I've noticed that some people who are on this message, while - obviously - a fan of Loreena's, are a fan of Metal music as well. I find this very strange, personally, as I think that Metal and Loreena's style are totally different to each other.

In my opinion, Metal is an extremely angry, loud and disturbing style of music (if one can call it music at all). I don't see how it is possible for someone to like both Loreena's music and Metal.

All you Metal/Loreena fans out there, can you please explain this to me? What is it about Metal that you like? What is it about LM's music that you like? How to those things you like about them relate to each other?

Yours in confusion...

Jesse

ps: no offence intended to anyone's musical tastes.

Ooh... Good point, Soul Tornado!

I had to sign up for these boards just to respond to this topic. I didn't realise LM was so popular among metal heads. 90% of my cd's/albums are metal music and LM has always been the odd artist in my collection. I first heard her when Mummers Dance was getting airplay in the 90's and have been a huge fan ever since.

I have always thought that LM and metal have had many things in common. The biggest one for me is the insturmentation in her music. There is a lot going on which is being played by experts in their craft. Like a good metal album, everytime I listen to her I hear new things. Good metal music is played by masters of their insturments and it shows in the music. Both are very technical.

Being technical alone isnt enough though. There has to be a passion and emotion driving the music. This alone can make mediocre music become fantastic and moving. Old Black Sabbath isn't super technical by todays standards but it is some of the best metal created because of this. In a lot of LM's music i'm not sure exactly what she is saying but it doesnt matter to me. The way she does it oozes with emotion and it gets me. The Dark Night of the Soul (Live) from Mediterranean Odyssey is a perfect example of this. A lot of the words I don't know, and it doesn't matter. The emotion conveyed is the important part and she does it like no other.

Metal music is very similar. Many times the lyrics aren't as important as the emotion that backs them. A good singer will move you and give you goosebumps. The lyrical content of LM and metal music, I think, also have similarities. They're not singing about themselves or light converstion topics. The topics run deep and can be very personal. Some are fictional fantasy or stories. Some are about world situations and their impact on humanity. These are lyrics of thoughtful people. Not ALL metal is like this but most is. Some songs just don't need lyrics and the insturments do the talking.

The third similarity is the passion which LM and metal bands have for their music. These people would make their music even if no money was to be made. And in metal, more often than not, there is no money to be made. They do it for the art, not the money. LM's comments on 'Cult of Celebrity' mimmick the thoughts of many metal musicians. It's about the music, not popularity. I instantly respect any musician with this line of thought even if I don't like the music. They're real. If you want to see passion and love for metal music please rent/buy the DVD called Anvil: The Story of Anvil. I promise that you'll love it even if you don't like metal. It's a great story of conviction, determination, brotherhood, and sticking to your guns. If your eyes aren't watered up by the end then you're not human. The band Anvil coincidently hails from Canada also. I imagine that if LM had the bad luck of Anvil she'd be out there making the music she loves still. That is metal.

On a personal level LM and metal are about more than just the music too. They represent the idea of doing things your way, not conforming to the normal mediocre garbage. Individualism. Intelligence. The overall presentation of both can be a humbling experience and show me that I play a tiny role in this world. LM is as metal as they come whether she knows it or not. Up the Irons Loreena!

Hey Jesse!!!!

How have you been brither.... It has been a while...

How is life these days for you!! Well I trust! LMK

An-Da

I consider myself a "metal" fan. I was at Loreena's concert the other day, and was surprised with the number of metal fans I saw. I mean there were a lot. And then I considered the reasons I was there. It is because good music, of any type, touches your soul. As Udo said before, metal music is about one's real feelings. Whether that is anger, disappointment, revenge, loss. Surely you agree, there is more to life than just "being in love".

Folk music and metal are basically the same, just in different wrapping.

I come from Greece, which has thousands of years of tradition blended into our music. The range of subjects covered by our traditional songs could fill an encyclopedia. There are even fun songs about the proper way to make love to a woman! And songs about a mother's grief that her youngest son was taken by the enemy when he was really young and raised to become the soldier that killed his father.

There are death metal groups, playing extreme music. BUT, they talk about the exact same feelings of sadness, grief and anger. You can not express the primordial feeling of wanting to hurt the person who hurt your family accompanied by a pop beat. It has to be angry music to support the angry feelings.

