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Metal Community

Created on 2005-12-09 10:08:55 (#8989321), last updated 2009-07-09

47,581 comments received

Basic Account [Gift]

4,066 Journal Entries, 36 Tags, 3 Memories, 0 Virtual Gifts, 0 Userpics

Basic Info

Name:	Metal
Website:	Metal_Community
Membership:	Moderated
Posting Access:	All Members, Moderated

About

Some twenty years ago, the gods put down their feet so firmly into the ground, that no man nor sword nor pen could ever change the rules upon which the very fundament of metal was made.

Welcome to

metal_community. We might not be the only metal-related forum on LJ, not by far, but we consider ourselves to be the best. This is not an example of mere pretence or posturing – far from it. We don't need a fancy name, and we don't need any pomp or circumstance. We make no bones about what we are, and what we feel sets us above other communities: the fact that we are tight-knit and loyal, and consider each other as close friends. Instead of a drama-oriented group where the focus is to show everyone else the size of your Metal Penis™ and to win arguments over others, the atmosphere of this group is one of discussion, and often amusement, among friends. It is a place where many of us remember one another's names, and use them accordingly. The vibe of this community is a unique and special one, something that we truly appreciate and wish to preserve.

We believe that being a fan of metal of any description is just as much a fire in the blood as it is for those who play it. And just like playing an instrument, you’ve got to put effort in to get something out. Not all of us here live and breathe and shit and die metal in the stereotypical sense, but for each of us, it is something that moves us, has affected us, and is at the very least an integral part of our interests and contributes (at least somewhat) to the way we perceive ourselves. When it comes to those who wish to join us, we expect no less.

We wish for prospective members to not only be knowledgeable about the subgenres of metal (e.g. death, black, power, grind, thrash, etc) and able to contribute to discussion, but also to be fun, interesting people who will fit well into our laid-back, mature environment. In order to maintain this standard, you will be required to fill out an application and your admission to the community will pend upon the collective approval of the community's members.

This has, however, contributed to a fair share of persistent misconceptions about this community. For one thing, we do not consider ourselves a rating community. We’re looking for a level of musical taste that will enable you to at least take part in our discussions, a significant amount of intelligence, and an open mind that is not completely closed off to discovering new things. We do not primarily deal with death and black metal – our members comprise a rather well-rounded selection of taste, ranging from squiddly power metal and tree-hugging folk metal to brutal death metal and bands that are "blacker than the blackest black (times infinity)". Yet another reason why another accusation that often gets levelled, that having entrance restrictions makes us a tribe of fascists who are only interested in screening out any who do not completely share our tastes, is ludicrous.

The reasons we do wish to keep the community exclusive are simple ones, and they’re part of why we believe our community to be well worth the extra effort to get in. More idiocy runs rampant on both sides of the spectrum if membership is unmoderated. Some forums on LJ are full of legitimately elitist twatasses, and others are so free with who they let in that the whole community eventually turns into a metalcore celebration. We do not automatically loathe anyone who listens to metalcore, but this community is not for that. Also, troublemakers and trolls – both of whom we've had trouble with in the past - are less likely to bother when faced with a long, complex application. The same goes for people who like a little bit of metal, but on the whole would not care enough to really participate in the community.

If you are truly knowledgeable about metal and able to intelligently express what you are talking about, the application process should not be a problem. HOWEVER, if you are only into a few nu-metal bands, or are here to spread drama and elitism just because you know about a few obscure bands, this community is not for you, and as such you choose to apply AT YOUR OWN RISK! DO NOT BOTHER APPLYING if you cannot handle the idea of being cut down, because as much as we try to avoid it, it is always a possibility.

Now, to start you all off, there are rules. We're not running this place like a concentration camp or a gulag - well, not all the time, anyway. But the fact is, there needs to be a few things everyone needs to know so we can keep it friendly, pleasant, and drama-free. Even friends argue sometimes, and the best way to keep it infrequent is with knowledge of the sort of thing that invites trouble. And, to start with, there's the oft-mentioned application.

