Extreme Metal Music and Culture on the Edge

by Kahn-Harris, Keith

• ISBN13: 9781845203986
• ISBN10: 1845203984
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-01-15
• Publisher: Berg Pub Ltd

Summary

Extreme metal--one step beyond heavy metal--can appear bizarre or terrifying to the uninitiated. Musicians of this genre have developed an often impenetrable sound that teeters on the edge of screaming, incomprehensible noise. Extreme metal circulates on the edge of mainstream culture within the confines of an obscure 'scene', in which members explore dangerous themes such as death, war and the occult, sometimes embracing violence, neo-fascism and Satanism. In the first book-length study of extreme metal, Keith Kahn-Harris draws on first-hand research to explore the global extreme metal scene. He shows how the scene is a space in which members creatively explore destructive themes, but also a space in which members experience the everyday pleasures of community and friendship. Including interviews with band members and fans, from countries ranging from the UK and US to Israel and Sweden, Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge demonstrates the power and subtlety of an often surprising and misunderstood musical form.

Author Biography

Keith Kahn-Harris is Associate Lecturer, The Open University, UK.

Table of Contents

Illustrations	p. vii
Acknowledgements	p. ix
Introduction: From Heavy Metal to Extreme Metal	p. 1
The Extreme Metal Scene	p. 9
The Scene and Transgression	p. 27
Experiencing the Scene	p. 51
Capital, Power, Infrastructure	p. 69
Comparing Extreme Metal Scenes	p. 97
Extreme Metal and Subcultural Capital	p. 121
Reflexivity, Music and Politics	p. 141
The Scene and Modernity	p. 157
Details of Quoted Interviewees	p. 167
Notes	p. 169
References	p. 171
Index	p. 183
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