Why the obsession among the Hard Rock/Metal genres with themes of pain, death, fear, insanity, etc? I simply do not relate.
I don’t know if Richie Kotzen qualifies as Hard Rock but I like this a lot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkKBcEV75WE
Why the obsession among the Hard Rock/Metal genres with themes of pain, death, fear, insanity, etc? I simply do not relate. I don’t know if Richie Kotzen qualifies as Hard Rock but I like this a lot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkKBcEV75WE
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Sorry for my lack of clarity. I’d never tell any musician what they ought to play! I simply don’t relate to the aggression or focus on psychologically troubled states. I don’t like the way such music makes me feel physically or psychologically but clearly, this is highly subjective. I’m a Jazz fan and can only tolerate so much dissonance. On the other hand, I don’t care for music that is too far to the other side of the spectrum. A certain amount of dissonance/tension can be enlivening. Too much can be assaultive. I like Richie Kotzen because he has incredible chops (he began as a shredder) and can definitely rock hard but is at the same time, very soulful and melodic. |
I don’t think there are actually that many stories/ themes/topics, be it music, visual art or literature. It’s not the what, so much as the how. The Iron Maiden tune is very pumped up -- unrelentingly so. there’s not really any contrast -- it’s just balls out, pedal to the metal, from start to end. Personally, I find this gets monotonous very quickly. Compare it, for example, to Led Zep’s "What Is and What Should Never Be" -- way more contrast and variation in textures, dynamics, timbres. Not saying one is better -- just trying to explain what my preferences are. it’s not that I don’t enjoy rockin’ out -- "Warrior" and "The King Will Come" from Wishbone Ash’s Argus are examples of what I like. Notice how they vary more hard driving riffs with more lyrical passages. All three tunes display the influence of British Folk music. I like this, but no doubt there are those for whom this just comes across as "light-weight". Fair enough. Each to his/her own.
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Can you recommend a particular album that exemplifies the above?
Right... I don't doubt it. I've heard very little. I enjoy the music of those two Opeth tracks. The lyrics, not so much. Perhaps because I’ve experienced depression and anxiety, music that evokes what feels like a familiar emotional weight is difficult to listen to dispassionately as entertainment. This is not to say I only listen to happy music. Far from it. I saw the comment from the homeless suicidal guy, too. Just goes to show a given piece of music can elicit differing reactions from different listeners. Personally, I think D. Krall is vastly overrated. I’m mystified as to why many audiophiles focus on her when there are, IMHO, far better Jazz singers out there, but that’s a topic for another day. I agree with what you assert about emotional connection and gear. My parents had a pretty good system for the 60’s but played strictly Classical and Broadway musicals. I didn’t dislike such music but hearing the Beatles and Motown on my cheap transistor radio in bed made a much deeper impression on me. And it had absolutely nothing to do with fidelity! I feel sorry for guys whose appreciation for music is dependent upon the sonics. |