tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post5910017520618981424..comments2024-03-29T00:32:33.920-04:00Comments on GROGNARDIA: A Common CultureJames Maliszewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-34172917115698844332010-05-28T10:26:05.585-04:002010-05-28T10:26:05.585-04:00I never got into Metal as music but the covers are...I never got into Metal as music but the covers are part of what inspired many a Cthulhu or AD&D game. Many of my friends were Metalheads and I could only envy them for their wacked immagination...when playing Traveller...I was visualizing Foundation...they could already anticipate Dark Heresy/Warhammer 40K.<br /><br />However, I could only appreciate the convergence of Metal/Hard Rock and RPGs when I went to Scandinavia where they take both really seriously. I have partaken and witnessed LARP that would make Jackson's LOTR look like child's play. This was all organized through major rockers/metalists who were some of the nicest people once you got over their appearance.<br /><br />I wonder what were the influences that pushed the pastoral hippie Middle Earth lovers into Metal. These undoubtedly were some of the same social forces that propelled gaming in new and different directions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-39995419375532885012010-05-24T13:18:04.337-04:002010-05-24T13:18:04.337-04:00James, what do you like to listen to? I'm not ...<i>James, what do you like to listen to? I'm not sure if you've ever mentioned it. Do you tend to listen to music when you're working on adventure design, or playing?</i><br /><br>I'm a pretty un-musical person. I have a fondness for certain classical composers (Mozart, in particular) and I enjoy most 20th century music up through the late 1960s or so. But I rarely listen to music when I'm writing or gaming and only occasionally at other times.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-15518832029188645322010-05-21T21:13:11.073-04:002010-05-21T21:13:11.073-04:00Ave! RIP R.J.Dio.
And, "Aye!" re the he...Ave! RIP R.J.Dio.<br /><br />And, "Aye!" re the heavy metal soundtrack to the subcult of gamers united in the seventies and eighties. Many many great memories. Thanks for the post.Adelaide Gamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-75375250432758993562010-05-20T09:48:18.976-04:002010-05-20T09:48:18.976-04:00Baron Greystone: "I think we're talking a...<i>Baron Greystone: "I think we're talking about co-existing interests, rather than causative relationships. Some groups had fantasy or sf influences. Some gamers liked those musical groups, usually because they recognized those influences and enjoyed them."</i><br /><br />I completely agree. Some metal and D&D have some similar imagery and themes, but they only converged by coincidence. Both went through a similar cultural anathema period, being associated with Satanism and the occult, at the same time, which strengthened the connection in the minds of some people; it even then it was a coincidental convergence, not one where metal and D&D were actually doing the same things for the same reasons. I never associated metal with D&D at all. Also: listening to metal while playing D&D? I can't imagine a more distracting, annoying way to bring the session down.<br /><br />*shrug*Desdichadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14774274812688958457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-39032199008993103832010-05-20T09:28:47.378-04:002010-05-20T09:28:47.378-04:00In my group we have 2 metalheads, myself included,...In my group we have 2 metalheads, myself included, then 2 guys who listen to metal on occasion or used to me metal heads. And one of the current players wives who used to be in one of our older groups would randomly bust out some iron maiden at the table. All in all some good times. Oh and my fiance as well when she plays. It's still a strong undercurrent as far as I can tell. It's just that people don't call you a metalhead so much anymore unless you are long haired, black concert t-shirt wearing, knuckledragger.boogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11800800984287585594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-56014985452921129812010-05-20T01:51:37.086-04:002010-05-20T01:51:37.086-04:00I find it interesting that Dio is mentioned in the...I find it interesting that Dio is mentioned in the context of gaming. I was into metal, as were some of my closest friends, but the people I gamed were more diverse -- one might rock out to J-Pop, another may have listened to Poison or Madonna. <br /><br />Dio has a definite connection to fantasy and gaming -- his band in the '70s, Rainbow, is the most direct influence on a genre known as Power Metal. Power Metal contains almost exclusively fantasy and sci-fi elements. A station on Pandora devoted to it is called "Elfcore." If metal is your bag it provides a perfect backdrop for gaming, and I mine ideas from it,too.Eric R. Wirsinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632409261940844934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-58841360576740981702010-05-19T22:23:53.596-04:002010-05-19T22:23:53.596-04:00James, what