Abstract
The concepts ‘classical antiquity’ and ‘heavy metal music’ may appear to be worlds apart. Not only are they separated chronologically but each belongs to an entirely different habitus. While the classical is associated with tradition, good taste and harmony, heavy metal is, at least by some, associated with the very opposite: the breaking of tradition, bad taste and disharmony. And yet, as the present book shows, a very large number of heavy metal bands reference antiquity in various ways, including exponents of Thrash Metal, characterised by speed and aggressiveness; Death Metal, characterised by macabre subject matter and growling vocals; Black Metal with related subject matter but less polished style, and other subgenres. Bands from countries ranging from Greece and Italy to Scandinavia incorporate classical quotations in their lyrics or rewrite ancient texts and myths. Some sing in Greek or Latin, others in Italian or English. The titles of songs, such as Hymn to Apollo, Hymn to Zeus, Medusa and so on, further show the classical inspiration.
Highlights
The concepts ‘classical antiquity’ and ‘heavy metal music’ may appear to be worlds apart
While the classical is associated with tradition, good taste and harmony, heavy metal is, at least by some, associated with the very opposite: the breaking of tradition, bad taste and disharmony
Vergil has been revived with a vengeance, as the Aeneid has provided lyrics for several Italian bands: Stormlord, Heimdall and the one-man-band Hesperia are the subject of chapter 1, ‘Vergil’s Antiquity and Nationalism in Italian Metal’, authored by Fletcher
Summary
The concepts ‘classical antiquity’ and ‘heavy metal music’ may appear to be worlds apart. B. Fletcher & Osman Umurhan (eds), 2020: Classical Antiquity in Heavy Metal Music. As the present book shows, a very large number of heavy metal bands reference antiquity in various ways, including exponents of Thrash Metal, characterised by speed and aggressiveness; Death Metal, characterised by macabre subject matter and growling vocals; Black Metal with related subject matter but less polished style, and other subgenres.
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