Vitalizing Ancient Cultures Mythological Storytelling in Metal Music

Abstract

This chapter is focused on the relationship between ancient narratives “music” and “mythology.” Technological developments and changes in social structure caused the occurrence of different music genres over time. “Metal music” is one of these genres. In the present day, it is possible to observe that there is a tendency to mythology in sub-genres of metal music. This tendency is observed in lyrics, album artworks, videos, and gig performances of some bands. In this chapter, metal music is examined based on its root, content, and technical features, primarily. Afterwards, mythology, content of mythology, and cultural and social functions of mythology are discussed. In the praxis of this study, the cover of the album Twilight of the Thunder God (2008) of the Swedish metal band Amon Amarth is analyzed by semiological analysis.