Threads concerning heavy metal: music's true nerds?

Marlat · #1 07-13-2009, 10:53 AM

FIrstly, I will start of by admitting to being quite a metal fan (although such a statement, of course, opens me up to the silly behaviour I am going on to rant about). However, whenever I see a thread online concerning metal, it always seems to me to be the equivalent of a discussion on Star Trek vs Star Wars or who was the better captain of the Enterprise. That's right, I am convinced that metal fans are the true uber-nerds of music. Now, I'm not talking about "geeks" those kinda cool people who are just a little too "in" to a certain topic. I mean "nerds".

You know, "nerds", those socially awkward annoying types who probably deserved all the beatings and harrasment they got in high school because of their snarky "you don't really understand metal" attitude. The same kind of people who will correct you if you make a joke about Klingon's having pointy ears (instead of Vulcans etc).

Some things I have noticed in metal discussions:

1. No one is heavier than the band you like most.

2. It is important to refer to other metal listeners with more casual taste than your own as "kiddies" even if you are only 20.

3. Its not like it was back in the old days (even if you are only 16) and were most defintely not listening to metal in those "old days".

4. No one else is as bigger metal fan as you are.

So what say you? Are metal fans the real nerds or music?

PS. This is in OT because its not a discussion about music, but about music fans, which I think means its not a music related discussion but a person related discussion.

CrispyDelicious · #2 07-13-2009, 10:56 AM

i_got_a_mohawk · #3 07-13-2009, 11:01 AM

warwick.hoy · #4 07-13-2009, 11:02 AM

Yes it's true. Metalheads take themselves way to seriously. Those guys that show their dedication by carving the band's name into their arms???? Uh,.....just no.

I myself am a bit of a closeted metalhead, but I'm sure I'm also "gay" in the eyes of most metalheads because I listen to jambands as well,....a most definitely non-brootal group of bands.

TBH,...I appreciate a little nerd-dom over the guarded pretentiousness of the indie scene. I love indie music, but this,..."if you don't know I'm not telling you" stance is a little self righteous IMO. It's very "You aren't allowed to like that band because I liked them first". Who cares.

René_Julien · #5 07-13-2009, 11:02 AM

I'll take your OP in strife, Marky.

Oh, and noone is heavier than Blind Guardian.

Marlat · #6 07-13-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C'thulhu

I'll take your OP in strife, Marky.

Oh, and noone is heavier than Blind Guardian.

+1

Welcome to Dying, indeed.

Chipsonfire · #7 07-13-2009, 11:04 AM

I agree, but I don't agree with your description of nerds and geeks

René_Julien · #8 07-13-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I myself am a bit of a closeted metalhead, but I'm sure I'm also "gay" in the eyes of most metalheads because I listen to jambands as well,....a most definitely non-brootal group of bands.

I'm actually much like you.

To me, metal is a music style, a genre... I even go as far to say metal is just a medium where I can express myself musicly.

But to thousands of "kiddies" metal is a lifestyle.

And they'll go with whatever band is fashionable in the metal-n00b subcircuit.
Within Temptation, Epica,.... WT* ??

They should dare to share the stage with WASP, that'll make those wannabees retire.
In the good old days metal wasn't so generic as that.

signed, a grumpy old metalhead

Absentia · #9 07-13-2009, 11:18 AM

Yes.
Also note that most metal is not metal
metalliaca = not metal
pantera = not metal
tool = not metal
anything on the radio or you've heard of = not metal
I even had one kid tell me Slayer wasn't metal?!?!?!?!?! WHAT?

They also have the strange illusion that there are enough differences in different metal bands that warrant a completely new genre

metalcore
deathcore
grindcore
death metal
black metal
prog metal
neumetal
for example and I'm sure these idiots could spit out about 50 more "genres"

Completely oblivious to the fact that they all pretty much sound exactly the same.

Hi I'm Absentia I play in a metal band and I hate metalheads and most metal music.

NickyBass · #10 07-13-2009, 11:18 AM

Interesting. I don't recall ever being in the midst of a thread concerning metal, but now I may have to pop in next time I see one.

bongomania · #11 07-13-2009, 11:20 AM

Agreed, metal genre devotion is a type of uber nerdiness. I agree that it is exactly like Star Wars vs. Star Trek "debates".

I say that as a metal fan and someone who has argued Star Wars vs. Star Trek in the past.

René_Julien · #12 07-13-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absentia

Yes.
Also note that most metal is not metal
metalliaca = not metal
pantera = not metal
tool = not metal
anything on the radio or you've heard of = not metal
I even had one kid tell me Slayer wasn't metal?!?!?!?!?! WHAT?

They also have the strange illusion that there are enough differences in different metal bands that warrant a completely new genre

metalcore
deathcore
grindcore
death metal
black metal
prog metal
neumetal
for example and I'm sure these idiots could spit out about 50 more "genres"

Completely oblivious to the fact that they all pretty much sound exactly the same.

Hi I'm Absentia I play in a metal band and I hate metalheads and most metal music.

I agree on the Pantera thing.

CrispyDelicious · #13 07-13-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chipsonfire

I agree, but I don't agree with your description of nerds and geeks

I was once told:

"Geeks dream about having sex. Nerds dream about having sex... in space."

mjolnir · #14 07-13-2009, 11:26 AM

I once met a metalhead who insisted he could crush my soul with a mere flexing of his mind, and in fact did while I was turned the other way.

So now I have no soul. And apparently Alexi Laiho is a god.

...Whoever that is.

MakiSupaStar · #15 07-13-2009, 11:30 AM

Kwesi · #16 07-13-2009, 11:30 AM

If this is indeed the case would jazz heads be like... the country club of music?

warwick.hoy · #17 07-13-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absentia

Yes.
Also note that most metal is not metal
metalliaca = not metal
pantera = not metal
tool = not metal
anything on the radio or you've heard of = not metal
I even had one kid tell me Slayer wasn't metal?!?!?!?!?! WHAT?

They also have the strange illusion that there are enough differences in different metal bands that warrant a completely new genre

metalcore
deathcore
grindcore
death metal
black metal
prog metal
neumetal
for example and I'm sure these idiots could spit out about 50 more "genres"

Completely oblivious to the fact that they all pretty much sound exactly the same.

Hi I'm Absentia I play in a metal band and I hate metalheads and most metal music.

And then they debate whether or not that band belongs in that subgenre or this subgenre. Who cares? Just listen.

CrispyDelicious · #18 07-13-2009, 11:33 AM

Remember rule #1 of metal - Never smile. Ever. Smiling is not metal. Neither is fun.

MakiSupaStar · #19 07-13-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

If this is indeed the case would jazz heads be like... the country club of music?

I would liken Jazz heads to be more like snobby wine drinkers that have very specific years that they drink exclusively, while at the same time reminiscing about years past.

warwick.hoy · #20 07-13-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrispyDelicious

Remember rule #1 of metal - Never smile. Ever. Smiling is not metal. Neither is fun.

That's why metal is so nerdy. There are rules. Eff the rules.