Deathcore Album (NSFW Issues?)

[Stallionslaughter 394]

I've been working on a My Little Pony themed deathcore album. Now, my wife recently broke her laptop, so she was on my studio computer and happened ("accidentally") to peruse through the works in progress' lyrics. Many of the songs are typical death metal themes, but with a pony kick and MLP canon reference.
 
The wife was none too pleased and said something like, "I just didn't think you were like that." (Possibly verbatim). I don't do clop art, but she said that the lyrics were like particularly violent clopfics and that I might as well be drawing explicit pornography. I believe I'm proud of her reaction, but I'm not sure. Descriptions of situations that just make the bile bubble in your esophagus was what I was going for, but she's acting like I slapped her mom in the face.
 
At any rate, my question: Is NSFW themes in My Little Pony music going to make it inherently less appealing to my audience? Does the lyrical value of senseless growling and shrieking really matter?
 
I'd hate to have worked all these months (with months of work ahead) to have my lyrics repel people while the music may have been enjoyable.
 
Thank you for your time,
Tom

Edited July 20, 2015 by Destiny
Removed gory descriptions.

[Empty Room 512]

I guess it all depends on what your audience is. The screaming probably won't matter; there are many brony musicians out there who incorporate screaming in their music.

 

By the way, I gave you a follow on Soundcloud.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,339]

You said "Descriptions of situations that just make the bile bubble in your esophagus was what I was going for" and "I'd hate to have worked all these months (with months of work ahead) to have my lyrics repel people". Those statements just seem to be polar opposites to me. It sounds like you set out to intentionally shock and sicken people, but then became upset when you shocked and sickened someone.

[Stallionslaughter 394]

You said "Descriptions of situations that just make the bile bubble in your esophagus was what I was going for" and "I'd hate to have worked all these months (with months of work ahead) to have my lyrics repel people". Those statements just seem to be polar opposites to me. It sounds like you set out to intentionally shock and sicken people, but then became upset when you shocked and sickened someone.

 

Deathcore is a lot like a horror movie. People that like the rush of action, the thrill of gore, and people that enjoy confronting themselves with offensive images and themes go to see horror movies.

 

I've been given the impression that the MLP community is all about screaming in music, but that making metal into grimdark would repel people. That's what I'm asking, is Grimdark Ponies not as popular as I think it is?

 

By the by, I said the first line as that's what my lyrics currently consist of, and the second line is asking whether or not they should be changed.

[Frith is Magick 1,471]

Keep the lyrics. You're making deathcore, and your lyrical themes seem to be in line with that goal. If someone doesn't like it, they can listen to something else, but I don't see the portion of the fandom that enjoys and listens to that kind of music having any issue with it.

[Panne 1,342]

My view on this kind of thing is "why?" Look at the reason why you're making it. Is it to make a point or tell a story, or is it mindless violence with a side of sexual destruction...

[Thrashy 2,800]

In theory, your main audience is likely only going to be a narrow overlap between the two demographics that it appeals to. Many non-brony deathcore fans will likely be turned off by the MLP themes no matter how technically proficient the music itself is, and many bronies will likely be turned off by the excessively violent themes. Imagine a Venn diagram: The narrow cross-section will likely be those who'll find your album appealing in both aspects.

 

However, I still wouldn't let that deter you from continuing work on your album. To a true artist, gaining fans/fame/infamy/etc. is purely secondary to expressing yourself in a manner you see fit. If it turns out to be a sleeper hit that gains a cult following, awesome. If it sinks like a lead balloon, then fuck it - at least you did what you wanted to do.

 

That all said, I think your wife's reaction is understandable, but misguided. Although I'm personally one to keep my ponies and my grimdark far, far away from one another, it's simply false to assume that anyone who writes about the type of stuff that most people would rather not talk about is somehow "sick".

[Stallionslaughter 394]

Keep the lyrics. You're making deathcore, and your lyrical themes seem to be in line with that goal. If someone doesn't like it, they can listen to something else, but I don't see the portion of the fandom that enjoys and listens to that kind of music having any issue with it.

I think that's what I'll end up doing. I'm beginning to think that I just want to make an album for me more than anyone else.

My view on this kind of thing is "why?" Look at the reason why you're making it. Is it to make a point or tell a story, or is it mindless violence with a side of sexual destruction...

I most want to tell mindlessly violent fan-fic stories involving the MLP universe that I enjoy. Very little of my music has some kind of deep message that takes a side on a controversial issue If that's what you mean.

[NuclearBurg (Dawn) 622]

Honestly as long as the music is catchy I'm not bothered . It takes a lot to disturb me at this point.

