Heavy Metal Philosopher
intersections between classic heavy metal, philosophical fields and topics, music history and theory, and all sorts of other stuff
Classic Metal Class Session 17 — Parody in Heavy Metal
Classic Metal Class Session 17 — Parody in Heavy Metal
from Spinal Tap to Steel Panther. . . and beyond
Classic Metal Class Session 16 — Rival “Priests,” Beefs, and Ethical Issues
Classic Metal Class Session 16 — Rival “Priests,” Beefs, and Ethical Issues
We often raise and explore ethical dimensions within the heavy metal scene in Classic Metal Class. Often these take the form of what one…
The Ten Albums In My Metal DNA
The Ten Albums In My Metal DNA
what albums formed you most as a metalhead?
3 Undeservedly Panned 1983 Albums
3 Undeservedly Panned 1983 Albums
music critics, the record companies, and even heavy metal fans didn’t like these . . . but they’re definitely worth a listen!
My First Metal Album As A Kid
My First Metal Album As A Kid
KISS’ Destroyer was the best Valentine’s Day gift !
Classic Metal Class Session 15 — Heavy Metal Covers of Non-Metal Songs
Classic Metal Class Session 15 — Heavy Metal Covers of Non-Metal Songs
success stories of taking songs from distant genres and reworking them into classic metal music!
Classic Metal Class Session 14 — Meta-Metal Songs and Metal Identity
Classic Metal Class Session 14 — Meta-Metal Songs and Metal Identity
heavy metal songs that thematize the musical genre, lifestyle, and community
25 Classic Heavy Metal Albums To Start With
25 Classic Heavy Metal Albums To Start With
the heavy metal philosopher’s recommendations for sliding into the genre on the early end
Classic Metal Class Session 13 — Heavy Metal Videos Pre-MTV
Classic Metal Class Session 13 — Heavy Metal Videos Pre-MTV
how videos were spreading heavy metal before the video channel’s rise
Video Flashback — Black Sabbath, “Trashed”
Video Flashback — Black Sabbath, “Trashed”
analysis of alternate videos for a classic 1980s Sabbath song
Classic Metal Class Session 12 — Classic Metal and Cover Songs
Classic Metal Class Session 12 — Classic Metal and Cover Songs
what makes for a great metal cover of a non-metal song
Classic Metal Class Session 11 — What Makes “Best Albums” The Best?
Classic Metal Class Session 11 — What Makes “Best Albums” The Best?
it’s not just a popularity contest!
Classic Metal Class Session 10 — Heavy Metal In Germany in the 1970s to Mid-1980s
Classic Metal Class Session 10 — Heavy Metal In Germany in the 1970s to Mid-1980s
it was time to tackle the rise of teutonic heavy metal
Classic Metal Class Session 9 — The Sunset Strip and the L.A. Connection
Classic Metal Class Session 9 — The Sunset Strip and the L.A. Connection
a massive heavy metal scene explodes in Los Angeles during the 1980s!
Metal Origins: Black Sabbath Yes — But Who Else Was Involved?
Metal Origins: Black Sabbath Yes — But Who Else Was Involved?
getting past the Sabbath-first-and-only narrative
Classic Metal Class Session 8— American Metal in the 1970s
Classic Metal Class Session 8— American Metal in the 1970s
so many great bands to talk about from that era!
Remembering Ken Kelly’s Metal Album Artwork
Remembering Ken Kelly’s Metal Album Artwork
He painted his portion of our collective metal imagination
Yes I Was There!
Yes I Was There!
memories from the very first concert of the American Monsters of Rock tour
Classic Metal Class Session 7— The New Wave of British Heavy Metal
Classic Metal Class Session 7— The New Wave of British Heavy Metal
an era and movement that produced some of the greatest metal bands of all time!
Classic Metal Class Session 6 — Ethics of Metal Bands Post-Farewell Tours
Classic Metal Class Session 6 — Ethics of Metal Bands Post-Farewell Tours
Going back on the road after saying goodbye — is that wrong for metal bands to do?
Classic Metal Class Session 5— Mid-Late 1970s British Heavy Metal
Classic Metal Class Session 5— Mid-Late 1970s British Heavy Metal
where, when, and how heavy metal identity was being forged!
Classic Metal Class Session 4 — Mimesis, Metal, and Tribute Bands
Classic Metal Class Session 4 — Mimesis, Metal, and Tribute Bands
In the fourth session of our monthly class focused on the intersection of philosophy, music history, and heavy metal, my co-host Scott…
Classic Metal Class Session 3 — Metaphysical Identity of Bands Through Changes
Classic Metal Class Session 3 — Metaphysical Identity of Bands Through Changes
One of the issues at the intersection of philosophy and classic heavy metal music has to do with metaphysical identity. What makes a thing…