Looking for solutions to support artists (specifically but not exclusively metal artists) where social media fails. If you have any thoughts or ideas, join the discussion:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/614891081943043/

So after blogging now for a month, here are the most read posts for January (excluding polls and feedback)

http://anvilofgofannon.wordpress.com/2014/01/31/top-5-most-read-of-january/

This will literally take a minute to head on over to and tick a box. You can also leave feedback if you wish!

http://anvilofgofannon.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/gender-in-metal-week-is-metal-a-masculine-genre/

Sonia Vasan’s article ‘”Den Mothers” and “Band Whores”: Gender, Sex and Power in the Death Metal Scene’ focuses heavily on women’s role in the workplace and gender segregation as a comparison to women’s role in death metal. With two completely different aspects of life, one in relation to socialisation and the other in relation to personal musical taste, this paper tries to show how gender affects women outside of mainstream society in a similar way. As a sociological enquiry, the paper looks in depth to the subgenre of death metal, but can such observations be rolled out to the wider…

Sonia Vasan’s article ‘”Den Mothers” and “Band Whores”: Gender, Sex and Power in the Death Metal Scene’ focuses heavily on women’s role in the workplace and gender segregation as a comparison to women’s role in death metal. With two completely different aspects of life, one in relation to socialisation and the other in relation to personal musical taste, this paper tries to show how gender affects women outside of mainstream society in a similar way. As a sociological enquiry, the paper looks in depth to the subgenre of death metal, but can such observations be rolled out to the wider…

Since starting co-hosting the radio show, I have become a huge fan of Bandcamp and the ‘name your price’ option. As a poor student, I really cannot afford to buy albums when it’s a choice between music and food. So in return for downloading great music I hope that the little bit of promotion we then give the artists on the show or through reviews is of equal worth!

http://anvilofgofannon.wordpress.com/2014/01/28/maeth-oceans-into-ashes/

Adam Rafalovich’s article ‘Broken and Becoming God Sized: Contemporary Metal Music and Masculine Individualism’ discusses masculine identity in metal through lyrics of contemporary metal artists. With examples from some of the most popular artists from the 1990s and 2000s, Rafalovich argues his point by looking at reasons why young males, who represent a large percentage of the metal audience, could be attracted to such lyrics. Is the article applicable as a general statement, or do other articles and lyrical examples given show flaws within Rafalovich’s article?

http://anvilofgofannon.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/gender-in-metal-week-contemporary-metal-music-a-masculine-phenomenon/

Magenta Harvest were not a band I was familiar with at all. I thought I would give Volatile Waters without looking into any prior details.

http://anvilofgofannon.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/magenta-harvest-volatile-waters/

Most people will have a favourite musician or a favourite vocalist. My favourite is Dan Swanö! The diversity of his voice blows me away with every project of his that I hear.

http://anvilofgofannon.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/why-dan-swano-is-my-favourite-vocalist/

Keith Kahn-Harris’s article Extreme Metal: music and culture on the edge explores the meaning of ‘subculture’ and whether it has relevance in relation to Metal music. While looking at the different aspects of ‘subculture’ he puts forward his own and others interpretations, which may or may not be more appropriate in addressing the music and fans of Metal and its role within society. Though the article may look closely at ‘subculture’ in practise, does any of this ties in with the reality of the music itself. Looking at two prominent metal artists from different time periods and different sub-genres, may…