Metal at the Philharmonie de Paris: the major exhibition dedicated to extreme music, our photos

Metallica, Iron Maiden, Behemoth, Gojira, Pantera, Slipknot, Slayer, Anthrax, Korn, Machine Head or Rammstein and In Flames... we could go on and on, the list of metal bands is so long. So, for you dear metalheads, we have good news! In 2024, this musical genre will be honored at the Philharmonie de Paris in an exhibition entitled " Metal ", with"diabolus in musica" as its subtitle!

Afterelectro and hip-hop, the Philharmonie de Paris has decided to take an interest in extreme music, devoting a brand-new exhibition to it from April 5 to September 29, 2024. An opportunity to learn more about this powerful musical genre by exploring its codes and the wealth of its myths. For the first time in France, the two curators of the exhibition, Milan Garcin and Corentin Charbonnier, are presenting a documented overview of this movement, which combines music, popular culture, anthropological vision and contemporary art.

Visitors can discover metal 's own musical codes, based on the use of the embellished fourth, the massive use of distortion and guttural vocals, and rhythmic drumming techniques such as the blast beat.

Let's take a step back in time to better understand the world of metal. It's been 50 years since this musical genre burst into our lives. For many, hard rock was born of Black Sabbath - led by Ozzy Osbourne - and its eponymous opus released in 1970. In the 80's, the genre evolved, before being renamed " metal ", after the lyrics of Steppenwolf 's famous " Born to be wild " (1968).

While many consider this musical style to be subversive, both in terms of discourse and form, metal music continues to attract as many fans as ever, despite the passing years. Just look at the number of festival-goers at the Hellfest in Clisson every summer. In over fifteen years of existence, this extreme music festival has established itself as France's biggest music festival. In 2022, the event won a prize at the European Festival Awards.

Metal concerts often sell out in Paris and elsewhere in France. It has to be said that metal music is best experienced live. In concert, metalheads have a field day with headbanging, mosh, circle pit and wall of death! Terms so dear to metalheads, but often incomprehensible to the uninitiated.

So, what does this exhibition devoted to extreme music in Paris achieve? Rich and varied, the installation is aimed above all at metal fans. If you're allergic to this musical style, don't bother! However, there's plenty for neophytes to learn. Thanks to a large number of items (objects, instruments, costumes, posters, vinyl, photos...) from private collectors, bands, Hellfest Productions, the Hard Rock Cafe and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the exhibition immerses visitors in a metal mass, lulled by cult tracks by Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Metallica, Megadeth, System of a Down and Kiss.

Conceived as a succession of initiatory rites, the" Metal" exhibition, on view in the Philharmonie's exhibition space, begins by tracing the founding myths of several legendary bands, including Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. We then go back in time to the late 60s with the discovery of several exceptional pieces, such as this stage costume worn by Ozzy Osbourne in 1986, or this bass by Roger Glover of Deep Purple!

Then it's on to the impressive visual universe and iconography resulting from this culture of extreme music, with the macabre or apocalyptic image of metal, often derived from horror films. The exhibition features a number of works by Swiss artist Hans Ruedi Giger. H.R. Giger, creator of the Alien universe, is a major artist in the emergence of metal iconography. His work has fascinated several generations of musicians (Deicide, Carcass, Celtic Frost...).

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A little further on, we discover a series of masks worn by several artists (Behemoth's Nergal mask, Ultra Vomit's duck mask, Rob Zombie's hat, the clown mask worn in the"Violent and Funky" video by Robert Trujillo in Infectious Grooves...). Surprise to discover the pyrotechnic crossbow manipulated by Rammstein's Till Lindemann live on the track"Du Hast", or the guillotine used on stage by Alice Cooper. There's also a Fender bass by Robert Trujillo, decorated by his wife Chloé, a photograph printed on canvas from the"Behemoth: Thou Art Darkest" series (2018), and Motörhead's Lemmy Kilmister bass (pre-1992).

The"Metal" exhibition also looks back at the main metal sub-genres (speed & thrash metal, hard rock & heavy metal, nu metal, power metal, black metal, death metal...) presented in the 7"metal chapels". Once again, the exhibition features a host of rare items and objects, including stage outfit by Joakim Brodén of Sabaton, stage costume by Sid Wilson of Slipknot, motorcycle by Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe, leg bracelet by Rob Halford of Judas Priest, microphone stand by Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, hat by Slash, drinking horn by Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth, stage necklace worn by Nergal of Behemoth, microphone stand by Jonathan Davis of Korn created by H.R Giger, Metallica's Kirk Hammett 's guitar, Cliff Burton's bass...

Another space with an immersive aspect, this time created from several videos shot during Hellfest. An opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the famous circle pit from the inside! The exhibition also devotes a small section to the commitment and protest spirit of certain metal bands, such as Gojira and Rage Against The Machine.

The visit continues with a look at the French metal scene (Lofofora, Loudblast, Ten56) and the possibility of choosing the tracks you want to listen to in this dedicated room.

Finally, the exhibition doesn't forget to mention all the merchandising associated with metal, from t-shirts, the sign of recognition among metalheads, to fanzines. In short, everything, everything, everything, you'll know everything about metal thanks to this beautiful and rich exhibition!

So, are you ready to discover the codes and underpinnings of metal music? Visit the Philharmonie de Paris from April 5 to September 29, 2024. Please note that tickets for the"Metal" exhibition are now available on the official Philharmonie de Paris website.

In parallel with the exhibition, the Philharmonie de Paris and the Cité de la Musique are offering exclusive events from April 26 to May 2, 2024: the"Art of Metal" concert on April 26, a metal parade on April 30, a concert by Polish band Behemoth on April 30, and the Hellfest warm-up tour on May 2, 2024.