The Evolution of a Hard Rock Stage Show

No genre has combined these elements better than hard rock and heavy metal. From Kiss to Cannibal Corpse, lyrical subject matter alone often pushes the envelope, but when bands add elements of anti-authoritarianism and eroticism to their killer guitar solos, it's hard for fans to look away. Influenced by everything...

By Lauren Wise

July 17, 2014

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No genre has combined these elements better than hard rock and heavy metal. From Kiss to Cannibal Corpse, lyrical subject matter alone often pushes the envelope, but when bands add elements of anti-authoritarianism and eroticism to their killer guitar solos, it's hard for fans to look away.

Influenced by everything from the supernatural and horror to Coney Island sideshows and opera, the current rock 'n' roll stage show draws on centuries of history. Tracing the roots of stage shows reveals not only how we arrived at the current state of heavier music, but also predicts where we're going.

To read the entire story, please click here to go to Up on the Sun, New Times' music blog.

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