How do you feel about theatrical make up for bands? Does it turn you off to listen to a band who works with it or does it intrigue you? Does makeup (not just corpse paint) belong only in black metal or should any dark band be able to use it? I say just as long as it works with the music. Tell me your thoughts.

i think that in some bands, specially in bm bands, the corpse paint is good, i mean, it's part of the whole atmosphere, and ideollogy. i think that if it's worn for like gigs and stuff like that it's ok, it actually looks good (most of the times). what i'm not very fond of is people out on the street with stuff on their faces, i don't know, seems kinda dull and... out of place.

Yeah its kind of annoying seeing people on the street with it. I saw Behemoth live earlier in July then I saw Virgin Black later. I was just much more facinated in their show than other bands due to their theatrics. I mean I rocked my ass off when I saw Nevermore and they wore normal clothes, but I was more interested in their music. Of course you go to shows for music, but I want to watch the band too. Don't get me wrong, Nevermore definitely tore it up as they always do. The show just seems more interesting with the theatrics.

I think theatrics are great....I mean, if you approach the idea from a musical/art perspective then theatrics can really contribute to a good show, I hate it when you can tell that a band is just wanting to play as fast as they can so they can finish up. But, outside the venue I dont really see any point anyone wearing facepaint or has some BM prop...it doesnt work because they look like clowns imo.

It depends what kind of theatrical performance the band gives. Personally, corpse paint doesn't bother me. I don't think it adds or subtracts much from the show. Some black metal bands sometimes tend to go over the top with the imagery though. The huge spikes, corpse paint and whatnot sometimes can irritate me although usually I'm unaffected by it.

As for theatrical performances, there's a few local bands around here that really put on a theatrical performance. Catwitch, a local Melbourne band are quite well known for this. It's nice to have a bit of theatrics in the performance as it sometimes can accompany the music very well, although much like the corpse paint, some bands do tend to take it over the top. While I don't like Catwitch's music, their live performances are quite interesting to watch.

Basically, it just really depends to what extent the theatrics and make-up is taken to. Fans who walk down the street wearing corpse paint though is quite lame in my opinion.

It looks good on some Black Metal bands, but that's all... I've seen some power metal bands that wear make up, but it doesn't look good, IMO.

Maybe that's the right thread to speak about this special French band...They are called Punish Yourself. I really don't know how to describe their music, but they call that Cyber Punk. Maybe Industrial/Electronic Hardcore Punk would fit as well... As you see, they're not Metal (I always feel like headbanging to their music though) but the way they paint their bodies is original. They use a special paint that becomes fluorescent when they are under UV lights.. So that's how they look :




So far, it's the only band I know that uses that... It gives them that original touch you can also hear in their music. I don't like Punk music, nor their clothing or anything... But this band has just something special I haven't found anywhere else... They're so brutal and violent for a Punk band... and what they do on stage is not really innocent.. and so are their lyrics.

Sometimes it looks realy good. Alice Cooper, for example, or KISS

King Diamond, the best ever if you ask me.

I think that is EXCELLENT to have theatrical stuff, I enjoy it so much because it connects to so many things , not only is connecting to the arts but it has a deeper meaning, in ancient times tribes used to have make up in their religious practices , well yeah light and dark practices, so when we see this in normal days is really umm kind of like remembering those things and music is about much more than sounds , anyways I love King Diamond he is GREAT!nice thread

Eh, I have no real problem with it, nor will I freak out just because a band uses it. To me the sound is what's important, not the image.....