“Metal connects with people regardless of their cultural, political or religious backgrounds, creating a new outlet they can’t find in their traditional cultures, a voice to express their discontent with the chaos and uncertainty that surrounds them in their rapidly changing societies. Metal is freedom.”
On the surface it would appear that the metal scene is dominated by Europe and America, but metal is very diverse and has infiltrated all corners of the globe. From Asia to the Middle East to South America, metal is everywhere.
Let’s start by looking at somewhere like Japan. For someone not familiar with modern Japanese culture you might think metal and Japan is a strange mix, but you would be very wrong. In the metal world the Japanese are known as being some of the most insane fans around, just picture business men in suits throwing their briefcases in the air and head banging like crazy and you’ll get the idea. If you want to film a live DVD or record a live CD, Japan is the place to do it.
The only place where the passion of the fans rival that of Japan is South America. In Brazil, heavy metal is associated with the arrival of democracy, as after the fall of the dictatorship in 1985, Brazil hosted the biggest rock festival in the world, Rock in Rio. Over the 10 days of the festival over 1.4 million people attended. In Brazil there is also an entire shopping mall dedicated to everything to do with metal. Many musicians use the saying, “The further South you get, the crazier the fans are”, with some fans in South America showing not only the good side of passion but also the bad. Bands have found themselves followed every second of the day by adoring fans, and Nightwish main man Tuomas Holopainen and new singer Anette Olzon received death threats from fans in Argentina angry at the firing of their last singer. Needless to say, tight security at all times is a must.
Finally I’m going to look at the Middle East, one of the last places you would expect to find a metal following. The more relaxed areas of the United Arab Emirates has become a haven for metal fans from across the area, migrating to Dubai once a year for Desert Rock, the only metal festival in the Middle East. There you can find fans from places such as Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, where simply listening to metal music, having long hair or wearing a band t-shirt could result in you being thrown in jail.
Metal is undoubtedly a unifier. Whether you’re from China, Brazil, Israel or Germany you instantly have something that connects you with millions of people worldwide who don’t care about you’re culture or religion, so long as you like metal.
The quote at the beginning was from Sam Dunn, summing up his film ‘Global Metal’. If you’re a fan and haven’t already, I highly suggest you check it out, as well as its predecessor ‘Metal: A Headbangers Journey’. Even if you’re not a fan of metal they’re worth a look.
7/27/2009
7/20/2009
Issue 14 2009
Some of you might be aware that over the break there were some great concerts announced. The original poster boy for controversy, Alice Cooper is back in NZ playing at the ASB Theatre on September the 4th, and if you have the money you should definitely go. I got to see him live last year and Cooper definitely knows how to put on a live show, displaying every bit of his 30 plus years experience. You will not be disappointed.
I’m still uncertain if I will be attending the Alice Cooper concert, but one I will definitely be going to is Arch Enemy on November 10. Playing in NZ for the first time Arch Enemy is a band to skip exam revision for.
For those unfamiliar with Arch Enemy and the type of music they play, here’s a little run down. Arch Enemy formed in 1996 in Gothenburg, Sweden and play a type of metal referred to as ‘Melodic Death Metal’ or ‘Swedish/Gothenburg Death Metal’ depending on who you ask. This genre is generally described as combining the melody of NWOBH with the intensity of death metal. If you’re one who is familiar with European metal, you’ll know that Gothenburg is the home of some of the most successful heavy metal bands going around at the moment. Because of Gothenburg’s seeming ability to leak good metal bands out of every crack in the pavement, it takes a lot to be considered among the best to come out of that city.
Arch Enemy had a head start though in the form of guitarist Michael Amott, former member of legendary Grindcore act Carcass. After fleshing out the rest of the band with vocalist John Liiva, drummer Daniel Erlandsson, bassist Sharleen D’Angelo and brother Christopher Amott as a second guitarist, the band turned out three albums in rather quick succession. But in 2000, having gained popularity in Europe and America, John Liiva was asked to quit the band by Michael Amott, effectively firing him. Amott desired a more “dynamic frontman” and Liiva was just not living up to that expectation. Enter Angela Gossow, now considered to have more balls than most guys because of her ability to perform harsh vocals so well that first time listeners are left thinking she’s a guy. Youtube it if you don’t believe me.
With the addition of Gossow, Arch Enemy have released four more albums and gained even more success and recognition. They are without doubt now one of the heavy weights of European metal.
As I have to have this in for printing before tickets go on sale on Monday the 13th, I am unsure as to how much tickets will cost. But I’d say factor in around $80 into your budget based on previous similar concerts. Not only is this band worth skipping exam revision for, they’re also worth eating only noodles for a week.
PS. I know I skipped the early bassist and drummer, but they were in the band less than a year, they don’t really count.
I’m still uncertain if I will be attending the Alice Cooper concert, but one I will definitely be going to is Arch Enemy on November 10. Playing in NZ for the first time Arch Enemy is a band to skip exam revision for.
For those unfamiliar with Arch Enemy and the type of music they play, here’s a little run down. Arch Enemy formed in 1996 in Gothenburg, Sweden and play a type of metal referred to as ‘Melodic Death Metal’ or ‘Swedish/Gothenburg Death Metal’ depending on who you ask. This genre is generally described as combining the melody of NWOBH with the intensity of death metal. If you’re one who is familiar with European metal, you’ll know that Gothenburg is the home of some of the most successful heavy metal bands going around at the moment. Because of Gothenburg’s seeming ability to leak good metal bands out of every crack in the pavement, it takes a lot to be considered among the best to come out of that city.
Arch Enemy had a head start though in the form of guitarist Michael Amott, former member of legendary Grindcore act Carcass. After fleshing out the rest of the band with vocalist John Liiva, drummer Daniel Erlandsson, bassist Sharleen D’Angelo and brother Christopher Amott as a second guitarist, the band turned out three albums in rather quick succession. But in 2000, having gained popularity in Europe and America, John Liiva was asked to quit the band by Michael Amott, effectively firing him. Amott desired a more “dynamic frontman” and Liiva was just not living up to that expectation. Enter Angela Gossow, now considered to have more balls than most guys because of her ability to perform harsh vocals so well that first time listeners are left thinking she’s a guy. Youtube it if you don’t believe me.
With the addition of Gossow, Arch Enemy have released four more albums and gained even more success and recognition. They are without doubt now one of the heavy weights of European metal.
As I have to have this in for printing before tickets go on sale on Monday the 13th, I am unsure as to how much tickets will cost. But I’d say factor in around $80 into your budget based on previous similar concerts. Not only is this band worth skipping exam revision for, they’re also worth eating only noodles for a week.
PS. I know I skipped the early bassist and drummer, but they were in the band less than a year, they don’t really count.
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