ABSTRACT
This chapter conducted a sociological reading of one of the most popular heavy metal rock bands in the United States, Metallica. Heavy metal is rarely played on mainstream FM rock radio stations, which ordinarily prefer more mainstream pop or power pop bands such as U2, Genesis, and REM. In spite of the overall lack of enthusiasm shown to it by critics, the gatekeepers of the rock culture cannot readily dismiss heavy metal music anymore. Musical styles which would ordinarily lie at the margins of modern, hegemonic capitalistic culture are given a voice in the media. As rock and roll music becomes the preeminent form of popular music in American culture, heavy metal music becomes the preeminent form of rock and roll in the postmodern period. The chapter argues Metallica is not only archetypical of heavy metal music, but also of all rock and roll, which is an essential feature of and the very soundtrack to American culture.
