Why not a "National Democratic" Black Metal?
by Katleah Iskre Ulrike
by Katleah Iskre Ulrike
"The Guerrilla is like a poet," these are the first words of the poem with the same title made by Jose Maria Sison, and it shows the similarity of a guerrillero and a poetry writer. This poem somehow, bears the struggle entirely through its words and so as its meaning; especially when the people's chorale sung it both English and in Tagalog, and upon listening to it- I remember the hollowness through its melodies, similar to a fighter rising from the darkness in order to bring light to the oppressed peoples.
However,
People, especially the unorganized or semi-organized young; if or upon listening these songs similar to Joma's work or any other progressive writers and singers, may likely to say that song "rocks", since they emphasized much on the tone just like Bamboo Manalac (since he made the song Tatsulok Crappingly "good" to the ears of the people) rather than on its meaning; but others-especially the ones who listened these songs many times and at the same time listening to mainstream or underground rock genres, may call that song a part of a culture of liberation, using music as its medium-and even trying to give some good flavor with a deep emphasis on the message of struggle same as its appropriate melody.
Bobby Balingit of the Wuds, Chicoy Pura of the Jerks, Jess Santiago may consider a good examples of making progressive music more palatable as what Tambisan sa Sining, Patatag, and Danny Fabella do. Bamboo Manalac may perhaps tried to do so by reviving the song "Tatsulok" by Noel Cabangon and his own Buklod, but people, especially Bamboo fans, may emphasized much on the tone and its lyric, but the meaning? Perhaps a few of them may easily understand it away about the state of the society, especially of being enslaved by oligarchic and imperialist interests.
But anyway,
Upon understanding these, I am quite thinking clearly about other genres capable of propagating the culture of "New Democracy", one of which is Metal. I use to listen some varieties of Metal music, including the ones Neo-Nazis ought to play (National Socialist Black Metal), that I even think that perhaps Metal may likely to get influenced not just by folk, as well as the realities happened in the society though its lyrics as well as its sound given. Metal does not mean a mere head banging, growling and even exessive drumming and guitar playing. Turisas, a folk metal coming from Finland are more into incorporating folk music through instruments and even singing styles; one of examples is the song "Holmgard and Beyond", which more of a 'storytelling'-metal style rather than of a mere growl, shout as what other stereotypical bands do. Or even Thor's Hammer's "May the hammer smash the cross", but it is more of propagating anti-Christianity and glorifying paganism though its lyrics, especially its title. FYI-Hammer is the weapon of Thor, god of thunder in Norse Mythology.
Secondly, turning music as a weapon includes making music as an instrument of sentiment as well as of resistance, not just a mere ear candy for an Ipod or an Mp3 player user. For sure some musicians use to express feelings regarding the society and a call for total struggle despite having a different genre. Likely to integrate every genre as possible to the masses, simply by infusing the melodies of the common metal scene and of the struggles of the folk, of Kudyapi, native drums and gongs with the drumset and electric guitars! Playing the melodies of revolution as possible, and so is propagating it through its words given.
Metal may likely to do so, then if possible, why not a "National Democratic" Black Metal? Perhaps some metal music mirrors the realities despite the growl and the continuous playing. Unlike others who are more of a posing, the worst? To be Lumpenic.
However,
People, especially the unorganized or semi-organized young; if or upon listening these songs similar to Joma's work or any other progressive writers and singers, may likely to say that song "rocks", since they emphasized much on the tone just like Bamboo Manalac (since he made the song Tatsulok Crappingly "good" to the ears of the people) rather than on its meaning; but others-especially the ones who listened these songs many times and at the same time listening to mainstream or underground rock genres, may call that song a part of a culture of liberation, using music as its medium-and even trying to give some good flavor with a deep emphasis on the message of struggle same as its appropriate melody.
Bobby Balingit of the Wuds, Chicoy Pura of the Jerks, Jess Santiago may consider a good examples of making progressive music more palatable as what Tambisan sa Sining, Patatag, and Danny Fabella do. Bamboo Manalac may perhaps tried to do so by reviving the song "Tatsulok" by Noel Cabangon and his own Buklod, but people, especially Bamboo fans, may emphasized much on the tone and its lyric, but the meaning? Perhaps a few of them may easily understand it away about the state of the society, especially of being enslaved by oligarchic and imperialist interests.
But anyway,
Upon understanding these, I am quite thinking clearly about other genres capable of propagating the culture of "New Democracy", one of which is Metal. I use to listen some varieties of Metal music, including the ones Neo-Nazis ought to play (National Socialist Black Metal), that I even think that perhaps Metal may likely to get influenced not just by folk, as well as the realities happened in the society though its lyrics as well as its sound given. Metal does not mean a mere head banging, growling and even exessive drumming and guitar playing. Turisas, a folk metal coming from Finland are more into incorporating folk music through instruments and even singing styles; one of examples is the song "Holmgard and Beyond", which more of a 'storytelling'-metal style rather than of a mere growl, shout as what other stereotypical bands do. Or even Thor's Hammer's "May the hammer smash the cross", but it is more of propagating anti-Christianity and glorifying paganism though its lyrics, especially its title. FYI-Hammer is the weapon of Thor, god of thunder in Norse Mythology.
Secondly, turning music as a weapon includes making music as an instrument of sentiment as well as of resistance, not just a mere ear candy for an Ipod or an Mp3 player user. For sure some musicians use to express feelings regarding the society and a call for total struggle despite having a different genre. Likely to integrate every genre as possible to the masses, simply by infusing the melodies of the common metal scene and of the struggles of the folk, of Kudyapi, native drums and gongs with the drumset and electric guitars! Playing the melodies of revolution as possible, and so is propagating it through its words given.
Metal may likely to do so, then if possible, why not a "National Democratic" Black Metal? Perhaps some metal music mirrors the realities despite the growl and the continuous playing. Unlike others who are more of a posing, the worst? To be Lumpenic.
