Welcome to the METAL PIT'S METAL MAIDEN OF THE MONTH section. This is
where we will feature each month a Metal Maiden that is either a fan of
METAL or in a METAL band. We will find out how they got into METAL and
why they are METAL fans. For previous Metal Maiden's of the Month see the bottom of this page.
MARCH
Our Metal Maiden of the Month for March hails from Miami, Florida.
Vanessa states on her myspace page that she lives and breathes
for Heavy Metal. Make sure to check out her myspace page for even more
about Vanessa and her incredible blogs from many Metal concerts she has
attended. So thanks to Vanessa for being THE METAL PIT's Metal Maiden
of the Month for March.
NAME: Vanessa De Campos
HOME: Miami, Florida, USA
MY SPACE PAGE: www.myspace.com/vanessadecampos
WEBSITE: http://www.vanessa-decampos.com
THE METAL PIT: Why do you listen to Heavy Metal? I don't think there is a true explanation to that. I like to think I am
an open minded girl, and have heard and given the chance to many
artists, not anything near Metal. And though I do enjoy and acknowledge
bits of other pieces of music, I have to say nothing fills me like
Heavy Metal (whether it be traditional, Power, Thrash, Symphonic,
Melodic Death, etc). Hearing it gives me a power or energy as I can't
describe, and when I'm at a concert it's definitely enhanced! I can't
imagine any other music giving me that feeling. It's the only thing I
can explain, really.
THE METAL PIT: How or what got you into listening to Heavy Metal? I started off in my last year of elementary school meeting two friends
who liked Alternative and hard rock/nu-metal. The style was definitely
different from anything I liked and it turned me on to start listening
to heavier music, for sure. I was discovering many many bands at about
11 or 12. The bands were more radio friendly, and can't say I listen
much to any of them now, as a lot of what I listen for and my own
preferences have changed. I was however, also listening to Megadeth,
Metallica, Slayer and Priest in 7th grade. By 8th grade I met a bunch
of guys who had a band in the local high school. They, a long with one
of my only friends at the time with good taste in music and the
internet exposed me many bands as Lacuna Coil, Iced Earth and Armored
Saint. The guys played "The Collection" by Yngwie Malmsteen for me, and
by then it was all over. I think that really hooked me. The great
classic bands were already there, but it kicked open a knew knowledge
of so many European bands, regardless of the genre, and from there it
really had me hooked. Not too long later I was addicted to Cannibal
Corpse (can't say I am much of a fan anymore, though), Death and Morbid
Angel. I've always liked the fact that I can listen to all of the
sub-genres in Metal, without being focused on only one. When I got my
own computer and heard bands like Bal-Sagoth, Finntroll, Nightwish, I
mean, should I say more? I love it all...
THE METAL PIT: Your top 5 Metal bands? Very hard to say. I like too many bands, and too many styles. For every
genre I have a couple of preferences. So I guess I'll cheat this
answer. For Heavy Metal I will say Dio, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Ac
Dc and Ozzy Osbourne's old solo stuff. For Power Metal I will say
Rhapsody, Helloween and Blind Guardian. For Death Metal/(Melodic Death)
I will say Death, Necrophagist and Arch Enemy. For Symphonic I will say
Nightwish and Epica. For Thrash I will definitely say Destruction,
Slayer and Testament. I also really love bands like Orphaned Land,
Therion, Divine Empire, Doro, Venom, Death Angel, Borknagar, Arcturus,
Iced Earth, old Pantera, Yngwie, of course.. ;) etc..
THE METAL PIT: Best concert you have ever seen? Definitely even harder. I mean, I've seen outdoor shows, festivals,
small clubs concerts, etc. I can say some of the following bands have
kept my mouth down to my knees when seeing live: Hypocrisy, Dio,
Therion, Krisiun, Omen, Stratovarius, Poison, DragonForce, Over Kill,
Orphaned Land, Symphorce, Rob Zombie, Megadeth.
THE METAL PIT: What is the best thing about going to a Metal Concert? The energy, the rush, the excitement, anticipation, hearing your favorite songs live.. Nothing can beat that feeling, I think.
