Metalists (subculture): history of appearance, features

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

The word "metallist" exists only in Russian. In the old days, the expression "tinsmith" was used, and it meant an ordinary person who works in the field of metallurgy. And only at the end of the eighties of the last century people began to use the word "metal" in our country, referring to fans of "heavy" music.

Where did the term come from

Where did this term come from? When did it begin to be used in this sense? It was first spoken by a person who had nothing to do with music and everything connected with it.

The phrase heavy metal (translated from English - "heavy metal") sounded in the novel "Naked Lunch". It was written in 1959. William Burroughs in his book described loud and hard music, with aggressive and assertive notes. However, the term was not widely used at the time.

By the way, I would like to add a few words about "heavy" metal. It first appeared in the sixties. This style is a mixture of psychedelic music and blues-rock. Meanwhile, hishe lost his blues direction quite quickly. More and more loud and powerful sounds began to appear in it.

Where did the metalheads come from

Metalists are a youth subculture. Music is her inspiration.

It is most common in northern European countries, a little less - in America, there are many metalheads living in southern European countries. Meanwhile, the Middle East does not want to accept this subculture. There, its representatives are persecuted. You can meet them and other informals only in Turkey and Israel.

So, who are the metalheads? The subculture, whose history began in the last century, is quite unusual. By the way, in English there are analogues of the word "metalworkers". There they are called obsessed with metal, metalheads. And there are such derivatives in almost every language - they are formed from the word "metal" combined with specific prefixes.

Main differences

What is the most different from other non-formal metalheads? A subculture, whatever it may be, most often has a certain clear worldview. Metalheads don't have it.

All the texts of the bands working in this style speak of autonomy, confidence and independence. Many metalheads of the 80s and 90s made a kind of cult out of a person's personality. Very often in the songs there are calls for destruction. But do not think that metalheads are calling for the complete destruction of everything around. The main idea is to destroy the old and build somethingbest, new.

It is worth noting that not all teams are fond of this topic. Metalheads are a very ambiguous subculture. Often their songs talk about the need to be tolerant, compassionate to one's neighbor, adhere to the basic moral standards of behavior.

Many of the representatives of this subculture are very educated people. Most of them are fond of mysticism, fantastic literature, mythology, etc. Many of them play musical instruments perfectly, most often the guitar. Teenagers create their own musical groups.

Metalheads differ a lot. The subculture, the signs of which are easy to notice, attracts many. At the concerts of their favorite musical groups, fans often sing along loudly, jump high, wave their hair, shake their heads, push, etc. You can constantly see a “goat” thrown up in the crowd, which is a characteristic gesture inherent in all metalheads. They raise their fist, leaving the index finger and pinky extended.

Features of the subculture in Russia and the Soviet Union

Soviet representatives are metalheads of the 80s. It was during these years that representatives of this subculture first appeared in Leningrad, and in Moscow, and in some large cities. Their appearance did not correspond to Soviet ideology, and they were subjected to constant persecution. They were pursued not only by representatives of law enforcement agencies, but also by various groups.

Legally get the records that werecompositions of foreign performers were recorded, it was impossible. All paraphernalia was made independently. Meanwhile, despite all the difficulties, the popularity of this movement did not weaken. And now the first metal performers begin to appear in the capital. The subculture is now represented by groups such as Black Coffee, Legion, Metal Corrosion, Aria and others.

The most popular musical direction "heavy metal" in the Soviet Union becomes in the late eighties. The most striking event is the holding of a rock festival in Luzhniki in 1989. Then foreign artists were even invited to it. And already in 1991, the legendary musical group Metallica visited the capital.

First Fashion

How do modern metalheads dress? The subculture (photo above) suggests the predominance of black. For many people, the image of a metalworker is inextricably linked with a leather jacket, "leather jacket", decorated with a huge number of chains and studs.

It is worth noting that this style has become fashionable thanks to one particular person. Rob Halford, the vocalist of the famous band Judas Priest, first appeared on stage in black clothes with metal jewelry and a cap in the same color in 1978. For a long time his style remained unchanged. Rob also adorned himself with a huge amount of spikes and wore a collar.

"Metal" style today

Modern metalheads often wear hoodies and T-shirts, which depict logos or photos of their idols. Prefer jeans.military trousers, leather jackets with studs or patches, vests, long coats, heavy shoes, etc. Guys often grow long hair and beards.

The fair sex wear T-shirts, leather skirts or pants, high boots, dark tights and leggings. They are brightly painted, focusing on the lips and eyes.

Favorite accessories of metalheads are heavy medallions and bracelets, chains, fingerless gloves (like motorcyclists), bandanas, collars and wristlets with spikes.

Some representatives of this subculture like to apply bodypaint on their faces. This is a specific make-up, in which black and white colors predominate. The white shade covers the entire face of a person, and the lips and eye sockets are shaded in black. This coloring gives a living person the features of a dead man.

Meanwhile, not all representatives of this subculture are willing to comply with such a dress code. Despite their love for this style of music, they continue to dress like most ordinary people.