Page 49 - KTUDELL E-LIT | Issue 4 - January 2025

ARTICLES 2025

The Harmony of Arts:

Literature's Influence

on Rock and Metal

Music by Umut ÖZDİNÇER

"The only thing in this world is music–music and books The industrial revolution's dark shadows, carried
and one or two pictures." into the soul of metal music by bands like Black
Sabbath and Judas Priest originating in Birmingham,
Virginia Woolf's statement serves as a compass for provided a perfect backdrop for the inclusion of
those trying to understand the impact of art on the gothic and fantastical elements in their music. For
human soul, highlighting how music, books, and instance, Black Sabbath’s "Wizard" takes direct
paintings collectively shape our emotional and inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the
intellectual experiences. Music is a universal Rings, channeling the magical atmosphere of Middle
language that can touch emotions directly; literature Earth. This fantastical setting has become a
deepens these feelings through words. In this article, cornerstone for heavy metal’s thematic landscape,
you are invited to explore the infinite world where inspiring vivid and imaginative lyrics. Similarly,
literature inspires music. classic rock songs like Led Zeppelin’s "Ramble On"
and "Misty Mountain Hop" echo their admiration for
The relationship between music and literature flows Tolkien's epic narratives, embedding his legendary
like a perfectly synchronized dance, with each world into their music.
element reflecting and amplifying the other to
create a symphony of shared emotional and Enriching Metal Music with Gothic and Fantastic
intellectual depth. In “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare Themes
declares, “If music be the food of love, play on,”
seeing music as the fundamental source of love and The gothic literary works of authors such as Edgar
passion. Similarly, Lord Byron, in his poem "Don Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft have laid the
Juan," states, "There's music in the sighing of a reed; foundation for the dark themes of heavy metal
there's music in the gushing of a rill; there's music in all music. Poe's "Nevermore" phrase in his poem The
things, if men had ears." Thus, literature and music Raven inspired the name of the Norwegian band
create a common language that penetrates both Nevermore, while bands like Grave Digger have
nature and human depths. produced albums directly dedicated to Poe's works.
Lovecraft's creation of the Cthulhu mythos has been
Throughout the history of literature, music has been explored by many bands, including Metallica, Cradle
an inspiration for writers. In Jane Austen's novels, of Filth, and Nile, infusing songs with themes of fear
music serves as a tool reflecting the inner worlds of and horror. Metallica's songs The Call of Ktulu and
characters. Austen expresses the place of music in The Thing That Should Not Be are excellent
her life candidly in "Emma": examples of how Lovecraft's imagination resonates
within metal music.
"Without music, life would be a blank to me."
From Shakespeare's Dark Stage to the Harsh
Similarly, Walt Whitman, a master of American Rhythms of Rock and Metal
literature, uses music to depict a nation’s identity in
“I hear America singing” a phrase that encapsulates the It is impossible to overlook William Shakespeare
collective voice of a people through song. These when discussing the relationship between rock-
expressions underline that music is not only an art metal and literature. The frequent use of archaic
form but also a way of life. English words like thy, thou, thee, and thine in metal
lyrics is a clear indicator of Shakespeare's influence
Indeed, music has inspired literary works on the genre. Unsurprisingly, Shakespeare's works
throughout history; however, it is also true that align perfectly with the dark and fantastical themes
literature has significantly influenced music, of rock and metal. Witches, ghosts, fairies, and
especially contemporary rock and metal music. Rock supernatural beings often appear in his plays and are
and metal music aim to reach listeners not only widely found in the world of rock and metal. It is no
through rhythm and melody but also through wonder that bands like Cradle of Filth, Iron Maiden,
profound and meaningful lyrics. Much of these My Dying Bride, Queen, Paradise Lost, and Virgin
lyrics draw inspiration from immortal literary Steele have drawn inspiration from Shakespeare's
works. From William Blake's mystical poems to works, rich with blood, horror, intrigue, and
Edgar Allan Poe's gothic tales, numerous literary imagination. Shakespeare is not only a cornerstone
sources have contributed to the aesthetic and of classic literature but also an indispensable source
thematic style of rock and metal music. of inspiration for the dark and dramatic narratives of
this music genre.

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