A Headbanger 's Roots

Pseudoscience aside, Holst’s The Planets has thrilled audiences around the world for over a century. Mars, Bringer of War’s influence can be witnessed from Hollywood science fiction scores all the way to the birth of heavy metal music. Black Sabbath’s Geezer butler credits Holst’s tri-tone progression as inspiring the main theme from their debut album’s title track, Black Sabbath. This was a sinister sound not originally heard in rock n roll music, beginning the separation of the genre now known as heavy metal from its blues and rock n roll

     During the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was a new wave a British Heavy Metal entering the cassette and 8-track decks of people everywhere. Over in Denmark, current Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, was a hug fan of this type of music. So obsessed with this music, Lars Ulrich wanted to start a heavy metal band... a band that he could play his favorite

In terms of society and musically, Led Zeppelin are credited as the inventors of the heavy metal genre. They were the forerunners of a style of music that would captivate society and guide a generation.

Rock and roll helped break many people out of the pre-war mindset and into a new, fresh one. Although many adults detested rock, the younger generation felt that it symbolized a break from the war and the “age of anxiety” that the previous World War had caused. In addition, it promoted a promiscuous lifestyle that celebrated sex and drugs. Rock and roll seemed to be associated with this because many of the “rock stars” endorsed in a loose and laidback standard of living. Because many of the performers practiced recreational drug use, followers felt compelled to do so as well, feeling that that way of life was acceptable. Rock and roll was thought to be outlandish, primarily because of the performers’ gyrating and grinding of their hips, their suggestive lyrics, and rebellious undertones that provoked erotic senses in teenagers and upset parents. Rock and roll was said to establish a sense of identity and power in teenagers, mostly because of the new energy that came from the new style of music. Rock music was seen as satanic by the older generation because it seemed to lead to the

I spent the first ten years of my life, roughly, homeschooled and constantly around both my parents. During this time, I had no choice but to listen to whatever music they enjoyed playing drying the day, whether it was Seal in the car or Melissa Etheridge on the home stereo. Once I had struck my preteens, and with the help of my then high-school aged sisters, I was introduced to punk rock and hard rock genres of music. This became a new addiction for me; it felt rebellious, cool, in style and new. Eventually, it felt very repetitive and it seemed as if everyone was trying to emulate the same sound. So, after a short time, I began searching for music on my own. I bought Coldplay and Vampire Weekend albums, and was on the lookout for music with a more sophisticated feeling than what I had been listening to previously. I was then hopelessly addicted to music that I was discovering, and was proud to say I found my own style of music to listen to. After I received Coldplay’s album, “A Rush of Blood to the Head” as a Christmas gift, I would play it daily to

Normally, when you think of Metallica, you think of the heavy metal sound the band is famous for. But, if you think that's the only kind of music the band members, and former band members, enjoy making, you are sorely mistaken.

Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll or rock 'n ' roll) is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States. The music we know as rock and roll emerged as a defined musical style in the mid 1950s, even though a form of it had been on the horizon for at least a decade or so. A quarter of the American population moved during World War II, and that is what brought southern, rural, sacred and secular traditions into contact with urban-based music and its audiences. Rock and roll drew on many different styles. It derived most directly from the rhythm and blues music of the 1940s, which it developed from earlier blues, boogie-woogie, jazz and swing music. It was also influenced by gospel, country, western, and traditional folk music. With the combinations of all of these genres of music, that help to create this new style of music excited a worldwide generation of young listeners. Even though it had the attention of young listeners it started to upset the already established social, cultural and musical authorities. With this new music style coming into full affect along with new dances and people having voicing out their own opinion caused a lot of turmoil. Many people began to question this new genre of music and labeled it as the devil music while other loved it and couldn’t help but dance

Due to the fact that the band was traveling around so much, the Deadheads spread their subculture throughout the United States. Because it was such a prominent time for hippies and peace, the way the Dead Heads lived was appealing to so many people. People who were searching from freedom from parents, government, and school happily joined the Deadheads on their journey when they passed through their town. Many people even left their families behind to join the movement. The community connected people from different places and backgrounds that wanted to experience the music and live their lives in the same way. The band took the listeners on a journey that they could all relate to, especially those living and moving with

As one of the most popular music genres, rock music has grown and expanded to incorporate many styles throughout the years. A rock band usually consists of a vocalist, an acoustic drum kit played with a strong beat, usually a back beat, and features electric and acoustic guitars. From its beginnings in the late 1950s and early 1960s until the present day, rock has changed styles seemingly every decade as new bands become popular because of their unique style of music. Throughout the years rock has influenced our culture and helped shape the world we live in today.

Heavy metal in the 1980’s is hard to describe. Its static style did not change much from the 1970’s, but the lyrics, image, and theatrics took a step forward. Heavy metal had a huge impact in the 1980’s and there were many successful bands.

Their triumph dates back to pre-1900’s roots in blues music, which eventually evolved to rock and roll. Following was the start of blues rock, leading to psychedelic rock. Glam rock is the derivative of psychedelic rock, leading to glam rock. Mötley Crüe is a primarily glam metal band, which is subsequent to glam rock. Motley Crüe use the bass guitar, keyboards, mandolin, harmonica and vocals to create their take on glam rock and heavy

Each new music genre introduces the counterculture or opposition of previous generation’s values. Led Zeppelin sparked the beginning of the heavy metal culture-- the counterculture to psychedelic rock. The anti-war movement was also prevalent in this counterculture. Led Zeppelin and the Vietnam War influenced the new, darker, generation of rock: heavy metal.

Their music first began sounding more pop-metal, then over time the band developed a more distinct rock sound that fans loved. A few of the groups’ influences include AC/DC, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles. When listening to their music you can hear how these groups have influenced their sound

What's to be said about metal that hasn't been said yet? The genre has crawled out from the darkness and the popularity of it has sparked numerous respectable bands and plenty of forgettable ones. Nevertheless, there are always those few bands rooted so deep into the genre that the appearance they settle with in doom metal appears to be their natural state. Releasing their 15th album since their formation in 1988, Halifax, England's Paradise Lost is one of the godfathers of the genre, fluctuating between doom, gothic and synth rock throughout their almost 30-year career.

Judas Priest was influenced by Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. Both Black Sabbath and Judas Priest came from Birmingham, and were heavily influenced by the factories and bleak surroundings of the area (Bowe 26). Early in their career, Black Sabbath had let Judas Priest borrow their rehearsal space. One of the first members of Judas Priest had briefly been involved with Earth, which was the band that became Black Sabbath