Heavy metal is a genre that is commonly also known as metal is a sub-genre of rock music, which developed in the late 1960's and early 1970's - largely in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Heavy Metal also has roots coming from psychedelic rock, and also blues rock. This basically giving it a twist of many genres in it's own little way. When the genre came around, it was unique thanks to it's lengthy and often guitar solos, emphatic beats and it's overall loud thick sounding style. Some of the first heavy metal bands being Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and also Deep Purple which attracted large audiences instantly. These bands still being popular in modern society today, or at least the society which listens to this specific genre as well as others with similar styles. Although these bands were often feared due to their style, and more often than not, also their appearance. Even though no-one can actually beat a classic. But at the time, this style of music was shocking to listen to, feared, and often considered as violent - most people stereotyping those who did listen to that music style as vicious, dangerous and also violent.
Lyric Themes
Black Sabbath and the other bands which brought around the heavy metal genre in music, often were considered to have lyrics of a dark persona, which focused on matters such as; depression, personal trauma, the effects of drug taking, and also loss. This may have been one of the reasons why people who did listen to this music, were often frowned upon, as well as being accused of having violent mannerisms.
Image
When it came to the heavy metal genre, most bands were considered to have a certain memorable image about them, it's one of the keys to the success of their popularity. In addition to the instrumental style, as well as lyrics, the outfits and physical style is what made them who they are. The image was expressed by their appearance, such as tattoo sleeves, the band's logo, stage sets, clothing, makeup, hairstyles, and also their music videos. Some of the heavy metal artists such as Alice Cooper, Kiss, Lido and even Ozzy Osbourne were classed as having outrageous on set performances, as well as on stage personas. One of the most famous acts on stage being Ozzy Osbourne's stunt of biting off a bat's head.
Makeup
Kiss were one of the first bands known to cover their faces in makeup, one member even decorating their face to look like a cat throughout their career. Although the makeup may have been used to add to their persona, it was also used to hide their actual appearance for quite some time, due to their religion not actually appreciating the glam rock/heavy metal genre. Yet, the makeup trend has continued into the new bands that we say today, such as Black Veil Brides and also Motionless in White. Though this is not to hide their identity.
Hair
Heavy metal bands always seemed to have long hair, it was actually rare that a band didn't have that image or style about them. The long hair which ran down their back, was originally taken from the ideas of hippies. When it came to the 1980's and 1990's the heavy metal hair style was symbolic. Those who gained the style were often looked upon as hate filled and aggressive. Long hair gave the members of the heavy metal community the "power to hate against nothing at all."
Clothing
Fashion in the heavy metal community was just as important as hair styles, and also makeup, whether it be placed on the face or around the eyes. Most of the fans who followed the genre of heavy metal stuck to wearing band shirts, black shirts, blue jeans, and the widely popular leather jacket. Some of the clothing often featuring metal studs, chains, skulls, leather and also crosses. Some of these actually being related to a mild form of S&M, this can bring in the almost sadist aspect to the genre of music. Not only that, but the appearance on stage was also important, the use of brightly coloured wild shaped instruments were often featured, this emphasising the band member's performance, and radical appearance.
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