Metal Reviews

Patrick Roy is a French deputy (left party). He is also a huge metalhead : he is a guitar player who plays on stage, from time to time, with Mass Hysteria. And he also has a pancreatic cancer, and is currently struggling against it. He was told a few months ago that he had several weeks to live, but he’s still among us.

And recently, he came back after a while to the National French Assembly (the Chamber of deputies, if you like), to make a speach in favor of Methul. I don’t know how it works in your countries, but here, it is HIGHLY unusual. Here is the transcript of the speech (the video is at the bottom, for french speakers. I would have made subtitles, if only I knew how to do so, sorry.) :

« This session is a you know a special one for me, but I will get back on this matter in a few minutes. I would like first to talk to the Minister of Culture about cultural diversity, and more specifically, musical diversity. Mister, as you know, there is a long way to go to make every musical genre respected on french television. I think of rap, I think of jazz, but first and foremost I think of metal, which is unfairly despised by media, public broadcasters included*. Yet, this music genre is powerful and inspired : I strongly advise you, Minister the Minister of Culture, to listen to french bands such as Gojira, Adagio, Mass Hysteria, Dagobah, Manigance. Elsewhere in the world, alongside the unavoidable Metallica, give a try to Opeth, Dream Theater, Therion, Stratovarius, and Rammstein. This kind of music attracts hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts who flock in impressive metal events, such as the Hellfest near Nantes. Moreover, stands a specialized and dynamic press : Rock Hard, Metallian, Hard rock magazine. Therefore, I wrote to the President of France Televisions* and asked for an appointment, succesfully, in order to talk about the creation of a metal musical show on TV. There is currently none.
My question is simple, Mister the Minister of Culture : are you by my side in this fight for cultural diversity ? »

And then his speech switches to his struggle against cancer, and the tremendous support he had from his colleagues, including fierce political adversaries. The video is actually really moving : seeing the Chairman of French National Assembly (a political adversary) struggling not to burst into tears is quite something.

Anyway. This guy is fucking awesome.
Video (french only) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIPUP5SeyEA

* In France a few broadcasters aren’t private companies. I don’t know how to say that in proper English.

one of the greatest NHL goalies of all time is named Patrick Roy and he's a french canadian. Coinicidence? I think not.

Yes, there are quite the number of videos of him on Youtube. Ironically, it was also the name of a french anchor, who died of cancer 20 years ago. I loved the guy when I was a kid and actually cried when he passed.

Patrick Roys are heroes.

Never heard of him but I hope he pulls through his cancer battle. Hate to see anyone suffering that dreadful disease.

By the way I wonder if he plays Judas Priest's Breaking The Law while chasing a criminal

Yeah, "deputy" maybe wasn't the right word
Parliament member then ? Something like that ? Intricacies of the english language are beyond me.

I had never heard of him as well, until this story made it to the news, here.

I think we can all agree that the lesson to be learned here is that French people (and more specifically French metalheads and hockey players) rule. *is French Canadian and possibly inflating own ego*

But seriously now, that is one fucking awesome speech/appeal. It is interesting, though, that other forms of music (and not just talking about France here, but other western nations) are considered "culturally important" while metal is not. There are many countries/regions where the same argument that is made for rap or jazz as "cultural music" can be said for metal in a way.

Working class culture! Birmingham represent!

What does the Culture/Communications Minister say in response by the way?

All in all, it's a damned shame for the guy, but nice to see him bringing up something like that. It's pretty much the same everywhere you go, you'll get TV time dedicated to almost anything musical aside from metal. The only thing you'll get here is the BBC showing its documentary from like 2006 that doesn't go into any bands beyond the 80's. For something so massive on such a global scale you'd think it'd be given more dues.

His response was the usual diplomatic answer (I'll summarize) :
- He begins by saluting Roy's fights (against cancer and for cultural diversity)
- Then he underlines the fact the government has no authority on TV schedules (true, thankfully)
- And he ends by hoping Roy's appointment with the Big boss of french public TV will lead to something.



What, seriously ? Even in UK ? France is understandable, we suck at more or less everything anyway, TV included. But I thought the situation was better in actual civilized countries.
Bah ! Screw TV. It's overrated anyway.

Obviously you never seen American Idol here in the states

Obviously ! Although I read in another topic they actually covered a Judas Priest song recently ? It's not much but... hey, it's something.

That's the general idea as to what I thought he'd say. Bugger :(.

And yep, the mainstream TV barely covers it, though there are the two music channels that pander to the more commercialised side of things that are mostly rock more than anything else.

One of the main broadcasters actually had a series about B-Boys, the dance culture that comes with hip-hop that the broadcast nationwide. it wasn't a prime time slot, but it wasn't at some silly hour either. For them to do it on something like that, that probably has a far tinier scene across the UK, but ignore anything to do with metal is a bit jarring really.

Speaking of Metal politicians:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12984719

"John Whittingdale [chairman of the culture select committee] is into heavy metal too, "he said. "He likes AC/DC."

Does not compute, my good man. nonetheless.

The President of Russia, Mr. Medvedev, is also a fierce (power) metal fan, especially Stratovarius I am told. I wonder how many politician enjoy some Brutal Death or BM without admitting it, for electoral reasons.

Oh yes, remember reading about Medvedev meeting Deep Purple when they were over there, too.

I can see Putin being into grind. That, or Soviet marching songs.

Didn't Kotipelto do a gig for him when he was on a state visit to Finland or something?

Patrick Roy died a few hours ago.







RIP.

As always, the sign language interpreter is meme-material.