Metal for the Parents

[Ze Boy]

Originally Posted by Zephyrus

Ever since I've gotten into metal, it's been a part of my life that I had kept hidden from my parents. But in recent months, I've opened up a little and now they are aware that I listen to metal. They claim I never share my music with them, but I don't because I fear a negative impression will make them think less of me.

So I decided to send each of them a CD, each with 8 songs that give an honestly comprehensive sampling of my tastes, but also
appeals to each of their own musical tastes, at least to some degree. I will write a page for each CD explaining the songs, their conventions, and their appealing elements.

First, for my father, the classical music enthusiast and pipe organist, I will give him an assortment of symphonic/synth-driven black metal. I'll have to warn him/explain the heaviness and vocals, but besides that, the music could be potentially agreeable to him.

Limbonic Art - In Abhorrence Dementia
Summoning - The Passing of Grey Company
Satyricon - Dark Medieval Times
Covenant - From the Storm of Shadows
Nokturnal Mortum - Perun's Celestial Silver
Burzum - Dunkelheit
Alatyr - Hviezdy
Borknagar - The Winterway

For my mother, things will be easier, because she likes a lot of classic rock. I'll provide her with a glimpse at my classic metal side. The Rammstein track is there because she's a German scholar. And the Opeth track is sans growls but still with heavy guitars in the latter half.

Mercyful Fate - Evil
Iron Maiden - Can I Play With Madness
Pentagram - Broken Vows
Opeth - Face of Melinda
Black Sabbath - Hand of Doom
Metallica - Fade to Black
Judas Priest - You've Got Another Thing Comin'
Rammstein - Nebel

So what I'm asking from you guys is your approval of these playlists, and how I should go about justifying my musical interests. Keep in mind my parents are Catholics, but I think they know me enough to trust that the music has not affected my faith (as much as my logic has).

This is going to be tough, but it will be a weight off my shoulders once I've sent it off and heard their thoughts. I plan to mail these to them because I feel too awkward playing it in front of them.

Struth mate you make it sound as though your coming out of the closet it's not that bad I mean unless ya oldies are complete arseholes then they should be fine

Because they are already music enthusiasts they might be able to just understand however the likeliness of your parents liking it is something else they'll probably hate it but if you love it tell them then say that you won't stop listening to it no matter what if thats how you feel about it

My old lady reckons she's the one who got me to like it I mean she listens to Sabbath so I don't really know about religion IMO no offense but I've never met a catholic who doesn't have problem with everything so on this point your on your own although the amount of effort that you have put into it might be enough

Good luck with this shit I hope it works out for you and your family

[ramses]

I would recommend Therion. Don't know if you like them, but I've heard a positive response a few years back from my friends grandmother, no less. They always seem to get a positive response of "Now I like that...that's pretty good!" from parents, non metal girlfriends, even grandparents, dogs, cats...(kidding) I would say a good warm up, or starter, if you will, and then the heavier stuff: it tends to work, once they see that- just a brief pause to listen, before jumping to preconcieved notions, can prove typical stereotypes about metal wrong.

[Priest of Evil]

Good luck with that, your parents sound reasonably accepting for Catholics...

my mother still makes comments to me like "you've chosen the other side". I've got a family of my own now and I live a relatively normal family life, I just happen to like music and art with dark appeal. She rarely visits my son and I'm close to addressing her on a first name basis...

I can certainly understand your hesitation in "enlightening them" but sometimes you just have to follow your heart no matter what anyone else says or thinks.

Your lists look fine, Zeph. I tried a (few times) to do that with my father, melodies like Maiden that as a guitarist he might find appealing, it didnt work but there is no harm in trying. I hope I haven't frightened you!

[V.V.V.V.V.]

I've never really tried, but my dad is into some heavier shit like Kyuss. He is also a Tool fan and because of him I like a lot of classic rock and things of that sort, so it's alright. My mom just doesn't even appreciate music, she still thinks "writing a song" means you just write the lyrics iirc. I haven't even bothered. But when she comes in here I spite her with slam or something crazy just to be a dick.

[llamaking]

Originally Posted by V.V.V.V.V.

I've never really tried, but my dad is into some heavier shit like Kyuss. He is also a Tool fan and because of him I like a lot of classic rock and things of that sort, so it's alright. My mom just doesn't even appreciate music, she still thinks "writing a song" means you just write the lyrics iirc. I haven't even bothered. But when she comes in here I spite her with slam or something crazy just to be a dick.

My mom is basically the same way, and i do basically the same thing.

[genocide roach]

i kinda just forced metal on my parents. and oddly enough, theyve grown to like some of it. i even got my dad to go to the blind guardian concert with me.

plus theyve both seen me play in various bands, so they put up with it to see me have fun.

now, they enjoy anything with good musicianship. they were like that before, but they didnt realize that it could be found in metal
~gR~

[Hatebreeder]

My mom doesn't really care about my metal listening, but my dad is rather active in it. He's mostly in metalcore/thrash/death stuff like Suicide Silence, the Faceless, Lamb of God, Vader, Morbid Angel, etc. and is actually more well-informed about current events in the metal world than I am, being that he frequents Metal Underground and often borrows my CDs without my consent. He has also been at every metal concert I've been to (being that I am without a vehicle and he is the only one willing to take me).

[SouthernTrendkill]

How about some power metal for your dad? That some pretty technical/classical stuff, no? Sorry if there already is power metal on there, I just remember a lot of awesome heavy stuff. Your mom sounds like a fairly easy sell...

My dad's never going to appreciate my music.. it took him a hell of a long time to be okay with modern rock on the radio like The Black Crowes. We all used to listen to ALL the same music as my dad but then I started listening to Nirvana and then I started listening to Death... but it's fine, it's not like my dad is not supportive. For Xmas he got me Cryptopsy, Disgorge, and Hellhammer, so ain't no complaining.

Actually, now that I think about it he doesn't mind when I listen to my vast collection of absurd newer music. He figures that it's from a different era so I'm supposed to like it. What he was really mad about was when I started listening to The Beatles! He loves that I like classic rock but he hates The Beatles and so he didn't understand why I would get into them.

[Vilden]

IMO, you should switch the Maiden track because it is probably their worst track in the 80ies era. But I guess that's just to each of his own.

Here it is more the other way around, I put on something and my parents just have to deal with it. In the car, when we are eating etc. I don't do it to "rebel" though so I usually put on stuff I know they like or doesn't dislike atleast. Like alot of shoegaze, neofolk and traditional doom usually works.

[BlackMetalWhiteGuy]

For your dad, I would present a few stages. My mom loves stage one, and is tolerant of stage two, but isn't really getting into stage three that much. My dad just doesn't seem to like music at all.

Stage 1 - Classical influence is extremely obvious and even the vocals in most cases are operatic. Distortion guitar and percussion distinguish it as metal.
- After Forever
- Epica
- Nightwish
- Rhapsody / Rhapsody of Fire
- Sonata Arctica
- Therion

Stage 2: Classical influence is still obvious, but music is more aggressive and harsh vocals are mixed with operatic vocals.
- Stormlord
- Turisas
- Tvangeste

Stage 3: Aggressive with harsh vocals, but music is still heavily melodic.
- Blood Stain Child
- Catamenia
- Children of Bodom
- Imperanon
- Kalmah
- Norther
- Sins of Omission

Stage 4: Aggressive and technical, with harsh vocals.
- Beneath the Massacre
- The Faceless
- Necrophagist
- Theory in Practice