The metalheads are one of the most sustained urban tribes in time. Its main characteristic is the rebellion before the system, in peaceful terms, and the preponderance of the present over the future.
Metalheads have representatives of different ages and are intimately linked to the heavy metal music genre, which emerged in the mid-1970s.
The characteristic sound of heavy metal emphasizes strident and very fast tones. It can be defined as a mixture of rock and punk .
The electric guitar is a major element in the compositions, and their songs often have protest content against the system.
The main bands that initially identified and promoted the genre heavy metal were the British Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Deep Purple; and the American Iron Butterfly, among others.
From the genre heavy metal have emerged other genres that are part of what is known as"metal", such as Groove Metal, Nu-Metal, Metalcore, Trash Metal, and others, each with marked differences in rhythms and themes .
The great variety of its musical genres has generated metallers with different characteristics. However, there are some elements common to the entire urban tribe.
History of metal workers
After the Second World War a context of nonconformity was generated in relation to the established system, which allowed the emergence of different subcultures or urban tribes, which sought to reflect their discontent with the social context.
Metalheads, also called"heavies"or"metalheads", were the second most influential urban tribe, preceded by Hippism.
The metal culture subculture arose in the middle of the 70's, in search of an alternative to the rock of the time, which they considered very delicate and refined.
The United States, Germany and England were the first countries from which musical bands with strident and strong tendencies were generated, and the so-called heavy metal arose. The British band Led Zeppelin is considered one of the precursors in this genre.
Ideology
The metalworkers' philosophy is considered a radical approach to the vision of hippies. They share with the latter the antimilitarist perspective and are characterized by giving much more importance to the present than to the future, under the conception of enjoying the moment that passes.
The subculture of metal workers is extremely broad, so it is very difficult to generate a characterization common to all its representatives.
However, it can be said that metalheads are usually atheists, or at least non-religious.
Generally, the ideology that most identifies them is left thinking, although they are not usually interested in participating actively in social changes.
There are those who consider that the metaleros exercise a critical thinking, that their songs have contents associated with social demands and that, given that heavy metal is one more music to listen to to dance, the depth of the lyrics of the songs takes center stage.
characteristics
As mentioned above, the urban metal tribe is quite broad. There are even divergences between the same metallers in relation to the characteristics that are actually associated with this subculture.
However, there are some general peculiarities. Three of the main characteristics of the metallers will be described below:
1- Attire similar to that of motorcyclists
Their clothing reminiscent of those worn by motorcyclists and members of rock bands of the 70s and 80s.
They are characterized by dressing fresh flannels, with images allusive to heavy metal bands, and black or blue jeans.
They have a preference for dark colors; black is the primary choice, but other dark tones are not ruled out, such as blue or gray.
The sports shoes complete the outfit, which is characterized by being comfortable and not pretentious. They can use leather jackets or vests with frayed edges, but do not usually use many accessories.
2- Long hair
There is a very characteristic element in metalworkers: the hair. Both men and women usually wear long hair.
They do not comb it in a particular way, it can be loose or collected, but usually it is disarranged.
2- Peaceful behavior
Metalheads are characterized by peaceful behavior. As explained above, the urban metal tribe can be considered a variant of hippism, a subculture that based its ideology on pacifist and inclusive elements.
Metalheads, then, are not challenging or aggressive, even though some outfits may give that impression.
Despite the image of"rude people", metal workers generally focus on living the moment, without harming or being harmed.
This subculture has been associated with the consumption of different drugs , probably for that approach of thought directed to enjoy the present moment without thinking too much about the future and the consequences.
However, the consumption of drugs and alcoholic beverages is not extended to the entire metal community, so it can not be considered an essential feature of this urban tribe.
Another peculiar feature of metalheads is that they generally do not participate in electoral processes.
This behavior would come as a consequence of the rebellious vision regarding the system, and of the little importance given to the future.
3- It is the most intergenerational subculture
A very interesting feature of metalworkers is that it is one of the urban tribes in which there is more variation of ages between their representatives.
As we have seen, the metal culture subculture is intimately related to music, and the metal genre is quite broad.
Since the music is so wide, then the very conception of what a metalhead is also quite broad.
The fact that such a conception is so diffuse can contribute to more people being identified with it, because it can cover many different characteristics.
Within the metallers can be found people with very different peculiarities among them, and between those differences they emphasize the ages of the members of this urban tribe.
It is possible to find older metal, lovers of groups like Led Zeppelin, Metallica or Iron Maiden; as well as younger metal ones, inclined towards more contemporary bands, like Slipknot or Disturb.
References
- "Heavies"in Ecured. Retrieved on 7 September 2017 from Ecured: ecured.cu
- Zarama, M."Urban tribes at the beginning of the third millennium: of punkeros and metaleros"(2005) in Remigio Fiore Fortezza Library. Retrieved on 7 September 2017 by Remigio Fiore Fortezza Library: biblioteca.iucesmag.edu.co
- "Urban tribes in Spain that originated outside the country"at Enforex. Retrieved on 7 September 2017 from Enforex: enforex.com
- "But what is an urban tribe? Where the concept comes from? And why?"At the University of Malaga. Retrieved on 7 September 2017 from Universidad de Málaga: uma.es
- Petridis, A."Youth subcultures: what are they now?"(20 March 2014) in The Guardian. Retrieved on 7 September 2017 from The Guardian: theguardian.com
- Starke, L."You Are (Not) Your Favorite Sweater"(19 October 2012) in Being Human. Retrieved on 7 September 2017 from Being Human: beinghuman.org.