Watching comedian Steve Hughes at the Comedy Festival, I heard him say something I’ve so often thought myself that I wanted to scream out my agreement.
“You have your music videos,” he said, “made by some corporate big shot, with sluts and idiots selling softcore porn to your children, and you tell me my music is offensive”.
Lady Gaga film clip 'Alejandro'
I’ve heard a lot about heavy metal that isn’t kind. That it’s stupid sounds for stupid people. That the vocalists sound like the Cookie Monster. That it isn’t music, it’s noise. When apparently, some flamboyantly-named disc jockey pressing the ‘play’ button on a bunch of sounds manufactured by a computer is music.
I went to see Melbourne heavy metal outfit Be’lakor recently, and was amazed by their talent. The lead singer, instead of customary flowing locks to headbang with, was sporting a cleanly cropped ‘do. When I remarked on the hairstyle, I was told that he had to keep it short because during the day, he was a lawyer.
Be'lakor
Stupid people indeed.
Before I knew heavy metal existed, I used to get my inappropriate-music kicks from Eminem. Once when I was about ten or eleven, my mother heard my older sister and I discussing the lyrics to Stan. Wanting to protect me from such obscenities, she took my Eminem cassette out of my room and taped over it with the first Savage Garden album. I was heartbroken – and it didn’t stop me from enjoying offensive music.
I know mum had good intentions when she took away my beloved Eminem tape. But I know that, if asked whether I would let my children listen to heavy metal, I would say yes. Instead of harming my innocent mind, I’ve actually found heavy metal to be cathartic as well as uplifting.
Neige and Audrey Sylvain from Amesoeurs
But, some might ask, what if my child wants something else? What if they want to listen to the pop stars, the manufactured sounds, the softcore pornography video clips of their day?
Then I’ll say, sit down. Listen. And if Cannibal Corpse’s Hammer Smashed Face doesn’t make you want to pump your fists, if Amesoeurs’ Bonheur Amputé doesn’t scream into your soul, if Slayer’s Raining Blood doesn’t send shivers down your spine and if Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters doesn’t make you fall in love, then I’ll be the very first person to buy you whatever music makes those feelings come alive for you.
Because in the end, finding the music you love is the greatest gift of all.
