The History and Evolution of Metal - PT. I
With the unfortunate passing of two iconic figures in Heavy Metal this week, Ronnie James Dio & Slipknot bassist Paul Gray, I felt it appropriate to honor their memories by honoring the genre of music they held dear to their hearts! Here is PT. I of my 2 part series... History and Evolution of Metal!
FEEL THE VIBES!
All vibration carries within it a frequency of sound. Some vibrations are inaudible, but many are detectable by the human ear. If you look at the insect and animal world, you see many examples of the living vibration of sound. All people carry their own frequency of vibration, and this frequency resonates throughout our bodies and touches us somewhere deep within. This is why each of us is drawn to a particular sound and style of music, and why what brings satisfaction to one person’s ear may be pure racket to another.
IT'S METAL, IT'S HEAVY...
So, with this in mind, let’s think for a moment about what draws many of us to be moved and uplifted by the ferocious and sonic onslaught of Heavy Metal. For many, it’s the release of a frantic energy that we build up inside of us; for others, it’s the raw power and passion behind the music. Metal has often taken a great deal of criticism for its dark and largely misunderstood lyrical content, but, in fact, metal has long been one of the deepest and most spiritually uplifting forms of art and has touched the hearts and minds of millions worldwide.
FROM CLASSICAL TO METAL
Oftentimes, metal is credited for having parallel roots to classical music, because no other subsequent style has displayed as much form, phrasing, and dynamics the way metal has. Classic metal masterpieces such as Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” were even written with authentic classical arrangement formats in mind (in the case of “Master of Puppets,” it was sonata allegro form), so it’s no great mystery why heavy metal music has made such a huge impact and continues to be a dominant force in the music industry. Yet, there is a great mysterious element to metal music.
WHY IS THE METAL BLACK?
There has always been a deep mystical element present in its sound and presentation, and some of the greatest philosophical questions and concepts have been poetically expressed through this art. It is this mystical element beneath the music that is the real connection between the music and the listener, and the driving force that draws us to an experience with each listen. There is no denying that metal has long been an art form hellbent on delivering the purest expressions of the soul, whether it’s the spiritual and mathematical concepts presented in progressive metal, the incantations and mythic chants of black and gothic metal, or the ever-pervading questions and commentary of life and death expressed in death metal. To Be Continued... R.I.P Ronnie James Dio & Paul Gray (Slipknot)
