Ask the 'Creep: Is Black Metal Art?
Posted on Dec 22nd 2009 4:00PM by Allyson B. Crawford
Comments
We were dusting off the bookshelves around the Noisecreep offices the other day and came across a volume called 'Ask the 'Creep.' Yep, we're bringing back the Ask the 'Creep feature, and today's topic is both complicated and theoretical: is black metal art? All art is subjective, so the post-modern answer is anything that can be valued as art must be art.
Case in point: A bevy of academic types recently gathered for Hideous Gnosis -- a six hour symposium on black metal music held in a Brooklyn, N.Y. bar. Literature professors of all backgrounds deconstructed music by black metal bands, attempting to quantify the musicians' impact on society and history.
Nicola Masciandaro, professor of medieval literature at Brooklyn College, organized the event. He was inspired by the conference on heavy metal held last year at the University of Central Lancashire in Salzburg, Austria.
The symposium's participants -- both professors and metal fans and students alike -- dissected music by all sorts of black metal bands. Some bands resisted such critical approaches, arguing their work was above philosophy. In the end, it was deemed philosophy was necessary and welcome. Hunter Hunt-Hendrix of Liturgy spoke, presenting a manifesto on his band and America, but remained true to black metal roots, keeping a petulant mood when peppered with questions from the academics.
In the end, it isn't easy to quantify art, but academic study does add credibility to the argument. The next time you pull out that Gorgoroth album, say you're studying!
Case in point: A bevy of academic types recently gathered for Hideous Gnosis -- a six hour symposium on black metal music held in a Brooklyn, N.Y. bar. Literature professors of all backgrounds deconstructed music by black metal bands, attempting to quantify the musicians' impact on society and history.
Nicola Masciandaro, professor of medieval literature at Brooklyn College, organized the event. He was inspired by the conference on heavy metal held last year at the University of Central Lancashire in Salzburg, Austria.
The symposium's participants -- both professors and metal fans and students alike -- dissected music by all sorts of black metal bands. Some bands resisted such critical approaches, arguing their work was above philosophy. In the end, it was deemed philosophy was necessary and welcome. Hunter Hunt-Hendrix of Liturgy spoke, presenting a manifesto on his band and America, but remained true to black metal roots, keeping a petulant mood when peppered with questions from the academics.
In the end, it isn't easy to quantify art, but academic study does add credibility to the argument. The next time you pull out that Gorgoroth album, say you're studying!
Filed under: Ask the 'Creep
All the AOL Music info you want to know
Mario Announces Nicki Minaj…
The BoomboxFacebook R&B crooner Mario has been relatively quiet on the music front for…
Fat Joe Loves the Dough in 'Ballin''…
The BoomboxYouTube Cash rules everything around Fat Joe, Wiz Khalifa and Teyana Taylor in…
Tim McGraw Stops Atlanta Show to Help…
The BootFrederick Breedon IV, Getty Images Sunday night's stop on the Two Lanes of…
Kellie Pickler Advances to 'Dancing With the Stars' Finals
Jennifer Hudson Performs 'Inseparable' With 'American Idol' Winner Candice Glover
Taylor Swift Admired George Jones' Passion for Performing
Tim McGraw Stops Atlanta Show to Help Ailing Fan
Carrie Underwood Says She's 'Queen of Awkward' in Marie Claire Interview
How Kidnapping Suspect Passes Time Behind Bars
Rock the Bells 2013 Lineup Includes Ol' Dirty Bastard & Eazy-E Holograms
These American Companies Refused To Sign The Bangladesh Safety Accord
Man Arrested After Midnight Swim Near Taylor Swift's Rhode Island Home
PHOTOS: 10 Deadliest Periods In History (NEW BOOK)
Lil Wayne's Emmett Till Lyric Was Never Meant for Public Consumption
Teen Who Died During Her First Solo Drive May Have Been Texting
Kree Harrison Debuts Potential Single 'All Cried Out' During 'American Idol' Finale
Former OJ Attorney Gives Shocking Testimony
Mario Announces Nicki Minaj Collaboration, 'Somebody Else'
Guess Which State Boasts The Most Million-Dollar Homes?
Courtney Stodden Has A Sex Tape
LOOK: There's Something Wrong With This Picture
McDonald's Store Owners Fear Fast Food Chain Becoming Too Slow
PHOTO: Looking Good! Chaz Bono Loses 65 Pounds
PREGNANT!
Waitress Surprised With HUGE Tip On Tiny Bill
New Leads In Case Of Missing British Girl
Student Shot Dead During Botched Home Invasion
Will Smith, Jaden Smith Get Photobombed
Jodi Arias' Lawyers Want Out
Pictures Showing Pregnant Teens' Bumps Banned From Yearbook
LOOK: Khloe K Shows Curves In SKIN TIGHT Dress
Victim's Sister To Arias: 'Our Minds Are Permanently Stained'
And Your New 'American Idol' Is ...
LOOK: Mind-Blowing Optical Illusions
'The Voice' Shakeup
Bombing Suspect Allegedly Left Confession: Report
