So I have this writer friend, a brilliant jazz pianist who wants desperately to understand the appeal of metal. I want to do this right, so I'm going to summarize the posts in this thread in yet another unwarranted attempt to justify our collective tastes.

Personally, I like the contrasts, the dissonance of dualities, the ups and downs - none of that reflects my inner aggression bullshit.
One perspective for me is that metal's like classical music floating under a sea of distortion. The right song (e.g., Die Apokalyptischen Reiter - Erhelle Meine Seele) makes you feel like a swimmer in the ocean: At first it's typical above the surface noise - harsh, cold, salty abrasion - but then, when you dive deep down to where you'd expect numbing silence, you find the ubiquitous melody that pulls it all together. It's a beautiful balance; a yin and yang of order versus chaos. My ideal piece of music, therefore, is something that infuses the wildness of free jazz with a really technical base and pulls it off.

So here's what I need from you - 'fess up. I don't really care if it all started because you wanted to piss off your neighbours, but something kept you coming back and it's about time we had a semblance of justification that trumps "Forget it man, you just don't get it."

I actually like it for the aggression as much as the technicality. Not in an adolescent, 'I am so brutal' way, but I've always been attracted to music that 'had balls', so to speak.

To be fair, I don't listen to much metal anymore, and really only like it live these days. But watching a good metal band get up on stage and tear the place apart still gets the adrenalin pumping like nothing else that doesn't require safety equipment and life insurance.

Actually I think one has to go through the whole pop-classic rock/grunge-metal phase to actually like metal. The main reason I got "into" metal was because I started playing guitar and realised that there is some music out there that may be a little harsh on the ears but is impossibly hard to play. I dont like metal because it is an "outlet for my anger" etc...I like it because...because....ITS GIVE ME THE ABILITY TO GO BESERK AND BANG MY HEAD LIKE MAD...well, yeah it does. I dont think one should really have to justify why one likes metal. I think it has more to do with appreciating the underlying melodies in certain songs, the odd time signatures, the fact that these musicians do put in as much work as anyone else into their music. Except for stuff like CC and Six Feet Under...I can't understand the appeal of that. Also, one more thing, that I dont really care about but your friend may, is lyrics. Take the three Ms, they have brilliant lyrics. I for one don't care much for lyrics because I treat vocals as a musical instrument, but someone may appreciate the music more by reading lyrics, holy wars being a nice place to start maybe.

I think it is unreal to expect someone to like a band like Children of Bodom etc at first listen, but say an album like Scenes from a Memory might work wonders. It has everything that anyone can want in a single album. Ya, I think you should start with that..yup you should.

Wow! Long post after a long time. I think this is long...or not...dont even remember...

Now that you broadly categorise it as Metal, I don't have an answer. With all the sub genres followed by their multiple sub-sub genres!!

I would have liked to believe (like I did as a kid) it's the aggression, but why would I listen to Doom, DSBM, Symphonic, etc then? I love to listen to Black Metal when I'm depressed or feeling low. I can't think of anything better to do at that time. But then when I'm all "happy-happy" I listen to Edguy for hours! Power Metal is more in your face and aggressive than Death Metal. Many may disagree but who cares. The forum is back. We can fight and abuse each others dead relatives and buy each other beer at the next gig.

So it's my current mood that decides which way I wanna go. Not my general appeal towards metal. Classical Music FTW!

Sorry I don't think I made a point or helped your topic. Just spoke my mind perhaps.

PS - Listen to some good metal www.myspace.com/1833ad

Trance FTW.

^
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Metal is probably one of the most original and honest forms of music. It lets you express like no other.
Sure Jazz, Blues and Rock music originated from the Idea of rebellion, but over the years like Hip Hop commercialized. Metal is still very true to its roots.

^^

Its different for everyone. For me it started with Limp Bizkit and Slipknot. The aggression and jump the fuck up vibe. Over time it changed and evolved as I discovered bands like Tool, Isis, Rosetta , Cult of Luna. The layers appealed to me and I was fascinated by the fact that so much was going on at the same time.
My mood also determines the choice of music, If I want aggression I listen to Djent with an experimental touch. But yes I dont listen to Bizkit, Maiden etc anymore.