Written by Timothy Monday, 17 August 2009 17:55
I was watching the "Count Of Monte Cristo" last night with Metal Tome’s own founder Christopher and the film spawned one of our usual conversations about how much modern society sucks. The worst in people is still just as secured for the long haul as it ever was in history and now there are plenty of new tools (see photo right) and distractions to amplify that problem. As of this moment there are jackasses lining up to spring into action in order to tell me how much is taken for granted now a days and I invite them all to stave off or perhaps to a duel, (which Chris and I also discussed a good deal) if they still support that which sucks by the end of this reading.
Everybody should see how technology and industrialization are double-edged swords. The sword and music are thanks to technology – that’s great. And of course I am communicating my thoughts over the Internet, cool, shut up! High technology, however, is an arbitrary privilege compared to having a culture and a sense of identity with a group. You see, I'm pretty tired of having no cultural vibe in my life in die-just-to-live-here Southern California. Perhaps it’s a new world (American) thing or perhaps it a modern world thing, but I really only feel like I identify with small, subculture/interest groups. The song "Misplaced" by Sonata Arctica comes to mind. This general vibe of feeling out of place is a great source of conflict for fueling an artist but a poor one to have as a person who seeks just to be happy. As a result of this, lately instead of thinking about running away from society to live in the mountains I've been contemplating running to a different society altogether.
 Half of what I see here I hate, and it's by no means the foreground. |
I suppose I’m a fairly impetuous sort of fellow. I’ve always been prone to snap decisions and quick, sweeping waves of willpower that send me in new directions, but I can’t get the home of Metal (in my eyes anyways) and my ancient ancestors out of my head – Northern Europe. I gather that the lands of the north have places where pride in heritage still exists and not in the way I’m used to which is very canned and processed, “Allow us to celebrate culture (spoon feed it to you) under a bunch of white, manufactured tents with people who also represent dishonorable local businesses that are only being represented because they have the money to do so.” Peh! Phooey! I’d sometimes like to resurge a little of my surly ancient heritage to burn down such a gutless attempt at recreating the festivities of a race of people. I hate watered-down. I hate politically correct. Problem is… I think I hate people too!
Now don’t get me wrong, truly I’m more of a do-gooder! I’m more about nature, gaiety, and being a gentleman than I am about savagery, slaughter, and destruction, but come now, where are the cultures of people who still have balls universally? I feel no reason to celebrate in the way that people celebrate today. I have very few ways of explaining what I’m after without citing popular media and so I must use Braveheart as an example. The setting is a small village, (though for the sake of imagination lets take British oppression out of the picture) you are around people that are familiar to you by genetic definition, you are in a land that you love and hold dear and you feel like you are proud to be identifiable as a Scot. When a gathering happens you actually feel festive and make merry because there isn’t shitty hip-hop or new-wave music playing and bunch of grind dancing going on. Instead what is happening is something more subdued and artful because it derived from your heritage, not the hormonal forces of roaring gonads and slipping societal standards. Talk about an excellent scene in an epic fucking movie! The quaint scenes of old life inspire me as much as the battles for freedom... Actually the whole movie just rules.
Anyways...I now realize that I’m saying that a certain kind of politically correctness is good and that is problematic because politics are just as unmetal as technology! So how do I justify this stance? Well I believe that humanity was never meant to exist beyond tribalism. In a tribe you did best having some modesty and social tact or you'd get your head cleaved by protective family members in the close-knit community. It seems now we’ve broken the game and we're using technology, mass media, and large-scale government in an effort to stab away viciously at the problem of our own human infestation. Teetering, we are, regardless of our efforts, and no man in an office or a lab better think he holds a finger over my head because he is “dealing with the problems of now.” The problem of now is that humanity sucks and that is coming from someone who wants the best for humanity! With a snap of my fingers I would plunge us back into the dark ages that we may be true to our nature once again. I feel that we’re lost and broken. Whatever it was that happened to our dignity and identity feels to be a huge part of the problem. The study of history can reveal a lot of what led up to this but it doesn’t help us anymore to survive the primae-noctis of modernization and the glitz of buy buy buy that is the true threat.
 Humanity was not meant to step beyond this. |
In the mean time I must come up with a solution for myself. My hopes are ever hinged on true friends and the dream of transplanting myself to the land of the north, Scandinavia. Maybe I'd find some happy niche there or at least a good woman to call love. My rejection of the way things are and this longing of mine to move away could be called the standard faire of naiveté that is attributable to my being young, but I am quite far detached I think. I’ve got my “where are the people who ‘get it’” filter engaged and don’t even want to make friends with most people anymore. I can definitely imagine some happiness spawning as I start to meet more people who are into metal - but there is always my weird capitalist culture of origin to steal away real connection. I’ve got my shield down for real connection and I’m frowning as people walk by, forgetful of what a shield even is. Music is actually influencing where I want to go in my life and that’s a powerful thing and one way that I can thank technology. As I slowly gear up for my dream of visiting northern Europe, I am wary that the home of metal is obviously a spawning ground for the same modern suffering as my own, for in order to spur the creation of such excellent music there must exist a similar predicament there. But shit, where do we go? Where can old souls feel at home? The quest is life, at any rate.