APPLICANTS:

$\m/$ The first thing you need to do is join the community. An email will be sent to the mods, who will most likely take a good look over your own journal. If you are thrown out at this stage, it's because the mods have no idea whether you are or are not a troll. Occasionally we will also pass you up if we see from your profile that you do not actually listen to metal even in the barest sense, in which case continuing any further will be pointless.
$\m/$ Once you have been given posting access, the first and only thing you will do is post your application. You will see this below, preformatted with the correct HTML, and with a self-contained lj-cut. Don't change the code or use Rich Text mode - that will screw everything up and annoy everyone who's supposed to be voting you in.
$\m/$ All new members have ONE WEEK to post their application from the date they are given posting access. Failure to do so by the date specified results in instant removal. This is to prevent lurking. Don't join if you never intend to apply.
$\m/$ The application must contain "I do not hail to your Roman gods, and you are not my Emperor!" in the subject line. This shows you've read the rules. The implication of omitting this line may result in a cascade of negative votes.
$\m/$ When your application is posted, the members will vote. Once a sufficient number of votes have been collected, you'll be approved and can post freely - or not, as the case may be. There's a reason why we have this process, and a quick look around other metal-themed communities with no entry requirements should soon tell you what it is.
$\m/$ Do not, under any circumstances, make any new threads, or comment on threads other than your application, until you are approved. Three strikes and you're out. No excuses.
$\m/$ To avoid the problems that come with having pre-pubescent teenagers on the Kerrang! forums, we have a minimum age limit of 16. We do sometimes make allowances if you're 15, but you must be mature - and by that, you must be able to convince us that you're in your early twenties (at least) had you not posted your age.
$\m/$ No lying; you will be found out. Some previous applicants have fallen foul of this. It is much more respectable to own up to things you feel we may not agree with than to attempt to get in here under false pretences.
$\m/$ No nudity or porn AT ALL, given that we have the odd few under-18s here. We will get in a severe amount of trouble with LJ if we don't enforce this brutally. All non-worksafe links must also be accompanied with an explicit message that this is the case.
$\m/$ We're not total spelling-and-grammar Nazis, but we do at least expect you to make an effort with it. If English is not your first language you're more likely to be given some slack, just don't post your application in Swedish, Russian, Chinese, etc - as very few of us will be able to read it.
$\m/$ It is pretty much guaranteed that if you put forth little effort with the application, the other members will not be impressed. The application may be long, but its purpose is to separate those who really care about being here from those who are just doing this for the hell of it and will not be active afterwards. Remember this.
$\m/$ Using internet twatspeak, toggle case and text-message shorthand in your application will be severely frowned on. This will incur the wrath of just about everyone, and also means you are neither old enough nor mature enough to be part of this community.
$\m/$ Do not delete comments in your application unless you genuinely misspelled something or wish to phrase a reply better. If you delete votes, the mods will notice and you'll be out of here incredibly fast.

MEMBERS:

$\m/$ When voting, do not forget to put your answer in the subject line. If you do not do so, it is possible that we will skip over it when adding up the votes, therefore it will not be counted.
$\m/$ You are judging on the applicant's level of metal taste and on their intelligence. The vote cannot hinge on whether their taste perfectly matches yours, and cannot hinge solely on something you have seen in the 'More About You' section, which is indeed only there to better get a handle on the applicant's personality. If you do not agree with their opinions, as long as they were expressed intelligently and are not completely incorrect or ignorant by anyone's standards, this is not reason enough for a no.
$\m/$ Choose your battles, both with applicants and with other members, very wisely. You will make friends in this community by being civil, mature, and respectful. You will not make friends here by lashing out. The variety that exists between members is nearly always a good thing, but it is inevitable that there will be clashes now and again. However, the mods and most other members abhor petty drama. It is a great way to get others to lose respect for you. Diplomacy is a virtue. Very few people on the internet seem to remember this nowadays.
$\m/$ Be blunt in your voting, but do not be unnecessarily harsh unless the applicant personally antagonised you or another member in a comment first. If there are things you did not like about their application, by all means state them. Yet there's a reason why the 'post comment' button exists. You were an applicant once, too. Think about whether you'd like to be on the receiving end of a harshly phrased vote before you submit yours. It is perfectly possible to be honest without being purposefully demeaning or cruel.
$\m/$ The picture portion of the application is mostly to match a name to a face, and to ensure that the applicant is indeed a real person. Yes, pictures can often be a window to someone's personality, and as such may influence your vote. But just like the personality questions, photos cannot be the sole reason you reject a person. This is not a rating community. And if you have other reasons in addition to the pictures, you had better list them all.
$\m/$ Listing your reasoning for a 'No' vote as 'Something about you rubs me the wrong way, but I don’t know what' or 'I simply don't like you' is invalid. Something must have influenced you to vote a certain way. Therefore, state it. By the same token, voting 'Yes' or 'No' and merely placing a punctuation mark in the body of the comment is severely frowned upon – the vote will most likely be disregarded. After filling out the entire application, prospective members deserve more than that.
$\m/$ Irrational intolerances such as racism, sexism, elitism and other such prejudices are likely to result in a very sharp exit from the community.
$\m/$ As long as you're prepared to be respectful of others, the above should not be a problem, and you may therefore go off and have fun.

