Heavy Metal More Than Music Cultural Studies Essay

Heavy Metal More Than Music Cultural Studies Essay Subcultures are present in all societies around the world. Their members usually differentiate themselves by clothing style, music or even behavior. Studies and theories of subcultures have been conducted by various sociological schools. The Birmingham School came up with three levels of general analysis in their theories about subcultures: structure, culture and biography (Stanley Cohen, Symbols of trouble, 1980). He viewed subcultures as a political battleground between the classes (p.50). The first level on analysis, structure, refers to the problems of society that cannot be controlled by individuals, it refers to constraints put on people by the distribution of power, the labor market or wealth. The culture represents the solution to all the problems imposed by the structure. The culture includes the responses of the people to the structure, responses based on traditions, ideologies. The culture represents the more broad form of group present. A subculture, as defined by Cohen, is the specific, especially symbolic form through which the subordinate group negotiates its position. Two dominant themes were defined. The first one represents the style, which constitutes a type of resistance to subordination encountered in most subcultures, for instance Punks, Rockers or Hippies. The second theme refers to the fact that the resistance by style becomes symbolic or magical for the people that are part of the subculture. The process of resistance is seen as a symbolic one in three contexts. The first circumstance is when the subculture attacks a target which is not connected to the source of the problem. The second circumstance is when the solution to the problem is seen as magical without any real chances of being fixed. The final form of symbolic meaning is represented by what the style stands for. The style can symbol something that is beyond the surface appearance. Common objects are borrowed and used as symbols of opposition and insubordination, often in an ironical way. Biography represents the third general level of analysis that can be distinguished in the new theories of subculture. It is defined as the pattern and sequence of personal circumstances through which the culture and structure are experienced (p 151). This refers to the symbolic meaning of a subculture and the way its followers actually live given that they are part of the subculture. Heavy Metal Subculture Heavy metal has become more than just a subgenre of rock or metal music. It has become a subculture that not only listens to bands that play heavy metal and attends concerts. Fans of this music embrace its style, way of thinking, behavior, language and symbolism. Heavy metal music appeared first in Birmingham with groups like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. The unique sound of Black Sabbath was given by Tony Iommi, a factory worker that cut his fingers while handling a metal cutting machine thus being forced to wear plastic prosthetics on his fingers in order to be able to play the guitar. The background of the singers remained deeply integrated into their music and lyrics. However, defining songs as heavy metal remained a constant debate among metalheads. Defining the term strictly pushes fans to accept as heavy metal only songs that have a harsh, dark sound and include songs which have as a theme alienation and anger, traits which characterized the life of Black Sabbaths member, Toni Iommi. In contrast, defining the term heavy metal more loosely allows other bands to be included in this genre. These bands can have as their focus other themes, such as angry love, lost love, desired love and even partying. The lyrics of the songs are generall y focused on violence and angst, giving the songs a constant mood of anger and sorrow. Even if heavy metal has its roots in 1969, with the band Black Sabbath, it became a defined form, different from hard rock much later, in the early 1980s. The term heavy metal was popularized in the hit born to be wild by Steppenwolf with the phrase heavy metal thunder. With the popularity surrounding this distinct type of rock, several heavy metal bands rose from the dark. Groups like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden developed a darker and abrasive sound, Metallica and Megadeth energized their songs which were used to present several themes: religion, political hypocrisy, alienation and existential emptiness. Moreover, Slayer used violence and chaos to attract its audience. All these bands contributed to what came to become a subculture of alienation  [1]  . In her book Heavy metal: The Music And Its Culture, Deena Weinstein argues that heavy metal has persisted far longer than most genres of rock music due to the subculture