Chances are you have already filled in the rest of the above phrase. AC/DC’s album was my introduction to heavier rock and metal music. If my memory serves me correctly, it was a birthday gift from my father (who was already divorced from my mom). My memory is foggy on this because it wasn’t a typical gift for a painfully shy introvert who wanted nothing more to be feminine and pretty like the cool girls at my school. Who deliberately listened to the popular songs of the time to fit in but more than once wrote dark poetry that my teachers found disturbing. Who was jealous of the classmates that gave the middle finger to popularity but was too afraid to do the same. Who had parents who hated each other and a dad who really had no idea what his daughter liked (or so she thought).
Thanks, Dad.
It’s funny that I took so long to let myself enjoy the genre that has carried me through the years. Now, I’m not an expert. I can’t name albums and dates (I have Google for that), but when I finally allowed myself to become a metal fan, I found my community.
So, when I had this chance to write about metal music, I jumped at it, then thought to myself…
WHAT THE F&*^ AM I DOING?
Who am I to write about this expansive, supportive, kick-ass genre?
A fan, that’s what. Nothing more, nothing less.
Like the horror community, metal music, in all its forms, is supportive and expressive, giving a voice to those who sometimes feel like they’re just shouting out into the void. In this case, the void shouts back, and it’s freaking awesome.
Do I have my favourite styles of metal? Sure, but I’ll listen to any band once. My tastes vary but tend to be bands you would hear on Sirius XM’s Octane. I’m a big Motionless in White fan, and I think one of the reasons is that they will mix things up once in a while. Recently they collaborated with EDM DJ Illenium on the song Nothing Ever After.
As the only metal fan in my house, with one son and a husband who prefers EDM and another son who likes orchestral (think videogame music), I’ve found myself listening to bands who mix styles. I am a better metal fan for it. My boys have come to appreciate the metal genre as well, even if it’s not their go-to.
Right now, my posts will be about different bands and styles. Bands that you’ve heard of, others you haven’t. We’ll see where I take it from there. And it’s okay if you don’t like, or even hate, anything I post. All I ask is that you won’t be a douche about it. Constructive criticism is fine, but any form of harassment, to me or other commentators, is not.
To start this little journey, I want to know what you like. What styles and bands are your thing and why. Leave a brief comment below so I can take a look.
In the meantime, enjoy the following.
For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
Also, if you’re interested, I’m a poet for TBM Horror and can be found on Instagram.
©2023 Tina McFarlane. All Rights Reserved. Image from Pixabay.
