A classification of the dress of heavy metal music groups using content analysis

The research was a qualitative study of the dress of heavy metal (HM) music groups using content analysis. The purpose was to examine dress characteristics of a representative random sample of HM music groups. The objectives were (a) to develop a classification system for HM music groups based on time and subgenre, (b) to identify music groups within each cell (i.e., time and subgenre) of the classification system, and (c) to identify dress characteristics of a representative random sample of the music groups.

The subjects in the study were HM music groups as pictured on albums. The variables were the selected items of dress and the classification of the groups by time and subgenre. A classification system was developed and used for the selection of subjects. Using the HM Dress Classification Instrument developed by the researcher, specific dress characteristics of twenty-four HM music groups were identified. This data was compiled in tabular format.

Among the twenty-four HM groups, the predominant clothing was a black woven shirt and black leather/suede pants. Clothing trim included studs, motifs/designs, words and fringe. No visible jewelry was predominant. The primary shoes observed were western boots. Straight, shoulder-length black or blond hair with no head covering was predominant. Beards, makeup, tattooing, and other forms of corporal adornment were observed. Although some dress categories were dominated by single items, changes were observed across time and subgenres. The data indicated rejection of the two null hypotheses.