Why it's good to have lots of "not metal" styles

I will readily admit that some of my tastes are slightly strange. Anyone who saw my top 20 albums of last year will have noticed that French symphonic power metal band Fairyland sat between Norwegian black metallers Immortal and Polish extremists Behemoth. Swedish black metallers Marduk were neighboured by New England metalcore pioneers Shadows Fall. Stylistic differences abound. The camp optimism and generally up-beat vibe of power metal should not sit well next to the brutality of Anaal Nathrakh's wall of noise, I hear you say. But nay! (power metal moment!), thou art most wrong!

When it gets right down to it, the thing that is universally true about all the music I like is its ability to communicate genuine emotion. When I listen to Rhapsody Of Fire, pretty much my favourite ridiculous symphonic power metal band, the strength and intensity of the music makes me genuinely believe the optimism the music exudes. Similarly, how could you not believe the authenticity of Paul Baloff on Bonded By Blood or Ihsahn on Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk?

My problem is that there is very little outside of the world of hard rock and metal that does much for me until we reach the realm of classical music (please note the small "c"- Classical refers to a style of classical music most famously exhibited by Mozart and Haydn, but more on why I'm being pedantic later). This is admittedly limiting. I've really tried, but without the riffs and powerful bass section as a foundation, my attention wanders very quickly. The conundrum is that however amazing Slayer are, there are going to be times when I'm simply in the wrong mood for them. And this is where the import of variety becomes paramount.

To demonstrate, a few "facts":

Fact 1- hardcore punk is better at being out-and-out pissed off than any metal
Fact 2- you cannot have a genuinely uplifting black metal song
Fact 3- there is a limit to the number of thrash riffs than can be written without down-tuning the guitar so far only dogs can hear it

These facts may seem unrelated- and indeed they are. They all illustrate my point, however.

Explanation of Fact 1:
There are times when I am seriously pissed off. So pissed off that Darkthrone are too bleak, Iron Maiden too uplifting and Entombed too distorted. I want something fast, simple and fucking pissed fucking off. Let us turn in our hymnals to the collected works of Unearth (they're not metal, doncha know!). In particular, their rather splendid third album III: In The Eyes Of Fire. Fast, pissed off metalcore. It's still riffy, it's still metal, but it has a seriously narked edge that hardcore does far better than metal. Not metal? I don't care. It fits my mood when the occasion arises.

Explanation of Fact 2:
There are times when I am in a very, very good mood. So good that not even the terrific fun of Municipal Waste is quite happy enough for me. And that cheesy pop crap stirs me about as much as chocolate stirs cement. Turn again, if you will, to Rhapsody's masterpiece Dawn Of Victory. Yes, I know it's (more than) a touch ludicrous. But I challenge any vaguely emotionally motile person not to have a smile on your face by the end of the title track.

Explanation of Fact 3:
Eventually, stylistic blind alleys arise. Let's face it, the thrash revival is fun, but it's a genre that hasn't delivered a classic album since 1990. Lots of great stuff, but not since Rust In Peace and Seasons In The Abyss has an all-time classic come along. Or have they? I hear the name of Pantera being shouted at computer screens globally (or more likely in about three places in England). And Pantera illustrate my point perfectly- they took a dying genre, did something radically different with it and became the biggest and best heavy metal band of their generation. In a similar vein, Helloween were stunning, but there's a limit to how long that style of riffing remains interesting. That is why the symphonic elements came into power metal.

My point, which I am taking a long time to arise at, is that heavy metal has survived and remained great because of the diversification. New ideas breath life on dying embers and grow a flame bigger than ever before. The variety means there is a heavy metal record of sufficient quality for every emotion and mood, every pace and complexity. At least, very nearly...

And this is why I referred to maestri Mozart and Haydn. Because metal simply cannot do everything. As much as Opeth's Coil moves me to the verge of tears, it is a haunting beauty. Metal does beauty less well than other music forms, and can do it in fewer ways. Now and again, I need a little beauty in my life. There will never be a heavy metal song as beautiful as the slow movement of Mozart's Wind Serenade No. 10 in B flat. There will never be a metal song as subtly and softly disturbing as the closing minute or so of the first movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. And (sorry Opeth) there will never be a metal song as hauntingly, tragically beautiful as 'Un Bel di Vedremo' from Puccini's Madam Butterfly.

Which is why cries of "that's not metal" are so moronic. Metal can never, and will never be able to do everything, whatever its diversity. And to suggest that the diversification of the music we, as metalheads, hold so dear to our hearts is betraying the genre, and that metal can survive on Slayer, Black Sabbath and Death alone is simply daft. If music stagnates, it dies. I welcome people trying new things. It may not always work, but credit for trying. And when it does work, brilliant! A whole new type of heavy metal to listen to? That's exactly what I want! That was what made me move on from Metallica and Fear Factory and seek out Immortal, Sepultura and Sodom in the first place. It is what has kept heavy metal from dying when it has been at its lowest ebbs.

If you refer to something using the phrase "that's not metal", far from Defending The Faith, you are one of those who risks killing it. Without growth, there is only death.

And now, I shall listen to excellent Finntroll. Because THAT'S NOT METAL!!!