Any Heavy Metal fans in here?

[ChadS]

Wampa’s post got me thinking about lyrics. Who are people’s favorite heavy metal lyricists?

Excellent question Joe. To be honest I’ve never been much of one to pay tons of attention to lyrics and I never tried to “get” what the song is about. As long as something in the lyrics didn’t strike me as odd or somebody trying to sound deep and philosophical in a way only a 9th grader would find cool I pretty much let the words go by.

However now that I think about it I’ve always liked Iron Maiden’s lyrics. They have the feel of a classic horror story without sinking to the level of gore a la Cannibal Corpse. They manage to paint pictures with the words that help to evoke the images they are trying to convey.

From Number of the Beast:

Torches blazed as sacred chants were phrased

Who can’t picture that immediately in their mind’s eye? I find that their other songs like Fear of the Dark, Aces High, Run to the Hills, and Tailgunner all do the same thing.

A non-metal artist who’s lyrics strike a chord has been the Man in Black – Johnny Cash. Perhaps it’s just the way he sings things too.

Which leads to another question. Do you like the song because of the lyrics or because of the way the song is put together? What I mean is do the lyrics lose some of their oomph or punch if sung by another person? Does Master of Puppets have the same power if sung by Pat Boone instead of James Hetfield?

ChadS

 

[NoobSalad41]

I just posted most of my favorite lyrics in the Iron Maiden Fans Please Enter Thread

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=5573082#post5573082

And I just realized that it’s over a year old. Oops

 

[forever_always]

This might be an older post, but I’m a HUGE metal fan, in particular some Christian metal like Mortal Treason, As I Lay Dying, Staple, As Cities Burn, All That Remains…Metallica, some old school Kiss, Judas Priest…

As I Lay Dying and All the Remains are some of my favorites!!!

 

[ChadS]

I think there might still be some life left in this thread. I know I’ve seen less deserving threads resurrected and expanded on in this forum before.

Has anybody run across anything new and interesting, either from some new bands or favorites?

Not too long ago my favorite band Overkill released “Ironbound.” I think it’s a really solid album and actually I think it’s better than their last couple of albums, Killbox 13 being my least favorite.

I haven’t had a chance to listen to Slayer’s new one yet, but I’m looking forward to that.

An album I just recently discovered, although it’s been out for a while is Children of Bodom’s, “Skeletons in the Closet,” which is a cover album. They do a great version of CCR’s “Lookin’ Out My Back Door,” not to mention Andrew WK’s “She is Beautiful.”

I’m still waiting for Anthrax to release something, but that release date came and went. From what I understand they’ve been having tons of problems getting a new singer and having one stick.

Any thoughts?

ChadS

 

[presidentjlh]

I’m big into old-school heavy metal. The newer stuff doesn’t really appeal to me.

Bands like Metallica, Black Sabbath, Maiden, you know, the classics, I enjoy those.

Of course, my favorite band, by far, is AC/DC, but I don’t really consider them “heavy metal”. No doubt there is some heavy metal in their music, but they are really more based on the good old pentatonic scale (the blues) and early rock 'n roll. I like simple, easy to play rock 'n roll that’s fun to listen to as well.

 

[ChadS]

I’m big into old-school heavy metal. The newer stuff doesn’t really appeal to me.

Bands like Metallica, Black Sabbath, Maiden, you know, the classics, I enjoy those.

Of course, my favorite band, by far, is AC/DC, but I don’t really consider them “heavy metal”. No doubt there is some heavy metal in their music, but they are really more based on the good old pentatonic scale (the blues) and early rock 'n roll. I like simple, easy to play rock 'n roll that’s fun to listen to as well.

You can never go wrong with AC/DC. The thing I like about them is you know what you are getting whenever a new album comes out. I know the joke is that they’ve made the same album 20 times, but if that’s what you like then you won’t be disappointed at all.

ChadS

 

[Joe_5859]

It’s good to see this thread come back to life again.

I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the albums you are referring to. I’ve been listening to a lot of Sonata Arctica lately. They’re a Finnish power metal band. Their newest album “The Days of Grays” is pretty interesting, though a little different from their earlier stuff. It’s still a solid album, though.

 

[ChadS]

It’s good to see this thread come back to life again.

I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the albums you are referring to. I’ve been listening to a lot of Sonata Arctica lately. They’re a Finnish power metal band. Their newest album “The Days of Grays” is pretty interesting, though a little different from their earlier stuff. It’s still a solid album, though.

I’m pretty sure that Children of Bodom are also Finnish. I’m not familiar with Sonata Arctica, but I wonder if there are any similarities in their music, although COB tends more towards the symphonic metal side of things with a touch of thrash thrown in.

ChadS

 

[Joe_5859]

I’m pretty sure that Children of Bodom are also Finnish. I’m not familiar with Sonata Arctica, but I wonder if there are any similarities in their music, although COB tends more towards the symphonic metal side of things with a touch of thrash thrown in.

ChadS

I’m not sure. I’ve long heard of Children of Bodom, but I’ve never actually heard anything by them. Perhaps I should look them up on MySpace or YouTube. Sonata Arctica is going in a bit more symphonic direction with their most recent album. Their first several albums were more showcases of double bass drums with some ballads interspersed here and there.

 

[Magneizolator]

As long as the lyrics aren’t morally offensive, I enjoy a good headbanging :banghead: round of metal music. This includes the various subgenres of metal.

I don’t get into the stageshow theatrics, and I certainly don’t approve of the lifestyle etc. of many of the artists at all. I’ve never been to a HM concert and have no plans to ever do so. I just like a lot of the music. (And no, I don’t own any black concert T-shirts.) You could call me a closet HM afficianado.

