Metal Reviews

Particularly with their singer. This is something that has always, I suppose, been the case. Bands play together, and over the years, lineup changes happen. Things get stale. Relationships breakdown. Artistic differences happen. Etc. (See, Maiden, Priest, AC/DC - in their case, it was a revolving door on drummers for a while, and more recently Nightwish, and so on.)

But what's killing me is this seemingly new trend of great "new" bands, simply not being able to keep it together. Bands that are so good, that put out such great albums, and have such great careers in front of them - but so early on in their careers, lose a key member. (Singers, particularly are my frustration.) Of course, taste is subjective, but some of my favorite bands -- ones who've put out killer freshman, sophomore, and third albums -- have had all this turnover recently. Consider:

- LOST HORIZON (how incredible is Daniel's voice - and how LONG has that new singer search dragged on? And how much of a shame is that? Imagine would could have been if they kept going together.)
- HUMAN FORTRESS (anyone remember these guys? 2 killer albums. No more singer.)
-LANFEAR (Tobias - one of the smoothest voices you'll ever hear, gone)
-PYRAMAZE (yes, many of us love Matt and are looking forward to this, myself included. But Lance had a really good thing going with those guys. And two great albums.)
-FIREWIND
-FALCONER (I don't actually love this band, but throwing them in here.)
-THUNDERSTONE (I believe I read recently that singer's gone)

Even Elvenking has already had their singer leave and come back.

And I know I'm missing a bunch of bands (not to mention guitar and drummer departures as well)

It's to the point where I'm really cherishing my Sabaton and Cellador CDs, because I don't know how long those singers will stay put!

So anyway, this is a lament I've just been meaning to get off my chest for some time -- hoping to get some thoughts from this passionate metal forum. Is it true that there seems to be more difficulty getting along amongst bands today? Are the days of the original 4or 5 guys staying together for 10 - 20 years over?

They do it because they know you'll complain about it.

[quote="TheOctavarius"]They do it because they know you'll complain about it.[/quote]

Great input. Thanks for helping to foster an interesting discussion. Terrific job. Really.

I think it varies. Bands that start as friends playing the music that they love can have things come between them - the choices that the fame that brings them to our attention, for instance. Some deal with them better than others, that's all there is to it.

I think it has to do with musical differences. Usually bands start with one or two friends, and then they just hire random musicians to fill in for shows. Then when somebody else wants their name in the spotlight they try writing their own stuff and nobody else in the band likes it and out the door you go.

Or, the musicians they started with suck and they are just there to fill in for shows until they find somebody better. Every band has their Malmsteen or Mustain.

Wait a minute Pasi left Thunderstone

yes, it blows, doesn't it?

As soon as I started reading the first paragraph I thought of Lanfear and Lost Horizon, so I share your frustration.
I didn't know about the Human Fortess (killer band!) and Thunderstone vocalists....



I do think it's different now... there are so many sub-genres/styles of metal, it leads to different members wanting different things. So yes, "musical differences" basically.

Clint

DGM singer left so that sucks too. The last album was their best imo. And speaking of line-up changes how come no one mentioned Masterplan. They had a good thing going with Uli and Jorn.

yep - Masterplan is another one!

Makes you wonder, for example, what the chances are that Ben stays with Heavenly. What are they, four albums and still together? WOW!

Oh, At The Gates... :(

Oh, that sucks. That was a very good album, the last one.

I think part of it has to do with some musicians prefering to just be 'hired guns'. Some seem to prefer just being studio musicians and not go on tour. Others go from project to project perhaps because they prefer knowing how much they will be paid up front, and the money makes it to their pockets a lot sooner then if they gave a full-time commitment to a band. I agree that it is very frustrating, as a fan.
I really dislike the trend of musicians - singers exspecially, who spread themselves too thin with multiple projects. To me, bands like this just seem like it is only a matter of time before the singer leaves or the band breaks up. So it almost makes me not want to invest any time in the band in the first place. Kelly leaving Outworld is an example. He was never fully commited to Outworld. He was just sticking around until the next project came along. Michael Grant in Cypher Seer comes to mind as well. I like the album, but how long will Grant be around? He already has Cresent Shield. James Rivera comes to mind here as well. He always seems to have multiple projects going on and he never sticks with a band long. It makes me wonder why bands would even hire him knowing he won't be there very long.

Gus G comes to mind too. WHy not STICK to a band? And Patrik from Astral Doors and Wuthering Heights (and maybe even a third band if my memory serves correctly)

I just remembered another one: Jens Carlsson. He has Persuader, Savage Circus and Dark Empire. The sad thing is, out of all the stuff he does, I like Dark Empire the best, but that will probably be the first one he leaves when he no longer has the time for it. I have to wonder why Matt Molitti would hire Jens for his Dark Empire band in the first place. Why would he want a singer who is obvously not 100% commited to the band?

I used to think about why band members act like assholes and then VH1 began to air the "Behind The Music" series. That answered all my questions. If you were ever able to see any of those it answers your "why?" questions really well.

It seemed like it would always break down to ego, money, drugs, booze, and/or control issues. Take your pick they all seem to suffer through one or all of those choices.

Yeah, What the fuck happened to Morifade? and why did Lord Tim disband Dungeon? Dungeon had been a Solo project for years before, so why "go solo" when it already was?

Yeah, what the fuck did happen to morifade?

Honestly, I know what happened. The Guitarist and singer quit, only to be replaced. The "band" remains but I don't think we'll get a decent record out of them again. I don't think Andy can carry the band after all this.

I only have Domi<.>Nation (and Cast a Spell, as it comes with that album) and am looking forward to the past releases.