which identified with the music. The fans of heavy metal formed an exclusionary youth community which became very distinctive and marginalized from the mainstream society. The heavy metal community developed their own norms, values and behaviors. The code of authenticity must be followed by bands which have to show a disinterest in commercial appeal and a refusal to sell out. Another factor present in the metal code is the opposition to established authority, and separateness from the rest of society. The metal performer becomes an ideal image of the music and subculture, being compelled to show total devotion to the music. A performer needs to be an idealized representative of the subculture. This idea that metal shapes what young people should think and their view of the world built up the ideology of pervasive ali enation, which is a reason of pride and defiance for the subcultures members.  [2]  However, Phil Collen, a guitarist for the band Def Leppard, says in one of his interviews They think they are alienated but they are not. There are two million people exactly like them. The members of the subculture are in majority white males that come from middle class backgrounds. They are tolerant of those outside its core demographic base who follow its codes of dress, appearance, and behaviour  [3]  . Their code involves attending concerts, buying albums of the groups they support and building friendships among the members of the subculture. Solidarity is built on the activities they do together, for instance going to concerts. This is a ritual in which the members can celebrate their common appreciation of music. They use magazines and, more recently, websites, to connect with others and express their solidarity. Moreover, a person who does not fully embrace the culture is considered a poseur by the rest of the members. A poser, as defined by the Webster dictionary, refers to person who pretends to be what he or she is not: an affected or insincere person. Authenticity and sincerity are necessary in order to not fall under the poseur label. James Hetfield , the lead singer of Metallica, stated in one of their 1980s concerts This will kill all the posers out there, all the fake people. The members of the heavy metal subculture do not have a well-defined name; instead, they are referd to as metalheads, headbangers or even trashers. The term metalhead is applied to a member of the subculture who, in addition to being extremely enthusiastic about the music, follows the fashion and behavioural rules imposed by the subculture. The amount of young people that identify with the heavy metal culture exceeds a couple of million individuals just in the Unites States of America. A performer states in the documentary Heavy-the story of Metal: Why do kids like heavy metal? They can be whatever they want, be dumb, be cool, be crazy. Metalheads find meaning in several aspects of their involvement with heavy metal; for instance, in their resonation with the meanings of the songs, their admiration of the performers, their participation in the collective ritual of the heavy metal concert, and also from being part of a subculture that shares their taste in music and view of the world. Being a metalhead means being a true believer. Metalheads have authority over each other in what concerns acceptance as a true believer. Confirming to the heavy metal style and ideology of alienated individualism grants acceptance by the other members. The absence of community is substituted by the heavy metal subculture. Connections between members are made based on their enthusiasm for the music. This also often becomes the basis for new friendships. A resemblance between the community of metalheads and a geographically distinct traditional community can be made. Listening to music pushes metalheads to think they are sharing the declaration of the songs message. This makes it easier for them to observe the imperfections of society and the hypocrisy that comes with adult life. By embracing heavy metal, young people think they are helping the world expose its falsity. Performers declare their authenticity through the music they make as well as their dressing style. Breaking all social conventions regarding dressing and behavioural codes shows their lack of interest and disrespect for the corrupt society. Solidarity to other metal fans is shown by following the same pattern of dressing. In addition to this, metalheads use their style to show that they agree with the messages put out by bands in their songs, they too agree with the fact that the societys corruption needs to be exposed. Sebastian Bach, a heavy metal performer, states in the documentary Heavy the story of Metal: Heavy metal does have a message for the rest of the society, and that is F*ck you! Reckless behaviour is often associated with