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Subscribe to this comment's feed Grev Chaosgoat said: 
 | ... The only reasons that Scandinavia doesn't blow is because they lack the proportions of develop-able land, they have no reason to develop it(oil money) and their culture is fairly homogeneously Lutheran(hence everything being closed on sunday). America has tons of pockets that are similar. I encourage any of you to go to parts of Montana and northern Idaho, not to mention Alaska. I lived in northern Idaho for a year and a half, and it is so fucking primitive and wild, it is like what the originators of black metal were dreaming about. It reminds me particularly of the place that Varg Vikernes dreamed about when he spoke of "escaping the tidal wave". We only complain here because it is fucking southern California. The worst part of the country as far as people and development goes. |
Charlotte said:
 | Scandinavia being materialistic It is said that Norway is atleast 50 years behind Sweden when it comes to... everything o.O I guess 50 years is too little when you want to live as a viking(?), but Scandinavia is more "natural" (if I can say that) and not that materialistic. We ARE materialistic (as the rest of the world), but like this example: The mall is open every day of the week in the US right? In Norway, it is closed on sunday because we consider it to be a familyday and a day for relaxation. One day out of the week for not being consumed with... stuff. I saw a video (or a bunch of them really) with a guy named Brian Weis where he visited Norway and he really enjoyed it and could see why we did it, but Michaela (that goes to my school and is also from the US) is freaking annoyed about it. Wow, I just lost the point o.O Uhm well anyways... Sweden is more materalistic than Norway, Denmark is to small to be that materialistic (it's just cosy in Denmark) and Norway (atleast parts) is trying to be update with the modern world, but if you go to far-off places like Lofoten and Vesteraalen you will definitely get intouch with your roots. Another example!: My mom studied in the US in the 80's and she was shocked by how different it was from Norway. Americans was quite shocked about what my mom told them too. You didn't make (I guess you don't do it now either) anything from scratch! Like cakes. Is it THAT hard to make a cake from scratch? Don't you have enough time? She also told us about how paranoid and what kind of "follow-my-own-rules"-society you have. People always say that Scandinavians are quite reserved and cold, but I guess it's better than shooting people just because they are entering your property. Oh! I found out what I was talking about again  The US is an extreme and you can't even consider comparing it with Scandinavia. It was a good read though and I hope you and Christopher decides on coming to Scandinavia/Norway soon. |
Timothy said:
 | Comrade Mark I find your words to be disrespectful and uninspired. You may someday be shocked when you discover the "lyrics" portion of any album's front sleeve, for you will realize that longing, anger, and sadness are emotions that underlie most every genre of music. My so called "hippie" article happens to be a hand-typed tirade about those same feelings, rather than a lyrical one which you may have enjoyed in the form of ANY SONG. When you step out of the shallows, my fellow human, please come back and post again. I suggest taking this as your only warning before you are disposed of in an unexciting electronic manner. |
Christopher said:
 | ... I guess Mark didn't get the moral of the story... or maybe he didn't even read it fully. Not sure. Pretty non-constructive, non-Metal thing to say about someones article. I think you missed the whole point of this being about origins and the deeper meaning behind "Metal Heads". A hippy wouldn't cleave you with an axe if you stole bread off their plate. |
mark worrell said:
 | ... you sound like a hippie if the world is to tough you can always koombyyah and cry |
Timothy said:
| Re: Cattle Agreed on all points. Our collective shit is getting ruined by too many forces at once for there to be a suitable collective in any country. There isn't some living, breathing golden age going on somewhere unless it's on stage or in the crowd at a metal show. Or perhaps perfection in the mind of a re-enacter like those delightful damsels pictured above. The moment is always most metal, just buying your groceries and keeping it real might be all there ever is to it in this life, at least for our own spirit's contentment. Even just looking at the BS that any of us has to deal with on a daily basis, it's no surprise that it's hard to walk the walk in life, regardless of the chosen path. *Sigh* The modern world blows... Hehehe. Well Chris, I suppose a follow up article out of you is in indeed in order! |
Christopher said:
| Cattle I agree with you fully, though I think even most people in Scandinavia probably suck just as much as here in America (no offense). The common man/woman doesn't think so deeply about heritage, honor, valor, or courage. I can only assume they think about eating, sleeping, material possessions, and sex. Granted we all think of these things, but modern society pounds it into our skulls on a daily basis via Magazines, TV, Internet, Radio, and any form of media you can cram lust into. Considering you know me... you know we think alike, and I also want to travel to Scandinavia and connect with the line of my people. One can only assume that the sub-culture we seek with like minded views would be easier found somewhere where Metal is still alive, and not dead like America. Some would argue that Metal isn't dead in America... and they would be correct, but definitely not mainstream like it once was... which leads me to an ironic thought. Do I want Metal to be mainstream in America? Hell no! I much prefer Metal as something that speaks to a certain individuals soul and brings them into the fold... not something mass produced and praised because MTV tells you it's "cool". I could write an entire follow up article to what you just wrote, so I'll stop now  |
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