Rock Bands and Tolkien (Nightwish and more)

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I think Tolkien references are cool to those of us who enjoy what the whippersnappers now term 'dad rock' (the cheeky rascals), and to those of us of a more metal inclination. But will they ever be cool to the metrosexual set who care for nothing more than slight and obscure references to modernism in their song lyrics - if they deign to listen to songs at all

There's still a distinct whiff of patchouli, jazz cigarettes and dads with unkempt beards who like looking at motorbikes about Tolkien references in songs. Which is good

*Sighs*

You're probably right, Lal.

Garn, is that another gray hair?

I like your 'metrosexual' analogy, and I would suggest that that crowd most likely does not read 'books', as they are a passe' medium. If it cannot be typed in acronyms and monosyllables on a 3 inch keyboard, it is not worth the exertion. There is a lot of 'twit' in 'twitter', after all.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

*Sighs*

You're probably right, Lal.

Garn, is that another gray hair?

I like your 'metrosexual' analogy, and I would suggest that that crowd most likely does not read 'books', as they are a passe' medium. If it cannot be typed in acronyms and monosyllables on a 3 inch keyboard, it is not worth the exertion. There is a lot of 'twit' in 'twitter', after all.

I think to some books are merely handy things from which to steal film plots.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I think to some books are merely handy things from which to steal film plots.

Not only that, in talking to the sweet old lady at my favorite used book store, I found out that a large amount of her business is from people who are accessorizing. They buy batches of books for their bindings, so that the colors match their room setting. Forget about the contents of the books, madame, it's the visual ambiance they provide tossed ever so casually on the coffee table!

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Not only that, in talking to the sweet old lady at my favorite used book store, I found out that a large amount of her business is from people who are accessorizing. They buy batches of books for their bindings, so that the colors match their room setting. Forget about the contents of the books, madame, it's the visual ambiance they provide tossed ever so casually on the coffee table!

The opposite of our house then, a huge dusty mess of cobwebs hanging from the mountains of mismatched books stacked up everywhere like something from Gormenghast...

...that could be a Tolkien influenced song, Misty Mountain Of Books Hop...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I renamed this thread at The Might's request to reflect the more general nature of musical discussion into which it has evolved.

I'm away from home at the moment; when I'm back, I'll give more information on the book Music in Middle-earth. Interestingly, to pick up on Eomer's reference, the chapter on Black Metal and Tolkien's influence features the Burzum project as one important element.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

The opposite of our house then, a huge dusty mess of cobwebs hanging from the mountains of mismatched books stacked up everywhere like something from Gormenghast...

...that could be a Tolkien influenced song, Misty Mountain Of Books Hop...

Well you know that Led Zepplin already has a song called Misty Mountain Hop. There is also The Battle of Evermore which is just full of Tolkien references, that's one of the reasons why it's my second favourite song. My first is about some bloke who smashes people on the head with a silver hammer. . .

[Hakon]

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

Well you know that Led Zepplin already has a song called Misty Mountain Hop. There is also The Battle of Evermore which is just full of Tolkien references, that's one of the reasons why it's my second favourite song. My first is about some bloke who smashes people on the head with a silver hammer. . .

I think I will check both of those songs out. Also expect me to post or PM you a short story about a bloke with a silver hammer. You gave me the idea.

One thing I have noticed is that the majority of bands that make Tolkien references or references to mythology(usually Norse)are almost always heavy metal or death metal bands.

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Hakon

One thing I have noticed is that the majority of bands that make Tolkien references or references to mythology(usually Norse)are almost always heavy metal or death metal bands.

There are a few bands with a slightly different style who reference Tolkien, such as Glass Hammer (not to be confused with that silver hammer) and Nickle Creek.