do you like to listen to? I'm not ...James, what do you like to listen to? I'm not sure if you've ever mentioned it. Do you tend to listen to music when you're working on adventure design, or playing?Welcome to Dungeon!https://www.blogger.com/profile/14346914156633328775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-54034467912839953342010-05-19T18:29:02.378-04:002010-05-19T18:29:02.378-04:00that would be a long list. Personally I submit th...that would be a long list. Personally I submit the greatest band of the last decade, Goblin Cock.JDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07468586709952502011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-90829688308607646252010-05-19T03:26:39.806-04:002010-05-19T03:26:39.806-04:00I think a list of early 70's to early 80'...I think a list of early 70's to early 80's game inspired metal/ hard rock tracks needs be put together now.crowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03066821931343968827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-40871001409226812692010-05-19T02:04:10.943-04:002010-05-19T02:04:10.943-04:00for me, metal seemed to be all about epic battles ...for me, metal seemed to be all about epic battles and kewl powers. it took my band, The Smiths to pen a song about stealing lead from the roof of a church-- reminding us that most characters are 1st level.<br /><br />not a great point, but my alignment requires that I take a stand here. because the real epic struggle is not evil vs. good or even law vs. chaos, but schlock vs. twee.Brian (brian_cooper at hotmail d o t com)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02805168206752602148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-82378225831011460402010-05-19T01:15:48.320-04:002010-05-19T01:15:48.320-04:00I think we're talking about co-existing intere...I think we're talking about co-existing interests, rather than causative relationships. Some groups had fantasy or sf influences. Some gamers liked those musical groups, usually because they recognized those influences and enjoyed them. At our games we listened to Steeleye Span, Jethro Tull, Yes, Renaissance, Black Sabbath (not Dio, sorry, it was Ozzy), Traffic and Led Zep. And some fans of that music may have coincidentally learned about rpg's and become gamers. Similar influences evident in those two forms of entertainment sometimes attracted the same fans.<br /><br />But I would never associate Metal with gamers, as a concrete relationship. Might as well say redheads like rpgs.Baron Greystonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16636292202674906870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-43778202781170868832010-05-19T01:10:00.405-04:002010-05-19T01:10:00.405-04:00Not one reference to DragonForce yet? For shame!Not one reference to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jgrCKhxE1s" rel="nofollow">DragonForce</a> yet? For shame!George Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12978533835518319514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-26457165419906709652010-05-19T00:58:27.374-04:002010-05-19T00:58:27.374-04:00@Wade:
or the more Arthurian alternative, Blackmo...@Wade:<br /><br />or the more Arthurian alternative, Blackmore's <i>Knight</i>.anarchisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05546197561922726279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-23360720205600241272010-05-19T00:23:36.195-04:002010-05-19T00:23:36.195-04:00Gridlore said:
"Also, a San Francisco area me...Gridlore said:<br />"Also, a San Francisco area metal band did an entire album based on Traveller."<br /><br />It should also be mentioned that Slough Feg (the band in question) has had cover art done by the man himself. Erol Otus!Freezerclownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759060053899637459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-91055496689647299992010-05-19T00:20:03.669-04:002010-05-19T00:20:03.669-04:00I'm an avid gamer and an equally avid metalhea...I'm an avid gamer and an equally avid metalhead. For me, there are definite overlaps in appeal, and my love for the fantastic, morbid, eerie and otherwise over-the-top fuels my continued love for both. <br /><br />Metal has historically incorporated fantasy and occult themes and imagery. It's part of the culture. This is obvious in classic bands (Sabbath, Priest, Maiden and yes, Dio) but it continues undiluted to the current day. Some bands are more fantasy themed (Hammerfall, Rhapsody, Blind Guardian) while others are more folk/myth based (Finntroll, Korpiklaani, Tyr). <br /><br />Also, James, that was a great post. As a fan of both Dio and old school gaming, it spoke to me.Freezerclownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759060053899637459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-68033637681276059192010-05-19T00:00:11.111-04:002010-05-19T00:00:11.111-04:00@anarchist - Yes! Many's the evening we'd ...@anarchist - Yes! Many's the evening we'd listen to Greyhawkwind on the stereo while playing a rousing game of GWAR.Wade Rocketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02785499425476736769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-23394520023498312802010-05-18T23:44:07.228-04:002010-05-18T23:44:07.228-04:00@ Brunomac,
