Description
Book SynopsisRez Metal captures the creative energy of Indigenous youth culture in the twenty-first century. Bridging communities from disparate corners of Indian Country and across generations, heavy metal has touched a collective nerve on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona in particular. Many cultural leaders—including former Navajo president Russell Begaye—have begun to recognize heavy metal’s ability to inspire Navajo communities facing chronic challenges such as poverty, depression, and addiction. Heavy metal music speaks to the frustrations, fears, trials, and hopes of living in Indian Country.
Rez Metalhighlights a seminal moment in Indigenous heavy metal: when Kyle Felter, lead singer of the Navajo heavy metal band I Dont Konform, sent a demo tape to Flemming Rasmussen, the Grammy Award–winning producer of several Metallica albums, including
Master of Puppets. A few months later, Rasmussen, captivated by the music, flew from Denmark to
Trade Review"
Rez Metal opens a path to filling a yawning hole in the literature on contemporary Indigenous musical activity, and understanding its cultural, political, and artistic history."—David Samuels,
American Indian Culture and Research Journal"An intriguing and enlightening read."—Kathy Sexton,
Booklist“
Rez Metal represents the creative genius of contemporary Indigenous popular culture. Set within the heart of the Navajo Nation and including the voices of elders, council members, and metalheads of all ages, Soltani Stone and Zappia demonstrate the importance of metal as a source of hope and inspiration for Indigenous youth and its prominence as an organic Indigenous expressive culture.”—Kyle T. Mays, author of
Hip Hop Beats, Indigenous Rhymes: Modernity and Hip Hop in Indigenous North AmericaTable of ContentsList of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction: History of the Project and Arrangement of the Book
1. What is Rez Metal?
2. Venues
3. The Band
4. Industry, Audience, and the Next Generation
Notes
Sources and Further Reading