metalheads. This behaviour ranges from driving under the influence of alcohol, to doing drugs or having sexual intercourse without protection. Vandalising and shop lifting are also more often associated with members of the heavy metal subculture than with other young people. One reason behind this is said to be the heavy metal music that influences their behaviour. The antisocial themes of the songs can awake the same feelings in those who listen to them. However, reckless behaviour is linked with heavy metal music by sensation seeking. Young people that are in the look for intense feelings or new experiences are attracted to the dark, rough sound of heavy metal music as well as to the danger and novelty that comes with risk-taking behaviour.  [4]   Heavy metal style In addition to the music, heavy metal style occupies a very important place within the subculture. It offers metalheads a degree of independence compared to the other factors that constitute this subculture. Elements of this fashion are derived from several other youth cultures of the 1960s, for instance motorcycle culture, hippie culture, but it also has influences from military clothing. There are several functions that the elements of the style have: social, psychological and symbolic. With the help of style, members of the subculture can distinguish between insiders and outsiders and at the same time allowing them to create their own identities by providing them with forms to express their attitudes, norms and values. Heavy metal fashion consists of clothing and other visual elements added to a members image. It is predominantly male because all metal styles are inscribed by the masculinist ideology. The uniform consists usually of a black T-shirt, leather jacket, blue jeans and boots. T-shirts and sometimes baseball caps can have imprinted the name or logo of a metal band, allowing others to see what is that persons favourite band, fact that often leads to mutual appreciation of each others musical tastes. What is more, jeans jackets, which are legacy of the hippie culture, can replace the leather jacket. However, both types of jackets are decorated with pins, buttons, spikes, metal bullets or other homemade decorations, like patches. Designs preferred range from skulls, skeletons to snakes or dragons. Heavy metal jewellery also consists of leather objects, like wrist bands, gauntlets or belts, decorated with metal spikes or chains. Necklaces often have a cross or a skull medallion. Moreover, colourful tattoos can be often found on the arms of metalheads. Long hair is also one of the best ways to show your dedication to the subculture because it is a feature that cannot be concealed. It became one of the aspects that best defined the boundaries of the metal subculture because only a dedicated member would accept to always be associated with heavy metal. Headbanging and the heavy metal hand sings, often referred to as metal fingers, metal horns or Satan fingers also play an important role in the subculture. Headbanging is the dance of choice of metalheads. It is an activity most metalheads engage in, refers to a violent rhythmic shaking of the head by fans of heavy metal music  [5]  . The audience members of a concert usually headbang in order to show that they get lost in the music. It is more often seen in the near proximity of the stage and it is not absent from any show. The metal horns were popularised in the subculture by Ronnie James Dio, a member of Black Sabbath, who claimed his grandmother used the sign to keep away the evil eye. Nowadays, this is a sign widely used by fans not only in concerts, but also in othe social gatherings. Members of the heavy metal culture also indulge in some recreational substances. Beer is the most popular drink among metalheads. It was taken from the bikers and is consumed in high amounts at festivals and concerts. Weed is another substance commonly used in the subculture, originally used by the hippies. In addition to these, other drugs such as cocaine or vodka are associated with heavy metal performers. In conclusion, metalheads use their music and style to rebel against the norms of society. They fight back by breaking the rules and adopting an ideology of alienation. As Rob Halford from Judas Priest said You kick back, you punch back, you fight back, you claw back, you scream back with Heavy Metal. Word count: 2391 Additional sources Documentaries Heavy: The Story of Metal The Decline of Western Civilisation Part II The Metal Years Heavy Metal Parking Lot Get Trashed

Deception Point Page 109

