The formation of the West German power metal scene and the question of a ‘Teutonic’ sound

IF 0.5 Q3 CULTURAL STUDIES
Jan Herbst
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引用次数: 13

Abstract

Despite being one of the oldest and largest metal nations, little research on metal music from Germany exists. This article focuses on the formation of the West German power metal scene. This subgenre was one of the first to be played in Germany, and bands such as Helloween, Running Wild, Gamma Ray and Blind Guardian produced a characteristic German sound that was to become famous worldwide. Based on interviews with music producers, musicians, journalists and academics, this study analyses stylistic musical features of (German) power metal, the artists’ influences and their different aspirations for international success. The findings suggest that a characteristic German power metal sound emerged in the 1980s and 1990s that might be called ‘Teutonic’. Germany was amongst the first countries to burst out countless successful power metal bands before the genre spread to other parts of the world. No standards existed in those days, and production resources were limited and individual. This restricted infrastructure – the unique characteristics of a few recording studios along with the small circle of professional musicians, engineers and producers – has shaped the classic German power metal sound. With standardization of production resources, new techniques and consequences of globalization such as internationally operating record labels, American culture in public media and increased English language skills, these national characteristics gradually diminished.
西德力量金属场景的形成与“条顿”声音的问题
尽管德国是最古老和最大的金属国家之一,但对德国金属音乐的研究却很少。本文着重论述了西德权力金属场景的形成。这个亚流派是最早在德国演奏的流派之一,Hellowen、Running Wild、Gamma Ray和Blind Guardian等乐队制作了一种独特的德国声音,并在世界范围内闻名。基于对音乐制作人、音乐家、记者和学者的采访,本研究分析了(德国)力量金属的风格音乐特征、艺术家的影响以及他们对国际成功的不同渴望。研究结果表明,20世纪80年代和90年代出现了一种典型的德国力量金属声音,可能被称为“条顿人”。在力量金属乐队传播到世界其他地区之前,德国是最早涌现出无数成功力量金属乐队的国家之一。当时没有标准,生产资源是有限的和个性化的。这种有限的基础设施——少数录音棚的独特特征,以及专业音乐家、工程师和制作人的小圈子——塑造了经典的德国力量金属声音。随着生产资源的标准化、新技术和全球化的影响,如国际运营的唱片公司、公共媒体中的美国文化和英语技能的提高,这些民族特征逐渐减弱。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Metal Music Studies
Metal Music Studies Arts and Humanities-Music
CiteScore
1.20
自引率
0.00%
发文量
19
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