:THE APPLICATION:

metal_community application:
It's all here. Even the bolded questions and lj-cut. REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR ANSWERS AFTER THE [/b].

<lj-cut text="Application \m/">
The Basics
1. Name:
2. Age:
3. Gender:
4. Significant Other (pics please if yes):
5. Location:

Metal: The Music
Answer each as fully as possible, elaborating and explaining your responses in-depth wherever applicable.
6. Name 20+ metal bands you would classify as favourites. Optionally, you can include a small description of why your top five among that list appeal to you:
7. Do you play an instrument? If so, are you in a band? Provide us with a link to your band's site if you've got one; as exposure can mean everything:
8. Name several of your favourite songs: 
9. What lyrical themes, if any, do you look for when seeking out new bands?
10. What bands or specific songs would you say are the ones that got you into metal? How long have you been a fan of metal in general?
11. Name and describe any albums you feel have truly influenced (and even defined) metal, in respect to your own personal tastes:
12. If you could attend the show of any band in concert, provided you have never before seen them live, who would you choose and why?
13. Describe the best concert you have ever been to. What made it great, the music? The stage show? The atmosphere? Include whatever caused you to consider this particular show as your favourite.
14. Name a band you consider to be underrated or even completely unknown, that you feel deserves more recognition than they get, and the reason you feel this way. Provide a link to their official website:
15. If you could be in any metal band at any point in history, which would you choose to be in? What would be your role in the band?
16. If you could meet any metal band or any metal musician, who would you choose to meet?
17. Have you already met, or do you know, any metal bands or musicians? What were they like? Are they good with the fans, or do they need a bit of help in that department?
18. Name one band you feel is a detriment to the world of metal, and the reason behind this opinion. Try to elaborate more than "Slipknot, they suck":
19. Have you ever found it hard (or even shameful) to enjoy certain music because of the stigma attached to it, its place in the mainstream, or its general fanbase?

Response Questions
Agree or disagree with the following statements in depth, and defend your opinions intelligently.
20. I prefer it when metal bands take their images very seriously.
21. It is wrong to download metal songs or albums, and to trade mp3s. The only real way to show support for bands you admire is to purchase their albums in stores or online.
22. The metal scene today is only a shadow of what it was years ago, and the quality of the new, emerging bands has also decreased.
23. Kids who weren't even born when their favourite bands were in their prime can't possibly be as loyal of fans as the ones who were around at the time.
24. 'Classic' heavy metal bands should quit while they are ahead; the latest offerings from giants of the genre are far inferior to what they put out in their heyday.
25. When a band gets a lot of recognition, it is pretty much a given that they will, one day, sell out. A band's music and merchandise being easily accessible in stores is not necessarily a good thing.
26. Record labels could care less about quality in music, and pass over the bands who deserve the most recognition.
27. The quality of a band's music is more important than their ideology.
28. Mainstream metal, and 'metalcore', is in no way truly 'metal', and should not be associated with the rest of the genre.
29. Besides being a genre of music, metal is a way of life.

More About You
30. Share several interesting facts about yourself and your hobbies:
31. If you could go back to any time period/place in history, where would you choose to go and why?
32. If you could visit any foreign land of your choosing, which would it be?
33. Name several of your favourite movies, if any:
34. Name several of your favourite books, if any:
35. Name several some of your favourite television shows, if any:
36. What are some non-metal bands that you listen to?
37. Show that you've got a sense of humour by telling us one of your favourite jokes. Don't make it too long, though:
38. What is the story behind your username?
39. Do you have any tattoos or piercings? Where?
40. Do you do any drugs? What ones? [This includes alcohol]:

Promotion and Pictures
41. Promote to another community or to a LiveJournal, to help spread word about the community around. Link to where you did:
42. Post one rather silly picture of yourself.
43.Post 3+ regular photos of yourself. Make sure they are clear so we can see your face, and please try to avoid any Photoshopped ones. (Omitting this section results in an immediate rejection):

Deleting comments on your application will result in your immediate banning.

