Bob Suarez

Metal

DI9SCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A REPORT ON METAL, IT IS STRICKTLY ENTERTAINMENT!

Heavy metal is one of the most misunderstood genres of music in our day. Rather unfortunately, this is often a result of brazen ignorance about the subject, brought about by certain sectors of the media, society, and listeners themselves. Instead of blindly back lashing against those responsible for the defamation of heavy metal, I decided to write a history of the aforementioned music, in hopes of providing yet another source of information for those who wish to learn about its development.

Throughout history people have put off and raged at the new age music known as Heavy Metal. It is my belief that these people are honest to god potheads. Now most people would say, “But super awesome, all mighty, powerful, best writer in the world Bob, Most of the kids who listen to Heavy Metal are potheads. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, that’s a negative. Most of the people who listen to Heavy Metal are Hardcore Rocker/Mosher’s, not potheads. The people who listen to slice my wrist, scream anarchy, suicidal, emo music are potheads. The true purpose of metal is to put kids in a place were they feel they belong. A place were there are no rules, no drama. Just hardcore instrumentals and hateful lyrics combined to make the perfect getaway when it comes to dramatic shit like teens and school and all that other crap. Metal has been around for years and, especially in the eighties, it was loved by most, hated by the rest. Heavy metal had a new twist when they were claimed “Satanists.” The Satanic imagery came courtesy of two English bands: Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin's guitarist Jimmy Page (formerly of The Yardbirds, a band that was critical in influencing heavy metal with its psychedelic distortion and in spawning legendary guitar players Page, Clapton, and Jeff Beck) had a strong personal fascination with the occult, while many of Sabbath's lyrics within their ample range of themes dealt with it as well. The Sabs, however, did not claim to be Satanic, unlike many future metal bands; in fact, Ozzy Osbourne, vocalist of the band during those times, claims to have been scared off by fans wearing black robes and carrying candles with themselves.

The satanic idea came to life with KISS. A band that brought metal to life. There lead singer, the acclaimed “devil himself,” Gene Simmons. The stage was lit with flames, insane guitar riffs, and of course, fake blood pouring from the mouth of Gene. And what now? Well we have more insane metal these days. With bands like Slipknot, Disturbed, Mudvayne… the list goes on. These bands make headbanging an understatement, with lyrics like “I wanna slit your throat and f the wound…” From Slipknots song Disasterpiece. Now a lot of people will be hearing this and probably call me some pretty f up shit, but one thing is for certain, I am not just a metal head. Yeah, metal is my one true love, but I also listen to my fair share of other musical miracles like Alternative rock (Three Days Grace, Smile Empty Soul…) and Punk (Zebrahead) and even some good rap (ICP, Dark Lotus, Three 6 Mafia)

So I’m done with my endless ranting about my musical preferences, I just hope that you will now give metal a shot and remember, YOU CAN’T SPELL CRAP, WITHOUT RAP!

Recommended Bands

Those listed above

Shinedown

Korn

Seether

Rage Against The Machine

Flyleaf