Well, I'm pretty sure I'm not getting enough iron in my diet. Err... Look, a unicorn! Oh I'm sorry, it must have just been a regular horse.

Now that I've made a lame topic-related joke and stolen a line from a film, onto the actual topic. I enjoy metal music (as well as plenty of other music genres before I pigeonhole myself) in various forms. I'm not here to debate whether 'nu-metal' is 'real' metal or other such silly topics. A couple of weeks ago I went to the Soundwave Festival which has become an annual event in Australia for metal, rock and alternative acts.

I really do enjoy my music. I like to sing along. When I'm at home I like to make silly noises to accompany cool guitar riffs or drum patterns, or what have you. I haven't been to lots of shows in the last several years, but sometimes I feel I don't fit the 'scene'. Not that I really care, more of an observation really. I don't fit the stereotype that some people might think of when someone says they are into metal. I don't have tatts, piercings, or go to gigs bare-chested and display my rippling 6-pack to show others how 'hard' or 'cool' I am. I just like the music.

There are things that seem to be expected at a metal gig. First up is moshing. I gave up moshing several years ago, at least to any large degree. I can go to the front and get closer to the band. And I could get an elbow in the face, be lifted by the crowd unwillingly, lose a shoe, or have my wallet, phone or keys either fall out of my pocket or stolen. Then there is the circle mosh, which I've never bothered to participate in, where people in the middle of the mosh pit start to run around in a circle. Something else that has been around for a long time but I somehow never saw until Soundwave is the 'Wall of Death'. The band mentions they want everyone to do the wall of death, the crowd obediently follows orders to split down the middle of the stage and move off to the sides, and once the band says it's time, the two sides run back to the middle and into each other. I'm really not sure what this accomplishes, apart from potential injuries. When Killswitch Engage (the closing metal band for the show) mentioned it, you can bet I moved far enough away not to be in the slaughter as the crowd divided almost the entire length of the stage. I'm happy to stand in the middle of the crowd, content to tap my foot and bob my head, singing along if I know the words.

Now, sometimes I don't know the words to all the songs. Maybe it is just my perception, but it seems it isn't very 'metal' to go to a bands show and not know all their songs. Sorry I wasn't able to buy all the CD's guys! So I don't know the single from the last album, sue me. It's like you can't really be a fan unless you own them all and can recite the songs word for word.

Attire seems like a badge that I guess is supposed to say 'look how metal I am'. I tend to see 3 major demographics at these things. You've got the goth, wearing their lacy costumes, colouring everything but their skin black, wearing knee high boots with foot high soles, with more piercings than I have fingers. I saw Nightwish a couple of months ago, who I guess you would call gothic rock. I don't think I've ever seen so much black clothing and make-up in one place. Next time I see live music that has any hint of gothic to it, I think I'm going to wear happy pants, a hyper color t-shirt, and get my face painted like Ronald McDonald and wear a tinsel wig. That would be super metal.

Then you've got the hardcore crowd. They are usually skin heads who don't like to wear shirts to show off their super awesome 6-pack. Sometimes they will be covered in tattoos, which they are showing off instead. One of these hardcore guys had veins rippling all over him at Soundwave as he belted out the lyrics to the song at hand. If he tried any harder, I think he would have had an aneurysm. Most of the time these guys don't look sweaty (but hey, I'm not really looking that hard); they aren't hot, they just want to show off. Both of the above groups seem a bit 'try hard' to me. But hey, maybe I'm just not metal enough to understand.

Then there are the merchandise wearers. I used to be one of these. They'll wear merchandise, usually t-shirts, of the bands in question. There is nothing particularly try hard about this group (in attire at least; behaviour might be a different beast altogether). They spend money to support the bands or events that they like, and there is nothing wrong with that. All 3 groups certainly aren't exclusive to metal or hard rock, but I think they are in higher proportion.

For several years now in true geek-to-chic fashion, I tend to wear collared polo's or shirts. Have you ever seen a collared metal shirt? Nah, me neither. I'm not unique, of course. There are certainly others who dress normal rather than changing their dress code for such events. But sometimes, in an ocean of those above demographics, you feel like you are the one who stands out.

Then there are drugs and alcohol. I don't think your position on either of these affects your 'metalness' but I'm guessing they are more prevalent as opposed to other live music events like pop (although I'm guessing dance clubs would surpass it). I don't do drugs, and I am a light drinker. It blows my mind how some people spend over $100 for these full day events, and then perhaps another $50 to get totally smashed and not remember a thing about the event the next day.

There were a couple of odd moments during the day, which were the inspiration for this blog. One of the bands mentioned that we needed to keep real metal alive and we couldn't submit to 'fake metal'. I really hate it when I'm listening to what I think is metal and later I find out I was listening to R & B. Sneaky fake metal... I don't think I have ever heard the term 'fake rap', 'fake pop', or 'fake dance'. Why does this term even exist?

The other odd moment was during Killswitch Engage. The crowd wasn't packed in tightly so the lead singer (aside; I don't make an effort to know the names of band members either, which probably isn't very metal) started insulting us. I don't think that happens if you go see Elton John. Of course, the crowd obediently packs in tighter and gets closer to the stage. I'm not offended by it, I just thought it was an odd observation that we paid money to come and see the band, and they start calling us names. To be fair, we were asked if we had had a good day, and they were generally supportive, and I think the contrast made it stand out. But this sort of 'taunting' seems to exist mainly in the metal scene.

At the end of the day, I just like music, and I did have a great day. I don't have to dress metal, I don't have to behave metal, and that applies to any type of music. I wonder why so many people do.

Whatever your tastes, enjoy your music!