AN ANALYSIS OF GATEKEEPING by NEO
A guest highlight of PNW metal artist, Neo @sealzillaa!
NPZ #3 — JANUARY 2025 — PAGE 11
Written by Neo (they/them), IG: @sealzillaa
“So for me, you are Metallica family, all are welcome, who’s with me?!” - James Hetfield
Hi there, you can call me Neo! I’m an artist and amateur guitar player from the PNW. Only being 19, I’m obviously not the oldest person in the metal scene, but it is indeed a scene I grew up in, all thanks to the music taste of my parents. I’ve only gotten deeper and deeper into it as I’ve grown up, crappy first battle vest attempts aside…Some of my favorite bands are Metallica (duh!), Megadeth, Exodus, SOAD, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath..
Let me get to my point, Gatekeeping has always existed. I think that it has its place somewhat in alternative scenes, most especially for keeping bigots and people who legitimately do not participate in said communities out. The issue with this is in a shockingly high amount of instances, it can largely boil down to sexism, looping back around to being bigoted.
Go into the comment section of any fem presenting metalhead, goth, punk. It is filled with the too often heard “Name 5 songs” or “They’re just doing it for attention or male approval.” Hell, go into the comment section of any queer person, the same goes.
All in all, it doesn’t take a lot to see the difference in how different fans are treated, not even just in the metal scene. Even if not said aloud, there is a preestablished way to be [a] fan. You aren’t allowed to be a fangirl, lest you want to be bullied by those in the same space as you.
Obviously, I have my own sort of experience with this. Seeing this mindset in a community I want to feel included in is very daunting. I am not even fem presenting anymore, nor do I think of myself as a girl at this point in my life, I still feel as if it’s not enough. My experience as a girl cannot be erased, and I hope that more people will put more thought into who they are labeling as posers, fakers, and what have you. You can unlearn anything, especially the notion that something isn’t for girls, which is largely where this attitude comes from.
