Metal Heads Assemble!!

[Ack]

I could probably just list off some bands that don't deal with gore or anti-religion as primary lyrical themes. Pretty much just leaves you with death/violence, society, and fantasy/occult stuff.

Couldn't we point him to Unblack Metal or whatever it is called?

[Forlorn Drifter]

Ack, I know all of those. Not too big a fan of Destroy Destroy Destroy, but there's worse stuff out there.

I can look myself, I'll be fine. I was just wondering if there was anything in that very specific vein. I know a good way to find metal that isn't anti-religious or whatever.

On Unblack metal, the vocals are very iffy for me. Sometimes I like black metal vocals, sometimes not.

[AppleQueso]

So much emphasis placed on lyrics...

[Forlorn Drifter]

So much emphasis placed on lyrics...

We've been over this before! I like lyrics, lyrics are important. Why take the time to write them if you don't want them heard or understood?

[AppleQueso]

Lyrics are the single most overrated element of any music ever. They serve a purpose, sure, but I'm not exaggerating when I say that I prioritize literally everything else over them. In the context of metal; the production, riffing, basslines, drumming, structure, vocalist's tone and phrasing, leads, harmonies... all of those are more far more important.

When I'm looking for new bands or checking out stuff, I usually won't even read any lyrics until after I'm already well acquainted with a band and listening to them for a while.

[brunoafh]

Lyrics are the single most overrated element of any music ever.

Well I wouldn't really consider lyrics an element of music and I don't think overrated is a good term to use with music or anything artistic, I agree with what you're saying. Lyrics are last in line for what I care about when I'm listening to anything, as far as vocal expression goes all I care about is the melody. I really enjoy instrumental music for this reason. Vocals often get in the way, and worst of all lyrics are sometimes the main point of the song. I do not care for that ever. This gives me kind of a weird relationship with my love for metal, as really all I am listening to or care about is the music composition. Over the years though I have grown to think a lot of death metal vocalists sound fitting though.

Also, as far as goofy Satanic metal lyrics go, for the most part (I'm sure there are some whackos that are serious) these guys are just joking. Nothing to take seriously, it's just for fun.

[Forlorn Drifter]

I understand what you are saying, but for me it is a part of it. If its a death metal band that sings about stereotypical gore and has the lyrics 3/4s of the way down in the mix, I don't really mind. But if its something anti-religious or racist and at the top of the mix, it becomes important.


Listening to Bathory.

[AppleQueso]

Listening to Bathory.

All that stuff about disliking anti-religious stuff and then you turn around and listen to the band that wrote "In Conspiracy with Satan"

[Forlorn Drifter]

Listening to Bathory.

All that stuff about disliking anti-religious stuff and then you turn around and listen to the band that wrote "In Conspiracy with Satan"

...I'm listening to the Viking-era stuff. This is metal, where you're actually allowed to listen to specific parts of a bands discography if you like/dislike certain changes.

I have a friend who only listens to grindcore era Carcass, and a friend who only likes the metalcorish era In Flames.

[AppleQueso]

Listening to Bathory.

All that stuff about disliking anti-religious stuff and then you turn around and listen to the band that wrote "In Conspiracy with Satan"

...I'm listening to the Viking-era stuff. This is metal, where you're actually allowed to listen to specific parts of a bands discography if you like/dislike certain changes.

Oh, I was unaware that other genres you were forced to listen to everything.

I just figured such a principled stance against certain lyrical themes would deter you from listening to anything from a given band.

So where exactly are we considering the "viking era" to start? Because Blood Fire Death has some pretty blatantly anti-religious stuff on it.