A few of the reporters laughed. With his daughter bearing down fast from his right, Sexton had no doubt this father-daughter reunion would best be held in private. Unfortunately, privacy was scarce at the moment. Sexton's eyes darted to the large partition on his right. Still smiling calmly, Sexton waved to his daughter and stepped away from the microphone. Moving toward her at an angle, he maneuvered such that Rachel had to pass behind the partition to get to him. Sexton met her halfway, hidden from the eyes and ears of the press. â€Å"Honey?† he said, smiling and opening his arms as Rachel came toward him. â€Å"What a surprise!† Rachel walked up and slapped his face. Alone with her father now, ensconced behind the partition, Rachel glared with loathing. She had slapped him hard, but he barely flinched. With chilling control, his phony smile melted away, mutating into an admonishing glower. His voice turned to a demonic whisper. â€Å"You should not be here.† Rachel saw wrath in his eyes and for the first time in her life felt unafraid. â€Å"I turned to you for help, and you sold me out! I was almost killed!† â€Å"You're obviously fine.† His tone was almost disappointed. â€Å"NASA is innocent!† she said. â€Å"The President told you that! What are you doing here?† Rachel's short flight to Washington aboard the Coast Guard Osprey had been punctuated by a flurry of phone calls between herself, the White House, her father, and even a distraught Gabrielle Ashe. â€Å"You promised Zach Herney you were going to the White House!† â€Å"I am.† He smirked. â€Å"On election day.† Rachel felt sickened to think this man was her father. â€Å"What you're about to do is madness.† â€Å"Oh?† Sexton chuckled. He turned and motioned behind him to the podium, which was visible at the end of the partition. On the podium, a stack of white envelopes sat waiting. â€Å"Those envelopes contain information you sent me, Rachel. You. The President's blood is on your hands.† â€Å"I faxed you that information when I needed your help! When I thought the President and NASA were guilty!† â€Å"Considering the evidence, NASA certainly appears guilty.† â€Å"But they are not! They deserve a chance to admit their own mistakes. You've already won this election. Zach Herney is finished! You know that. Let the man retain some dignity.† Sexton groaned. â€Å"So naive. It's not about winning the election, Rachel, it's about power. It's about decisive victory, acts of greatness, crushing opposition, and controlling the forces in Washington so you can get something done.† â€Å"At what cost?† â€Å"Don't be so self-righteous. I'm simply presenting the evidence. The people can draw their own conclusions as to who is guilty.† â€Å"You know how this will look.† He shrugged. â€Å"Maybe NASA's time has come.† Senator Sexton sensed the press was getting restless beyond the partition, and he had no intention of standing here all morning and being lectured by his daughter. His moment of glory was waiting. â€Å"We're through here,† he said. â€Å"I have a press conference to give.† â€Å"I'm asking you as your daughter,† Rachel pleaded. â€Å"Don't do this. Think about what you're about to do. There's a better way.† â€Å"Not for me.† A howl of feedback echoed out of the PA system behind him, and Sexton wheeled to see a late-arriving female reporter, huddled over his podium, attempting to attach a network microphone to one of the goose-neck clips. Why can't these idiots arrive on time? Sexton fumed. In her haste, the reporter knocked Sexton's stack of envelopes to the ground. Goddamn it! Sexton marched over, cursing his daughter for distracting him. When he arrived, the woman was on her hands and knees, collecting the envelopes off the ground. Sexton couldn't see her face, but she was obviously â€Å"network†-wearing a full-length cashmere coat, matching scarf, and low-slung mohair beret with an ABC press pass clipped to it. Stupid bitch, Sexton thought. â€Å"I'll take those,† he snapped, holding out his hand for the envelopes. The woman scraped up the last of the envelopes and handed them up to Sexton without looking up. â€Å"Sorry†¦,† she muttered, obviously embarrassed. Hunkering low in shame, she scurried off into the crowd. Sexton quickly counted the envelopes. Ten. Good. Nobody was going to steal his thunder today. Regrouping, he adjusted the microphones and gave a joking smile to the crowd. â€Å"I guess I'd better hand these out before someone gets hurt!† The crowd laughed, looking eager. Sexton sensed his daughter nearby, standing just off-stage behind the partition. â€Å"Don't do this,† Rachel said to him. â€Å"You'll regret it.† Sexton ignored her. â€Å"I'm asking you to trust me,† Rachel said, her voice growing louder. â€Å"It's a mistake.† Sexton picked up his envelopes, straightening the edges. â€Å"Dad,† Rachel said, intense and pleading now. â€Å"This is your last chance to do what's right.† Do what's right? Sexton covered the microphone and turned as if clearing his throat. He glanced discreetly over at his daughter. â€Å"You're just like your mother-idealistic and small. Women simply do not understand the true nature of power.