Metal Reviews

I value originality very much, but I know that it's a goddamn extreme rarity in music. Very few bands have ever truly been original. Even a band like Cynic, while what they did with Focus was different at the time, the only thing really original was their blending of styles. And some would argue that wasn't even original, as bands like Nocturnus were doing the same thing back when Cynic was a straight death metal band.

So do robot vocals make a band original?

And why is it sad if a retro band gets more replies than some band trying to be different? Again, neither of those things fucking matter. You're placing the value of context over the quality of art. Completely nonsensical.

What are you on about, Ken? Originality is NOT some near-untouchable state only arrived at once in a blue moon. Bands are doing original things all the time. Often the originality comes from fusing different existing styles, but so what? You make it sound like the only way somebody can be original is if they pull some bizarro world moon-music spontaneously out of their arse.



It is sad because it indicates that what happened in music 30 years ago is still more interesting than what is happening today.

Music should be alive and ever-changing. I'm not saying I don't enjoy retro bands, because often I do. But, I will always have higher regard for bands that look to actually create something rather than reviving something that was already created. Honestly, I can't fathom someone wouldn't understand that, let alone think it is "completely nonsensical". You are strange.

Or, here's a thought:
People create music they enjoy playing, and listening to, and people listen to music that appeals to their sense of aesthetics, or speaks to them somehow.
I'll venture even further into the realm of madness, and dare to suggest that what is appealling to some may not be so appealling to others.
Crazy, I know.

I am with Ken, though, in that the style of 80s metal on display here is a bit overlooked, but whatever.

But anyway, this is a pretty solid album, and I'll have to make a point to check out their work prior.
I've said it about a million times: nothing beats the 80s when it comes to metal, and my hat's off to those that can pull off that unique style today without sounding forced and pretentious.

The matter at hand is not really to do with liking some bands more than others, it's about whether originality is a worthy ends in itself. Ken seems to think that is "completely nonsensical" and that makes me think he is weird.

Well, I thought that I addressed that.
There is enough variety in music today for everybody.

If a band is "original", but they are boring, than originality matters not one whit.
The only criteria, at least for me, is: do I like it?
I don't need to listen to anything more than twice to know if that criteria has been met or not.

The matter here is Icarus Witch's album. If you want to debate on the virtues of originality, take it somewhere else, please.

Sorry, dad.

But yes indeed, I don't really have much to add on the subject.

imo retro bands can be original for example I haven't heard many 80s doom bands that sound like Valkyrie or Sahg even though they're clearly playing that style. It's not about bringing completely brand new elements into a sound since that basically never happens; it's about mixing things together in a way that's never been done before. Cynic and Nocturnus have similarities but they definitely don't sound the same.

Icarus Witch sounded a bit dull though.

Originality is clearly a rarity. Anyone who is well-educated in whatever field of art it may be knows this. I guess for you there is plenty of originality out there, but ignorance doesn't make it a fact.


This is art, dude. It's meant to be enjoyable. I'm sorry, but if some young band comes out and does something even entirely original, I'm not going to value that more for that reason alone. That's absurd. I want good fucking music. Simple as that. If it's a retro band playing a style first introduced 30 years ago, so be it.

An original band is fucking worthless if they suck.

I'm talking about whether originality is more important than quality.

You're "well-educated", are you? Thanks....

Maybe one day the rest of us can share in the benefit of your vast wisdom, but until then I'm afraid you will just have to sit alone on your higher plane, watching the unenlightened proceed about their trivial daily lives like insignificant ants.

Pity poor Ken, his vast understanding and knowledge comes at a price: that for ever more he must be ostracised and ridiculed by the common man.

There.

It's not; quality is paramount.
If it manages to be "original", as well, that is fine, too.
The only thing that should matter is whether or not the listener enjoys it, as far as I am concerned.

Take Pollock's paintings; they were original, but for the life of me, I cannot see what is so good about a bunch of paint splashes.

haha, but this thread will surely die without some sort of aside to feed it.
As was mentioned, not many here really go for this style of metal, and have nothing to say about it.

Ahh, get the fuck over it will ya.. Some people appreciate old-school music, some people like "original", new music, some people like both. Now get back to Icarus Witch and their new, mighty fine album, and take that crap elsewhere. Thanks.

Oh yeah, I'm just a big dummy.

You can't even grasp a simple comment, and you're going to post this nonsense. The fact remains, that if you think there are so many original bands out there, you are fucking ignorant. Simple as that. You of course don't have to go out and listen to a ton of bands, or even read up on them, just listen to whatever it is you dig. But don't go making silly statements about the droves of unappreciated and overlooked original bands that are out there, because they're only original in your little fantasy world.

And regardless, whether they're original or not, it means nothing. Especially if they suck.

Exactly my point. Like whatever you want, but originality will never be more important than quality. Ignoring Icarus Witch because they're retro is fucking stupid. Ignoring them because you don't like them is perfectly fine.

Seriously folks get back onto the subject of IW instead of this pointless bickering

Wow, I'm sure you never used to be quite this lame. If I hadn't just been to see Inception I wouldn't take the idea that all the bands I think are original are only original in my own mind seriously, but now, who knows

Ok, sorry, sorry.... I promise no more posts from me in this thread.

Anyone that thinks there are tons of original bands out there is an ignorant fool.

See exhibit A.