Metal Reviews

Not to target anyone, but reading these forums (and the net in general) I get the feeling that a lot of people seem to think that listening to music is some kind of competition. In the light of all this "how many bands do YOU check out, non contributor to the world of metal that I so wholesomely envelope myself in" and "blah, I want intelligent discussion about obscure niches of music and religion and shit, metalheads should be above average intelligence because, after all, we are smarter than the rest of society because we listen to this stuff" and all that shit I started to feel like a lot of people aren't metalheads at all.

For me, at least, being a metalhead means that I love listening to metal, watching bands and generally soaking up as much of the culture as I can, because I enjoy it. I don't check out a lot of new bands because, to be honest, I hate most of it and can't be bothered because I don't care anyway-I won't lose sleep because I didn't check out some shitty melo-death album that scored a 93 and has 'beautiful moments' or some shit like that. In the past 6 months I've only started regularly listening to one new band; Danzig. Does this mean I appreciate the music less? No. Does it mean I'm not open minded enough to be considered a peer by those trusted few elite on the internet who have a vast knowledge of metal? I guess so, but I don't give a fuck.

And since when do we have to be civil towards each other? (keep in mind children, this isn't real life-you're posting on the internet) Maybe I'm just juvenile but the whole metal culture to me has always been more abrasive and energetic than other musically influenced groups of society, where partying and rocking out is what it's about, that's why I love it. Metal isn't about debating artsy fartsy fucking piano music with spoken word interludes and grinding passages or whatever shit it is these so called 'metal' bands are doing nowadays.

Maybe yet again I'm just not smart and open minded enough to cruise with the big guns, but the way I see 'metalheads' acting on the internet is fucking gay, if this is what I thought metalheads where like I'd never have gotten so deeply involved in it. I don't try to 'expand my musical horizons' with bands nobodies heard of and shit, I don't defend listening to The Mars Volta (or some other equally gay band that DOESN'T BELONG HERE) to seem open minded whilst reminding everyone I've been listening to metal for X amount of years, and I certainly don't think that metalheads are, or ever where, supposed to be musical connoisseurs of the geekiest fucking degree.





When I listen to a song like that, the lyrics mean something to me, and the song has a lot of impact. I don't listen to a song once or twice because I need to check another band out, I listen to it until it's embedded in my brain because I love the music and often the message behind it. Maybe I'm the poser here, but I think a lot of people have something to learn about the music they 'love', because it looks to me like a lot of people don't have a clue.

Maybe that was all bullshit, but I felt like I needed to say something. Also, one last word-if you're one of them people who hates people moshing, headbanging, rocking out or just getting a release from the music in some kind of physical way then DON'T GO TO METAL CONCERTS. End of, you don't belong there. Fuck off. I read all the time about people who just wanted to enjoy a concert but it was 'ruined' by somebody going apeshit next to them-you shouldn't be there, I don't know about anyone else but when I think 'metal concert' I don't think of a room full of geeky, self proclaimed intelligent arseholes who like to passingly check out bands, I think of people getting drunk and rocking out.

Well, there you go. If somebody responds to this by individually qouting one or two lines at a time and contradicting me with little smart arse sentences then just try to remember: Your favourite band would probably be ashamed to know that you are a fan.

I'm too metal to read that novel.

I'm not a metalhead. I'm just a geeky connoisseur.

I guess metal might just be the overwhelming catch-all of the anti-mainstream music listener.

The 90% of music I listen to is Metal, yet I do not consider myself a metalhead, because I don't like long hair, dress always in black, wear spikes and chains, and the whole "metal" attitude of the likes of Manowar or Motley Crue. I liked moshing when I was like 15-16 and was full of rage and hate for society, but now it's pointless to me. Nevertheless, I'm well respected in the metal community of my city (1.5 millions habitants), because of my knowlegde. Poeple don't need to have the necessity of that asshole rockstar attitude to be considered metal.

And listening to obscure underground bands that nobody knows or talk about is great, because sometimes you find real gems, treasures. That's why I spend a lot of time listening to the underground. And I like the fact that some metalheads are intelligent people, what's wrong with that? Why all metalheads need to be some mindless drunk brutes? I don't mind if people like to get wasted and mosh in gigs, if they respect the fact I don't want to go in. If they insist in pushing, then I just simply kick his fucking ass, period.

