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C O U R S E L E C T U R E 1980s Ambitious Heavy Metal Notes taken on October 6, 2016 by Edward Tanguay |
heavy metal bands that captured the spirit of the progressive rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s
took heavy metal seriously
wanted to do something with a sense of seriousness of purpose
not the dandyism of the L.A. Hair Bands
or the kind of radio-friendly, hook-oriented bands such as Guns-n-Roses, Van Halen, or Bon Jovi
music that had substance to it
had contrasts: light and dark
building music that goes seven or eight minutes in length
not only thinking of the radio single
blending together speed metal and thrash metal
guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield
1984 Ride the Lightning
1988 And Justice for All
made Metallica an important band
large-scale, two-part form
an epic piece in two parts
serious lyrics, textual contrasts
in the 1989 Grammy performances
everyone thought they would get it
winner was Jethro Tull: Crest of the Nave
was kind of a make up of what should have happened
was a big surprise, just had performed One
this scandal did Metallica good in the sense of publicity
became the founders of serious heavy metal
take their point of orientation from Metallica
formed by Dave Mustaine
was kicked out of Metallica
1985 Killing is My Business... And Business Is Good
1986 Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
not a lot of commercial success
not like Metallica or Bon Jovi
1992 Countdown to Extinction
we often thing of Metallica and Megadeth together
the closeness of the members
the closeness of the aesthetic of the music
virtuosity instrumental playing
we see this in Heavy Metal generally
when the song is emphasized, the guitar solo is shorter
Richie Blackmore of Deep Purple
Eddie Van Halen from Van Halen
Randy Rhodes from Ozzie Osbourne and Quiet Riot
1990s alternative rock was acting against this
hearkens back to the Hippie rock guitar solos
many guitar players practicing 4-6 hours a day just to gain technical mastery of the instrument
Ambitious Heavy Metal carried the torch for the hippy aesthetic in many ways
devoted entirely to Heavy Metal videos
viewers could now focus on smaller groups as well as the most popular groups