† Sedgewick Sexton had already forgotten his daughter by the time he turned back toward the jostling media. Head held high, he walked around the podium and handed the stack of envelopes into the hands of the waiting press. He watched the envelopes disseminate rapidly through the crowd. He could hear the seals being broken, the envelopes being torn apart like Christmas presents. A sudden hush came over the crowd. In the silence, Sexton could hear the defining moment of his career. The meteorite is a fraud. And I am the man who revealed it. Sexton knew it would take the press a moment to understand the true implications of what they were looking at: GPR images of an insertion shaft in the ice; a living ocean species almost identical to the NASA fossils; evidence of chondrules that formed on earth. It all led to one shocking conclusion. â€Å"Sir?† one reporter stammered, sounding stunned as he looked in his envelope. â€Å"Is this for real?† Sexton gave a somber sigh. â€Å"Yes, I'm afraid it's very real indeed.† Murmurs of confusion now spread through the crowd. â€Å"I'll give everyone a moment to look through these pages,† Sexton said, â€Å"and then I'll take questions and attempt to shed some light on what you're looking at.† â€Å"Senator?† another reporter asked, sounding utterly bewildered. â€Å"Are these images authentic?†¦ Unretouched?† â€Å"One hundred percent,† Sexton said, speaking more firmly now. â€Å"I would not present the evidence to you otherwise.† The confusion in the crowd seemed to deepen, and Sexton thought he even heard some laughter-not at all the reaction he had expected. He was starting to fear he had overestimated the media's ability to connect the obvious dots. â€Å"Um, senator?† someone said, sounding oddly amused. â€Å"For the record, you stand behind the authenticity of these images?† Sexton was getting frustrated. â€Å"My friends, I will say this one last time, the evidence in your hands is one-hundred-percent accurate. And if anyone can prove otherwise, I'll eat my hat!† Sexton waited for the laugh, but it never came. Dead silence. Blank stares. The reporter who had just spoken walked toward Sexton, shuffling through his photocopies as he came forward. â€Å"You're right, senator. This is scandalous data.† The reporter paused, scratching his head. â€Å"So I guess we're puzzled as to why you've decided to share it with us like this, especially after denying it so vehemently earlier.†

Stardust: the Wall and Tristan

Through dedication, love, and courage, Tristan Thorne overcomes the strength and ability to grow up and become a man. The movie stardust is an adventure movie that brings thrill and excitement. As Tristan grows into being a mature man he faces many difficult tasks. Example, while Tristan is facing the love of his life. The girl does not give him a chance as he knows Humphrey is proposing to the girl Tristan likes. Tristan knows he has exactly one week to get the ring for the girl or she marries Humphrey.When Tristan turns to his father for help, Tristan’s father has a surprise for him, as he takes him up into the attic and gives Tristan a gift. A gift his father has had for him his whole life, a gift from Tristan’s mother he has never met. Tristan finds out it is a note in a basket addressed from his mother. In the note wrapped up is a Babylon candle from his mother. In the note it explains how he can use the candle his mother gave him, and what it is used for. As it ta kes one week for Tristan to grow up, he realizes he must cross the wall to get the star the love of his life is asking for.Tristan realizes he cannot cross the wall unless he has some help, as Tristan got his help. Tristan sneaks past the old man and over the wall. Yet, Tristan does not realize what he has in front of him, and what lies ahead of his battle to get the star he has always hoped of getting for the love of his life. First, Tristan grows and matures into a man by crossing the wall, and capturing the star. Second, as Tristan has the star he has always wanted; he realizes his true love is right in front of his eyes, and is not the girl he was capturing the star for.Finally, Tristan gets his wish by capturing the star, and becomes king. One reason why it takes Tristan a week to mature and grow up because he realizes he has such short time to capture the star that he needs. Tristan only has one week, and he realizes he has competition trying to capture the star as well. Secon d, Tristan realizes he is not the only one in pursuit of trying to capture the ring, as the witch and brothers try and track him down to become next king and queen. Finally, Tristan matures into a man by the help of his captain and friends he has met along the way of capturing the tar. Tristan realizes the love of his life is right in front of him, instead of back home. First, Tristan falls in love