I am a big fan of Black Metal and to many people they tend
to think the whole style of music is a joke. Not so much because they have
listened to it and decided they don’t like it but because what they have read
or have seen. Yeah back in the early days a few churches were burned and
someone was murdered. Why was this linked to Black Metal? When Phil Spector
murdered Lana Clarkson did everything he was associated with become linked to
murder? Remember he has produced many bands and artists from former Beatles to
Gene Pitney and the Ramones. So when Tina Turner sings a song live is it told
as “And Turner is now singing the song that was produced by murderer Phil
Spector”?
Nope this is never the case, and again when the Columbine
High School massacre happened it was linked to the two murderers listening to music
and the Goth trend. How come when someone is murdered you never read that the
murderer had an ELO cd in their car or that they had a concert ticket to see
Kylie?
So just to make a point forget the fucking murder and move
on.
Next up is the look of the music from the artwork to how the
fans dress. People see the face paint and the bands having photos taken dressed
as warriors and stuff and think the band are being serious. Come on think about
it, it really is just for fun, a giggle. Most of the fans are like me and don’t
feel the need to dress in leather spikes and studs. Ever thought of any good
things to come from the dressing up? How about you can’t get recognized in your
own country or town. This gives you some sort of freedom. Most bands really don’t
do the gimmick stuff now and many don’t even play live, just no money in it and
the whole genre is still pretty much underground. Only one band has ever signed
to a major label. Many of the early bands started in smaller towns in Norway
and I am sure dressing up and pissing about in spikes was a way of starving the
boredom as well.
Again forget the fucking makeup and clothes, look at Bono he
dresses like a prick but pop music is not mocked as one because of it.
Artwork on albums is something most people find artistic.
Many artists have featured on albums and singles and the right cover can sell
more copies. But the whole look of Black Metal still comes from the early days.
Tape trading in the 80s was very big and the only way to find out about new
music. Just think no internet and people were still able to get into new and exciting
music. With the BM underground getting more popular you then get fanzines and
demo tapes being sold to people directly from fans and bands. I remember a
friend asking me why the bands have logos that you can’t read. It can be said
it is to stop outsiders from gaining entry to the music but really think about
it.
Back in the 80s when you photocopied something the copy
tends to have many defects in quality. So a big reason why you can’t read the
text may be linked to crap photocopying and not to some secret plan made by the
king of metal. Ok some of the artwork is a bit out there but it IS still art
and at times fucking amazing art. Unique and inspiring is something I would say
but to an outsider it can be said to be mental or weird. And again all music
has a style for the cover art, it is just the way it is.
Would a blind person not listen to a CD just because of the
cover?
Now the most important part of it all, the music. People
have a very odd idea in that all BM sounds the same. “It’s just noise” or “I
could make better music throwing cans down stairs” well ok go on then. Fill me
in on how many people buy it.
The term Black Metal was first used by the UK band Venom to
name their second album. As the album was a big change from the first sound
wise they wanted a name to suggest this. So the name does not go with a sound
much like how you have many names for heavy metal sub genders.
“it’s just too fast” Ok listen to some Burzum “Too loud”
well turn it down “No tune” exactly if you want a tune go buy a Coldplay album.
Many more reasons are given for not liking the style and ok I will let people
away with the fact they just don’t like it but don’t say it is shit if you don’t
get it.
John Peel got it and he was one cool guy.
