Metal Reviews

Trivium?
Pantera?
Metallica?
System Of A Down?
Arch Enemy?
Still Remains?
Paradise Lost?
Iron Maiden?

I'd call them metal mainstream in their current incarnations...

Edit: and Pantera when they were together, Damageplan now.

they're only mainstream to the metalheads :roll:

SOAD, Pantera, Metallica, and Maiden aren't mainstream, Stefan? This is new.

They appear in Kerrang, they belong to the mainstream. Of course they're mainstream!

I disagree that there is no discernible "middle class" in metal. To me this refers to bands that are capable of making a decent living, but who are still removed from mainstream consciousness. Napalm Death springs to mind- but also bands that are "mainstream" within the metal community but not outside of it. Opeth, the Haunted, Arch Enemy, for example. To continue the analogy, "upper class" refers to that tiny number of metal bands whose music has truly made them rich- Metallica, Maiden, Ozzy...

But anyway, that's all just a question of analogy. But for me this is the bottom line: In my own mind I like to listen to bands that nobody else has heard of, and when a previously obscure band makes it big then I do feel like my fun has been ruined a little. I can't help the way I feel, but I can swallow those feelings and support a band on it's way, and recognise when somebody deserves it without complaining. As someone that wants to go into music myself, I feel it would simply be monstrously hypocritical of me to behave any other way. Even if they feel they want to introduce more mainstream elements into their sound. Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" was a direct attempt to reach a mainstream audience, and it's a work of genius...

But what I do take issue with is the tackiness of celebrity, and "showbiz" when it intrudes into the domain of the artist. I feel that it should be a matter of integrity for any musician worthy of the label to stay away from the thoroughly soulless world of advertising, awards shows, nude ladies in promo videos, ripoff merchanidising...

I congratulate bands that have achieved financial success as a result of hard touring and respect for their fanbase. But I lose a lot of this admiration if they start to get tied up in the "celebrity" of it all. Witness Metallica's "MTV:Icon" debacle from a few years back as an example of what artists should be staying away from...

Agreed up to a point, Satyricon and Imp. Naz. (I think) lost points over that. But Akercocke did it, and they've gone the opposite way, toning down album covers etc, so there are exceptions to that (yeah, I know).

For sure, that's exactly what I mean. Some bands are guilty, some aren't. I have a lot of respect for the latter, but not the former.

It all depends, really. Ihsahn getting a cultural award is ok, but I think if you really liked the band you'd forgive more.

I loathe any and all awards ceremonies! Little more than an industry circle jerk. I can't blame someone for taking one if offered, but hearing about Darkthrone specifically rejecting one was a big "Hails" moment for me.

Agreed, pretty much.

*Darkthrone r kewl-type statement*

Heavy metal is a very "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" genre. For a lot of bands, if they continue to toil in obscurity, they can't survive - simple as that. But if they go mainstream, their fans call them "sellouts" and they wind up feeling guilty about it and just as miserable. So they're sort of trapped in that heavy metal underworld.

And as for a "heavy metal mainstream," yes there is one. SOAD, Pantera, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Sepultura, Anthrax, Dream Theater, etc. Though nowadays, it seems Metallica and SOAD are probably the only seriously "mainstream" bands on that list. The others get little to no MTV play (save for may be Headbangers Ball), little radio play, etc.

Rio, Napalm Death actually make a living from their music? :shock:

Not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me... Their albums sell quite a lot of copies, don't they? I seem to remember that in recent years they've said they can finally finance full tours and come out in profit, and at metal gigs you see a lot of their merchandise.

But to be honest I don't know whether this equates to a living wage or not...

I think so, but they've been around for a while, and made a name for themselves without compromising on the musical front, so its not suprising. I think Shane works with other bands as well, and might be a producer, wouldn't suprise me....

I feel quite sorry for metal bands on tour, Hurtlocker (opening 5 bands before Cryptopsy) had no money at all-the singer was like "Buy a cd so I can get a cheeseburger or something".

That's what they'd have you believe. I bet you buy Big Issues and give money to tramps as well, i?

Actually, I do-I just don't like when they say something like "I haven't got anywhere to sleep tonight" and stuff like that. I feel sorry for them.

They're lying, they'll only spend it on fags and booze. If they wanted to sleep indoors there are hostels and places where they can go. Lazy shits.

so would you

Spend it on fags and booze? Fags no, booze yes.