Most people would be able to point out a typical hardcore metal fan on the street. During Easter and the Inferno Festival Oslo is swarming over with young men and women dressed in black. Many of these young adults also wear t-shirts with obscure logos and weird words that obviously are band names. There are several good and evident reasons to wear a shirt with a band name. The first is of course to support the band. A second might be to show other metal fans that you like this particular band in order to get a conversation going and by this receive some music tips or even gain a new friend. A third reason could be that you feel that wearing such a t-shirt gives you an identity, something to show others a little of who you feel that you are. It could be for the same reason that all these metal fans wear black clothes, leather and metal. That is the standard metal fan uniform. When wearing these clothes we easily identify each other.

the metal underground

One thing that sets metal music apart from most other genres is that it thrives on suppression. The more the media tries to restrain and conceal the metal subculture the stronger it seems to become. The metal underground is a constant surging force that keeps this rebellious music and for some; lifestyle alive. There have certainly been times when the commercial forces have recognised metal music’s potential to be sold to the mass market. Such as in the eighties when the big record companies signed glamorous melodic hard rock bands and sold millions of albums to the masses. Most of these bands are now history or even forgotten but a few survived and made a name for themselves. Still through these occasional mainstream surfacings of metal music the underground has been the main force that has kept this at times highly controversial music genre alive. This metal anti-establishment has bread a plethora of sub-genres and given birth to an incredible number of musicians and bands. So, what exactly is this metal underground?

I would like to rephrase my question: Who is this metal underground? Yes, because the metal underground is in fact a whole movement of people. It has become a very active and worldwide phenomenon in constant change. And who are these people? Well, in essence it’s simply you and I. All the metal fans that have bought an album because they heard about it through a friend, from the guy in the metal shop or perhaps heard a clip from one of the few metal shows on the radio are a part of what keeps this underground alive. Anyone who goes to metal concerts, reads and buys metal magazines or fanzines are a vital part of the metal subculture. Perhaps one could say that the people who arrange concerts, write for the fanzines and magazines or play in the bands are at the core of this dissident society, but all the above mentioned play important roles. All movement requires power. The nourishment of the metal underground comes from the people who through sheer enthusiasm, love or some unknown force dedicate a lot of their time and energy to metal music. So, the question arises: what can I do to help keep the metal anti-establishment alive and thereby ensure the survival of a musical phenomenon that has given me so much? Well, first of all show the world that you love this music. Support your bands through going to their concerts and buying their merchandise and albums. And spread the word. Let your enthusiasm spread. Let people hear the music you love. Write articles, play the albums at parties and get-togethers and wear those aforementioned t-shirt with the band names and logos. And of course learn how to play, sing, scream, growl or even write music and lyrics.

I feel that it’s important that each and every one of us, regardless of our background or origin, understand that we can play a very important part of the metal music movement. Since the first guitar riffs developed into rock, hard rock and metal music, countless subgenres have developed. These have often been created by individuals or groups with an idea of what to them would be the perfect kind of metal and therefore the ultimate variety of music. Many of these ground breakers have been far from brilliant musicians. They have simply pursued an inner sound. They have put their mind into making an audio fantasy a reality. Once this idea is conceived it often attracts likeminded on its way to fulfilment. And of course after an original album with a radically new sound has been born it may be embraced by the metal underground and develop further into its own genre or subgenre. After the actual new sound has been created the artist may focus on perfecting their instrumental skills and bringing the music to an even higher level. Other musicians will be inspired and incorporate parts of the new genre into their own compositions and so it continues thus serving the metal underground keeping it alive and constantly growing and evolving.

Before I stop stating the obvious and writing what you all intuitively already know I have one request for my fellow metal heads: Do not wear black because it’s what you have to do in order to be a true metal fan or Satanist. You are very welcome to wear this uniform in order to show everyone your feelings for metal music and by all means show regular people exactly what you think of their ridiculous religion and lifestyle – I salute you. Just do not believe that the right clothes and image automatically make you a more hardcore metal fan or a truer Satanist. In fact there is no such colour code for Satanists. “Do what you will!” Of course if you feel most comfortable wearing black then please go ahead.

Composed by Ravn