Metal? What is Metal?

[Dolebludger]

Actually, the term "metal" was born out of the song "Born to be Wild" in the 70s, due to its lyric bit "I like smoke and lightning -- heavy metal thunder." At one time Blue Oyster Cult, and certainly Zeppelin, were considered metal. And for a time in the 80s it was actually very melodic music. Think of Triumph and Dio. Following metal's "family tree in this manner, it is certainly a form of rock. And a form that is not going through one of its better eras at the moment, IMO.

 

[Mungo Zen]

And a form that is not going through one of its better eras at the moment, IMO.

I would ask how you can qualify that comment.

The 90's were brutal for metal bands. Everyone wanted "alternative", grunge and pop-punk bands and that's what was carried. Even established acts were putting out less than stellar albums and tours were reduced from arenas to clubs and bars. The only thing that made any mainstream push were the nu-metal bands. Today there are a lot of established and up and coming acts from around the world who are pushing the limits of their respective metal genre's while drawing larger and larger fan bases.

Why is metal at a low? What could be better about right now for metal?

 

[TFridgen]

Metal is definitely not at a dull point. Think of bands like Wolf, Necrophagist, Mastodon, Amon Amarth, Lamb of God, Dillinger, Unearth, In Flames, Dragonforce etc... those are 'newer' bands and there are many, many more. And with Metallica, Machine Head, Megadeth, and Slayer still fuckin rockin it, I'd say that metal is still alive and strong.
Long Live Metal!

 

[Areola]

I say Black Sabbath were the creators of Stoner Rock and had nothing to do with Metal.

 

[MF]

And a form that is not going through one of its better eras at the moment, IMO.

I would ask how you can qualify that comment.

The 90's were brutal for metal bands. Everyone wanted "alternative", grunge and pop-punk bands and that's what was carried. Even established acts were putting out less than stellar albums and tours were reduced from arenas to clubs and bars. The only thing that made any mainstream push were the nu-metal bands. Today there are a lot of established and up and coming acts from around the world who are pushing the limits of their respective metal genre's while drawing larger and larger fan bases.

Why is metal at a low? What could be better about right now for metal?

Agreed. From both a commercial and a critical standpoint, metal is at one of the highest points it's ever been. If someone is accusing metal of being at a low point then obviously they either aren't paying attention, or perhaps the kind of metal they enjoy has simply passed and they're not open to anything new.

 

[Elixir]

Yes, I'll have to back up the last few posts: what the hell was that guy thinking? Metal is at an all time high right now with so many different bands offering such an array of styles of metal.

This is the best time in a long time to be a MEtal fine.

 

[Dolebludger]

Sorry, guys, it appears I have some research to do. While I confess lo liking more melodic metal than is available today (from what I hear) maybe I need to listen in other places! Glad to hear that I was wrong that metal is at a low point. Looks like I've got some learnin' to do.

 

[Elixir]

Sorry, guys, it appears I have some research to do. While I confess lo liking more melodic metal than is available today (from what I hear) maybe I need to listen in other places! Glad to hear that I was wrong that metal is at a low point. Looks like I've got some learnin' to do.

Check out Gojira man, they are bonecrushing but melodic at the same time :twisted:


I'm sure you've heard of Mastodon correct? The new album Crack the Skye is superb.

 

[MF]

Sorry, guys, it appears I have some research to do. While I confess lo liking more melodic metal than is available today (from what I hear) maybe I need to listen in other places! Glad to hear that I was wrong that metal is at a low point. Looks like I've got some learnin' to do.

Check out Gojira man, they are bonecrushing but melodic at the same time :twisted:


I'm sure you've heard of Mastodon correct? The new album Crack the Skye is superb.

Yeah the new Mastodon is winning over legions of older metal fans who dismissed their other work. It's metal, but it's also melodic and progressive and without the harsh vocals of their previous efforts. Even longtime Mastodon fans like myself, who you'd normally expect would cry foul when a band goes from brutal to melodic and progressive, love this record.

Opeth is another band that really appeals to all sorts of metal fans. You really can't go wrong with Opeth. They drift seemlessly between brutal and gutteral death metal, beautiful melodic instrumental/acoustic, to proggy epics....often within the same song.