Very true friend. Sadly, it seems The ...@ Brunomac,<br />Very true friend. Sadly, it seems The Mob these days only want's tp plays the current flavor of DnD at your local gamestore or local meetup.crowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03066821931343968827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-55291772305994406052010-05-18T21:02:31.696-04:002010-05-18T21:02:31.696-04:00Oh man, I forgot to mention Jean Michael Jarre as ...Oh man, I forgot to mention Jean Michael Jarre as some of the best music to D&D to in the 80's...<br /><br />...taking a copy of his "Equinoxe" to tonights game to listen to during my Night Below continuation.Kevin Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14122665488285424578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-86657339725718927332010-05-18T20:57:58.025-04:002010-05-18T20:57:58.025-04:00Crow: perfect for D&D, and also good advice fo...Crow: perfect for D&D, and also good advice for players - "when you listen to fools - the mob rules!"Kevin Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14122665488285424578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-89966918190839925692010-05-18T20:25:06.688-04:002010-05-18T20:25:06.688-04:00From 80 to 82. It seemed every gamer was listenin...From 80 to 82. It seemed every gamer was listening to Sabbaths' " The Mob Rules" and BOCs' "Fire of Unknown Origin".crowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03066821931343968827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-57970101427960839742010-05-18T20:07:16.642-04:002010-05-18T20:07:16.642-04:00PS On that same Earth, there's a gonzo rules-l...PS On that same Earth, there's a gonzo rules-light system called Generic Wargaming Adventure Rules.anarchisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05546197561922726279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-2438318159813287322010-05-18T19:56:44.460-04:002010-05-18T19:56:44.460-04:00Black Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" al...Black Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" album was my gateway into true metalheadness. Dio was always an amazing showman.<br /><br />A lot of bands across many genres played with themes drawn from fantasy and what could be termed "reimagined history" in the seventies. It hasn't stopped. Judas Priest released an entire double-CD album about Nostradamus and on their previous release had a song about Judas rising from Hell as the leader of Satan's army. <br /><br />I've run entire campaigns based on the music of the Grateful Dead, and wrote up one of their songs as a magical place here:<br /><br />http://gridlore.livejournal.com/1328514.html<br /><br />Also, a San Francisco area metal band did an entire album based on <i>Traveller</i><br /><br />http://www.sloughfeg.com/disco/TRVLR.htmGridlorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07557288070023480388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-69532251053566205032010-05-18T19:50:19.535-04:002010-05-18T19:50:19.535-04:00And Gary Gygax was the guitarist from Greyhawkwind...And Gary Gygax was the guitarist from Greyhawkwind.anarchisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05546197561922726279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-20028094488581073962010-05-18T19:02:57.486-04:002010-05-18T19:02:57.486-04:00the creators really didn't have the metal conn...<i>the creators really didn't have the metal connection.</i><br /><br />On some parallel Earth, Dave Arneson fronted an immensely popular metal band called Blackmoor. They were HUGE in Japan.Wade Rocketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02785499425476736769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-44863531221336261672010-05-18T18:52:39.506-04:002010-05-18T18:52:39.506-04:00Up the Irons!
I was very like James when I starte...Up the Irons!<br /><br />I was very like James when I started playing. I thought Metal was crap. I was a teen and very snobbish about music. And for no reason! I was listening to Genesis and Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush. "Real" music.<br /><br />I thought Rush was heavy metal for some reason. It wasn't until playing D&D (and A&A and lots of other games) that a friend of mine literally brainwashed me by making me listen to Rush over and over again until I "got it."<br /><br />Then the floodgates opened, and I fell in love with Iron Maiden (their 1980's stuff is great D&D music) and Dio and Dio's time with Sabbath. Great stuff. <br /><br />Some of the best GMs and players were Metal Heads. And it was amazing having something in common we could use to relate to each other by. As a kid, it really opened my eyes. These guys weren't the stereotype that THEY THEMSELVES embraced, they were just into metal. They were smart, funny, but they had their own perspective, their own sense of humor, their own priorities.Matt Colvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06342858107396740033noreply@blogger.com