Metal, Machismo and Musical Mode: How the ‘Feminine’ Phrygian Second has been Appropriated and Transformed

Abstract

Heavy Metal music has made extensive and deliberate use of the ‘medieval modes’, particularly those starting with a semitone. Historically the second note of these modes, the Phrygian second, was deemed ‘weak’ and ‘feminine’, a far cry from the machismo of Heavy Metal. This paper describes the journey of the Phrygian mode and its semitone second note, from ancient Greek times to the present, detailing changing connotations and the consequences of these on present day Heavy Metal music. The paper will include particular discussion of how the Phrygian second supports machismo through Metal music in film, and the subgenre of Oriental Metal that can challenge the Othering of the Phrygian second. It can be argued that within Metal the Phrygian second is significant and central to its aggressive power, and that Metal has given the Phrygian second unique and innovative masculine significations that contribute new expressive aspects to the contemporary musical palette.