First of all, Hello fellow metalheads. It;s my first post here at MA and it might (and will certainly) sound silly. Well. I'm the sort of metalhead that wants to dig deeper and deeper into a certain genre. unfortunately, that genre would be black metal. What would be the problem then? Well. I don't act/look/behave/talk/dress like a black metaller (like in i have short hair wear blue jeans and random t-shirt). Maybe it's all the black metal kvltist stuff that makes me want to focus on another genre, such as death metal. But, alas, death metal does't atract me as much as black metal does. So, what I'm trying to say is (and please don't make fun of me, I already took some crap) , should i worry about the image and lifestyle of a black metaller, or should i not give a fuck and go on and listen to black metal anyway? (P.S. : no I am not growing long hair and neither am I going to worship Satan/kill animals/dress in black/wear coprse paint) . Sorry again if this sounds stupid, but hey, what can you do Thank you in advance for wating your time with my problem. \m/

This, then go check the Black Metal Help Thread.

We've had several threads like this, but here's my idea on this. No. Metal was never about "image" or anything of the sort. I, like you, like my hair short and while I usually wear blue jeans and a band shirt, I'm comfortable in almost anything.

As long as you genuinely enjoy the music, fuck what everyone else says, which is pretty much THE metal attitude. I think you know the answer to your question anyways.

Name not withstanding, I'm a pretty friendly guy, and I like Leviathan, Xasthur, and host of other metal bands that are "misanthropic" and whatnot, but that doesn't mean you have to be.

Seriously, who the fuck cares how you dress? Dressing metal does not make you metal.

Ive noticed a lot of people who dress metal are posers.

If you like black metal, then listen to it. I love black metal, but do I look like one who does that? www.last.fm/user/trierbabz

Music isnt an Image.


Personaly, I dont understand the Black Metal craze.

If music entertains you and triggers something in you to make you want to listen to it, why not listen to it? Nobody can stop you for liking music, there's no rule that says that you have to dress or act or think a certain way to listen to certain music. Who's going to go after you, the "Black Metal police"? Please, this is music largely written by and for kids, don't take it too seriously. If you were worried about what the dress code at the opera I can understand, but with metal, who cares, even at shows? The only thing that should determine what you listen to are your own tastes; it's pretty obvious to say this but for some reason the metal crowd has the tendency to get wrapped up in its pretense. I mean, it's not like even Black Metal performers wear corpse paint, spikes and bullet belts 24/7.

The problem with Goldgeo's query is that he/she? is implying that there is a standard mode of dress and lifestyle for all black metal musicians/fans. First of all, most of these bands are doing it for the basis of the music only. Obviously you've got your Deads, Ildjarns, etc. that take their art to the extreme, but for most of the bands, it's only shock value. Plus, not all black metal is based on an overt Anti-Christian/Satanic bent as the genre has grown to include topics such as paganism, viking lore, national socialism and depression/suicide, to name a few.

In short, listen to the music for the sake of the music itself. At the end of the day, no one really cares about what you listen to and even if they do, they're most certainly not worth your time and they need to get a fucking life.

A lot of people who try to dress "metal" are posers. The people who tell you that you need to dress metal to be metal are in 99% of all cases poser faggots who are afraid that their own unmetalness shines through. Seriously, if you choose to dress metal, it should be based purely on the fact that you find it aesthetically (spelling?) appealing and for no other reason. Anything else would be gay and IMO Immortal should come down from Blashyrk and necrogrimically goatsodomize anyone who says any different.

since when is metal for kids by kids?

I've never really understood metal fashion in the first place. Same goes with punk rock. Fashion has always seemed to me to be the antithesis to those types of music.

So much for individuality I guess.

Yup. I've had so many people make these anti trends so they don't want to look like jocks or whatever is in fashion. But in the case of "black metal" fashion, it's still a fashion and is a stupid way to garner attention. Did that make sense?

Anyway, appreciate and enjoy music for the music. Don't bother with fashion or any of that other shit.

It's about the music, not the look. Now, as you get deeper into the music you may feel like dressing accordingly and what not. Fine. Some may say that if you are into something, then you express it outwardly, and if you don't, then you're not _______ enough.
If you don't feel like doing that, that's ok, too. You do what you feel like doing. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do as be as much a fun as anyone else.

who cares about how you dress and talk as long as you like the music

There's really not much to understand. People dress the way they do because they think it looks cool. While metal tends to tout individualism it also implies a certain brotherhood. HOw many songs are there about armies of booted, black leather-clad warriors marching on the opposition?

I will take "As many as there are posers" for $500 please, Alex.

Metal's not in the way you dress or in your hair. It's in you. I haven't worn a band t shirt out in public in years and my hair really gets too thick to have it grow long.

Indeed. After all, we all like the same kind of music, and it is not unnatural that a portion of the listeners will have similar tastes in fashion (and of course there is subconscious influence coming from the established style, too). And I don't see how dressing metal is in any way opposed to individualism at all. Individualism doesn't mean you need to be entirely different in every way from anybody else.

I've noticed the same. Most people who adopt the metal image don't do it because they like the music, they do it for some other reason like insecurity about their identity.

The black metal craze?

I noticed a lot of older metalheads kind of look down upon dressing "metal" and most of them did the same thing at some point in their life's (I guess).
Its like if you wear jeans and some shirt or whatnot and listen to extreme metal you are more mature than those who like band shirts, patches ect.
Thats how I see it.
For myself I`ll say I like band shirts, long hair, leather jackets and boots. I wear it because it feels comfortable and I don`t give a damn that some 40 year old metalhead will think how I`m attention whoring and just being immature.

