Mapping underground culture

the emergence of the heavy metal subculture in São Paulo's "ABC Area" and suburban identity displacements

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the emergence of the heavy metal subculture in São Paulo's so-called "ABC Area", comprised of suburban cities in the greater São Paulo metro, based on the cultural practices that involved their musical sub-genres over the last two decades of the twentieth century. In particular, identity processes related to the category of the "heavy metal scene" will be analyzed in its interaction with other subcultures. An attempt will initially be made to establish a theoretical reference to discuss this phenomenon, basically in relation to cultural studies. Next, some antecedents relevant to its historical genesis in the region will be indicated, that is, the consolidation of the cultural industry in the "ABC Area". After this, an effort will be made to identify the common core found in the different sub-genres of metal, their different placements within local culture and their main disputes in the symbolic field. Finally, some outcomes of this subculture will be shown, starting with Headbangers ABC and extending up -through contemporary lines of extreme metal.