Folk music of all countries is THE music to listen to. It's above classical music by far. Just give it a listen. You will be surprised by the wealth of rhythms and stories.

Hi An-da-shealladh!
First of all, how did you come up wih your avatar name? I love it! Although I have no idea how it is pronounced

Yes I am a musician; I play piano and - since New Years Eve, 2008 - ukelele...at least, I can play songs on the ukelele that are in the key of C. I have transposed The Bonny Swans and The Lady of Shalott down a key (the recordings off LM's cds are in D), and can play them fairly well on the uke. I'm hoping to also pick up sitar (obviously inspired by listening to Cymbeline and The Dark Night of the Soul) and bass guitar.

Jesse,

Are you a musician? Just curious.

I think the only relationship between the two, would be the years each have worked hard at their craft, and that both are the means in which they express themselves. And they fill a need for those looking for such aid. And to those open minded and with a kindred musical spirit, we find appreciation in all musical expressions.

I am one of those folks. As I grow older, I listen to less KMFDM. MINISTRY, P.W.E.I., NIN and so many. But I still appreciate the art they have created.

In fact last week, my son asked me to join him in attending the NIN and Jane's Addiction tour. We were in the corn belt of the U.S. and there were 40,000++ people in attendance. I want to tell you, NIN is NIN, I like them, but never a steady diet, and as for Perry Ferrell of Jane's Addiction, he sure is a different spirit, but he and that group are fantastic. It was an outstanding display of Metal, art, music. I am glad not to have missed it.

Loreena was directed to myself by life and spirit in a time when I was, (I wont say at a Crossroads, that happens sooner) but at the time many of us take inventory of ourselves. Where we are, what we have done, how have I helped make life and those around me in my life and earth better off. And where do I go from this point.

I am thinking you are younger in life. Life is about transition. Praise be, I am always above earth and others in what I have done and accomplished. I have treated life kind, and in return it has been equal to myself. But we as people evolve, transition, nothing and no one, stays the same. I am thinking as you transition through life, your taste will change a bit, but you will always appreciate your musical past....I do.

I might be wrong, but as a musician, I always think you look at anothers musicianship differently. Not that one has to purchase or support, but appreciate, there is so much to a musian of strong capability.

Thanks....nice post Jesse. Be well sir.

Well Folk and Metal has always been close together. There is the awful mixture of Metal and Folk called "Medieval Music". Real medieval music is so different from that...

But often Metal bands use folky melodies and texts with old values in her songs as Udo mentioned with his Manowar-Example. And these values can be found in Loreena's music too.

And as Udo says, there are really bad "celtic" (even this name is actually discutable) bands, and really bad metal bands. And there can be the opposite.

I think it is very difficult to judge the purpose of music (speaking about the commercial and true/false statement).
You can only judge the artists truth behind his music, if you watch/listen to him in concert, but if commercial music touches you, it is still good and true music for you. Were the Beatles not commercial? Why do we all know them then? Hand to your heart: Loreena earns money with her songs too. Is that wrong?

But nevertheless, there is much music, that is ONLY done for money. But that will not last very long, so it doesn't bother me. And usually it is not the artist, who makes that music, but the producer. And that is, what Loreena and (obviously, I didn't know about that) Manowar fight against in making their own label.

But... Nowadays you can sell yourself very good with "Non-commerciality". The "indie"-genre becomes popular and so reduces its quality to absurdity. It is really funny, how so many people like some songs, because they are not popular...

I think it is good (from the artists perspective) to sell your music nicely in order to reach and move as many listeners as possible. If you are interested in money and not in your music anymore, then you are not a musician anymore, but a manager. And that is the reason, why we have so many prostitutes on the world's stages, because sex sells as good as good music, but is easier to find...

Well that was a kind of a novel now, but this (off)topic always gets me "upstairs" (I don't find the correct english expression, but I think you know what I mean)

Metal is awesome. Definitely one of my favorite genres, alongside industrial.

Some of my personal favorites are Rob Zombie/White Zombie, Megadeth, Tool, Neurosis, Nightwish, High On Fire, Mastodon, and DevilDriver. Funny that Udo mentions Manowar, I've actually been listening to several of their songs quite alot recently. Good music to get you pumped.

