Heavy Metal

Heavy Metal is an awesome art form! 🤘

It’s a genre of genius writers pioneering and really creating their own sound!

To me, Heavy Metal is about: Willpower, Focused Dynamic Intent, and Genius!

It’s about far-reaching feelings that are genuine and raw!  And it’s also about talent!  Some of the best guitar players and drummers (certainly some of the fastest) in the world love playing Heavy Metal!

Into the Pit

For most people who misunderstand heavy metal, the impression they get is one of anger and aggression.  And yes, that stuff is out there…  But honestly, that’s ok!

Music is a powerful tool for connecting to our emotions; and people are free to connect with their sadness or their anger.  That’s a lot better than stuffing it down and taking it out on other people.

Despite the perceived stereotype a lot of people have, some of the kindest, most free-thinking and genuine people I have ever met have been people into Heavy Metal!

So don’t judge a book by it’s cover 😉

Music is something that all of humanity is a part of; and we are all free to experience it and express it however we want!

My personal taste in Heavy Metal is for those who I perceive to be transcending mere aggression and anger and are actually expressing something dynamic, ingenious, and raw.

I look for the talent, and something that really speaks to my soul!

Philosophy in Heavy Metal

Believe it or not, there’s actually a lot of deep philosophy in Metal…

Black Sabbath

“Show the world that love is still alive.  You must be brave”

Iron Maiden

“When you know that your time is close at hand
Maybe then you’ll begin to understand
Life down here is just a strange illusion”

Dio

“…the magic that we’ll feel is worth a lifetime
We’re all born upon the cross
With the throw before the toss
…We don’t come alone
We are fire, we are stone
We’re the hand that writes then quickly moves away”

Judas Priest

“Racing across the heavens
Straight into the dawn
Looking like a comet
Slicing through the morn
Scorching the horizon
Blazing to the land
Now he’s here amongst us
The age of fire’s at hand”

Motorhead

“Going with the flow, it’s all a game to me”

Metallica

“So close, no matter how far
Couldn’t be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters”

Cliff Burton is my favorite bassist and who I first modeled myself after as a bass player!

God bless you, Cliff!

TOOL

“…So crucify the ego, before it’s far too late
And leave behind this place so negative and blind and cynical
And you will come to find that we are all one mind
And capable of all that’s imagined and unconceivable
So let the light touch you, so let the words spill through
And let them pass right through
Bringing out our hope and reason”

If you haven’t seen TOOL live, do yourself a favor… Go see TOOL live!!!

Pantera

“Sometimes when I’m alone
I wonder aloud
If you’re watching over me
Some place far abound

I must reverse my life
I can’t live in the past
Then set my soul free
Belong to me at last

…Believe the word
I will unlock my door
And pass the cemetery gates”

White Zombie

“The siren sings a lonely song
Of all the wants and hungers
The lust of love, a brute desire
The ledge of life goes under

Divide the dream into the flesh
Kaleidoscope and candle eyes
Empty winds scrape on the soul
But never stop to realize”

Megadeth

“Don’t remember where I was
I realised life was a game
The more seriously I took things
The harder the rules became

I had no idea what it’d cost
My life passed before my eyes
I found out how little I accomplished
All my plans denied

So as you read this, know my friends
I’d love to stay with you all
Smile when you think of me
My body’s gone, that’s all

À tout le monde, à tous mes amis
Je vous aime, je dois partir
These are the last words I’ll ever speak
And they’ll set me free”

Death

Chuck Schuldiner was the man who invented death metal!  I could dedicate an entire post on the philosophy of his lyrics, particularly in the album “Symbolic.”

I missed my chance to see Death; I heard they had just come through two days before.  It was some months later that I heard of Chuck’s passing.  He was an influence on me as a teenager with his deep lyrics, cool style, and amazing guitar playing!

Iced Earth

“Can’t you see what’s plain as day
It’s always been there inside of you
One saving grace that’s hard to face
Embracing the truth will change your fate
It’s up to you and the path you choose
To be led to the slaughter or lead the way
The quest for light, a worthwhile fight
Will you have what it takes?
Come what may”

The LIVE Experience

I actually was fortunate enough to see Ronnie James Dio and Lemmy of Motorhead before they died.

It was an outdoor show in Maryland.  Motorhead put on a full set, then Dio put on a full set, then Iron Maiden put on a full set!  It was an incredible experience!

I’ve also seen most of the bands listed, along with some of my other favorites:

Sepultura, Opeth, Danzig, Type O Negative (RIP Peter Steel), Testament, Iced Earth, Demons and Wizards, Blind Guardian (they’re amazing live!), Ozzy, Slayer, Nightwish, and Dream Theater!

It’s okay if your list differs!

In my opinion, a lot of modern metal is very heavily inspired by Slayer, Pantera, and Max Cavalera (Sepultura and Soulfly); and even Tool for some.   I personally like to listen to musicians who I feel are true pioneers of their own sound!

Ronnie James Dio

Btw do you know who popularized this 🤘 and made it a symbol known to Heavy Metal fans worldwide?

I’ll give you a hint:

Virtual Guitar Lessons

I love playing Heavy Metal and I love teaching it!  So if learning to play heavy metal guitar is something you’re interested in hit me up for online virtual guitar lessons!

Thanks for reading!!!

Coren Smith