Interpreting "Metalhead Y Cigar Guy"'s Battle Jacket

[deathmetal]

I interviewed Metalhead Y Cigar Guy (the correct way to write his name) some time ago. He is compelling in what he believes in and enjoys. Today, I would like to parse his "kutte" (European) or "battle jacket" (USA/UK) which is what metalheads wear to show their allegiances.
These allegiances are more than transparent. Each band stands for something, both what it sings about and where it stands in the metal hierarchy. Brainier bands insult some, and lowbrow bands insult others, but these categories are not absolute (Cianide and Num Skull, for example, span categories). The point is to show what metal the individual is able to appreciate, and thus where he fits in the metal hierarchy.
Here are the elements of Metalhead Y Cigar Guy's kutte:
USA flag: I have no idea. Either "Go USA" or "RIP USA." Both are legit.
Rush: Normally a mainstream flag, also a signal of enjoying progressive rock. Against lowbrow metal, usually.
Testament: speed metal second-stringers, still really good. Shows an appreciation for depth.
Metallica: who doesn't like (the first three albums of) Metallica?
Megadeth: more heavy metal than speed metal, still good.
Anthrax: contributed a lot speed metal technique, but related bands Nuclear Assault and Brutal Truth might be better.
Dio (RIP): Ronnie James Dio, of Rainbow/Black Sabbath, who passed away too young.
Death: popularizers of the death metal/rock hybrid style. First album is great death metal though!
Slayer: most significant influence on death metal technique, along with Hellhamer/Celtic Frost, Bathory and Sodom.
Obituary: one of the Florida classics. Check out Cause of Death. It's just... great.
Peter Steele (RIP): Referring to frontman of Carnivore/Type O Negative who died early at age 47. Great guy, not PC at all.
Type O Negative: ditto.
Alice in Chains: I have no idea what this means. Must be a typo.
Cradle of Filth: ditto.
Morbid Angel: Probably the defining founder of death metal in its mature form. Incorporates Necrovore and Slayer in interesting ways.
Cannibal Corpse: I have no idea what this means. Must be a typo.
I hope this has helped you understand Metalhead Y Cigar Guy. Quite the fellow; worth knowing. Hope he'll weigh in too.

 

[demetrakopoulos]

I bought Cradle of Filth's Dusk and Her Embrace when I was in high school back in 1999. I didn't know much about the band; I had just heard people talking about them and I liked the cover. I remember not liking it at all when I first listened to it. I just couldn't stand his high pitch screaming. But I listened to it a few more times and it somehow got more "listenable," but I still didn't like it. I remember that I would always listen to it in my car whenever I had to drive during a storm, but that's about it.
I actually don't remember at which point I stopped thinking it was just a noisy metal album and started to like it. Now it's one of my favorite metal albums. I don't know if it's for nostalgia purposes or if it just had that power to mature over the years like a quality bottle of wine. The odd thing is that I don't really like any other Cradle of Filth album, so after fifteen plus years, I still don't know what to make of them.
I still listen to Dusk and Her Embrace in the car any time it storms.
And yes, that is a pretty cool jacket.

 

[deathmetal]

The odd thing is that I don't really like any other Cradle of Filth album, so after fifteen plus years, I still don't know what to make of them.

Extremely controversial personal opinion: every band has only so much to say, before the record industry and their lifestyles consume them, but also in sum total. People get into metal bands to scream their discontent at the world. When that clip is empty, well, there is only emulating form. Thus every band has a clarion album and "others." Enjoy those where you find profundity, and try out Bathory Blood, Fire, Death and Iron Maiden Piece of Time (the constituent parts of Cradle of Filth).

 

[yaddy306]

"Coffin Fodder". It sounds horrible, but it's actually quite beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRoSL0kdQFk

 

[jerwynn]

:lol:

 

[deathmetal]

The root of it all:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCKEznpQhbA
"It sounds horrible, but it's actually quite beautiful." -- about right.

 

[andrew]

Morbid Angel's first 2 albums especially are unreal.

 

[deathmetal]

True. I have a weak spot for Covenant and the early pre-first album, Abominations of Desolation, as well.

 

[iamn8]

WTF?!?! Not a single Barry Manillow patch?!?! I'm sorry, I question the validity of your musical tastes.

 

[jefff]

Iv'e always thought of AC/DC as more of a very heavy blues band rather than metal....but to each their own.

 

[deathmetal]

I concur, jef^3. They're a hard rock band with heavy blues roots. I see them as having more in common with Cream, Budgie and Derek and the Dominos than NWOBHM.

 

[jefff]

Like Zepplin. Although Malcom Young has/had the right hand of God.
What a rythem guitar player!

 

[deathmetal]

Truly! I think that, in addition, Angus is quite the lead guitarist (although his attire is bizarre).

 

[davet]

WTF?!?! Not a single Barry Manillow patch?!?!

I agree, and what about Bananarama ? WTF ?

 

[deathmetal]

That gave much such an 80s flashback I had to go drink Meister Brau in an open field...

 

[jefff]

Here is was either Red White and Blue....or Stroughs.

 

[deathmetal]

I'm amazed my liver did not punch me in the face after those years.

 

[ssjones]

No Priest, Iron Maiden or Sabbath, the original three??? (hopefully respected on the back!)

 

[cosmicfolklore]

No banjos? The banjo was the original speed metal. ::

 

[demetrakopoulos]

Blood Fire Death is one of my favorite metal albums ever made.
And I agree about a band reaching its artistic peak and then succumbing to corporate regulations and running out of ideas.