One thing I treasure most about Metal is that's a music without boundaries, that can be artsy. This whole thing about True Metal pisses me off. Nothing is completely true.

Hell if I know, I just listen to what I like.

I used to listen to bands just to pass judgment on them but then I realized that was dumb as fuck and stopped. I spend most of my time listening to my favourite bands since then although I still like listening to tons of new stuff because that's how I discover new favourite bands that make me all excited and shit.

I still consider myself a metalhead although I'm definitely a huge music geek too. I don't really feel the need to defend liking The Mars Volta or Paramore or whatever, I just like them, and I think if people here limited themselves to talking strictly about metal I'd have left a while ago because that would be boring.



Then why does it all have guitars and drums?

I'm neither. If I were to label myself based on what I listen to, i'd be a weird hybrid of metalhead/scene kid/hardcore kid/indie kid.

I'd label myself a superhero but I think people would figure me out eventually.

Also I find metal shows tend to be slightly disappointing because the bands are usually too loud and sound awful.

Stop whining.

You are all a bunch of fags.

The fact that you are going to argue over this, proves it. Just listen to the music. But one thing does piss me off... The fact that the non-metal bands have been getting more attention than the "real" metal bands.

And I am done in this thread.

Bitches.

Man up, and stop be pussies.

No one's really argued so far, yo.

I know, but I couldn't really think of a better word.

Maybe I should edit it to say, "The fact that you are discussing this, proves it."

meh

Doesn't have the same effect.

Stop whining.

It's not about the instruments, but the way you use them. And playing guitar is great.

As a teenager and a young twenty-something, I absolutely defined myself by the music I listened to (which of course was metal and nothing else). To me that wasn't something to be ashamed of. In fact, metal was the catharsis that saved me from more self-destructive teenage tendencies. It gave me identity, escapism and a hell of a lot of fun.

Now that I'm older (31), married, mortgaged and have a responsible career, I'm a lot more mellow than I once was. Hey, it's all part of growing up. Am I as passionate about metal as I used to be? Not nearly. But I still don't deny my metal past, and love to rock out with my cock out on occasion. But the music does not define me anymore. As a consequence, I'm a lot more picky about the albums I'll buy (that's right, I don't dl anything). This means that I am bored to tears with generic metal, and I won't waste my money on it. It takes something that really really stands out to get my attention, and frankly I have not heared anything lately that does that.

I try not to give more importance to the scene than to the music itself. I don't give a fuck what is considered "metal", but some music makes me want to behave certain ways (whether it's physical exuberance or just relaxing), and I listen to different shit according to my mood. I don't care what's cool, I care about what I find has musical or emotional value.

I'm so happy not to be a metalhead...

Will you all please stop these accusations that I'm trying to get people to listen to 20 new bands a week. TWO I said in the other thread, and everyone can spend a few minutes a week checking out a MySpace link or two, for Dio's sake. If this and the recent arguments in Helheim prove anything, it's that people here are big kids that don't like being called out on their posturing. Personally, I love the avant-garde wanky art stuff, but I also love sitting down at the end of a hard day's work and blasting Carcass or Suffocation or Maiden or whoever. Do I consider myself a Metalhead or an art geek? I'm a metalhead who appreciates the finer things in life, let's put it like that. I have short hair, never been to a live gig, yet I'm more Metal than a lot of you in a lot of ways.

I love how people are 'gay' for wanting to expand their musical horizons, yet the song lyrics posted are outrageous emo wank that were they posted under a 'hey, check out these Trivium lyrics' heading be nothing but ridiculed. You are a Metalhead, clearly, to love a band so much that you overlook the shortcomings.

Call me a smartass if you must, but part of my weekends are getting drunk and rocking out, and only a close-minded close-mind would object to the best of both worlds.

Shut the fuck up with your constant whining. If the new and original gets more attention than the old and tired, who's to blame? I've been calling for more attention to be given to both for months, I review more 'proper' Metal than non-metal, and people ignore both equally the same. I mean, what are you even complaining about? That new music gets focus? You'd rather the place didn't?

I think he's referring (again) to the britpop thread. If you think metal is so much better and more interesting, why don't you explain why? Write about the different parts of the music and how they're played, etc. Don't just whine about how no one talks about metal. Start talking about metal!