Performed Identity- Heavy Metal Musicians Between 1984 and 1991

Occurring at the juncture of art and commerce heavy metal music is a purposefulconstruction engaging multiple performative realms. Metal musiciansmake performative choices for serving particular aims be it famewealth or art. Metal artists are the contracted employees of record labelswhose own corporate aims needed to be recognized. For publicity and promotionbands must acquiesce to the wishes of assorted media entities likeradio or television. Functioning within a subcultural genre artists balancethe normative practices of metal musicians while being mindful of thepreferences for those consuming their performance the metal audience.Ultimately the musicians must adapt their performance to balance thedemands of critics peers and a purchasing public in such a way as to appearinnovative and authentic while retaining ties to metal's musical andperformative standards. It is at the nexus of these factors that this academicstudy explores metal performativity during the era in which metal thrived asone of the most commercially successful rock music subgenres. This bookshould appeal to those interested in performance media and popular culturalstudies.