Analysis of Heavy Metal

"People pay to go get scared at the cinema, so why wouldn't they pay to get scared by music" - Ozzy Osbourne.







For my analysis of Heavy Metal I looked at the popular band 'Black Sabbath' who are known for being the pioneers of Heavy Metal music. I specifically gave my analysis of this genre extra attention, as I believe it to be a big possibility for my music video.







Black Sabbath: Considered the Godfathers of Heavy Metal by critics and fans a like, Black Sabbath were definitely the most important band in shaping Heavy Metal today. Due to finger disability, the chunk power chord and heavy rifting style of guitarist Tony Ionmi accompanied by Ozzy Osbourne's waling vocals and a dark and tight backbeat, was like nothing people had seen before and was certainly a lot louder and scarier than any music heard at the time. In order to accompany this dark sound, Black Sabbath carefully shaped their image wearing 'Undertaker Jackets' and 'Big Black Boots' in a purposeful attempt to add an element of fear to their already frightening music. In terms of albums covers and music videos the underlying themes and imagery are what sculps much of the Heavy Metal Genre today, which consisted of Graveyards, Bats, Blood and the colour Black.











Music Videos: Although many of Black Sabbaths music videos are very dated, at the time they would have been considered frightening and the underlying theme of terror and destruction throughout their videos remains innate in Heavy Metal videos of today. For their video 'Electric Funeral' this theme of destruction is very evident.