Metal Music and Geography

Metal


Defining ‘metal’ music I would say it’s a complex system of categorical types of sounds and themes. There are many genres and styles of metal, but generally a consistent heaviness is associated to the sound. By heavy, I mean low instrument tuning, yelling/growling/screaming for singing, and a faster paced overall melody, although slow extremely heavy ‘breakdowns’ are very popular as well.
Geography plays a large role in music and is very significant in some metal subcategories such as black metal, hardcore and rock & roll. Black Metal is culturally connected to geography, for the most part. Mostly popular in northern Europe, black metal bands depict themes in their music with respect to religion and myth, death, witchcraft and other dark themes. A few examples of these geographic connections are Amon Amarth, from Sweden and Dimmu Borgir from Norway. Amon Amarth represents Scandinavian tales of Vikings and ancient tales and legends. The Norwegian band who you would assume would possess these musical characteristics wears makeup and gothic clothing and are just scary.
Massachusetts has a really strong hardcore metal scene. Hardcore is genre of metal that has a thrashy, grind style sound. Boston has had a vital impact in the hardcore/metalcore music industry (metalcore is a different style hardcore, more melodic). A few notable bands include; Unearth (Lynn), The Red Chord (Revere), Bury Your Dead (Boston), Killswitch Engage (Westfield), The Acacia Strain (Chicopee), All That Remains (Springfield). Of course there are many bands from many places, but the extent that these bands have exceeded in the tough industry Massachusetts is a prominent leader of this awesome music.
Taking a step back from extreme metal bands, some rock & roll influence in the 60’s and 70’s was absolutely geographically consistent from a common area: Britain. Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Who, Bad Company, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and that is to just name a few. These bands have influenced the world of rock & roll more than I can say in this paper and it was England who produced them.
Music is a very important part of my life and I take I’m very passionate about what I listen too. Although I didn’t mention the thousands of other metal/rock bands out there, many types of music are geographically influenced. Modern day fame is best found in the most populated areas which helps influence that talent pool in specific countries and regions, the United States as an example with New York and Los Angeles compared to less modernized and successful nations.

Test

Listen to Between the Buried and Me