Instruments are one of the most important conventions of heavy metal, because that is what creates the music and fans of heavy metal will most likely play an instrument. The better make of instrument then the better the sound and this is why they are important because it will make the music better quality. This particular instrument, the electric guitar is VERY important in heavy metal music, as it is the main instrument the listener can hear, they are synonymous with heavy metal because of the noise that they generate, which is associated with heavy metal. A metal band will get a lot of recognition for a good guitarist, so this makes it a KEY convention in ANY heavy metal band.
The image of a band is also a typical convention. Heavy metal bands do have a wide range of looks, but here is a typical look of a modern day heavy metal band. They all have long, rock star hair. They are wearing dark colours (3 are wearing band t-shirts, which are also typical among the fans of the bands). Also, they have tattoo’s which is extremely common among heavy metal bands to have a lot of tattoos. Ripped clothes sometimes feature (in this picture the person in the middle has a ripped shirt) but this isn’t so much of a big convention. A lot of bands like to have crazy piercings as well, in this picture two of the members have stretched ears which is very popular in the heavy metal scene nowadays. Ripped clothes, crazy hairstyles, piercings and tattoos also show a sign of rebellion, which is what heavy metal is, rebelling against the mainstream music scene, so to do this, they must look the part and look rebellious. They need to make the statement that they are different and that they are metal and they want people to know that.
Some metal bands like to use make up as one of their conventions. It is typical among some metal bands, and it helps a band be more unique, and more easily recognized. Some people will recognize this band because of their make-up and it helps make them be more unique and give themselves a band identity that people recognize. The make up will always be dark, and Gothic. Usually deep heavy black eye liner, with powder to make the face a lot more pale. This gives a sort of 'corpse look' which is more traditional towards the Gothic side to heavy metal.
Metal bands like to live the rock and roll lifestyle, and they show this by the way they dress and look, with the long hair, tight jeans, leather coats and dark shirts, They also show this through their attitude and their party life style.
Exotic band logo fonts are another typical feature, they want the font to be crazy and look cool and be something people find unique and have never seen before.
Conventions of heavy metal are also detailed well edited video’s that have a lot of meaning to them; here are some examples of heavy metal music videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi_GN1pHCVc&list=FLx1w0y-kYc4IjuQN4CHMLiw&index=32&feature=plpp_video – Avenged sevenfold – almost easy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2I0ulTZWXA&list=FLx1w0y-kYc4IjuQN4CHMLiw&index=52&feature=plpp_video – Bullet for my valentine – Waking the demon
Both of these videos contain a storyline and special effects, and are typical examples of heavy metal.
Both of these music videos, are typical sounding heavy metal songs, and this can be clearly represented by the guitar riffs, the fact that there is two guitar players playing as well. The music will usually sound 'heavy' or 'aggressive'.
The majority of heavy metal bands are male, it is a very male sort of music to listen to because of how aggressive it is, and how heavy it is. Stereo-typically talking, this is what men like whereas women prefer a softer, less aggressive approach.
Not many heavy metal bands get to be big enough to make it bigger than solo artists, however the older sort of 'old school' heavy metal bands are very successful, and more famous than quite a few solo artists, especially in the older generation. Bands such as 'Iron Maiden' and 'Metallica' are extremely famous and recognized, this is because they brought the heavy metal style into the U.K so they are a huge hit! They inspire many bands, and bands only wish to be as big as them!
Music videos for heavy metal songs are usually in a dark, horror sort of area. They usually inform a story line of some sort of pain, or death inflicting which shows the effects and consequences. Usually the lead singer will be the one going through the consequences, for example in the video "Bring Me The Horizon - It never ends" The area is set at night time, trying to rescue the lead actor (whom is also the lead singer) from death. And the video explains everything that holds him back in life, and how it is slowly killing him, and how he needs saving. Metal videos usually have a lot of meaning behind them, as they are reflected to what the band/singer is going through. This is what makes the message of a music video so powerful, because there is a lot to understand from it, even if the message isn't always obvious.
Both of these music videos, are typical sounding heavy metal songs, and this can be clearly represented by the guitar riffs, the fact that there is two guitar players playing as well. The music will usually sound 'heavy' or 'aggressive'.
The majority of heavy metal bands are male, it is a very male sort of music to listen to because of how aggressive it is, and how heavy it is. Stereo-typically talking, this is what men like whereas women prefer a softer, less aggressive approach.
Not many heavy metal bands get to be big enough to make it bigger than solo artists, however the older sort of 'old school' heavy metal bands are very successful, and more famous than quite a few solo artists, especially in the older generation. Bands such as 'Iron Maiden' and 'Metallica' are extremely famous and recognized, this is because they brought the heavy metal style into the U.K so they are a huge hit! They inspire many bands, and bands only wish to be as big as them!
Music videos for heavy metal songs are usually in a dark, horror sort of area. They usually inform a story line of some sort of pain, or death inflicting which shows the effects and consequences. Usually the lead singer will be the one going through the consequences, for example in the video "Bring Me The Horizon - It never ends" The area is set at night time, trying to rescue the lead actor (whom is also the lead singer) from death. And the video explains everything that holds him back in life, and how it is slowly killing him, and how he needs saving. Metal videos usually have a lot of meaning behind them, as they are reflected to what the band/singer is going through. This is what makes the message of a music video so powerful, because there is a lot to understand from it, even if the message isn't always obvious.
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