Date of Award

2010

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Ria O'Foghludha

Abstract

This essay will consider whether the experience of heavy metal music can be understood as a religious phenomenon. Through field research and an exploration of ways to understand religion, I will show that the culture of heavy metal music parallels that of a religious phenomenon while considering whether heavy metal culture qualifies as a legitimate religion. From first-hand experience as well as observation and analysis and using anthropological methods of field research, I have gathered data in a journal to provide evidence of my experiences and analysis at heavy metal concerts from May 2, 2009 to April 8, 2010. I will explore theories of religion, drawing on the ideas of Durkheim, Eliade, Geertz, and Hubert and Mauss. In studying the culture of heavy metal, I have drawn on the work of Deena Weenstein, as well as from my own experience in the field. By linking the understanding of religion to the sociological culture of heavy metal, I propose that heavy metal is a religious phenomenon.

Comments

WSP Major: Studies in Music Culture

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