So, why do heavy bands employ the devilish double dot? To quote Spinal Tap guitarist David St. Hubbins (not to be confused with Shanghai-based English-language magazine freelancer, David Hubbins): "It’s like a pair of eyes. You're looking at the umlaut, and it's looking at you." Spinal Tap, incidentally, also rocks the umlaut, but it’s over the “n” -- and since that combination doesn’t exist in any language, it can’t be replicated on this page -- at least not using our version of Word. (Tap fans will also be aware that there is no dot over the “i” in the group’s name). more ›