politics, religion, philosophy, etc. And hey, we're all human here, so do some bands maybe take things far enough that I wouldn't wanna listen to them? Sure, but my solution is more about silently not supporting them but still letting fans enjoy their thing rather than disallow others from doing what they want or calling for censorship. If you're the type of person that disagrees with something and instantly calls for it to be banned, that shows more about you as a person than the media you want eliminated-that is weak as hell.
THANK YOU for making this video. This concept does a disservice to the concept of "inclusion". I think the concept is well-intentioned, but it creates, like you said, a bit of a hive-mind. The r/metal community is a lot like this. I was banned from participating there because I openly love Absu. I wanted to, like anyone into a hobby, their love for said band. Apparently, that was too much to ask. I always felt that metal was quite individualistic. With the rise of the internet, it was easier to get access to obscure music. Unfortunately, it also brought with it a lot of politicking which really turns me off from engagement.
Thats the keyboard warrior for ya… Reddit is a hive mind ive never seem that in live music event... True theres not been a big metal fest near me since 2017-18 but in small and medium venues didnt seen that!
funny thing is many socialist metalheads are into guns too. guns are cool af and very useful imo so throwing out my bias out there. but your whole video is biased as well, which im not faulting you for at all, its impossible to be unbiased when discussing politics. yes this is a very political video biased toward a common ideology of personal freedoms and sovereign individuality (wonder what thats called...). anyway, toning down my snark even tho i intend to be provocative, i finish with the questions: whats the difference between freedom of expression and bullying? do you believe in hate speech? what constitues it? where are the lines drawn? who gets to decide all this? and finally, what concept should we reject? people saying youre not metal because of political disagreements? and how can we do that without disrespecting the freedoms you espouse?
Hear me out. I am dealing with the same bs on gaming. What you do is you gatekeep. If someone pulls this kind of crap. You kick them out of the club. It happened to comicbooks, movies, and other fandoms. Punk is a problem because of it. Last time I had to deal with it. A female player joined my party for a raid. She called me him/her/they. I told her that kind of crap is not cool. She said she was not really that kind of person. I said that o yes it is. She called me a bigot. I booted her from the party. Made sure I would never have to talk with her again. I have never heard from her or seen her in a party since then. Whatever those people tell you. You are not a bigot, it is not pro-science, It is political.
@@diabeticmonkey Because some of them want to control everyone around them. Some of them are useful idiots. In life we have boundaries, with strangers. While family our boundaries are broken. With family Life is easier when our values are alike. Like for example if your mother Hates metal and thinks it is the devils music. It would be difficult to hold boundaries with her. You could wear head phones. Stay in your room. But can you talk with her about the new Wolves in the Throne room? No. She wont even start to understand who is, or why the break up of Batushka is important. I think these people want to break our boundaries. Then take a crap on anyone who is different from them. You know they are hatemongers, and extremists.
This has been happening ( Christianity) since the mid 80s ... I've been a Metal head since the 70s..... Having a Metalhead Community is a fine thing to be a part of as long as it's centered on the music....not politics or religion Unless they provide lyrical themes ..
I hate politics! Wish people would just stick to enjoying the music, without putting politics into everything. But, one side of the political isle will personally attack, try to cancel, call you everything in the book, and have a meltdown, even wish you were gone from the earth a lot more than the other side and that's the Left.
Another thing that gets me about the "community" is all the rules that seem to be getting set. I understand there's an unspoken code within the community, but I've seen some stuff online that's just straight up gatekeeping and it makes me sick. Like, "oh, this band is hated in the community because black metal should be about "X" thing and not about catering to the masses blah, blah, blah. Like, who gives a f*ck? Good music is good music and people should stop validating these gatekeepers. It's baffling how many people actually agree with people like that.
Unfortunately there is elitist mob rule in metal. Two of the best black metal bands on the planet, Taake and Inquisition, can no longer tour in the United States because "controversies."
I almost gave up on metal on the day of the riots at the end of May 2020 when various metal news sites insisted that in order to be "truly metal" and "be political", like Black Sabbath was with "War Pigs". Social commentary and "being political" are two different things. These news sites were insisting that metal fans "join their cause" and endorse their views. It nearly ruined it for me.
I'm so glad more people are talking about this. I don't get why those hypersensitive blue-haired "fans" who see different points of view as a threat feel like they're the ones who get to dictate who's a metalhead and who's not. They should just accept the fact that they're not built for this subculture and take their moral grandstanding elsewhere.
Political and social ideologies are infecting music, video games and movies and is damn tiresome. I just want to enjoy my media and not feel like Im been lectured on how I should live my life.
It's weird you say this. I get into politics through metal. How!?!? Dave Mustaines Megadeth. He promoted me to ask questions like; yes, peace sells but whose buying? That powerful question made me explore a community of rebellious music all over. Mostly heavy metal and what its messages are. You seem to like Black Metal alot cool. Me Too. You know Black Metal has a strong Conservative Socialist economic liberal community? Some of the views are facist and racist. Others; just view religion in general as another cruel institution to give you lies and comfort. Its a community whether we like it or not. We do not want OUR genre to become simple idioacracy. We want authentic intelligent music with meaning and soul. I'm not saying lets do commercial adds that run for office with metal videos! Lets have ideas that seperate us from genres of music that have lost their urban down to Earth relative quality appeal. Our community and how important and serious we take metal and as it relates to social issues is relevant to our development as musicians and lovers of this genre. Thank Bru. Ill keep watching 🤘❤.
It's ironic that people are surprised that there's division yet stick up for their political views because politics is from the government and it's governments job to keep us all divided. Think about it
Metal was great! Then,Metallica became a mainstream Bob Seger cover band, NuMetal came along, and the gatekeepers appeared. After NuMetal, the main genres split into micro-genres, and it seemed that there was a "Metal" band for each person on the planet, and the gatekeeping got worse. The kids lost all knowledge of what Metal is, what it represents, what it's all about. Eventually, Slayer retired, Rage Against The Machine became flag wavers for the Machine, and kids started thinking that Ghost is Metal (it's dark Pop, not Metal), and started cheering the politicians who are tearing the world apart, like Trudeau and Biden. Fortunately, the Metal underground has been growing stronger. Many kids (the ones who truly do not want to be associated with mainstream anything) started listening to older Metal. They started bands of their own. They understand what Metal is supposed to be. And "old school" bands, like High On Fire, are continuing to carry the Metal banner, and doing music that is unique and ballsy, the way Metal should be. Ghost? SMFH, in bewildered disgust.
