English Faculty Publications
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2009
Publication Source
Heavy Metal Music in Britain
Abstract
Since the first heavy metal album, Black Sabbath (1970) by Black Sabbath, elements of the Gothic have pervaded the genre, whether in the lyrics, the dress of both the bands and the fans, the album covers, the sound or the culture itself. Bands during the period 1970- 83 (roughly), including Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon and Motӧrhead, to name a few, incorporated various aspects of the Gothic into their lyrics, dress, stage shows and albums, and in doing so helped to give heavy metal a stronger, more powerful image with fans and media alike. More important than the image is the power and feeling that the music generates with the audience, be they in a packed concert hall or headbanging with an iPod in their room. As a crucial source of this power, the Gothic influence permeates all aspects of heavy metal culture, and this influence has helped keep the genre a vibrant form of express ion in the music world.
This article is broken into five sections, each examining a particular aspect of heavy metal or its background necessary for a better understanding of heavy metal. The analyses of the lyrics, album covers, music and style of metal are preceded by a brief look at the group of people who, without knowing it, have had an influence on various types of literature, film and, most especially for this chapter, music.
Inclusive pages
125-139
ISBN/ISSN
9780754664239
Document Version
Published Version
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 from Heavy Metal Music in Britain, by Gerd Bayer. Reproduced by permission of Taylor and Francis Group, LLC, a division of Informa plc. This material is strictly for personal use. For any other use, the user must contact Taylor & Francis directly at this address: permissions.mailbox@taylorandfrancis.com. Printing, photocopying and sharing via any means is a violation of copyright.
Publisher
Ashgate
Place of Publication
Burlington, VT
Peer Reviewed
yes
eCommons Citation
Bardine, Bryan, "Elements of the Gothic in Heavy Metal: A Match Made in Hell" (2009). English Faculty Publications. 68.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/eng_fac_pub/68
Comments
Chapter is provided for download pending publisher permission. Documentation is on file.