When I first heard Metallica's "Master of Puppets" many, many years ago, I'd sit in my room, in awe of the music, reciting and learning the lyrics. I still remember the moment when I was realised, in a moment of insight, that the album had a common theme running through it - the theme of control.
Whether it was about drugs, communism, religion, the military, or a mental institution, all these songs were suddenly made even more powerful because they had meaning. You could sing along and the music was a vehicle for the message. And what a rush it was, identifying and understanding what the words really meant.
Many years down the track now, and it seems nearly every band has, at one stage or another, released an album or song that was either politically motivated or socially conscious. And while a lot of these releases are thought provoking or even inspiring, I wonder what the true motivation is for some bands when writing these songs, and if it is a little too similar to celebrities taking up an environmental cause.
Everywhere you look today, there is some kind of fear-mongering concern begging for your attention - climate change, stem cell research, the war on terror. I guess every generation has its crosses to bear, and the music of the time reflects these issues.
Metal is a great vehicle for highlighting issues, and can generate not only discussion amongst fans, but maybe even activism. To me, this is metal at its finest - challenging the listener to understand, and even perhaps to act, all through the power of the finest music in the universe.
The flipside is that the metal world, like any industry, is open to manipulators who use the system for their own means, and that can include, sadly, taking up a cause that they don't truly believe in. So when a band member yells "Fuck Bush!", are they truly against the government's position, or is it just a catchcry that they think will sell them more records?
I, for one, enjoy listening to metal that has a political edge; that challenges my views or presents a position that I hadn't thought of. It inevitably leads to post-gig discussions and even more pondering. And naturally, the delivery of this message is what attracts me in the first place: the pounding rhythms, the shredding riffs, and the powerful vocals, all combining to create an awareness that no other medium can even come close to.
However, if I get a feeling that a band is jumping on a bandwagon, with the aim of pandering to popular causes, then to be honest, I do feel a little cheated, and it lowers the value of the music to me, no matter how intense or talented they may be. I'd prefer they left a hollow message out and concentrate on the music rather than become a lyric clone.
The positive side of all this is that within our metal community, beliefs are reflected and challenged in the music we create and enjoy, and the bands who wear their hearts on their sleeves deserve to be heard, musically and lyrically. It's ultimately up to the individual, but an inspiring song shockwaving through our speakers can sometimes do more good than a million streetwalkers handing out flyers.
Metal with meaning. Listen to it.
What are your thoughts?
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