Wear what you want, listen to what you want and stop seeking approval from anyone on these questions. Its not "metal" at all. In my honest opinion

Pay no mind to RevBau.

As for the OP, I think you need to focus more on enjoying the music instead of trying to find ways to be more socially acceptable; this isn't high school or a pissing contest. Just be yourself, whether it's wearing a bullet belt or a pink Hollister t-shirt - you will be judged only on your attitude NOT by the way you present yourself.

I personally don't dress according to what I listen to, but on the other hand my taste changing gradually depending on what I listen to for 3 weeks straight then change to something else, so it would be a waste...
I think if you like Black metal, then listen to it, but you don't have to dress like it, only if you want to express to your surrounding that 'yes, i love black metal' like that.

My friend at school wears a Draconian pullover/sweatshirt (whatever it is called) sometimes because he loves Draconian. It's to express that he loves it, and other people should know about its existence too. I wear clothing that is all grey, and I like Draconian as well. It's not about what you wear, it's about what you listen to.


I think if he wore a pink T-Shirt he'd obviously be judged pretty damn much on his appearance than his attitude, I'd for one think he's gay and avoid him like the plague. (no, not the Dark Ages (Ukr) chronicle of the plague)



By the way, if you want to check out some Black, I think you should check out Coldworld, Melencolia Estatica, Negura Bunget (especially N Crugu Bradului) and Zuriaake, because you'd be better off than with the kvlt material (Burzum, Leviathan, Blut Aus Nord).

This is wrong and you know it. Its human nature to judge someones personality based on looks. We all to it to some extent.

Unless you are performing live in a band, image isn't greatly important. If you're lyrics are about vikings you may want to adopt the viking image, like Enslaved for example. You can take this even further and to quote Ghaal, "you don't perform Black Metal unless you are a warrior" meaning you live the lifestyle.
But, like yourself if you're just a fan, wear whatever you please, there are colors other than black to wear. Beware, you may get a visit from the Heavy Metal Fashion Police who will strip you of you poser clothes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfP5qHr7vVA



Underground Black Metal is far more popular than underground Power Metal, for example, on these forums anyway.
I remember the MA Power Metal Survey a while back was abysmal compared with the Black Metal one, and check how long the Black Metal help thread is. I think that's what he means by the "craze."

Wear whatever you want; it doesn't really matter what people think of you. Take some of Emerson's ideas ... unless it's an important job or something formal where impressions matter.

The music matters, not how you look.

Fearphobia, yeah Ghaal is a true warrior with his womens fashions he designs.

I don't necessarily agree as they kind of go hand in hand. As far as image goes, your attitude obviously is going to cross over into how you carry yourself, etc. If you got into metal yesterday, are doing it for some kind of edgy ironic image, etc., chances are you're going to act like it and carry yourself like it. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule, but it's always going to be pretty obvious.



Seemed to me like he was implying he didn't like black metal and basically that anyone into it was following some sort of trend. Hopefully I'm misinterpretting, as that's kind of reading too far into it -- but that's why I asked.

Yes, attitude is as important as the looks. I only said that most humans will judge you on your appearance as well, I quoted because looks take a big piece of cake of that first impression too.

I agree that we are guilty to make initial judgments based on appearance but I think most of us are past the age to let that solely override our overall worth and view on a person in the long run.



This is completely frivolous and immature.

Thats what I meant.

I have very short hair and wear green shirts with blue jeans, and I have a great tape/LP/cd collection and am very immersed in black metal.

Image does not matter; taste and to some extent ideology/philosophy does.

To the OP. I'm romanian too and feel pretty much as you do about this. I can safely say you shouldn't give a damn about any imagery or way to dress. Black Metal is about what sounds good and the feelings it evokes, not belonging to any damn trend. Except maybe the days when I wear band shirts (about half of which concern black metal), I guess the vasy majority of people wouldn't think I'm into metal at all, and I really, really couldn't care less. I don't feel the need to constantly feel like I'm letting everyone know ''Hey I'm a METALHEAD!!!'', metal is music that I like because it's more profound than most other modern music and that's it, it's not my entire life.

Exactly. I myself feel no need to make people know I listen to a certain kind of music.

Ok, now we got that issue under wraps let me bring up another possible trouble for metal. I am only mentioning what we all fear but are too afraid to say: The possible influx of people who will try to make metal "trendy" due to the immense popularity of Guitar Hero. Metal is metal and it will never be just a trend and hence will not go out of style. That is not the issue here though. The issue is about certain bands chasing the dollar by selling out their license to Red Octane or Harmonix. I know some of us have that fear in the back of our minds. For the record: If any Bathory song ever gets on Guitar Hero in the US, it will be a very,very bad day for metal. I think such a thing might send me into a deep depression.

dude its not about the image man its all about loving the metal you listen to just dont go for any image or look cuz then youll seem like your trying just stay the same nothing different and listen to black metal no self labeling should be forced upon what music genre you like. just listen to it.

I'm really not sure that I understand your question in the OP. Perhaps you can clarify precisely what it is you're asking us?

He made it pretty clear and precise.

I don't really get this thread. It seems obvious to me that nobody really cares what you listen to in the privacy of your home at least and how you listen to it.