The world of underground metal is a treasure trove waiting to be explored! In the realm of heavy music, there’s a monthly feature known as Mining Metal, curated by the talented writers Langdon Hickman and Colin Dempsey at Heavy Consequence. This column shines a spotlight on remarkable new releases from the underground metal scene, particularly those that come from smaller, independent labels or even unsigned artists who are making waves in the industry.
Recently, during a conversation about literature, I casually mentioned my preference for works that are self-contained. What I mean by this is that I appreciate art that doesn’t feel the need to explain itself. This isn’t about being pretentious or trying to alienate anyone; rather, it stems from a deep intensity and a desire to immerse the audience in its conceptual world through experience, rather than through overt explanations or lectures. Music serves as a perfect illustration of this idea. Truly exceptional songs don’t just tell you how to feel; they evoke emotions within you. This is why we can listen to a track in a language we don’t understand, and still, through the combination of melody and the singer’s captivating performance, we can piece together a sense of meaning and imagery. Imagine a song that starts with someone flatly stating, "I am trying to make you sad"—that would be absurd! Ideally, such a statement would be delivered with a sense of humor, unlike much of today’s literary fiction, which often implores readers to feel something that the author struggles to convey effectively.
As I reflected on my earlier comment, I realized that this same principle applies to the types of works that truly captivate and absorb me. I tend to gravitate towards experimental, progressive, and avant-garde pieces, not necessarily because they are inherently superior, but because they often succeed in creating that immersive experience. The relationship between music and mysticism is a long-standing one, tracing back to ancient civilizations like Babylon and Greece, where music played a crucial role in spiritual practices and rituals. Music, including folk songs, serves as both a record of our daily lives and a means to overwhelm the senses, often providing a psychedelic experience long before the advent of synthetic substances. This sensory overload is what fuels the powerful performances in religious settings, from the stirring music of church services to the resonant sounds of brass bells in Buddhist temples. Each form of music, whether it’s the uplifting notes of gospel or the haunting drone of hymns, is designed to envelop you, making the divine presence of gods, angels, and spiritual movements feel almost tangible.
The effectiveness of religious faith as a social construct—regardless of its truth—is a testament to the widespread appeal of this kind of mental immersion in art. We can see similar dynamics at play in club culture, where the booming bass and flashing lights can feel jarring when sober, but after a few drinks or pills, they transform into an all-encompassing cocoon of sound and light, perfect for dancing until you feel euphoric or, conversely, until you find yourself unceremoniously ill on the sidewalk. It’s a stark dichotomy.
What’s truly fascinating is how this overwhelming artistic experience can lead to profound revelations. In that psychedelic space, the spirit often reveals itself, bringing forth memories, emotions, and vivid images that may have previously lingered in the subconscious. While I’ve lost too many friends to the perils of drug use to recommend them, I find that this inward exploration through art can achieve similar effects to what substances promise. You quickly realize that every human life—and likely every moment in life—is a vibrant tapestry of visions, desires, mythic narratives, and poetic intensity. This universal beauty captured in art is precisely why atrocities like genocide, mass incarceration, and various forms of discrimination are so deeply disturbing. Consider the beauty we’ve witnessed in art; now think about all the beauty that remains unseen, stifled by the oppression of the powerful against the marginalized, by one race against another, or by men against women. These issues are interconnected, born from the same world and ultimately returning to it; it would be more surprising if anything were entirely disconnected than if it were linked, whether overtly or subtly.
Heavy metal will endure forever!
— Langdon Hickman
But here's where it gets controversial: how do we reconcile the beauty of art with the harsh realities of the world? What are your thoughts on the relationship between music and emotional experience? Do you believe that art can truly transcend the struggles of society, or does it sometimes fall short? Share your opinions in the comments!
