Metal Reviews

dead1 · Einherjar Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 2183

Just read through Terrorizer mag with Electric Wizard on cover.

I found it quite boring.

But then I thought about it and I think Terrorizer has been on a downward slope for a while.

And here's my take as to why:

- Too many stupid wannabe funny articles like the Metal sandwiches and letters to David Vincent which generally are not amusing or daft articles where they try to connect certain songs.

I like humour but it has to be funny/amusing - e.g. an older series of articles bagging out band on front cover.

- Interviews seem to be focusing on bands' personal lives. I don't give a shit if someone's dad died or they are feeling a bit sad.

I want tour stories, album writing info, etc - fun, music related stuff basically.

- Reviews are pretty lame now with little description and lots of random words. Also no humour as in the past. Not a fan of 5 star rating system - old 10 point one was better.

In some instances I don't think the reviewer has actually listened to the album they're reviewing as what they wrote has little to do with album.

- No DVD reviews.

- Scope is getting very narrow - emphasis seems to be on pseudo-metal stuff and retro rock wannabes. Not much from the main genres - Death, Thrash, Power or even Black.

- Also seems to be getting more British focused - they used to have bands from around the world. Other than a couple of exceptions, British metal last seemed relevant in about 1991.

- Gig reviews are becoming few and far between.

- News section somehow manages to miss a lot of news.

DevotedWalnut · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 4:38 am Post subject:

People still read heavy metal magazines?

AlexandeR · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:12 am Post subject:

dead1 · Einherjar Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 2183

I enjoy a magazine, especially on the crapper.

I also prefer books to on screen stuff.

Zadok · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:18 am Post subject:

Unsuscribed to Terrorizer awhile ago, chiefly because of the focus - too much on like you say, retro rock, deathcore, that sort of thing, when once it was about pushing musical boundaries in every direction. Considered getting something like Zero Tolerance in replacement, but the internet is a far better (and cheaper!) way of finding new music, you just have to put slightly more effort in.

DevotedWalnut · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 7:21 pm Post subject:

dead1 · Einherjar Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 2183

Zadok · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 1:15 am Post subject:

Might get the next issue of Zero Tolerance, see how that is.

http://www.ztmag.com/

Unless I'm very much mistaken it was founded by Leon Macey of the wonderful Mithras and his wife... Plus Nemtheanga out of that there Primordial writes for them.

dead1 · Einherjar Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 2183

Thanks for the link to ZT.

Instantly web layout is better than Terrorizer or Metal Hammer.

Also interesting comments re: Terrorizer in About section:
http://www.ztmag.com/about.html

Zadok · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 2:55 pm Post subject:

Brought a ZT at weekend, smaller than Tez with much smaller writing, but interesting so far, more underground selection of bands and with notable hatred for Devin Townsend...

traptunderice · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 5:30 pm Post subject:

Hatred for DT!? wtf.

Zadok · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:54 pm Post subject:

dead1 · Einherjar Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 2183

noodles · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:21 am Post subject:

I feel like magazines are in a vicious spiral of people not reading them, which means having to cut their budget, which means reducing the amount of content, which makes them less appealing to read. It's unfortunate because while I love the internet, the quality control in magazine writing is usually higher.

dead1 · Einherjar Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 2183

I prefer magazines. Most websites are terribly laid out and have poor quality control when it comes to content.

A lot of magazines also utilise memory intensive programs that slow them down or don't work on certain browsers.