with the star, but yet does she know he has feelings for her and he does not know how to explain his feelings towards her. Tristan finds out the real truth of how she feels for him when his own mother turns him into a mouse, after they met up along a trail and he asked for a ride. She said he must give up his Snow Drop flower to catch a ride. As soon as Tristan gave up the flower, she made Tristan a mouse and put him in a cage in the back of the wagon.Star explains her feelings to Tristan as he is a mouse, and she does not know he understands or is listening. Second, Tristan tells star he has heard what she has had to say about her feelings towards him and Star is quit shocked. My last reason why Tristan never knew his true love was right in front of his eyes, because the captain on the ship explained to him it has been all along; he just never realized it. Finally, Tristan gets his wish by capturing the star and becoming King.First, Tristan became King by being the last one alive to capture the Star, and bringing her back home with him. Second, Tristan is crowned King by capturing the heart of the stone, which leads to internal life. Tristan got his wish by defeating the last witch alive, before the witch had a chance to kill the girl and capture the star. Third, when Tristan is crowned King, he receives a gift from his mother; which is one last Babylon candle. In Conclusion, Tristan Thorne overcomes the ability and strength to become a mature man.When Tristan battled his way to win the power to become crowned King, Tristan first jumped the wall when he was not dar ed to enter. Second, without the help of his own mother he never met his whole life, and the note in the basket being wrapped up with a Babylon candle inside his father gave him. It was the fastest way he could travel to get the star that he needed, and to get the ring for the love of his life back at home. As much as Tristan knew it was important to keep Star with him, Tristan had to always keep a close eye on her in order not to lose her.Tristan knew she was very popular and had to overcome great challenges not lose her, because Tristan knew it was his only chance to get the ring for the love of his life; which later on he discovers she is a star and does not realize she is the key for whoever becomes the next crowned King. Later, Tristan realizes he is not the only one trying to capture the star, and that has forced him to grow up very quickly to becoming a man. In the end, Tristan gets crowned King, by defeating everyone else behind him and gets the love of his life which was ri ght in front of his eyes all along.

China s Cooperative Medical System - 1722 Words

As a developing country, maintaining an affordable healthcare system that is available to all of its citizens is crucial for its eventual success. Countless different countries have struggled to devise a way to provide health insurance to their citizens, and China is no exception. Ever since the collapse of China’s Cooperative Medical System in the 1980’s, rural citizens have struggled immensely to obtain affordable healthcare. This paper intends to examine Chinese healthcare reform from 2000 to 2005, mainly focusing on the New Rural Cooperative Medical System as well as the background of China’s healthcare system and how it reached this point. China has had a complex history, especially when talking about healthcare reform in regards to†¦show more content†¦Although the actual quality of health care providers is still under scrutiny, there is no question that the reformed policy has succeeded in providing expansive health benefits to the less fortunate in China. Before we delve into the various aspects of the New Rural Cooperative Medical System, it is important to establish a comprehensive understanding of the original Cooperative Medical System and why it collapsed in the 1980’s. The original system made its first appearance in China in the 1950’s and covered the majority of the agricultural population. â€Å"During the Anti-Japanese War, Medical Cooperatives were setup in the Shanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, which was one of the bases of the communist party. At that time, the purpose was to meet the basic medical needs of the population by collecting financial contributions from individuals to setup medical clinics. Although the number of such organizations was small, and the mechanism of Medical Cooperatives was not like that of today’s CMS, the Medical Cooperatives of that time are described as the rudiment of CMS† (1, 503). One of the leading reasons that the CMS was successful at this time was the fact t hat it was organized as a community effort with collective funding paving the way for treatment. Under this system, rural Chinese citizens did not have to pay many out of pocket expenses because their respective