Metal Reviews

Ok first off, they're on Mtv or Mtv2 a lot. THey're mall core, they're riffs suck, the drumming sucks...the singer is good some times, but sucks most of the time. Its not metal. its pop/mallcore/alt rock. Thus deserving no review on this website. Why they did it is beyond me. I'm gonna have to start doing more metal reviews to make up for the lack of goodness being displayed here. GOodness is a matter of opinion, but I think most of us here would agree this is complete trash.

I agree

As soon as I locate something to play my vinyl copy of Eternal Nightmare on, you'll have a review of that.

Or maybe I'll buy a copy of the rereleased Mind Wars and review that instead? Your pick, and I won't bail on you this time.

Good man. I found Malleus Malificarum by Pestilence on vinyl in the used bin at some shit shop for $6 WHAT A STEAL!!

Um... Jesus, that's a bargain. All I could ever find of Pestilence's was Spheres.

It's hilarious how violently some of you flip out whenever certain albums get reviewed here. Especially when you get stupid about it, i.e. "the drumming sucks" "it's not metal", it shows that at least a few of you haven't even heard the album before bashing it with all of your e-strength, that or you willfully ignore what you've heard so it doesn't undermine your tr00 sensibilities. This is most certainly Metal, just not always extreme enough for those looking for another generic death or black metal band, and not enough core for those that hinge on that. There is plenty of metal riffing throughout the record, and the drumming is not only fairly technically accomplished (any drummer can tell you that, if you're skull is too thick to recognize anything other than 24/7 blast beats) but rather diverse.

The bottom line is that, if you're too true to enjoy melody outside of fuzzed out black metal riffing, you might be so frightened by this album that you feel the need to yell at people over the internet, but if you can enjoy music outside of strictly "True Metal" boundaries and you don't mind a little ridiculous with your music then this album might just be good for some enjoyment.

I used to play the S/T SOAD alot when it was released and have given all of thier releases after that at least a fair chance before passing judgement.

This album just did not interest me like previous efforts however. Maybee my taste have changed or maybee it is the guitarist singing(On second thought that is one of the reasons)

Perhaps the next release will be better, perhaps not but I will reserve judgement on the band untill then. This album just was not my cup of tea.

Ditto. Compared to what they were, SOAD have a lot of living up to do. And Radical Cut, you have made some great posts, I hope you'll continue to do so here to give the forum a well-needed shot in the arm.

Has this guy been run off yet? Seriously. There is nothing more annoying than someone offering ridiculous opinions based on nonsense. Music has evolved so much over the years that you can't simply say this band is "metal." Back in the 80's or so "metal" meant Metallica, Megadeth, etc. There wasn't this wide range of styles, now—as much as I hate them—you need sub-genres. System Of A Down are NOT traditional metal, but they are a variation of it. System Of A Down are a hard band to classify because there is no other band out there you can compare them to!

For this jackass to say System Of A Down are predictable and he "knows what's coming next" is a joke and idicative of him knowing virtually nothing about the band! No solos? Sure, not many solos, but "no solos" is an inaccurate statement. I just hate reading things from people who clearly haven't LISTENED to the music.

I hope this kid's post count stays at 3.

I think your rant is a bit over the top. SoAD used to be tolerable, I find this to be awful.

Agreed. This guy is making way too many assumptions...I am happy for you if you like this shit; personally, I can't stand it.
I have been listening to metal long enough (25+ years) to know what it is supposed to sound like. SOAD doesn't meet those atndards. It is MTV "metal" , as simple as that.
And yes I have heard it, as much as I could stand at least.
V.

I mean .the assumption that one does not like a particular band because they are hung up on being "true' or "kvlt" is misguided at best... is it possible that the reason behind that dislike could be based on, oh, I don't know, something like aesthetics?
I personally listen to a wide range of music, based on one criteria: is it good, or not.
V.

Seeing as how you've been listening to metal for so long, can you list what a metal band is "supposed to be"?

I am not going to respond to smartass comments... it is always funny when there are people that are shocked , SHOCKED!!! that there are some of us that do not like SOAD... they always say :"you probably haven't heard it" or " are too true/kvlt " etc.
The bullshit that spews out of MTV is a good example of what metal is not. And that includes the kiddiee mallcore shit called SOAD
Examples of metal:
Mercyful fate
Venom
Exodus
Celtic Frost
Graven
Darkthrone
Emperor
Kreator
Death
Morbid Angel
Possessed...
well you get the idea. They all have RIFFS, ENERGY and MELODY, and the drum work kicks your ass in... all of which SOAD and their ilk are sorely lacking.
Like I said, if you dig SOAD, more power to you. I have given my reasons for my dislike of them, and we should just leave it at that.
V.

Youre Right Valefor,you dont need to listen to this cd to make judgement on SOAD, I dont like Backstreet Boys,and i dont have to listen to any of their albums to make that judgemnt.

Sure you gave "reasons", but they are nothing more than cookie cutter insults that you no doubt fling at any other new band you don't like. I don't care how long you've been listening to metal, if that gives you supreme knowledge on anything it would be how Metal used to sound now how it should sound.

And yes, your list is a nice sampling of the kind of amazing variety of Metal that you listen to. Similarly, your reviews are startling in both their range of styles and quotes:
Ulver - Nattens Madrigal (CLASSIC)
Darkthrone - A Blaze In The Northern Sky (CLASSIC)
Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse (CLASSIC)
Dark Funeral - The Secrets Of The Black Arts (93 / 100)
Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness (99 / 100)
Gehenna - Seen Through The Veils Of Darkness (88 / 100)

Mind-blowing. Yes the assumption that a random person only dislikes something because they are "true" is often wrong, but with you it's at least an educated guess.

I'm perfectly fine with the fact that you don't like SOAD, just as you have stated that you are very content with those who disagree, it's just how you feel the need to tell us while gleefully waving a flag of elitism that bothers me, in addition of course, to the knee-jerk idiocy that follows any review of this type here. Sure there are people here that listen to all kinds of music and have no reservations about enjoying anything, but there are just as many who don't. And they jump in to re-state the same tired bullshit that you and others toss around at will because you can't actually form a real criticism.

So I was right? He really didn't bother to even listen to it before bashing it?

Whatever you say, buddy... for a new poster you sure come off as an asshole... your'e off to a great start by throwing personal(I might add) insults around because someone doesn't like your fagotty mallcore bands.
What part of my reason for not liking them did you fail to comprehend? The chug-chug guitar work? the lame, LAME drums? the boring annoying songwriting? The annoying mallcore vocals? fuck, even the name sucks... what the fuck is a System of a Down? Everything about this band screams out MEDIOCRITY... and if that make me an elitist than so be it... stick to your watered-down version of metal if you so wish, its no matter to me, I could give a rats ass.
V.

Maybe you need to learn to read a little closer... I have heard them and they fucking suck...
V.

Exactly.
V.