Metalheads don't get enough credit. Oftentimes, their music is unjustly reduced to "just a bunch of noise."
However, within the vast musical universe known as metal, there are almost limitless subgenres. Examples include death metal, doom metal, nu-metal, metalcore, symphonic metal, stoner metal, glam metal, Christian metal, viking metal and just about anything other kind of metal imaginable.
Metal is often epic, apocalyptic and angry in nature, but there are always some types that stray from that norm.
There are some heavy bands out there that don't take themselves too seriously. Here are three metal bands that are doing things their own way, regardless of how ridiculous it seems.
1. Hatebeak [www.myspace.com/beak666]
Hatebeak is a death metal band fronted by a parrot. Yes, an actual, living, African gray parrot named Waldo. Two mysterious band members known only as Blake and Mark record all drums and guitars for the band, and Waldo takes care of the brutal screams, growls, grunts and squawks. Hatebeak is a studio project only. Proposed names for this genre include avian-core or feather-gore.
2. Powerglove [www.myspace.com/vgmetal]
While it is true that Powerglove is not the first band to make a living by reworking Sega's and Nintendo's classic sounds, they are definitely the most metal. Most of their songs are instrumental shred-fests. Their live shows may include a mixture of real guitars and Guitar Hero controllers. Some of their best recordings include "Mario Minor," "So Sexy Robotnik" and "Tetris."
3. Nekrogoblikon [www.myspace.com/nekrogoblikon]
Nekrogoblikon hails from one of the most metal cities in our nation: Santa Barbara. The folky brand of goblin-metal on their album "Goblin Island" will fill you with awe and irritation. Most of their song titles have the word "goblin" in them. Among the most lethal tunes in their arsenal are "Army of Goblins" and "Goblins Ahoy."
Go forth and be metal!