Neurosis is possibly the best metal act out there right now. They combine folk music, downtuned sludge metal, post-rock, and a variety of other styles. I'd recommend to anyone to check out their albums from Souls At Zero onward. Their earlier stuff is good, but very much derivative of punk rock.

[quote]Btw, a couple of Loreena's songs are played at concerts during the break between the opening act and Manowar.
That is very cool!!!

For me the only difference in music is true music and false music.
Great statement!!!

Music done to only earn money sucks - music done to express oneself is beautiful.
Nothing is BETTER than that!!!

Hugs and Kisses,
Gina

I'll start off saying that I don't like sub-genres of heavy metal such as death or black metal. That is where the "singer" sounds like the cookie monster and the lyrics are very negative suggesting life is a waste of time etc.

Heavy Metal is handmade music from the heart. Musicians who can truly handle their instruments and vocalists who can actually sing (more than one octave!).

My favorite band is Manowar. They sing of truth, honesty, courage, brotherhood - the will to never give up. To fight for what is right until death. To believe in oneself.

Listen to songs (guess you can find them on youtube) such as Master of the Wind, Heart Of Steel, The Crown and The Ring, I Believe, Hymn of The Immortal Warrior etc. and tell me that what you hear is disturbing noise.

I've been in the front row standing beside other Brothers and Sisters with tears in my eyes with goose bumps all over my body.

Of course they have much heavier songs but still these songs are filled with true feeling - and everyone has to scream out loud sometimes. I mean, sometimes life can "be a bitch" - he who does not let it out suffers in my opinion.

There are crappy metal bands and there are crappy Celtic bands, right?

Loreena's voice can be extremely loud and penetrating - although in a pleasant way just like Eric Adams' (Manowar).

Loreena sings from the heart - so does Manowar.

Loreena's musicians are perfectionists just like Manowar's and not software specialists.

Loreena is not commercial - Manowar is not either.

Loreena has her own record label, Manowar does, too because they would not kneel before any company president - because they wanted to do it their way.

Loreena speaks of the same traits Manowar sings about.

Loreena has her homepage in different languages of different countries. Manowar has united fans from all over the world because of their music - at the last Festival there were fans from over 30 countries standing beside each other and having fun - Germans, English, Americans, Israelis, Lebanese, Greek, Turks, French, Canadians, Russians only to name a few.

Btw, a couple of Loreena's songs are played at concerts during the break between the opening act and Manowar.

For me the only difference in music is true music and false music.

Music done to only earn money sucks - music done to express oneself is beautiful.

Gruesse
Udo

Well, that's a good question.
(I almost wrote; "That's a good vending, maybe we can use it in another afsnit" - quote from a christmas TV-show in DK)

I guess we humans are complex.
Some people like peanutbutter with jam!

I don't really have a music style I like better. I simply love music too much. There is always good and bad at every genre.

My primary reason for buying music is that it has to have a good melody.

I used to think metal was bad.
But how would I know if I never listened?
I heard or read this sentence, I don't remember where. But it has changed my view...

I think as nevermore that there are some music theory behind metal.


I will think more about this. (I'm out of time...)

Well, I'm not a metal fan or headbanger at all but I like listening to some bands like Blind Guardian, Iron Maiden or Elvenking.

First of all, I must say that I also find power chords disturbing like you; without them it would be a nicer kind of music but that's probably why they call it metal: ) In the other hand, some metal bands are using very complicated song foundations and modes perfectly; also bands like Blind Guardian or Nightwish are using orchestral dimension of music great and you can even find folk rhymes and tunes.

And the most important is the fact that people don't have to stay in one genre, I like listening to blues, celtic music and progressive rock (not progressive metal) at the same time I find interesting heavy and power metal.

But as I said before, I'm not a fan of metal (except Blind Guardian and I also don't like listening to the shredders and power chorders, so I'm probably not the one who you should ask.

Although it's being as an agressive genre, metal still includes very sophisticated theorical and technical foundations and expresses the feeling of some people; I guess that makes it obviously a "music" style.
And if you're ready to break some of your prejudices I would suggest you to listen to songs like Nightfall, Turn the Page The Soulforged, Mirror Mirror, And Then There Was Silence by Blind Guardian and Swallowtail, Pagan Purity, Moonchariot, Skywards by Elvenking; they also have great "not-metal" songs but they're not the thema of this topic. And finally; as a Loreena fan, I also love metal and I guess you can also enjoy some of them: )