What is it about?
This article examines the development of metal music studies as an academic field. It highlights how the discipline has grown from early research in the 1980s and 1990s to become a recognised area of study, with its own conferences, scholarly societies, and publications. The article also explores the challenges faced by researchers, including the need for critical, interdisciplinary approaches that connect metal music to broader cultural and societal issues. By reflecting on these challenges, the authors emphasise the importance of rigorous scholarship in advancing the field and ensuring its relevance in academia.
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Why is it important?
This article is unique in critically examining the evolution of metal music studies as an academic discipline, providing a reflection on its growth and challenges. It is timely as the field enters a new phase of recognition and maturity, requiring scholars to adopt more interdisciplinary, rigorous approaches. By highlighting the importance of comparative and critical perspectives, the work encourages researchers to move beyond describing metal music and instead explore its broader cultural and social significance. This call for methodological innovation and inclusivity can inspire fresh approaches to metal scholarship, increasing its relevance and impact in academia and beyond.
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This page is a summary of: Metal music studies at the intersection of theory and practice, Metal Music Studies, September 2021, Intellect,
DOI: 10.1386/mms_00054_2.
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