I've never understood why people listen to angry music :D. Although I can understand the need to allign with a group/cause, and the need to vent one's anger and reject that which opresses us; I've always found the music born of such things to be rather silly :P. Is is supposed to be self mocking, or satirical?? I know people often use the concepts of sarcasm and irony as an excuse to listen to that which they connect with. Then again, although I workout without music I know first hand the stimulating short term effects agressive music has upon one's testostrone and adrenaline levels. But whenever I try and work out to such music I feel like an idiot XD. Maybe I'm in denial about my humanity? It's possible that my dislike of such music is purely a rejection of a human characteristic the listeners of the music celebrate.

Aaaaanyway, a good friend of mine went through a long phase of listening to metal; during which he was forever trying to get me into it. The closest he came was with a band called Cynic, who we both still follow despite no longer liking metal, and the dissapointment of their latest album. Maybe try them?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw-6IIBXNSQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNGCJzPzAp0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvaFpKt8X_o

Or alternatively, you can both try and find a middle ground. How about music neither of you listen to? Hiromi Uehara, Amon Tobin and The Reign of Kindo are all pretty groundbreaking. It's unlikely either of you would have heard stuff like this before.

Maybe you'd like the album Epica by Kamelot? Or uh... Sonata Arctica?

Donno :-D

Just break up with her, it's easier!

Why are you trying to break up relationships this week sj?

Would this be a compromise? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnFBhAietac

I can't stand country lyrics

I don't need a reason :<

It's a common misconception that metal is all about anger - in truth it covers a much wider range of topics than simple aggression or hatred. Metal (in terms of lyrics) covers an extremely broad range of topics, which is most likely due to the highly individualist nature of metalheads/metal musicians and their indifference towards commercial success, allowing each band to go their own path without having to worry about being accepted by the general population. You'll hear about mythology, ancient history, space travel, fantasy, politics, and more. The music itself can also be quite complex, though many people think it is simple due to the high publicity of shitty bands like slipknot, mudvayne, etc. At it's core, metal isn't about anger. Metal is about individualism and not compromising your values and beliefs for anyone or anything. This is the reason such a high percentage of intelligent and creative people enjoy metal (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7598549.stm, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3352230/Heavy-metal-a-comfort-for-the-bright-child.html)

To me, it's like a force of nature, like an unstoppable flow of magma or a tidal wave. Impersonal and awe-inspiring, it uses the music to convey a narrative much like classical music often does. If I had to compare it to an era of classical I'd definitely say it resonates the most with the romantic period (and often times you will hear metal heads say that they like classical from that period). In short, if you base your opinion of metal and metalheads off of pissed of 13 year olds and the music they listen to, then yes the genre will seem juvenile and simplistic. But if you really give it a chance (and metal does require persistence and an open mind to get accustomed to) you'll find an extremely rich genre of music with lots to offer. As you said, metal is just exploring another side of the human experience that many people are uncomfortable with (though of course it's not for everyone, and that's fine).

Aaaaanyways, in response to the OP, check out Battleroar, Blind Guardian, Falconer, Kiuas (this should be your first priority, they're kick ass and similar to Power Wolf in style, listen to the Spirit of Ukko album), Angel Dust, Firewind, Pyramaze, and Anubis Gate. Let me know what you think

What I never understood was why people wanted to convert other people into their own music taste!

Keep all your delicious music to yourself.

How 'bout something neither of you understand

Here some other "dark" music. This band has also changed musical styles between vocalists so yeah.

From their first vocalist

Monophobia I think is just a song about sex.

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Second vocalist

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Melodic isn't the opposite of metal--hence melodic metal! And there's plenty of metal with classical and fusion influences. You're drawing false dichotomies, claiming to have explored the far corners of metal while imagining its boundaries are smaller than they are.

Anyway, this whole essay you wrote sounds a bit closed-minded. Can't people just like whatever music they like, without having to worry about defending it?

I mainly listen to metal @.@ but i listen to the music rather than the lyrics themselves, which everyone i know finds weird. My gf even asks me about some music, because its dark lyrics.

But i listen to the music, the lyrics are second to me. If i can't hear the music, or if its all bundled up garbage i can't get into it x3

the genre i love though is, Thrash, Megadeth <3

and Melodic Death Metal. Scar Symmetry <3

if you ask me about the song, i'd give a description of the mood the music sets. @.@ not the lyrics, so i'm usually wrong at that point. Lol i listen to metal like i listen to classical.

x3 like all the instrumental metal music out there, some by Rusty Cooley and MAB :3

its mainly fun for me x3 because i don't follow the music on a lyrical flow n.n but rather a musical flow.

Lol sorry, yes you're correct. On sheet music metal can look like any other music. It's the agression that I have a problem with, and that is what I find in opposition to melody. A piece can have a smooth melodic intersection, but that only makes it a melodic piece of music in contrast to that without any melodic focus. In contrast to Mahler, I do not find that melodic metal fits into the category of 'melodic' as it's overall content isn't, in my view, 'melodic'. That's why it has the 'metal' after it. I don't find that an oxymoron, I just don't think agressive music can be independantly called melodic. I didn't use any examples, as I wasn't trying to persuade anyone; I was just explaining my opinion. I have listened to a lot of metal variants though, especially melodic metal. But, due to my bias, I still put them all into the same general category - agressive music :). I'm not claiming to be an open minded guru who fully explores all possibilities before judging them, as my entire experience of the genre was from other people trying to get me into it.

And yes! It was completely closed minded, I thought I got that across in admitting I was arguing in extremes. Apparently not. I wasn't really trying to 'attack' metal, but in retrospect I see that's what I've done. Whoops. Yes, on public forums it's generally a good idea not to have arguments about which style of music is better or worse, as it will create a circular argument that won't do anyone any good.

Man Bahel I wanna get into another constructive debate with you but today i'm feeling too lazy to read huge posts. 1:

It'd probably be easier for you to find music closer to her tastes that you both like than to findmetal music that someone who doesn't like metal would like

StrangeJam said

Man Bahel I wanna get into another constructive debate with you but today i'm feeling too lazy to read huge posts. 1:

You win by default, arguing against metal's a lost cause. I'd have more chance disproving Einstein's theory of relativity :/.