[newsheader]

Bringing People Together Within the Community of Metal

Metalosphere: Exploring Metal Communities

By Siddharth V

The world of metal is complex. With so many different types of metal and more sub-genres than bands, it is not surprising that there are several independent hostile factions all held up within the skeleton of metal. Yet, there are many advancements and changes that are bringing people in the scene together too. We take a look at some of the factions and contexts influencing certain metal scenes in Bangalore.

Ask a layman what they think of Metal as a music genre and you are most likely to get a response that has the words “loud”, “angry”, “not my type”, “harsh”. The genre has always been slightly niche and elusive. Either you are into it from the very beginning, or you never like it. The harshness of metal is a deterrent for many people, yet this same reason gives metal heads a sense of togetherness and community. Although the teenage angst typical of the 80s metal uprising doesn’t really exist in middle-class India, there is a lot of attitude and aggression in most metal heads. This classic offensive teenage response has moulded itself surprisingly well in Bangalore, where listeners of the genre are not unduly violent, but will aggressively promote, support and defend their music; violently if necessary.

Small scale gig platforms, which were what caused the amateur Bangalore metal scene to explode half a decade ago, would host several metal acts in just one night, seeing a dramatic shift from the purely rock oriented culture. Even so, once metal had pulled away entirely, it strove to be itself – as unique a genre as jazz or classical. The attitude and mindset that soon came to accompany metal culture in the city was one of defiance and rebellion and self-defence. If brought out visually, it would be long filthy hair, black shirt, torn jeans, piercings and tattoos. This mentality eventually proved useful as it pushed metal into a category of its own in the city. When Iron Maiden visited India, they were astonished at the sheer numbers of people that had come together for the show. Frontman Bruce Dickinson even mentions in his interview on Sam Donne’s “Global Metal” documentary what he feels connects people to metal. He observed while touring several countries that “there will always be one section of society that just wants to pick up a guitar and go AAAARGH”. This vibe is what brings the metal community together.

The Holy Periodic Table of Metal

The Bangalore underground gig Undergrind is a great way for headbangers to meet up, stay in touch, and get a glimpse of what’s new on the scene. Hardened veterans who have been there from the first Undergrind take inexperienced people under their wing and thus a tightly knit community arises. Undergrind isn’t the only platform where this happens nowadays. The hugely successful Vehement Era, which saw its second edition in 2013, focuses on less gory genres of metal, but are loud and brutal communities just the same. Different people from myriad bands connecting at one venue in almost the manner hippies of yore would have connected in Greenwich Commune in the 60s. Likewise, Sonic Doom, another fest which happened in July 2013, was crucial in bringing together a vast array of the city’s best and diverse metal acts.

The organiser of these events, DSimon Santiago recently gave an interview to Mehta KyaKehta in which he was brutally honest about the scene: “They’ll find another ass to lick when the shit runs out”. Having organised most metal shows in Bangalore last year, his disdain for the “popular-wannabe” has probably helped the scene stay a little more true to its original identity. Nakhul Ananth, a local metalhead and vocalist of the band Pisakas was vehement about his disdain for even other subcategories of the same genre: “Some good old thrash is great, but there are only some things that do it for me. Grindcore is my shit, and people who don’t like it can go f**k off. People congregate these days, like pigs in a sty, trying to place all these little piggies in one basket like a big community. Well that’s just bullshit.”

These different factions, although held together by the same metal thread, have also been seeing some intense hostilities of late. An intense reception of Dsimon’s interview by local metalheads was clearly shown through the comments left at the end of the interview. Vikram Bhat, renowned vocalist of 90s Doom band Dying Embrace, which is still going strong, and respected member of the metal scene, was completely mocked in the comments, probably by young blood with not much experience. The faction divide still continues with Dsimon putting up yet another retaliating FB message (check it out below). Regardless of who is right or wrong, these competitive units, hostile behaviour and vehement attitudes are clearly a sign of dissension within the ranks of what one may loosely call a metal community.

However, of late, a series called metal factory has started, with the platform being the awesome Counter Culture. Now completing its third edition, the hugely popular event brings three bands together in a clever dynamic of old band, rising band, and really big band. For example, the second edition saw national giants Undying Inc playing alongside regenerated veterans Threinody and young metal heads Orchid. As different people follow and support different bands, when a platform like this brings them to play together, it is almost as if the entire city’s metal community is itself brought together. People can share and spread news and basically keep up to date.

Lordi

Metal communities are a popular scene nowadays. With so many subgenres and hordes of people dedicated to only specific ones, these groups are important means of staying in touch with the latest in the various metal scenes. Death, stoner, doom, progressive, avant-garde, technical, grindcore… the list of metal subgenres goes on, and Bangalore is one of the best representations of this diversity. Social Media pages related and dedicated to national metal keeps one apprised of the scene, whilst socialising at the weekly gigs would satisfy the headbanger’s sense of approval.

The websites like Metal India Magazine, Metal Base India, Metalwani, Indian Metal Scene and several others that cover metal amongst other genres have an important role to play in the active metal scene. With several non-musicians and amateurs relying solely on these sources for information, upcoming gigs, or review and releases, music media in terms of metal has quite a lot of power today. Facebook pages run by fans or local musicians provide adequate forums for the public to join and voice their opinions, in the off-chance that it may be noticed by some bigger musicians or event organisers.

Thus, this two-way feedback, which is an integral part of the growth, is now commonplace in the local metal scene, and brings together a sense of community, connecting all headbangers across the city and country. Despite the different groups and subdivisions, and even despite the limitations of social media platform, the show will go on, as there are enough people supporting the scene now.

Check out Dsimon’s post concerning Vikram Bhat here and his interview here.

[newsfooter]