NihilismShrugged

Wow I've really enjoyed the responses. I knew there were some other fans of Ayn Rand and (good) Metal out there. Anyone going to ProgPower in Atlanta?

First, I must state my awareness of the fact that this topic is rather old. I do not expect any kind of response or lively debate, but I have been thinking about this topic for over a week now (off and on) and in order to satisfy my grievances I think that I must post my individual response. To those attacking metal: I do not attack Indie Rock on music forums, or Barack Obama, and Marxism on Alternet.org because casting aside my personal tastes and philosophical beliefs (all those things suck) I have not done enough homework to hold a substantial argument. I have not read Das Kapital, I haven’t listened to more than maybe 3-4 hours of Indie rock, and I haven’t read any of Obama’s books. It might be wise to note that I recognize that the topics of Indie Rock and Barack Obama/Marxism are separate; I’m simply trying to make a point about doing your homework. Furthermore, those who criticize metal seem to be entirely unaware of any “metal” bands outside groups in the following styles: Metallica/Megadeth, Cannibal Corpse, and Lamb of God. To your limited observations, those bands (or bands like them) define the world of “metal”. I was rather relieved to see someone finally mentioned Symphony X and DragonForce. Another commentator listed some of the bands I am about to describe. Listen to any of the following albums and tell me that “metal” is essentially the same as being kicked in the head and that all the lyrics are about nihilism and death. Any honest inquiry (which I do not expect, this is a mental exercise) will lead to another conclusion (not necessarily mine but not the general tone expressed on this thread): If this doesn’t prove your point about metal consisting entirely of nihilism and death wrong, I have nothing more to say: Helloween: Keeper of the Seven Keys: Future World We all live in happiness our life is full of joy We say the word "tomorrow" without fear The feeling of togetherness is always at our side We love our life and we know we will stay… Along the same lines, if Dream Theater doesn’t establish that metal requires incredible amounts of technical ability and virtuosity... Dream Theater: Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory (Jazz, Blues, Rag Time, and World Music themes) Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (especially the second disc, an exploration of metal illness and the trauma it causes for individuals and their loves ones) Rhapsody (of Fire): Symphony of Enchanted Lands (I think fantasy is a powerful allegorical tool to convey concepts of happiness and good v. evil) Andromeda: Extension of the Wish (super slick talented progressive metal) Symphony X: The Odyssey (an entire album devoted to the Greek epic, a 24 minute epic concludes this masterpiece celebrating the “triumph of the champion of Ithaca”) Kamelot: Karma, Epica (essentially a musical expression of Goethe's Faust) Sonata Arctica: Winterheart’s Guild (happy power metal with lots of pop music hooks for those with short musical attention spans) This list could go on. Essentially the point is this: apparently there about 18 people on Earth who even know that power metal and progressive metal exist (exaggeration). I came to fundamentally oppose grouping all metal into the same predefined categories. Certainly metal exists with lyrical content about nihilism, death, and violence. I appreciate SOME of it for reasons that could start an entirely new topic. If I get a response I may choose to engage in that conversation.