Black Metal terror, Has heavy metal really gone too far?

What am about to write is probably the most controversial topic within the sub-genre of heavy metal music known as Black Metal. This is a sub-genre perfected in a country known as Norway. The most controversial band in the middle of all this is the band Mayhem. A band who took the black metal music genre to extremes with violent and satanic imagery along with violent stage shows where band members use to toss dead pig heads into a crowd along with spraying sheep's blood and even cutting themselves on stage. This band has made a name for themselves through extremities. Vocalist Dead had committed suicide back in 1991. His reasons were the fact he felt that metal music was becoming a trend and a fake one at that at one time was fed up along with many other reasons which I cannot get into at the moment. He left a note from his suicide scene that wrote "Sorry for the Blood". A note that was left to his bandmate known as Euronymous (Guitarist) who didn't even seem to mind the mess at all. In fact Euronymous ran to the nearest store to buy a camera and take pictures. One of these pictures appears on a Mayhem album cover known as "Dawn of Black hearts", But wait there is more! Euronymous in addition took parts of Dead's brain and made brainstew out it. Meanwhile Hellhammer (drummer) made a necklace out of fragments of Dead's skull. Euronymous was a leader of a black metal underground gang in Norway at the same time along with members of band's such as Satyricon, Thorns, Emperor, Burzum, and others. Fuast (drummer of Emperor) was charged for murder of a homosexual who claimed was stalking him. He served a 9 year imprisonment due to this. Samoth (guitarist for Emperor) was charged for a church arson (one of many to come). Now for the most controversial man of all this known as Varg Vikernes. A mainman for the band Burzum. A man who is responsible for up to 10 church arsons in Norway with the help of stolen explosives. At one time a good friend of Euronymous. However this all changed throughout time. Varg was getting overly jelous of Euronymous recogntion within the black metal underground along with fustration of lending Euronymous money to help fund his record label known as Deathlike Silence productions and not paying Varg royalties for Burzum albums sold under Deathlike Silence productions. One day Varg had enough and payed Euronymous a visit. Upon visiting the 2 had a instense altercation which led to a fight. In the end Varg killed Euronymous after 26 stabwounds. Varg was sentenced to 26 years in prison on charges of murder along with previous church arsons. After these actions more black metal music fans around the world also commited violent crimes to come including but not limited to murder, church arson, grave desecration, kidnapping and torturing christian victims, ect. What do I think of all this ? Well I definetly will say I am indeed a black metal fan and I enjoy the music of the bands mentioned in this interview very much but I do not support their actions. For me how can a band go on tour as a band when your members are in jail? Luckily the scene has now changed very much over the years. Now such extreme actions as very rare and bands now realize they should concentrate more on their music rather then comitting crimes to make a name for themselves. There is alot more details to this but this is just small sample. I recommend reading "Lords of chaos" for more information on the Rise of the black metal scene.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_metal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Norwegian_black_metal_scene

Does heavy metal really cause destructive behavior? Who's at fault?

What I always do find ever since I became a fan of this genre is all the people who point fingers at this genre as negative, satanic, and violent. Some people have for years with this genre despised it and hated for many reasons. Granted if this music isn't your thing then I agree you do not have to like it or listen to it. This doesn't mean to me you can make false accusations and blame the musicians for the behavior of others. What do I mean? For example over the years I encountered many metal artists who have been under negative press. Ozzy Osbourne has been accussed of causing a teen to commit suicide due to a song written called "suicide solution". The suicide victims family filed a lawsuit claiming that Ozzy was responsible for their son's death. I mean get for real did Ozzy come up and actually stab your son or gave him a gun to shot himself? The song isn't even about suicide. It was about a person with a drinking problem. Another band who dealed with a suicide lawsuit was Judas Priest. In connection to a song that they only covered. Not a song they themselves written. Then what was funny was the victims lawyer claimed "there was a subliminal message containing the words [DO IT!]. In reality I have listen to this song a bunch of times and there is a slight breathing noise in the music which could have easily been mistaken for that quote "do it!" but even if it was that what exactly do you have to prove it mean't suicide? Another example of the press feading negativity to this genre is when 3 boys raped and killed a girl and happen to be fans of Slayer. Though I do admit Slayer does have some violent lyrics but how does this cause 3 boys to kill and rape a girl? Luckily all these cases were either dismissed or the artists not found guilty. If these artists were found guilty then my question would be what happened to freedom of speech? To me the lyrics of a band regardless weather or not the content or good or violent/obscene, you can't hold them responsible for another individuals action. Are you going to sue the movie creater's of Friday the 13th (movie) for someone who decided to wear a mask like Jason and stab a realative of yours? My point is metal music lyrics are just like a horror movie, you can definetly turn it off at any time you wish. These people who have committed destrutive behavior are really no different then anybody else who is in jail for the same crimes. I think weather they liked the music or not they were disturbed people in 1 form or another.

Does heavy metal really cause destructive behavior? Who's at fault?

The love of being a musician.

