Question for fellow metal fans...

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

...What do you say when non-metal fans ask a question like "how can you listen to that? It's just screaming" or "Why are they screaming?"

The last time I was asked this sort of question, I remember saying something along the lines of "It's a perfectly valid form of artistic expression, and I like it" or something like that.

But what would you say?

[F9]

I actually have those questions on metal too, but i dont care to ask people about it.Yours choice to listen people to scream, not me. :p
There are obviously different tastes from people to people on music, something i can listen someone else might think its bs, and exact the opposite, so its just normal to have reactions on the music you hear.

Fuserg9:star:

[Dóchas]

i just say they are "overly energetic". anyway its just a different form of music you could say the same about dance music having the same beat for 10mins. you could find something wrong with every type of music but what one person hates another loves.

[Wanted Man]

Such questions shouldn't even be dignified with a response... I guess some people just find it extremely difficult to even see it as music of any kind. I don't get that. I don't like dance, but I can certainly see what it tries to do musically speaking.

Anyway, if violence is not an option, you could acquaint them with bands on the more melodic end.

[Rusty Shackleford]

some of the bands are complemented well by growling as they were purpose built for it. then you get Regurgitate which is on the verge of ridiculousness haha. Also, metal tends to be energetic(excluding certain bands) so the raised voices add to the effect.

its like asking a country type of person why they like a steel guitar and the same accent over and over and over and over and over

[Skin_HeadBanger]

I say that it fits the music. I love Judas Priest, but I don't want to hear Halford over a blast beat.

Think of the voice as another distorted instrument. It's the energy and innate anger that comes with heavy music.

[redSHARP]

my answer depends on how they ask it. if they ask in a condescending arrogant way, my response revolves around "piss off"

if asked in a nice and polite way and they are sincere on learning, then i usually answer, with "i like the power and beats beyond the songs, the screaming accompanies the awesome guitar and drum action, plus not all metal involves screaming"

[ZeroNowhere]

Eh, I'm more of a USPM fan, so there's not much of harsh vocals in most of my music. When it comes to 'screaming', I generally either invite them to listen to Demilich, or tell them to focus on the guitars (most people seem to be so used to vocal-based music that they find it hard to get used to metal. I took a while to adapt to listening to the instruments as much as the vocals).


I say that it fits the music. I love Judas Priest, but I don't want to hear Halford over a blast beat.
I would much rather hear Halford than blast beats. People use blast beats too much now, it's getting dull.

[NecroCommie]

HERETIC!!! Blast beats never get dull!

And to answer the topic: I usually just glare at them with a "are you stupid or do you just pretend to be a moron?"-look on my face. Who are they to decide what defines as art? What arrogance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi4VkdD_VB0
YEAAAHH!!

[Skin_HeadBanger]

Eh, I'm more of a USPM fan, so there's not much of harsh vocals in most of my music. When it comes to 'screaming', I generally either invite them to listen to Demilich, or tell them to focus on the guitars (most people seem to be so used to vocal-based music that they find it hard to get used to metal. I took a while to adapt to listening to the instruments as much as the vocals).


I would much rather hear Halford than blast beats. People use blast beats too much now, it's getting dull.


Like the high pitch falsetto wasn't played out in the 80's, come on, man. The blast is a staple in death and grind nowadays.

[Invader Zim]

I tell them that what they know of metal could be transcribed onto the back of a postage stamp and leave plenty of room spare.