Metal as a musical genre is very diverse and can be split into many different sub-genres. Because of this the conventions can differ from band to band in metal as they each fit into different sub-genres each with their own slightly altered conventions. I will discuss the main conventions followed by most metal bands but will also discuss how these differ slightly throughout the sub-genres.
All Genres cater to what their audience wants. This is what creates conventions. Metal fans are typically teenagers or people in their early 20’s who want to rebel against the older generation. This has created an angry and very youth targeted genre and created conventions very different from other genres. Rebellion from the norm is essential to both band and audience. Metal bands are often seen are huge parties drinking, taking drugs and being loud and offensive like their music. This has been passed onto their fans, which now rebel in every way possible. The traditional instruments in a Metal Band are an electric guitar, a drum set and a bass guitar. These are often loud and heavily distorted which grab our attention and, unlike other genres, means the singer is not necessarily the focus in the song. Instrumental solos are common in metal music as showing skill on your chosen instrument is conventional.
For most metal fans seeing your favourite bands and going to gigs to meet new people is very important, because of this and the convention of showing your skill on an instrument, most metal music videos are performance videos. This allows the target audience to feel like they have seen the band when it may not be possible. It also allows the band to show off the energy that comes from their songs.
Cinematography
Metal music is usually much more violent and fast paced then most other genres, with loud instruments played at a fast tempo and violent lyrics that are shouted or screamed rather than sang. Because of this the cinematography in metal music videos is often fast and violent. There is a lot of camera movement and dramatic angles shot. This is to replicate the wild movements of the band and audience or to emphasise the bands skill.
Mise-en-scene
Costume in a video is one of the things that varies dramatically from sub-genre to sub-genre. It is nearly always dark or dramatically coloured clothes with lots of piercings and tattoos as this kind of wear would not be worn by an older generation and is therefore seen as rebellious and non-conforming. The scale of this costume is what differs. With post hard-core been seen usually wearing skinny jeans and band t-shirts all the way up to death metal which conventionally have long baggy dress which is nearly always leather and wrist or neckbands that have large protruding steel spikes. This extreme distinction helps metal fans to see the many different sub-genres and distinguish between them easily. Scenery changes less dramatically between the sub-genres. The band is nearly always put into a place where the older generation would feel uncomfortable or where the younger generation have more control. (Skate park, Gig, house party) with the exception of death metal and similar genre which sometimes have scenery with satanic connotations. (Graveyard, old church)
Editing
Again the fast paced nature of the music determines how the video is created. Edits are conventionally fast with shots lasting on average under a second in some videos. The editing is in a linear form to follow the song and uses continuity editing to make it seem as if the band is performing the song in one take like they would live rather than in several small sections.
Sound
The sound like in other music videos is the music track, but when diegetic sound is introduced it is often loud and heavy like the track its set around.
