Photographer Captures Stark Portraits of German Underground Metal Fans

Aug 10, 2024

Black and white photo of three individuals. Left: a bearded person with glasses holding a drink, standing inside a venue. Center: a person with long hair behind a merchandise booth with band shirts. Right: a tattooed person with a long beard sitting on a wooden bench outdoors.

A photographer sought to document the people involved with the underground metal music scene in Germany. Over 90 metalheads have had their portrait taken for Peter Seipke’s Faces of a Scene project, all in a gloomy, black-and-white style.

A man with long hair and tattoos sits in a chair, holding a cigarette in one hand. He has a serious expression and is dressed in dark clothing. The photo is in black and white with a dark, textured background.

A person stands on the rear platform of a vintage train car, holding the railing with both hands. The scene is black and white, and the train car appears to be in a rail yard with utility poles and buildings in the background. The person wears a beanie and glasses.

A person stands in a field, appearing to be bound to an upright cross, with another cross in the scene's foreground. The person wears dark clothing and a belt adorned with studs. The backdrop includes a line of trees and a setting sun, rendering the scene in high contrast.

A person with long hair and tattoos sits cross-legged on the forest floor against a tree trunk, surrounded by tall trees. The lighting casts dramatic shadows, highlighting the figure in an otherwise dark, dense forest. The person wears dark clothing.

A man with long hair, wearing a black hoodie and a leather jacket, stands in a dimly lit tiled bathroom next to a urinal. His hands form a triangle gesture in front of him, and he has a serious expression. The room has a radiator and a window.

A man with tattoos sits on the steps of a building with a diamond-patterned door. He is wearing a graphic t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, resting his elbows on his knees and looking at the camera. The scene is captured in black and white, giving it a dramatic tone.

A person wearing a leather jacket, black pants, and scarf stands in a wetland area with barren, leafless trees. The ground is covered with tall grass and puddles, and the background consists of a forest under an overcast sky. The mood appears somber and reflective.

Black and white photo of a person standing in a derelict building, framed by broken windows. They are illuminated by a light source from the left, casting a shadow on the wall behind them. The setting appears to be abandoned and graffiti is present on the walls.

Seipke tells PetaPixel that he is a “passionate photographer” but also a “music freak” and his two passions have merged in this project.

“[I want] to give some spirit and energy back to the people in this unique scene,” he explains. “To let them look at themselves, to a certain extent.”

A bearded man with tattoos sits on a wooden log outdoors, surrounded by tall grass and trees. He is wearing a T-shirt, shorts, and sunglasses on his head. The sky above is overcast, creating a dramatic contrast in the monochrome image.

A woman with curly hair and dark clothing sits on a wooden bench in front of a rustic wooden structure with a window. The scene is in black and white, and the woman gazes calmly at the camera.

A person with long hair, wearing a sleeveless shirt and jeans, crouches and smiles in a dimly lit outdoor setting. They are positioned in front of a tree and a brick wall, with leaves scattered on the ground. The scene is captured in black and white.

A man with a long beard and glasses stands at a wooden bar holding a drink. He is wearing a vest covered in patches. Another person with long hair and a t-shirt featuring a design on the back stands beside him, turned away from the camera. The image is in black and white.

A woman with long hair stands in a dimly lit room filled with dark-themed merchandise. She is wearing a black shirt and jacket, and behind her are t-shirts and other items with gothic or metal designs. The atmosphere is dark and moody with subtle light sources.

A man with a long white beard and tattoos sits on a white couch, wearing a dark hoodie with multiple printed words and logos. He rests one arm on the back of the couch and the other on his leg. Posters of bands and logos are on the wall behind him.

A man with long hair and a beard is sitting on steps at night in front of a wire fence. He is wearing a cap, long-sleeved shirt, and sneakers. The lighting creates strong shadows, giving the scene a dramatic and moody atmosphere.

Black and white photo of a person standing against a brick wall. They are wearing a long, dark coat over a graphic t-shirt and dark pants. Leaves cover the ground, and the surrounding area appears abandoned and overgrown with foliage.

Seipke has met up with and photographed 91 members of the metal scene who mainly come from Eastern Germany where he lives.

“Two things were clear to me right from the start: The photos would be developed in black and white and the scenery would be photographed with an unleashed flash,” he says.

“Both are essential for the look of the photos — flashlight for a rather gloomy mood, black and white to ensure that the series is homogeneous and colors do not distract.”

A person stands under a bridge at night, leaning against a metal beam. The dimly lit setting features graffiti on the walls and scattered debris on the ground. The individual, wearing dark clothing, appears contemplative. The scene is in black and white.

A person with long hair is seated on a stool in a dimly lit room, illuminated dramatically from one side. They are wearing a dark and light raglan shirt with a graphic design. The background features shelves with various items and a small lamp, creating a moody ambiance.

Black and white image of a person sitting on a stool holding a bass guitar vertically. They wear a hooded sweatshirt and are surrounded by large amplifiers from brands like Peavey, Mesa, Krank, and Marshall. The scene has a moody, dimly lit atmosphere.

