It started off by looking at the root of metal which included a lot of blues and sixties rock. This origin is accepted and not that contentious really, but it was good to cover the early years of the genre and how it grew out of the raw blues and rock music of that era.
The series went on to cover and explore the early years of metal with Black Sabbath and Deep Purple and how the music gradually grew heavier and darker.
It also looked at sub genres like the hair metal of the eighties, grunge, NWOBHM, nu metal and the shock metal which includes artists like Alice Cooper and bands like Slipknot. These were interesting, but I have to admit the episode I enjoyed most was the one that covered thrash metal and I realised this is the style of metal I enjoy most.
Bands like Pantera, Metallica and Sepultura are what I grew up listening to (as well as a range of other bands) and it was interesting to learn more about this style of metal and what it is about it I like so much.
It was fun to see some of the costumes and stage effects of some of the bands mentioned in the series. From the bouffant hair of the hair metal bands and the spandex of Iron Maiden and other bands, to the platforms and make-up of Kiss, there was plenty to amuse and entertain.
It is quite rare to find programs dedicated to metal music, let alone a whole series and I have to say I enjoyed every episode. It showed me why I love this music so much and also introduced me to some bands that I can go away and explore further.
If you are interested in Metal and you happen to see the series repeated (which is likely at some point as it is cable TV after all) then I suggest you take a look. There may be the odd episode that interests you less than others, but overall it made for informative and entertaining viewing.
I’m going to go and put on some of my favourite albums, wave my devil horn hand in the air and rock out a bit. You can’t beat the feeling.
that is a very informative, well constructed article. What inequiring minds want to know is... did you air guitar?EE
ReplyDeleteHi EE,
ReplyDeleteHells yeah, I air guitar on a regular basis anyway. I also air drum, air bass guitar and if I'm feeling more sophisticated I even air cello and air violin. I'm nothing if not versatile!
the air violin and cello hhm if that is done in an unlit room does it become a well known 80s band?
ReplyDeleteI totally missed out on Heavy Metal, I guess I was busy raising the kids -- but Alice Cooper singing Just the Life of a Working Man is one of my ALL time FAVOURITE SONGS. I know it isn't heavy metal, but I love it, totally and completely. I find it incredibly beuatiful whether sung to a Sesamee Street puppet or in black and white as a video noir. It is absolutely in my top ten, which is really secretly a top 150, but shhhh that's a secret. Thank you for this entry! I don't air guitar except rarely and actually Big Jim is quite impressed with my air guitar, which I rarey do ... however he yells STOP THAT! if I sing along with anything, ever. So harsh!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteMy top ten is also a top 150+, I know how difficult it is to formulate music lists!
ReplyDeleteAlice Cooper is great and I have many fond memories of playing his music over the years.
You've gotta air guitar if you get the chance, very cathartic and lifts the spirits. Head banging and thrashing your metal hair is also good for this!
This is how I stumbled across your blog, read a review you wrote on amazon about Investment for dummies then followed your blog expecting more articulate opinions and ideas on the matter.. what a relief to find you indulge in the arts as well!
ReplyDeleteLike the others mentioned a great article, keep it up and Ill keep visiting :)
my blog: www.eneyes.blogspot.com
Hi Nathalie, thank you for your comment, it's always great to see new readers here. I'll look forward to seeing you here again, feel free to comment and share in the discussions.
ReplyDeleteI love rock,even heavy rock. I don't particularly like heavy metal or "thrash" most of the time. While I like the feeling of a rhythmic bass or drum beat, I swith off when it just seems to be a clashing wall of sound.
ReplyDelete