[Stallionslaughter 394]

In theory, your main audience is likely only going to be a narrow overlap between the two demographics that it appeals to. Many non-brony deathcore fans will likely be turned off by the MLP themes no matter how technically proficient the music itself is, and many bronies will likely be turned off by the excessively violent themes. Imagine a Venn diagram: The narrow cross-section will likely be those who'll find your album appealing in both aspects.

 

However, I still wouldn't let that deter you from continuing work on your album. To a true artist, gaining fans/fame/infamy/etc. is purely secondary to expressing yourself in a manner you see fit. If it turns out to be a sleeper hit that gains a cult following, awesome. If it sinks like a lead balloon, then fuck it - at least you did what you wanted to do.

 

That all said, I think your wife's reaction is understandable, but misguided. Although I'm personally one to keep my ponies and my grimdark far, far away from one another, it's simply false to assume that anyone who writes about the type of stuff that most people would rather not talk about is somehow "sick".

I really love that analysis. For the reason that my audience will already be narrowed, I can't help but feel like it'd be best to do it exactly the way I want to do it. Do it for me rather than anyone else.

 

Thanks.

Honestly as long as the music is catchy I'm not bothered . It takes a lot to disturb me at this point.

I think that's all I want to do. Make music the I will enjoy. If others would like it, they can lend me their ears. If not, they can go back to radio-rock or EDM.

[NuclearBurg (Dawn) 622]

I really love that analysis. For the reason that my audience will already be narrowed, I can't help but feel like it'd be best to do it exactly the way I want to do it. Do it for me rather than anyone else.

 

Thanks.

 

I think that's all I want to do. Make music the I will enjoy. If others would like it, they can lend me their ears. If not, they can go back to radio-rock or EDM.

I'll give deathcore a try when you release it. Wouldn't hurt to get another music style in my collection XD.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,339]

Deathcore is a lot like a horror movie. People that like the rush of action, the thrill of gore, and people that enjoy confronting themselves with offensive images and themes go to see horror movies.

 

I've been given the impression that the MLP community is all about screaming in music, but that making metal into grimdark would repel people. That's what I'm asking, is Grimdark Ponies not as popular as I think it is?

 

By the by, I said the first line as that's what my lyrics currently consist of, and the second line is asking whether or not they should be changed.

I have dabbled in grimdark writing (Not pony fanfics, original works) so I am not trying to judge you. My mane (See that? It's become habit!) thing against metal of any kind is the VOLUME of the screaming. It overwhelms me to the point that I can't make heads or tails of any sort of meaning.

[Nikola Xerdav 88]

Deathcore is a lot like a horror movie. People that like the rush of action, the thrill of gore, and people that enjoy confronting themselves with offensive images and themes go to see horror movies.

 

I've been given the impression that the MLP community is all about screaming in music, but that making metal into grimdark would repel people. That's what I'm asking, is Grimdark Ponies not as popular as I think it is?

 

By the by, I said the first line as that's what my lyrics currently consist of, and the second line is asking whether or not they should be changed.

some deathcore is more like hardcore kids trying to be brutal, but then talk about how their girlfriends cheated on them ~cough~Emmure~cough~...  lol, not to mention, half of Chelsea Grin's My Damnation is more or less about self-loathing, granted, i love that album, but it really isn't lyrically "brutal".  i remember when Suicide Silence used to be kinda edgy, but then they wrote the songs Smoke and YOLO.  in terms of the most brutal deathcore i've heard, i guess i could mention Beneath The Massacre, but from the lyrics i've read, they are not really that "brutal" either, their lyrics are mostly social/political oriented and don't really talk about gore or anything that extreme.

 

maybe i'm just not hearing the right bands, lol.  but that's okay, i've got enough of that kind of lyrics in my very short lived Cannibal Corpse phase, now i prefer other forms of satire in music, like Rukka-Rukka Ali, Jon Lajoie, and MSI/The Left Rights.

 

i don't mind gore if there is an overarching plot that bridges a balance of brutality and a greater meaning, otherwise gore for the sake of gore is just boring, which is why i avoid such things usually unless it's incorporated well (like in Fallout games!  seeing people explode into bone and blood is pretty fun in a game)

[Kierkegaard 8]

So long as its not blatant swearing and gorey lyrics, it should be fine. Then again, this is coming from someone who prefers symphonic power metal over all subgenres of metal. Can't say much how the fandom would react to it, though. Then again, I'm more lyrically inclined towards songs that have "Long bearded Dragon slaying Barbarian Wizards from the nordic realms of the frozen north locked in an eternal struggle against the forces of darkness" theme so don't take my word for it.