When all is said, though, Iron Maiden is far and away my favorite. They have proven staying power, and each new release just solidifies their position as the best, IMHO.

And for the record, when it comes to liturgical music, I’m about as traditional as one can be…I absolutely loathe modern church music (for multiple reasons), yet I am 100% for Gregorian chant and Palestrina, etc.

I think you made a big mistake 'cause you’ve never been to a heavy metal concert. Bands like Metallica or Iron Maiden sound really good on albums, but they sound 1000% better on stage…

 

[rapunzel77]

I am a fan of many different genres. I like some Heavy Metal music specifically Metallica, Led Zeppelin, some Guns and Roses, etc. I haven’t heard of some of these obscure bands on here but they sound interesting. Also, I consider myself a “traditionalist”. I prefer to hear traditional latin hymns and Gregorian Chant at Mass. I hate pop/ hip hop stuff and most of the songs that are sung at Mass do sound like pop songs . That could be another reason why I don’t like “praise” music.

 

[Joe_5859]

I think you made a big mistake 'cause you’ve never been to a heavy metal concert. Bands like Metallica or Iron Maiden sound really good on albums, but they sound 1000% better on stage…

I am a fan of many different genres. I like some Heavy Metal music specifically Metallica, Led Zeppelin, some Guns and Roses, etc. I haven’t heard of some of these obscure bands on here but they sound interesting. Also, I consider myself a “traditionalist”. I prefer to hear traditional latin hymns and Gregorian Chant at Mass. I hate pop/ hip hop stuff and most of the songs that are sung at Mass do sound like pop songs . That could be another reason why I don’t like “praise” music.

Welcome to you both!

 

[ChadS]

I am a fan of many different genres. I like some Heavy Metal music specifically Metallica, Led Zeppelin, some Guns and Roses, etc. I haven’t heard of some of these obscure bands on here but they sound interesting. Also, I consider myself a “traditionalist”. I prefer to hear traditional latin hymns and Gregorian Chant at Mass. I hate pop/ hip hop stuff and most of the songs that are sung at Mass do sound like pop songs . That could be another reason why I don’t like “praise” music.

You’re definitely not the first person on this thread to make mention of preferring both heavy metal and Gregorian chants. It actually seems to be pretty common. I had a thought a while ago that perhaps it had something to do with the lyrics. That, heavy metal lyrics can be pretty descriptive and vibrant while much of what passes for modern church music is pretty banal and bland. If anybody looks at the Latin chants in translation you see some very descriptive and vibrant words used there also.

ChadS

 

[Sara_Balzano]

Not really a fan, but I do like some metal bands that are “safe,” if you know what I mean. (NOTE: I don’t care if that makes me a “poseur” to metal elitists. So be it.) Some metal bands I like are Opeth, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Insomnium, Draconian, Ahab, Novembers Doom, Memento Nostri, and Turisas.

 

[VeritasLuxMea]

OK, I am asking this out of pure naivety, but is the term “Judas Priest” a curse of some kind? It sounds strange.

I think the only place I ever heard it spoken (besides in reference to the band) was in the movie “The Exorcist.”

Well it was contained in the name of a Bob Dylan song. Other than that, I dunno.

 

[SilverLight]

I like some bands

Korn
Red
Ramstein and some others.
I like other music also

 

[Codix105]

I like “Metalcore” I have never been into anything really older than 1992 except Elton John my favorites are

Bring Me The Horizon

Asking Alexandria

Architects

We Came As Romans

Of Mice & Men

also I love Katy Perry and Bach so I dont just love Metal

 

[Joe_5859]

Not really a fan, but I do like some metal bands that are “safe,” if you know what I mean. (NOTE: I don’t care if that makes me a “poseur” to metal elitists. So be it.) Some metal bands I like are Opeth, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Insomnium, Draconian, Ahab, Novembers Doom, Memento Nostri, and Turisas.

I don’t see how anyone could say you were a “poseur” for listening to bands like Dream Theater and Opeth. At least, not with a straight face.

I’m with you, though. I’ve never really cared what some self-appointed musical experts say is “true” metal or not. I like what I like. And yes, I like many 80’s glam bands in addition to the power/prog/symphonic metal of today.

 

[fbl9]

My dd just bought me the latest Nightwish, Imaginaerum.
Doro Pesch and Tarja Tururen, Walking with Angels.now thats a tune.
Getting hooked on Within Temptation, especially their Black Symphony.

 

[Sara_Balzano]

I don’t see how anyone could say you were a “poseur” for listening to bands like Dream Theater and Opeth. At least, not with a straight face.

I’m with you, though. I’ve never really cared what some self-appointed musical experts say is “true” metal or not. I like what I like. And yes, I like many 80’s glam bands in addition to the power/prog/symphonic metal of today.

I hear you. These “true metalheads” remind me of those militant atheists who tear to shreds anyone who is even remotely religous. My response to them is this: So what if I like a few “false metal” bands such as Linkin Park, Cold, Flaw, Ill Nino, Killswitch Engage, and Korn? How does it harm them?

To add insult to injury, I bring up the time where I saw Nokturnal Mortum perform live when I visited Minsk. And I’ll admit: I had a lot of fun, although I was somewhat intimidated by the presence of neo-nazis and Slavic nationalists. In fact, I was so impressed by this band that I ordered their album “Weltanschauung” as soon as I returned home. Frankly, it is one of the best albums I have ever heard. When I tell a “true metalhead” about this, they do not know what to say. Its hilarious.