19th
Observations on a European metal concert
The concert in Europe was my first outside of the US, and it taught me a few things.
First, metalheads dress the same everywhere. Black band shirts, camo pants, old-school denim vests, tattoos, etc. But the differences are what was interesting. For one, not as many people threw the horns. Secondly, I didn’t feel that I could walk with a group of them (this happens often - usually filing in and out of the concert) and start chanting a band name or yelling cheerily and have them join in. I don’t know if that’s a language barrier thing, or what. It didn’t feel like quite the metal family that I’m used to.
A new thing for me was people bringing their country’s flag. Representing is a huge thing. They would either decorate it in some way to support a band (see below) or tie it around their neck like a cape. The guy Fabricio that we met on the train said he saw another American with a flag, so we certainly weren’t the only ones. :)
Unusual: a couple of the Metallica songs were sung differently by the people I could hear. I can’t remember which songs in particular, but I remember it made me wonder if again it’s a language thing.
“Metallica” is not terribly conducive to being rhythmically shouted at a concert. (Think “Slay-Er! Slay-Er!” It’s got a ring to it.) But the Europeans have it figured out: listen to the next post’s audio file.
The Most Interesting and Amusing Fact: singing along with the instrumental parts. Maybe this also exists in the States and I’ve just never experienced it, but during memorable solos and musical intros, the people around me started humming or singing along. It was amazing. I joined in because—what the hell—I know how it goes, too.
