transitional
tranˈzɪʃ(ə)n(ə)l,-ˈsɪʃ-/
relating to or characteristic of a process or period of transition.
As a Metal fan, I get pretty frustrated (and assume many others are) when our music gets misrepresented. We cringe when a band is tagged with the wrong subgenre. Of course Metallica isn't Death Metal they're Doom Metal. See what I did there? Unfortunately the way many respond to those claims are by unleashing hordes of keyboard vikings and attack them as if they just made the most racist comment in the history of the internet. Who can resist the Shakespearean nature of lines like;
And who else could not be charmed by the romantic poems like this;
No wonder Metalheads get misrepresented, these people never get the chance to be corrected. The worst part is that when new fans try to climb up the genre to something heavier (or for some, more extreme), they immediately get crushed by elitists, acting like Gollum.
Now, there are some people who will definitely not bulge and still make ignorant comments about how Metalheads are just potheads who never grew up. But like any form of bigotry, they would still stay bigots. The question is right now, how do you handle people who honestly want to know more about the subculture? Let's say somebody who already listens to Metalcore, or even Nu-Metal, and they want to know more or you want to recommend bands. It's stupid to suddenly shove them Anaal Nathrakh's "Between Shit and Piss We Are Born" and comprehend the madness behind it. Even the song title seems too extreme and might give them a heart attack. So this where you have to give them "transitional bands." These are bands that are heavier than usual but sort of accessible, to help them transition to heavier stuff. Now I'm not going to give traditional "Heavy Metal" bands like Sabbath, Priest, Maiden or Metallica since there's still possibility that they might stumble upon them in classic rock stations. These are tracks that they might come upon unless someone recommends them. Below are some recommendations:
Now, there are some people who will definitely not bulge and still make ignorant comments about how Metalheads are just potheads who never grew up. But like any form of bigotry, they would still stay bigots. The question is right now, how do you handle people who honestly want to know more about the subculture? Let's say somebody who already listens to Metalcore, or even Nu-Metal, and they want to know more or you want to recommend bands. It's stupid to suddenly shove them Anaal Nathrakh's "Between Shit and Piss We Are Born" and comprehend the madness behind it. Even the song title seems too extreme and might give them a heart attack. So this where you have to give them "transitional bands." These are bands that are heavier than usual but sort of accessible, to help them transition to heavier stuff. Now I'm not going to give traditional "Heavy Metal" bands like Sabbath, Priest, Maiden or Metallica since there's still possibility that they might stumble upon them in classic rock stations. These are tracks that they might come upon unless someone recommends them. Below are some recommendations:
1) At The Gates - Under A Serpent Sun
Why: Now this would seem like an obvious choice for some but here's the reasoning anyway. This track is fast, quick, catchy and is the basis of most modern Metalcore bands. It's something emo or Metalcore kids could easily latch too without being too alien. It may take time for them to get used of not having a breakdown during the bridge but by time there's a possibly they'll crave more for faster tracks and Thrash-ier riffs.
2) In Flames - Episode 666
Why: Well, simple the melody lines are just to get into but the riffs are crunchy enough to give them the "kicks." Most of In Flames is mid-paced anyway and this could give some variations to those don't something too fast.
3) Ludicra - In Fever
Why: This could be their first exposure to Black Metal, one of the more impenetrable subgenres due to their harshness, lofi aesthetics and elitist attitude. So instead of giving them Darkthrone's Transylvanian Hunger or Mayhem's Deathcrush, show them the "artsier" side of Black Metal. Another quality of this band is that the band has strong female figures and a charismatic female vocalist. At least you could dispel the stereotype that not all metal is chauvinistic and misogynist. If they go down darker roads, that's just a positive but they just need a gateway.
Why: Still too complex and heavy for them? How about something that's calming instead. This album practically inspired the whole Shoegaze and Post-Rock influenced bands in today's Black Metal. This track specifically has no shrieking vocals and could be a really calming track that even a non-Metalhead could enjoy. The folk influence could even crossover to some of your indie/hipster fans just like how it happened with the new gen of Shoegazers in Metal today. Just hope that they are able to open their minds to other tracks with the regular Black Metal vocals.
Why: This could be their introduction to Doom Metal. Accessible, catchy lyrics but with crushing guitar riffs. Probably the lightest between all of the recommendations here. Older and more traditional Doom Metal may come off as too cheesy for them, due to the 80s aesthetics. At least this kind of Doom is much more modern and more palatable for the modern ear.
Bonus:
(1) Listen to Agalloch's Pale Folklore though they might more likely to get into folk rock after listening to that instead.
(2) For your indie rock friends, listen to Vaura. It's a mix of Joy Division with Black Metal influences, from tremolos and blast beats. However, the band is barely Metal.
All in all, this might be easy listening to you, but you have to think from an outsider's context. Always remember, the rule of thumb is to not be an idiot shoving any of your precious metal CDs into their faces. Only give them these bands to them if they want to no matter how much you like those bands, or else it's like rape. No one likes rape. If you have any other tracks you may think is suitable (Enslaved? Opeth?), please do comment below.
PS/ Now I feel like a preacher teaching people how to convert. Ugghh.
PS2/ If you are not versed in metal, no Metallica is not Doom Metal, they're Thrash Metal.
4) Ulver - Capitel 1: I Troldskog Faren Vild
Why: Still too complex and heavy for them? How about something that's calming instead. This album practically inspired the whole Shoegaze and Post-Rock influenced bands in today's Black Metal. This track specifically has no shrieking vocals and could be a really calming track that even a non-Metalhead could enjoy. The folk influence could even crossover to some of your indie/hipster fans just like how it happened with the new gen of Shoegazers in Metal today. Just hope that they are able to open their minds to other tracks with the regular Black Metal vocals.
5) SubRosa - Borrowed Eyes, Borrowed Time
Why: This could be their introduction to Doom Metal. Accessible, catchy lyrics but with crushing guitar riffs. Probably the lightest between all of the recommendations here. Older and more traditional Doom Metal may come off as too cheesy for them, due to the 80s aesthetics. At least this kind of Doom is much more modern and more palatable for the modern ear.
Bonus:
(1) Listen to Agalloch's Pale Folklore though they might more likely to get into folk rock after listening to that instead.
(2) For your indie rock friends, listen to Vaura. It's a mix of Joy Division with Black Metal influences, from tremolos and blast beats. However, the band is barely Metal.
All in all, this might be easy listening to you, but you have to think from an outsider's context. Always remember, the rule of thumb is to not be an idiot shoving any of your precious metal CDs into their faces. Only give them these bands to them if they want to no matter how much you like those bands, or else it's like rape. No one likes rape. If you have any other tracks you may think is suitable (Enslaved? Opeth?), please do comment below.
PS/ Now I feel like a preacher teaching people how to convert. Ugghh.
PS2/ If you are not versed in metal, no Metallica is not Doom Metal, they're Thrash Metal.
Terence A. Anthony commutes between Kuala Lumpur and Kuching. Co-Founder of Aural Chaos. He also writes for Greater Malaysia and Opinions Unleashed.