Black-and-white image of a bearded man standing in front of a drum set. He is wearing a t-shirt with a design on it and looks directly at the camera. The background consists of vertical acoustic panels, casting a shadow to his left.

A person wearing a hooded jacket and skirt stands in an industrial area with a corrugated metal wall behind them, illuminated dramatically by a light source. The scene is captured in black and white, creating a high-contrast, gritty atmosphere.

A woman in a black leather jacket and dark jeans leans against a graffiti-covered wall, illuminated by a harsh light in a dark alleyway. She stands next to an old, metal pipe, gazing forward with a serious expression.

A woman in a black dress sits on a wooden bench outdoors at night, partially illuminated. Trees and foliage are in the background, and a small skull rests on the ground near her feet. The scene is dark and has a mysterious ambiance.

In a black-and-white photo, a bearded man sits in front of a brick building with barred windows, wearing a leather jacket, a beanie, and jeans, holding a small drumstick. To his side is a neglected bike, adding to the image's gritty urban atmosphere.

Seipke will conduct a short interview with his subjects to find out about their tastes in metal and when they started listening to heavy rock; a genre that is popular all over the world.

“There are all types of fans,” says Seipke who publishes his portraits and interviews on his website.

“Ones who were already music enthusiasts as children and others who found metal music in their mid-fifties.

“From 16 to 63 years old, everyone is represented, from workers, engineers, artists, the self-employed, kindergarten teachers, musicians, teachers, and life artists. A mirror image of society.”

A person with long hair and a beard leans against a wall covered in graffiti in a dimly lit room. They wear a T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. A poster and various drawings are visible on the wall, including a large, abstract face. The atmosphere is dark and edgy.

Black and white photo of a person standing waist-deep in the ocean, facing the camera. They have long hair, wear a tank top with "Suicidal Tendencies" printed on it, and display visible tattoos on their arms. The horizon is visible in the background under a clouded sky.

A person with long hair and a beard stands on a metal platform, gripping the railing. They are dressed in a black shirt and vest, and the setting appears to be outside a brick building with foliage nearby. The scene is in black and white.

A person with long hair sits on the edge of a stone bench by a river, surrounded by trees and under a cloudy sky. The person is wearing a dark dress and boots. The scene is in black and white, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere.

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a black dress, stands in a dark, dense forest. She holds an object in one hand and is partially illuminated, creating a stark contrast against the shadowy background.

A man with glasses stands confidently with arms crossed, leaning against a broken-down car in front of an old, weathered brick building. A single chair and some overgrown vegetation occupy the space around him. The photo is in black and white, adding a dramatic tone.

Black and white image of a person sitting on a chair in a room with musical equipment. They wear glasses and a " beating metal" t-shirt with an amplifier and various items visible in the background. The lighting casts a shadow emphasizing the individual's relaxed posture.

A person with long hair, glasses, and a sleeveless shirt stands at a DJ booth with a computer. A mural of a muscular figure wearing sunglasses is painted on the wall behind them. A sign on the wooden booth displays a prohibition symbol.

A person stands on a metal bridge railing by a calm lake with dense tree line in the background. They wear a dark hoodie, leather jacket, and beanie, posing with one leg crossed and hands in pockets. The atmosphere is moody and overcast.

Seipke was in a band himself for a while so he sees his photography as a way of continuing to participate in the scene creatively.

“I’m part of the scene, mainly in the underground metal scene, which is huge all over Germany. So I go to club concerts and small festivals, meet people, and get into conversation,” he explains.

“My wife and my two grown-up sons are also part of the scene, so it’s actually quite normal for me to be in it.”

A woman relaxes on a bench in a garden, resting her head on her hand. She is wearing a sleeveless top, capri pants, and sneakers. The image is in black and white, with the woman illuminated against a backdrop of lush greenery.

A bearded man stands by a stone structure with a reflective pool in front of a wooded area. He wears a long, dark coat adorned with patches and metal embellishments, and his hands are clasped together. The scene is in black and white.

A person with long hair and glasses sits in a shaded wooden gazebo, surrounded by lush trees and foliage. They are casually dressed in a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, and lean against the framework, gazing into the distance. The image is in black and white.

A person with long hair, wearing a plaid shirt and a chain, leans against the hood of a parked car at night. The surrounding area is dark and industrial with concrete walls and beams. The scene is in black and white.

A person stands in a dimly lit room leaning against a wall with guitars hanging behind them. There's a poster of a band and a large speaker on the floor. The atmosphere is moody, enhanced by black and white contrast.

A man stands in a dimly lit, narrow hallway lined with metallic walls. He wears a graphic t-shirt and jeans, and his arms hang by his sides. The hallway is shadowy, and there is a guitar leaning against the wall to the right. The atmosphere is moody and intense.

A woman sits on a couch in a dimly lit room. She is wearing a polka dot dress and dark leggings. Her right arm is in a cast. Behind her is a poster with "BLACK METAL" written on it, and a decorative lantern is placed on a table to her right.

A person is leaning against a doorway in a dimly lit room. The walls behind them are covered in large graffiti, including the word "Satan" and other symbols. The person is wearing a dark T-shirt and pants, creating a stark contrast with the graffitied background.