Abstract: “Exploring the musical styles and cultures of metal, this Companion is an indispensable introduction to this popular and distinctive genre” (source: Amazon.com).
“Since its beginnings more than fifty years ago, metal music has grown in popularity worldwide, not only as a musical culture but increasingly as a recognised field of study. This Cambridge Companion reflects the maturing field of 'metal music studies' by introducing the music and its cultures, as well as recent research perspectives from disciplines ranging from musicology and music technology to religious studies, Classics, and Scandinavian and African studies. Topics covered include technology and practice, identity and culture, modern metal genres, and global metal, with reference to performers including Black Sabbath, Metallica and Amon Amarth. Designed for students and their teachers, contributions explore the various musical styles and cultures of metal, providing an informative introduction for those new to the field and an up-to-date resource for readers familiar with the academic metal literature” (source: https://www.cambridge.org/).
Collection: The Cambridge Companions to Music.

Abstract: Despite its ubiquity in rock and popular music, use of the electric guitar has only become commonplace within ‘classical’ concert music in recent decades. This increased prominence is partly due to the expanded sonic possibilities that the instrument offers, but also reflects composers’ greater willingness to engage with popular music practices. Use of the electric guitar in concert music often involves some form of encounter between contemporary compositional approaches and popular forms of cultural expression, presenting creative possibilities and challenges to composers, performers, listeners and scholars alike. This research project investigates the cross-cultural implications of employing the electric guitar in concert music through theory, analysis and composition. Case studies of electric guitar works by Tristan Murail and Laurence Crane provide an opportunity to consider how popular music scholarship relating to the electric guitar might figure in analysis of concert music featuring the instrument. These analyses informed the composition of four new works within the included portfolio (provided as scores with accompanying audio/video documentation) that feature the electric guitar or draw upon its related musical idioms, with a specific focus on rock and heavy metal styles.