Blog # 7

Well, ghosts and ghouls. Since today is Halloween it only seems appropriate that I talk about the connection between gothic/ Halloween themed music (Metal) and my favourite holiday of the entire year, yes, more than Christmas. 

Metal more than Hardcore holds a pretty similar connection to the "Halloween scene" per say. For example, the whole skulls and black clothing shtick holds a special place in every MetalHead's heart, as corny as that sounds. I think Halloween is a holiday for people to get in touch with their inner dark side, which is exactly what Metal music does for it's listeners. 

A great example would be the band Slipknot, although they are pretty well known in the Metal scene. Their whole personality is surrounded around the fact that they wear masks when they perform. So, basically the same thing, except, I'm pretty sure Slipknot doesn't go door to door asking for candy, they play aggressive music instead. 

Halloween was always my favourite holiday growing up as a kid, the candy, the costumes, being outside at night and last but certainly not least the scary movies on TV leading up to Halloween. Most of the time I watch the cheesey children's cartoon movies that I used to watch as kid, for nostalgia reasons, obviously. The movies Halloweentown and the Halloween tree made me realize "Yeah, Halloween isn't 

scary, it's cool!" From a very young age. 

I really think that was my first signs of being interested in the Metal scene, through Halloween. 

Even though I'm 21 going on 22, Halloween is still my favourite holiday. 

See you next week and thanks for reading! 

And Happy Halloween!! 

Blog #6

Today I'm going to be talking about the differences between Hardcore and Heavy Metal.

Hardcore is more on the side of a family. Most Hardcore kids are committed to the music and what it stands for. 9 times of of 10 there's a message behind the music that kids can relate to.

Now, both Hardcore and Metal are both very aggressive types of music. Some convey a message, some are just sound but they both sound very similar, so you're probably thinking "How the heck do you tell the difference?"

Hardcore is much more fast paced and crushing, Where as Metal is louder and more brutal.

An example of Metal lyrics would be when your mother comes into your room and asks you what you're listening to and she says "Is it that kill your mother, kill your father, have the dog for dinner music?"

Whereas Hardcore is along the lines of "Screw the border, Screw the Government, Anarchy!"

Now, take all this information with a grain of salt, not all Metal and Hardcore bands are THAT insane. Some musicians like to take things to a high extreme while others like to chill out on the sidelines a little more.

I hope now you have a much clearer understanding on the differences between Heavy Metal and Hardcore.

Until next week, folks. Thanks for reading!

Blog # 5

What's up fellow Metal heads?

Today I'm going to talk about what Metal and Hardcore music means to me personally. I started listening to Metal when I was 14 years old.

I was introduced to the rocker Meatloaf, I listened to Meatloaf for 5-6 months before I craved something heavier. In the summer of 2007 I started to listen to Slayer, a band that has caused a lot of controversy in the music industry and with the United States Government.

On September 11, 2001, Slayer released an album titled "God Hates Us All" which sparked a lot of controversy with United States Government, Slayer's lawyers responded to the controversy stating "It had absolutely nothing to do with the terrorist attacks. It was a pure coincidence." Due to this controversy I stopped listening to Slayer.

In the beginning of 2008, I started listening to a band called Slipknot. I found hope with Slipknot, growing up I was bullied a lot and I found out I had a learning disability. Slipknot gave me a sense that it's not your fault for being bullied, some people are just jerks.

Then in fall of 2008 I started listening to a band called "August Burns Red" who had a song I could really relate to about being bullied for my learning disability. The song is called "Speech Impediment"

The lyrics are

Your due date is up.
Don't make comments on irrelevant subjects.
There is a man who seeks his own happiness,
and his smile is warmer than five of yours.
You keep singing to a tasteless song.
He whistles to a song of hope.
A night of foolish chatter is easily replaced by a couple bold statements.
Few words are gold, and living is offensive in itself.
Your shallow ideals are about as useless as the gnats in my eyes.
Wake up.
Put your heart where your mouth is.

In closing I think people need to realize that you can find hope and a home in a place you never expected, cause when I listen to Metal, I feel right at home. 

Thanks for reading! 

Blog # 4


Today I'm going to be talking about the music that is very popular among the general population and the message it has, compared to the message Hardcore has.

Most songs lyrically promote sex, drugs and partying. Surprisingly, most Hardcore music does NOT promote that kind of behaviour. Although, some bands do promote the use of Marijuana a good chunk of Hardcore bands in the music industry are Straight Edge.

For those of you at home who don't know what Straight Edge is, it is a group of people who refuse to give in to drugs and alcohol and some Straight Edge musicians also don't believe in sex until marriage. One of my favourite bands of all time called "International Superheroes of Hardcore" has a song called "Captain Straight Edge" with lyrics stating

      "I am Captain Straight Edge and I am here to stay.

                           All you evil drug dealers are gonna see the day where you go down.
                                    If you smoke you choke, you drink you stink.
                                        I'll shoot a laser beam at ya cause!
                                            I am Captain Straight Edge!"

The lyrics are pretty cheesy but it appeals to the Hardcore and Straight Edge community quite a bit. I've been listening to Hardcore since I was 17 and now I have followed down the same path most of these musicians are trying to instil into our society. Live a drug free life! 

 Now, that I've discussed the message the Hardcore scene is trying to instil, let's take a look at the music that is popular among the general public. Jason Derulo has lyrics in his song "Talk Dirty to Me" that state 

                                  

  "Been around the world, don't speak the language

But your booty don't need explaining
All I really need to understand is
When you talk dirty to me
Talk dirty to me
Talk dirty to me
Talk dirty to me"

Despite these lyrics having blatant sexual innuendos this song is extremely popular among kids and teens, Why? Because sex sells! 40-50 years ago this music wouldn't even be placed on shelves. 

Bottom line, there's a big difference between what the music sounds like and what the music means lyrically. So next time you hear something that sounds good on the radio, listen a little bit closer, cause the music you think sounds great may not have the greatest message. 

Thanks for reading!  

Blog # 3

Today I'm going to be talking about the stereotypes people have about Metal and Hardcore music.

        Most people think Metal and Hardcore is simply a bunch of nut cases with instruments who don't know how to play them with a front man screaming into a microphone, while some of that might be true not all this music is coming from an angry background. It's just performed in a aggressive way.

        Believe it or not people in our society have a habit of judging people based on their taste in music, I've experienced this first hand. I've lost friends and I've had people give me weird looks as well as treat me differently because of the types of music that I like, which is ridiculous. People have told me "Oh you listen to Metal and Hardcore? Why don't you have any tattoos? Why is your hair short? Why don't you do drugs?" these are all actual questions I have been asked throughout high school and college.

        If you get to know people who listen to this type of music you will see that most of these people are very down to earth, kind and warm people who play in these aggressive bands. Most of the time Metal and Hardcore bands are making a statement of "don't ever judge a book by its cover." If people approached every single day with this mentality the world would be a much better place.

Thanks for reading!