Metal Reviews

Does anybody else here find it a little ridiculous that some people will claim to be fans of "Band-X", but then "vow to never again buy another album or hear another song by Band-X" only after hearing one song/album by the band that they didn't like? I mean, seriously. It's stupid to become so emotional over a band, to the point where if they make just one slip-up you automatically turn on them (talk about "fan loyalty!"). Besides, musicians are human too. They make mistakes and release a few duds just like everybody else. So why are so many music fans (metal fans in particular) quick to turn on a band just after one slip-up? That's actually not good for the music scene, either, since it puts these bands under too much pressure. They should at least be able to breath without being scrutinized.

Just a thought.

I agree mostly, until it comes to metallica... and it is not about they seling out, but when Lars forces a lifetime fan to delete his metallica logo from his metallica-fan site, then it has just got to far. He threatened to sue him if he did'nt...talk about spitting on your fans...

Yeah I think this thread will be mostly about Metallica

Well, people have also done this with other bands. Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, heck even Iced Earth. I do agree, though, that Metallica is probably the band that's taken the largest amount of this kind of punishment. Which, in a way, I can't really argue with since they have done a lot to sabotage their fans and fanbase (particularly with the Napster suit). The other bands I've mentioned, however, haven't. I think it's especially ridiculous that some people vowed to never listen to another Iced Earth album again just after hearing When The Eagle Cries (and not even giving any of the other music on The Glorious Burden a listen).

In a way, may be the whole Metallica debacle has skewed a lot of metal fans' judgement of "selling out." It's gotten to the point where if a metal band even signs onto a major record label, "fans" are quick to say they "sold out and are no longer good." You know, out of fear that, now that they're on a major label, this band will pull a Metallica.

I know what you mean completely. That Iced Earth shit is stupid. While i thought TGB was really crappy i still can't wait for the new album and infact i bought the Single just today. But metallica is a different story, they seem to activly go out to piss their fans off, not cool.

The Glorious Burden was a completely uninspired piece of garbage though, it's not just The Eagle Cries. The Gettysburg Trilogy is the only thing on the entire sordrid album that's worth listening to. The rest of it is unabashed filler, and all Schaffer was doing was recycling riffs from his other, better albums. The production was tinny, Richard Christie phoned in his performance on the drumming, and even Ralph Santolla sounded bored. Tim Owens is an excellent singer, there's no doubt, but he was given completey stupid material to work with. It didn't help that Schaffer shamelessly devoted a page of the booklet to his Spirit of 76 Collectibles store eithier. Save that crap for the website. I don't blame people for writing the band off after that trainwreck, it certainly didn't sound like Schaffer put much effort into it.

metal is being more and more commercialised, and i dont see a problem with a band signing a major label, if they stick to they same kind of music..

Truly great bands don't make bad music.

Ever.

I'm more of a fan of individual albums rather than bands myself. I totally agree, going all that emotional (at least on message boards) about a band not living up to their expectations is just ridiculous.

That's interesting. To hear Schaffer tell it, he agonized over the creation of that CD. I do agree that the production was weak but I liked it. Owens is incredible and the trilogy at the end blew me away whenI first heard it. A few songs were weak but most bands have those songs that are "less inspired" than others. It definitely has not detered me from being an Iced Earth fan at all. As for the advertisment for his store...we all have to live right? It didn't bother me. I just ignore stuff like that. I thought it was great that he had other ventures and interests. To each his own though.

He agonized over the toilet during the recording process on it. Red Baron/Blue Max is the only song outside of the Trilogy that isn't a complete waste of time. Declaration Day is okay, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. It's painfully mediocre, and a lot of the riffs were recycled. And about that advertisment, just no. Devin Townsend produces other bands albums, but you don't see him putting whole page ads in his CD's about it. I found that move to be quite tasteless myself. That doesn't mean I won't check out the new album, but I'm really not expecting much to be honest. Hell, he's recycling entire ideas out of his back-catalogue now.

I'll agree to that.

Well, IMO they all take a misstep, a lapse in judgement, get bored, stuck in a rut or are just plain run out of ideas. Does that mean that I will stop listening to them? No. it just means that I won't be that big of a fan for that particular release or track.

I agree with the majority of what you're saying. I'm not challenging you on any of it. I just feel that most of this is so subjective and it really effects all of us differently. You feel that TGB is a steaming pile of feces, while I'm sure there is someone on here who thinks it's a golden nugget of perfection. That's why I said..to each his own. We all interpret our music (likes and dislikes) uniquely. Does that mean that something is bad or good? Only in the ears and hearts of each individual listener can that be decided.

I just wanted to say that your new avatar is fkin' hilarious!!!!

Well, I think it is subjective and is upto an individual to decide when they decide not to listen to a specific band. But yes, dismissing them after just one bad album seems weird to me too. Lemme be the first to bring up Metallica. When I picked up Load, I didn't like the direction in which I thought they were heading. Then, ReLoad came out and contrary to many or most of the people, I felt ReLoad to be better than Load. But, I kind of decided that this band was heading in a direction I wouldn't like and decided never to pick up an album of theirs unless I listen to it first. Which means, I wouldn't blindly pick up an album of theirs. I too don't see any reason in people screaming "sellout" just because a band's album sales increase or cos they sign to a major label. I read about the hard core metallica fan being asked by the band to remove their logo from his site. That's pretty cheap. As far as I know, the guy is still a fan. As for the upcoming Metallica album, I dont mind lending an ear to it and if I like it, I will buy it.

Yeah! He's the king of space.

I think a lot of musical interpretation is based on our own life experiences, and the general ways our minds are shaped. So different music gives different people a different effect. Because no two minds think alike. That's why I absolutely hate it when people, ie. the Metallica Bashwagon, say things like, "You're an idiot if you like this album." Or "How could you pretend to like that album?" Dude, MAY BE SOME PEOPLE JUST NATURALLY LIKE SOMETHING THAT YOU PERSONALLY DON'T LIKE!!!! Are they committing any sort of crime or breaking any sort of law? No. They're just naturally getting a different vibe from something. Opinions of music are a lot more subjective than opinions of movies and video games. And some music just naturally strikes a chord with some people, but may not necessarily strike that same chord with others. Again, because of external factors like life experiences, and the music you were probably forced to grow up with as a kid.

Agreed. Actually, I sometimes wonder if Metallica's haircuts and eyeliner on Load were more meant to MAKE FUN OF that whole image than actually support it. I know with Poor Twisted Me they were making fun of the whole "Whoa is me" attitude of a lot of early-90s grunge music (which is ironic since Alice In Chains and Nirvana were actually fairly big influences on the Load albums).

Yes because Super Jon woudl say something like, " Eh, kinda went in, dicked around for a bit, but then then some friends wanted to play some Mortal Kombat , so thats basicly what we did for a few months then decided to throw some shit together to meet the approaching release date."