Metal Reviews

In making this thread one may have a different assertion as to what makes a moribund genre of any given style of music. However, with metal's subgenres having spawned their forefathers, and modern bands taking different approaches to their craft, some opting to play the sounds that influenced them and others experimenting and moving further away from the original sound. What are some of the subgenres that you see as being near death, or others whose lack of innovation has put it in an aesthetic predicament? With some of the old schoolers here what are some modern bands you absolutely despise destroying your beloved sound, and for more progressive fans do you see these bands as improving and pushing boundaries? Do these modern bands transcend the fathers of their genre, or do you see these bands as the logical extension of the aesthetic?

I don't think any subgenre of metal is dying or at least not any large one.
Death Metal: Born of Osiris and Benighted both have beastly albums out this year. Also Ulcerate
Black Metal: I think Kvelertak and Shining have shown that black metal has plenty of creative breathing room, and Burzum has showed that old school black metal still kicks ass with Fallen.
Hardcore/Metal Fusions: Born of Osiris and Kvelertak as previously stated are pushing the boundaries of metalcoresque music, and Protest the Hero and Trap Them also have excellent albums out right now.
Doom Metal: possibly the healthiest with all the great southern stoner bands making music right now.

I can't speak for power or progressive metal because it's not really my cup of tea, but there were tons of power metal albums released last year at least a few must have been half decent.

I always kind of liked those experimental albums bands' labels forced them to do because of Nu-Metal. I think that whole thing is buried and done. Mixing Alternative and Metal was never that popular but some bands did a good job with it, even though they did not particularly enjoy the music they were releasing.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, look at Eldritch, for example.

Dumb thread. Genres don't die. Except maybe thrash.

Thrash is kinda like a zombie now anyway. I dunno if the undead still counts as dead.

OH. Thumbs up to that joke.

Thrash is awesome...

Can't believe no-one mentioned power metal yet.

Power metal ?? Dying ? There were more PM releases the last two years than there are atoms in the whole universe ! The genre is alive and kicking. It pretty much sucks (good releases are pretty scarce), but it's alive and popular. Perhaps not everywhere, though.

A massive influx of releases is only partial evidence for a subgenre being alive and even creative for that matter, one million shitty Hibria, Sabaton, and Powerquest clones don't make up for the lack of anything new in the genre.

Thrash has never died

Agreed, but it is a proof the genre is selling. So, it is a proof the genre is popular. But I see what you mean. It may not be selling for long, shitty as it becomes. Mmm.

I guess arguments can be made against both...

A gazillion power and thrash metal albums have been released over the last couple of years, but that doesn't mean the genre is alive, much less kicking. What keeps thrash from dying is, in my opinion, all the old-timers still churning out actual listenable albums like Megadeth, Tankard, Kreator, Artillery, Slayer, Sacrifice, Heathen, Overkill etc.

For me personally, power metal is barely kept alive by a couple of bands I rarely listen to but still get some kudos.

I like how you said listenable as opposed to good , the last Slayer, Kreator, Death Angel really shot me down. I haven't heard Heathen so I don't know what to say about them

I have admittedly not heard the latest Death Angel yet actually. You really should check out Heathen - Evolution of Chaos. It's insane.

I think I'm the only human being who was disappointed with Heathen - The Evolution of Chaos.

Oh man.. That is just wrong man. Don't tell me you didn't like Overkill - Ironbound either?

how is that even possible?

I worship Ironbound. Everyday.

But I don't know what happened to me and Heathen. I'll give it another spin sometime soon, it's been a year since I last heard it.

I wouldn't say power metal is dying maybe stalled a little but not dying.

It sure isn't like it was a few years ago when you had a nice influx of good power metal bands to listen to and it doesn't help when bands like Edguy and Sonata Arctica abandon their power metal roots.

But there still are few bands that are keeping the genre alive. Bands like Kamelot,Stratovarius and Helloween are still keeping it going.

I think this is the problem as well. I don't think Kamelot and Helloween are contributing that much though, since they haven't released anything great in a while. I feel like Edguy and Sonata Arctica could make some amazing albums if they just focused on power metal. Also, Daniel Heiman should go back to Lost Horizon and make awesome music.