[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

We had the theory on this thread that fans of metal saw themselves in Tolkien's villains, as opposition to convention, religion, etc. But the scope is much wider. Yes, the evil Orcs who rampage and steal are metal - but the heroes who give all in battle are also metal. Aragorn's rousing speeches are appropriate as Sauron's malice.

So is theme important? I say: yes! Opposed as Aragorn and Sauron surely are to us, they're both the same to the common radio-listener. Songs about tasting the furious vengeance of a Gondorian blade are no different to an anthem celebrating Trollish bloodlust - to those who constantly sing about being dumped by her boyfriend, going out to party at the club, or exactly how to rhythmically move ones hips at the club because said hips now have no boyfriend.

A huge percentage of metal is made by people who love fantasy, epics, old tales of times past, and so on. Tolkien's influence in this field is far greater than in the rock genre; I suppose simply because rock is closer to the mainstream.