Current mood:

hungry

I guess I'll introduce myself with the new Q&A

How did you first get into metal, and why? Who were the very first bands you started listening to? Do you still listen to them now?
I think I first got into metal when I was about twelve. I saw the video for Metallica's "One" on MTV, fell in love with the song, so my mom stuck the ...And Justice For All cassette tape (yes, you read that right, cassette tape) in my Easter basket that year, which I find entirely amusing. From there I started listening to Ozzy, Black Sabbath, Testament, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Guns n' Roses, Skid Row, and various hair metal bands. I still listen to all these bands, pretty much, except for Metallica because I think they're rather insufferable. For awhile there I stopped listening to metal entirely and started listening to more punk and indie type stuff, but in the last few years I've felt like getting heavy again.

Has your taste in metal changed since you first started listening to it? If so, how? If not, why not?
Oh, yes, totally. When I started listening to metal again, I was drawn toward the more traditional stuff: Iron Maiden, Dio, Samson, NWOBHM type stuff. I preferred clean vocals and turned my nose up at the more extreme stuff. But then I eventually found myself listening to Burzum, Immortal, and Satyricon! I've definitely developed a taste for more extreme metal.

What is your favorite subgenre(s) of metal? Least favorite(s)? And why?
My favorite subgenre of metal is probably black metal. It makes me feel like I'm caught in an ice storm even if it's hot outside. If I need to cool down on a hot, sweltering day, I just put on Immortal's At the Heart of Winter or Satyricon's Nemesis Devina and I get all chilly. Plus, I have to admit that the image of many of the bands provides endless entertainment. As for my least favorite, that would be progressive metal. Bands like Dream Theater are a huge snoozefest for me, which is strange considering that I'm a huge fan of prog bands like Rush and Yes. Go figure.

Do you find yourself listening to a subgenre now that you've always hated, but for some reason now enjoy? If so, what?
Well, put it this way: if you would have told me five years ago that I would be listening to those funny guys with the panda paint, I would have laughed at you. I also never thought I would be listening to bands like Cryptopsy and Gorguts, but I do! And I love them.

Is there a band that you still find yourself listening to (or simply obsessing over) after years and years (say, over five)?
I'm pretty obsessed with Iron Maiden and Bruce Dickinson's solo stuff. Other than that, the stuff I listen to pretty obsessively isn't really metal: Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Bauhaus.

What role do you tend to admire most in a band? Why?
Percussionists! I can't really say why. Perhaps it's the stamina and endurance? Or maybe it's just that I think drummers are sexy.

What do you think have been the best releases in 2008 so far? What albums are you anxious to see hit stores?
Ack, I wish I could say. I haven't been able to listen to much music lately. =( Oh, wait, I really dug Meshuggah's ObZen.

Have you discovered any new bands (circa 2007 - 2008) that you'd recommend to others? If so, who? What subgenre are they in? What drew you to like them?
They're not new, but I'll go ahead and give a shout out to my hometown boys, The Black Dahlia Murder. They're death metal, but they have an awesome sense of humor. They're actually the band that helped me appreciate the more extreme forms of metal. Plus, I've known Trevor Strnad since he was 12, so I feel it's my duty to give him a little plug. ;P

What concert(s) are you looking forward to attending in the next few months? Or, what show(s) have you attended thus far?
Unfortunately, it'll be awhile before I'm able to go to any gigs. I'm still bummed about missing Iron Maiden on their latest tour.

Who in the metal scene do you find most attractive? (And for the love of God, pick someone else other than Alexi Laiho!) Edit: And post a picture! I'd love to see how everyone's tastes vary!
Bruce Dickinson, hands down. He's a total alpha-male, and yet he's a complete dork. Just my kind of guy! Plus he's responsible for one of my all time favorite metal albums (The Chemical Wedding. I'm sure you all know what he looks like, but here you go:


Do you enjoy any female-fronted metal bands? If so, who? If not, why not?
You know, I don't really listen to a lot of female-fronted bands. I'm sure I'd like them if I did, though.

Do you get along with other female metalheads? Or, do you feel a br00tal cat fight just waiting to happen?
I don't know any other female metalheads, really. I'm sure we'd get along if I did, though. I'm pretty laid back like that.

Do you go into the pit at shows, or do you stay on the sidelines?
I stayed in the pit during Iron Maiden's AMOLAD gig in Detroit, but I would only do such a thing for them. Otherwise, I try to stay out of the squeeze. I got stuck in the pit at a Ministry gig once. I thought I was going to die!

Do you think it's difficult, in any way, being a female fan of metal? Do you get teased or doubted because of it? Etc.
Eh, not really. My friends, who mostly listen to indie rock, are a bit bemused by my new found obsession with metal music. They tease me a bit about it from time to time. Other than that, it sometimes it gets a little hard to deal with the pervasive sexism seen in the boys' club that makes up most online metal communities, but I just try to let that roll off my back most times.