Metal Reviews

Clearly this is an issue with your personal taste and has nothing to do with how well-known the band is/was. White Zombie has sold millions of records and I've heard them mentioned in most discussions about industrial/groove metal from the 90s. I can understand if that's not a genre you particularly enjoy or are familiar with, but in the eyes of most who do enjoy it White Zombie seems to be right up there with Rammstein and Fear Factory.

I too found Crimson Glory early in my metal listening days. I don't know why more people haven't heard of them or why they weren't more popular back in the 80s. I suppose it could be due to mental incapacity or bad taste, but you gotta remember the internet wasn't around back then either. Like I said that's one reason I wrote the review, I want more people listening to Crimson Glory.

As much as it pains me to agree with Octavarius, I'd have to agree with him on this point. Crimson Glory as far as classics on a metal reviews website go, is far more deserving of classic status than Rob Zombie.....I don't really get why people like him....in fact I don't really know any people who do like him. I used to see him on Mtv all the time so I associate him with that lot. His music is garbage though. If others like it, then that's ok, but I don't think anything he has done is classic.

Have you even listened to Astro-Creep? It's not the typical Rob Zombie that got played on MTV

I've heard clips, I don't tend to like anything he does. I really hate his vocals.

So is that your criteria for a classic? Than what are bands like Rigor Mortis and Pestilence doing in the classic section than? Did they sell millions of records? are they mentioned a bunch of times on forums?

I don't think he should be skewered for liking Rob Zombie. It is a little suspect though that Rob Zombie is awarded classic status on a metal forum. That is the only thing that I think was wrong.

I have to agree there..

I can't speak for the Rigor Mortis and Pestilence classics, and no that is not my criteria for a classic, though it seemed to be Octavarius's; I was simply providing evidence for him. If you actually read the White Zombie review I believe I explained why I personally think it's a classic in there.

If I am the only one who thinks that Astro-Creep deserves to be a classic then please skewer me all you want. I was under the impression that many others had the same opinion. I also think it's bullshit that some metalheads (not anyone here in particular, I've just heard this a lot in general) seemingly despise Rob Zombie's work because he was somewhat popular outside the metal community. Is that really a reason to hate?

Also if this discussion is going to go further into why White Zombie is or isn't crap, perhaps it should be taken to the Astro-Creep thread.

It is a classic.
Shame so many mediocre albums are reviewed as classics and not this one!

I dont hate Rob Zombie because of his popularity. I hate him because I think his music sucks. Like I said before though, there's nothing wrong with liking something others hate. I love Helvetets Port. Most people on this site, for reasons I can't quite fully understand, didnt like it at all.

So true, Helvetets Port sucks, mostly for the "vocalist", and so does White/Rob Zombie. Khelek, why don't you move this review to the classic section and start a good precedent in the history of Metal Reviews, taking into account the opinion of the forumites regarding the classic section only. It would be nice, it would be krieg.

That's because in the beginning of MR's, when only Chris and Danny were the reviewers, classic and archive review was the same thing. i.e. there's like 5 Axxis albums that are "classics", but the worst classic is that Barry Goudreau album...

Barry GOudreau, ha ha. I'm gonna start a petition to have some Frank Stallone be given classic status...or Kevin McDonald.

Wow good discussion guys. Honestly if I knew this many of you felt so strongly about this album I probably would have made it a classic, however now that it's up I don't have the power to change it. Next time I'm unsure if an album deserves classic status or not I'll bring it up in the forums first.

No worries man. As a reviewer you get to write your opinions and review whatever you want. So don't worry about people not liking bands that you review and don't feel that you need to cater to what other people like. That's not the point of this. It keeps things varied so its a good thing. Besides this was a good review so it doesnt matter what section its in as long as its up to read.

When it comes to opinions here or anywhere there is no right or wrong. Even though the majority agree that this should be a classic, the reviewer should still stand by his views and reasons as to why it is something other than a classic. What makes discussing something like this so enjoyable is seeing the many different viewpoints by everyone on a particular album. In addition, it's great when we are able to discuss things objectively and intelligently, backing up our views with in depth reasons to support those views.

Indeed. Almost everything about music is subjective, especially in metal where you have so many individuals with strong opinions (something that can be both infuriating and refreshing, but also invaluable). Personally I consider an album to be a classic if it changed the way people looked at a genre, or gained some type of following that lead to it influencing the sound of other bands. I still don't see overwhelming evidence for that in Transcendence, though it is clear to me now that there are many more fans of this album/band than I originally thought. That's something I am really happy about because they are clearly a band that deserves the praise

Yep, this is considered a classic by most metalheads, at least of my generation. My rating? 100/100!

Edit: Also pay a visit to Rate Your Music. This album is at place 37 of top heavy metal albums of all time.

This album is a classic of metal, whether or not Metal Reviews acknowledges it as such. In fact, if they don't, it's a bad mark for the site, not for the album.

PS: wtf cares about White Zombie?

I quite like this album, but to me it fits more into the 80-85 score range, just under what I would classify as a classic. I think its hard, at times, to determine what was either a classic 80's metal album versus a very good one. Nostalgia can get in the way.

I prefer the slower songs liked Painted Skies or In Dark Places.