THE METAL PIT: If someone says to you "Why do you listen to Heavy Metal?" What is your response? Well, I can say many things. I can say "Heavy Metal is the Law", or "If
you're not into Metal you are not my friend".. I guess it's just me!
There really is no need to explain. I don't have to explain that to
anyone who atleast doesn't like it, acknowledge or understand it or me.
THE METAL PIT: Outside of Metal what is most important to you? Sure, my grandparents are number one. And for sure family in general
and all of my friends. Some other things people worry or obsess about
in life, it's not worth it in the end, and maybe they realize that once
they are very old, but spend their youth trying to get something
they'll never have or answers they'll never find! Just LIFE is
important. Enjoy it, especially with those you care and love.
THE METAL PIT: What was the first metal concert you saw? Real HEAVY METAL? I was 17 when I saw Dio with Anthrax (non-original
line up) at Ft. Lauderdale FL. In October 2004. Besides that I went to
see some bands in Miami at radio hosted events.
THE METAL PIT: Who do you think was the first Heavy Metal band ever? I don't know. I can sure say I wasn't born. Some people say Led
Zeppelin inspired it, or started it with something, Black Sabbath came
to perfect it and since then it took off. I don't know, the point is
whoever it REALLY was got me and all of us where we are now, and just
goes to show how it's developed and progressed over the years.
THE METAL PIT: What are your thoughts on females in Heavy Metal? I think chicks in Metal bands are great. Some times a female fronted
band loses a lot of edge and aggression due to its melodic touch and
soft vocals, but I think the female voice is nice and bands like Within
Temptation do a good job mixing Metal with it, although I can't say
it's 100% Metal. After Forever does a great job, too! Floor has great
range and doesn't always have an "angelic" voice. She sings with balls
yet very feminine. And there is always Sinergy, Kimberly Goss in my
opinion is one of the best and doesn't get as much attention as she
should. Definitely very inspiring! And of course there is Angela from
Arch Enemy who is doing an amazing job fronting Arch Enemy. She is
growling lower than some of the death metal dudes. Then there is also a
very great band from Sweden called Decadence who I found on Myspace.
The vocalist, Metallic Kitty is so fucking incredible. I love them! I
hope they accomplish everything they want. Her voice is incredible and
I think that Thrash style is hard to pull off, and she does! And lastly
I want to mention Doro, she is like a Queen of Heavy Metal.
As for fans, I mean, there will be men and female fans of anything.
It's hard to meet chicks that really have their hearts nailed to this
music and can really talk about it. But when you do, they can some
times be some of the coolest people you've ever met. The only thing I
can't stand is seeing a bunch of chicks hanging out at concerts not
knowing a damn thing about the scene or bands, and hoping to fuck a
musician, and then because I am a female who meets some of these guys,
has to get judged based on other stupid chicks called groupies. I
respect anyone with dedication and respect for themselves. Anyway, it's
easy to spot those kind of girls and it's easy to find out who knows
and means what she talks about. I don't think Metal is a man's world,
that's for sure. At least they don't dominate it as much, because there
are many girls throwing horns, whaling out some great vocals and some
times even playing instruments. Who doesn't dig that? You must be gay
if you think it should be only for men.
THE METAL PIT: What is your favorite Metal album of all time and why? Tough!!!!! I will have to say "Piece of Mind" by Iron Maiden for right now.
THE METAL PIT: What is the best club/bar you have ever witnessed a heavy metal show at? Well, for this I'll just give props to the Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale. I've seen many great gigs there.
THE METAL PIT: Thank for you being the Metal Maiden of the Month for March in the
METAL PIT..........do you have any closing thoughts to share with METAL
PIT viewers?
Raise your horns high and proud.
PREVIOUS METAL MAIDENS OF THE MONTH
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
2006
2006
2007
2007
DARK
METAL
ALAINA
GEORGINA
ANGEL CHRISTINA
If you want to be a METAL MAIDEN of the MONTH, please send me a EMAIL
with a picture or pictures and a brief bio on why you think you should
be a Metal Maiden, or if you have a website or myspace page let me know
and I will take a look.