If you are a musician did you ever have those dreams of performing in front of big crowds ? Well I know I sure did. Ever since I was a kid that became aquinted with heavy metal music I dreamed day and night of playing guitar one day. At the age of 15 I picked my 1st guitar. I had a strong desire to play just like some of my favorite artists. I always believed "music is a form of expression that cannot be spoken but it can be heard". I wanted to express my emotions through music. Obviously when I 1st started playing I couldn't be Yngwie Malmsteen right away. I usually just at 1st messed around. Then I met a friend who played very well and was a huge fan of Metallica. It was from him I learned rythem parts to metallica songs. From then on all I could do for awhile was think about nothing but playing music. It literally became my life. I started playing in my 1st actual band when I was 18. The band didn't go anywhere but I hungry just to play with other musicians. From this experience I learned alot about keeping a beat, timing, ect.. This was a beginers experience which I do enjoy. This experience helped me to also seek the kind of musicians I want to jam with. The one thing I can give as advice to younger musicians is the only true way of getting better is by jamming with other musicians. That couldn't be no further from the truth. As the years went I played many gigs and til this day I still play shows and it's always a great experience. Especially when you see people screaming at you, headbanging, and moshing to your songs. For me no matter what Kind of day I have had, Once I started playing I feel free of worry and full of joy. Helps get your true emotions out there.

Why is Rock/metal my lifestye?

I been asked this question time and time over. Well my life isn't necesarily about the music I have grown to love so much. My music does influence a bit (I be lying if I said it does not) how I conduct my everyday life. This form of music gives me closure, spirit, and strength for me. Whenever I am sad or happy or just energetic It provides all these feelings and emotions. Ever since I was kid my life was based on stricky video games. Until I was 13 years old I discovered heavy metal music. What got my into this was watching video's from groups like Metallica, Motley Crue, Megadeth, ect.. These bands were playing this extreme form of music and I seen them all banging their heads and it just looked like to me they were all having a fun time. This form of music quickly grew on me and gave me a life view I could have never imagined then. Before then I did have much of a life, no direction, or anything to live for. This music had this bond on me which is one like no other I cannot describe until this day. It helped me pave the way for how I wanted to be seen by others. This music made me feel like I was part of something. Most people when I was in school were listening to pop, rap, or other extreme media friendly music. The music does influence the way I do dress at times. At school I would be the only one with a Slayer or Megadeth shirt. People would look at me in schock because I would also wear all black and this helped made me stand out. I didn't just want to be like everyone else back at school. I back then had problem fitting in with the crowd then and until then I was always the kid who wanted to belong to that crowd. After I found this new direction I said I want to be a leader of something , NOT a follower. For the most part in school this lifestyle which I lived by wasn't acceptable to others. Mainly it was considered satanic or considered obscene. As years went by I eventually found others who accept my vision and from then on I found my own crowd of those who wanted my friendship. I wanted to be known for being myself and thats what I always will be from here on in. Metal lifestyle to me means staying true yourself in both heart and soul and to not be a follower.

Balancing the rock and roll lifestyle with career and school.

Like many fans of rock/metal we all want to live the lifestyle of fun and partying but can we do it everyday? For alot of us the answer is no and for some yes. I happen to be part of the crowd that says no. As I live everyday more and more I have the daily responsibilites of school, work, and I have a band & a girlfriend. How do manage to balance every thing? Well there is a way to make time for everything. You just have to learn to balance. Myself I happen to work a 12 pm - 9 pm schedule with wedsdays and thursday off. I took this schedule so that I may have time to do my responbilities and the things I love to do.

For example here is part of my schedule (regaularly but does change weekly so do not expect this to be the same every week)

Sun : 12-9 work, 10-12 girlfriend spending time, 12-3 school/homwork/study
monday: 12-9 work, 10-12 band practice, 12-3 (study)
tuesday: 12-9 work, 10-12 band practice, 12-3 hangout or study (depending)
wedsday: day off, 11 am wake up, Errands, study, hang out, girlfriend, hit bed by 3 am.
thursday: day off, 11 am wake up, Errands, study, hang out, girlfriend, hit bed by 3 am.
friday: 12-9 work , 10-3 hangout/party or study (depending)
saturday: 12-9 work, 10-3 hangout/party or study (depending)

this is just an example of what I can do to help save myself time to get what I like and what I need done.

You too can have a schedule like this as well. You just need to know how to balance your hobbies and responsibilities. Set up a plan and stick to it. Why do I choose to work a later schedule on swing shift? well since I do like to consume alcohol at night i want to make sure that I can still wake up the next morning and go to work fine. Usually by 2 am I am done consuming alcohol but I never over do it a night before work the next day and I do not drink everyday. By 3 am I am in bed sleeping until 11 am which then I wake up and go to work. I am not saying this trick can work for everyone but try doing this. First calculate how many hours you work, then try evaluating how much time you usually study/work on school related things. After that then time yourself how much time you use to spend doing your hobbies. Lastly think about how many hours you need in order to sleep for. This after you done all this try to come up with a strategic schedule. Remember my schedule and this trick will not work for everyone 100% or is a easy fix-it schedule to time management. My schedule is always the same everyweek just like anybody else. Also keep in mind some sacrifices for personal hobby time have to be made from time to time.