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The Meaning of
Metal
The original inspiration for this study spurs from the fact that the
general public traditionally seems to have prejudice toward Metal music and
its participants, easily categorizing Metal fans and musicians as a very
homogenous group. Despite the fact that Metal music and its (sub)culture have been
part of culture for over 30 years, post-doc studies on metal music and
culture – especially in Finland –
have been few and often narrowly focused. Moreover, the preliminary approach for
research on Metal has often been to study a causal relationship between metal
music and some sociological or psychological problem, or
investigate the extreme aspects of the music and its culture; research
examining any potential positive aspects of metal barely exist. By conducting this study,
we hope
to demonstrate that people who participate in the culture of Metal - whether
as fans, artists or in any other role - should not be categorized on any
other basis than their common interest in metal music and the culture
related to it. People from all walks of life listen to the music and
participate in other activities that express their interest in and passion
for this once marginal genre of music. As a result of this study, we expect
to demythologize some of the most common stereotypes people have about Metal
and its culture and broaden the academic and public
discourse on Metal, its meaning to its fans and artists, and its potential
influences on people in general. The primary data in this study consists of
questionnaires and interviews of the various participants of Metal culture,
for example artists, fans and event organizers. The research results
should introduce significant new insights to the study of metal as part of
contemporary culture and hopefully, promote a better understanding of Metal
and its participants to a worldwide audience.
Please check
the links below to find out more information on the project.
Finally,
if you leave the site now, please come back again and participate in the
study by filling out the questionnaire.
Yours in Metal,
Members of the Meaning of Metal
Research Group
<> The Meaning of
Metal
Description of research
<> A
list of Metal resources
(work in progress)
<> The
Meaning of Metal questionnaire (Please participate!)
<>Research Project Contact info
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