Heavy Metal

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Why do some Heavy Metal bands examine the First World War?

In this episode we talk to Julia Ribeiro Thomaz (PhD student at Paris Nanterre/EHESS) about the portrayal of the First World War in Heavy Metal music. As a result we learn about who is fascinated with tank warfare, different uses for the poetry of Wilfred Owen, and the extent to which the First World War offers bands an opportunity to discuss their own mortality and experiences of life and death.

References

Music:

Iron Maiden: Paschendale (Single)

Iron Maiden: Death or Glory (Single)  

Metallica: One (Single) 

Motorhead: 1916 (Single) 

Sabaton: The Great War (Album)

Sabaton: Cliffs of Gallipoli (Single)

Sabaton (feat. Apocalyptica): Angels Calling (Single)  

Reading:

National Myth and the First World War in Modern Popular Music by Peter Grant

Other episodes

The Blind Detective

Can a crime novel help us understand the long shadow cast by the First World War? In this episode of Oh! What

For King and Country

Was patriotism in the First World War really shared by all, or was it shaped and enforced from above?