Heavy Metal lyrics (late 1960s to present) course
Heavy metal: is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and the United States. With roots in blues rock, psychedelic rock, and acid rock, heavy metal bands developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and loudness. The lyrics and performances are sometimes associated with aggression and machismo. [from Wikipedia]
This class will explore heavy metal music from its late 1960s origins until the present day. We will discuss bands within their cultural and historical contexts. We will analyze song lyrics, albums, music videos, and footage of live performances. We will have discussions based on these materials. Students are expected to participate enthusiastically. There will be weekly homework that relates to the in-class topics. There will be a midterm essay test and a final presentation.