</lj-cut>

If you are rejected, you may try out ONE more time if you so desire.

:THEME OF THE MONTH:

May 2009: Make your own version of the Wyrd Ways Rock Show

There are too many details to post the lot here, but in short - a two-hour (or there abouts) podcast based (however loosely) on what

thunarr regularly provides for our listening pleasure. The full run-down on how to do it can be found here.

:THE HALL OF FAME:
An award that ranks higher than Metalhead Of The Month, and is given to those whose efforts towards any aspect of community participation have gone far beyond the call of duty.

	Wren (boblovesmusic) For a relentless effort to bring us bands we could never possibly have heard of before via MP3 Of The Day.
	Carl (thunarr) For bringing Metal To The Masses for anything up to three hours every single week via the Wyrd Ways Rock Show.

:METALHEAD OF THE MONTH:
An award that is given according to participation, and let's face it, to popularity.

	May/June 2009: Jeremy (sunless_dawn) Joint award with...
	May/June 2009: Kim (baldchik)

Previous Metalheads Of The Month can be found here.

:OUR FEARLESS MODS:

The Kings (well, plus one Queen) of Metal. Hail, kill, and bloody Froot Loops!
From left to right:

The Guardian Of The Sacred Tattoos, Mohawk And Checked Loincloth Looted From The Devastated Empire Of Thark, Purveyor Of Truly Obscure White Noise By Bands We Didn't Know Existed From Countries We Didn't Know Existed, Techno-Sorcerer Michael Von Eiren Of The West Midlands Massive (

eiren)

The Viscount Of Vulgarity, Terrorizer Of Punjabs Everywhere, Daddums Incarnate And Master Over The Dark Arts Of The Intarwebs, The Utensil Formerly Known As SPooN, Smiter Of All That Is Untrøø And Devourer Of Small Furry Creatures, He Speaks In Obscurity And Shites Rainbow Sherbet (

viking_bastich)

The Grandmaster Alchemist And Oracle Of All Things Metal, Wielder of Timon's Axe, Doctor Jón Þórsteinn Petúrsson, Explorer Of The Jarldom Of The Northmen, Chief Confuser Of The People, A Stein Of Black And Filthy Stout Raised To The Eternal Glory Of Moonsorrow (

ironlord)

She Came Down From The Western Hills, Ye Olde Floaty-Skirted One, Arch-Generalissimo Tina De Duinath, Slayer Of The Infernal Green Death Wyvern, Supreme Bard Of The Court Of Sir Martin De Walkyier (

tinaviel)

Mod Number Five is not shown on this picture (but can be seen here wielding a huge machine gun) - we're working on the proper five-mod picture...

On A Mission In Search Of The Perfect Cup Of Coffee, Commissar Simon Amarth, Strapping Young Aushole Who Has Been Summoned To Rid The World Of Those Less Thrash Than He, Drunkenly Wielding His Chainsword 'Neath The Winter Sun (

simonb3)

:OUR FAMILY:

Only the most recent application is linked to, whether that is the one that caused the relevant member to be accepted or not. For the full list of applications, including changed journals and ex-members, see the application archive.

:LAST.FM:

metal_community is now also on last.fm! The group page is here. Applications are approved by

simonb3. If it is not obvious (ie. same name and/or userpic as livejournal) make sure to leave a shout stating who you are, or we won't let you in.

CREDITS:
Top profile banner design (featuring Sepultura c. 1991) by

aiden_macleod
Community and profile layouts by

tinaviel
Community layout background image: Death Dealer II by Frank Frazetta

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black metal, death metal, doom metal, folk metal, grind, heavy metal, metal, power metal, symphonic metal, thrash

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eiren, ironlord, simonb3, tinaviel, viking_bastich

Moderators (5):

eiren, ironlord, simonb3, tinaviel, viking_bastich

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