This article represents the deluded mind of an-overly critical fool completely lacking in any sort of integrity or pride. The article's only purpose is that of link bait, and in that capacity it obviously works quite well, but the author is a man without soul...
He, from beginning to end, does nothing but criticise the band Metallica. Now, while I agree that there is a lot Metallica can be criticised for, his attack is an old one, he's flogging a dead horse.
We've all heard, over and over, the complaints about Metallica's attack on Napster all those years ago. We all know that a majority of the population seems to feel that the band should, after years of striving to make themselves into a household rock name in an industry that was almost impossible to succeed in, for some reason give their work away for free.
The author goes as far as to say that Metallica are has-beens, that no one cares about their up-coming album, Death Magnetic.
I hate to be the one to tell you Don, but Metallica don't have to try become rock legends, they already are rock legends. The only crime of which they are guilty is that of holding onto their old-school values and integrity. They don't hate music downloads, they hate the thought of putting work and effort into creating an album just to have a bunch of losers too cheap to buy it ripping it from the 'net and then distributing it amongst his friends.
Tell me Don, in doing all the in-depth research I'm sure you undertook for the writing of this article, did you at any point notice that Metallica are still one of the top searched-for names in music on the Internet today? Big thing for a bunch of has-beens. Perhaps you also failed to find out that wherever Metallica goes the crowds follow.. They've lost none of their ability to fill seats, stands and fair grounds my friend.
I criticise Metallica often, but even I wouldn't make the groundless claims you have the audacity to spout..
Do some research Don...
Friday, June 20, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Metallica: Guitar heroes
I read an article recently, packed to the brim with negative comments about Metallica, regarding their smashing of Napster in 2000.
The reason for the sudden revival of anti-Metallica sentiment among the Mp3 nerds is the confirmed rumour of a Metallica version of the Guitar Hero game set for upcoming release. Now, personally I think it is absolutely embarrassing that any heavy metal band have its name associated with such a lame concept as Guitar hero, but hey Metallica is only doing what they've always done. Whatever is best for Metallica.
As for the pathetic kids still harassing Metallica over the Napster/Metallica confrontation... Get over it losers. Metallica was merely protecting their own best interests. If you could afford a PC and Internet connection in 2000 you could damned well afford to go out and buy an original version of whichever album of theirs you wanted.
When you downloaded their songs from Napster because you were too cheap to go and buy their albums you were admitting two things:
1.You weren't a real fan of Metallica since you didn't respect the bands efforts enough to spend money on them.
2.You were willing to take the risks that come with breaking the law, which you knew you were doing.
The fault is your own... Don't blame Metallica for your selfish short-sightedness. Just because all these other big bands are too scared of public backlash to take action against the thieves that are subverting their hard work doesn't mean Metallica should capitulate in the same pathetc manner.
That said, damn you Metallica for joining the legion of “corporate rock whores” and shaming heavy metal by adding your name to this Guitar Hero shit!!
The reason for the sudden revival of anti-Metallica sentiment among the Mp3 nerds is the confirmed rumour of a Metallica version of the Guitar Hero game set for upcoming release. Now, personally I think it is absolutely embarrassing that any heavy metal band have its name associated with such a lame concept as Guitar hero, but hey Metallica is only doing what they've always done. Whatever is best for Metallica.
As for the pathetic kids still harassing Metallica over the Napster/Metallica confrontation... Get over it losers. Metallica was merely protecting their own best interests. If you could afford a PC and Internet connection in 2000 you could damned well afford to go out and buy an original version of whichever album of theirs you wanted.
When you downloaded their songs from Napster because you were too cheap to go and buy their albums you were admitting two things:
1.You weren't a real fan of Metallica since you didn't respect the bands efforts enough to spend money on them.
2.You were willing to take the risks that come with breaking the law, which you knew you were doing.
The fault is your own... Don't blame Metallica for your selfish short-sightedness. Just because all these other big bands are too scared of public backlash to take action against the thieves that are subverting their hard work doesn't mean Metallica should capitulate in the same pathetc manner.
That said, damn you Metallica for joining the legion of “corporate rock whores” and shaming heavy metal by adding your name to this Guitar Hero shit!!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Dark Tranquility: Purveyors of modern death sound uncredited but unrepentant
The sound of modern metal is almost dominated by melodic guitars, powerful riffs and screamed melodies that have your fists up, pounding the air while mouthing along to the words that inspire you to heights of violent passion.
That is the image of metal today. Well, rather, metal a few years ago. Metal today has become a shadow, a limping figure in the dark, a false god.
Why?
The reason is quite simple really. Metal has become “cool”. Metal was never meant to be cool, Metal thrived on being the antithesis of cool. Metal was anti-establishment, anti-jock, anti-prep, sometimes even anti-drug or antiwar. Metal is statement music. Rebellious, raw, powerful.
It's hard to be rebellious when everyone likes you.
Back to the original point about melodic death, not to mention the fact that Dark Tranquility's name is in the title so you must be expecting something about them too.
The closest thing to real metal today, power metal aside, is melodic death metal. I specify melodic death because most death metal bands that haven't adhered to the melodic path are merely bad recreations of death metal glory long since past.
Of the three original “kings” of melodic death metal, At The Gates, In Flames and Dark Tranquility, only the latter truly holds to their roots in the melodic death metal genre, albeit with the addition of some terrible gothic undertone.
At the gates split up, probably for the better, considering the former member all went on to swell the ranks of other bands.
In Flames, well, they took the path of the popular. They became cool. Indeed, today if you mention death metal, never mind specifying Melodic death, In Flames will be the first band most people think of, whether they're fans of metal music or not.
This is not a good thing.
It's a sign that they gave up the ghost, they began producing shit! They're 2002 effort, reroute to remain, was the first sign that In Flames had begun they're downward tumble into pseudo-mainstream sound.
The problem with heavy metal bands taking the route of popularity is that its the first step towards obscurity. The metal sound doesn't translate well into radio friendly bullshit. Losing your integrity and then attempting to woo the masses, with whom you stand little to no chance, is never a good idea.
So, metal lost one of it's big names, one of its real heavy-hitters.
Funny though, Dark Tranquility, who also pioneered the melodic death metal sound, never gained massive respect in the metal community, despite far a superior sound to that of In Flames. Nevertheless, Dark Tranquility has never lost their popularity, they still go on, strong as ever, perhaps even stronger than ever.
Bands like Dark Tranquility are what metal has always been about. Never surrender.
Never surrender your ideals.
Never surrender your integrity.
Never surrender your sound.
Dark Tranquility have just released their latest studio album. Fiction.
Get it as soon as you can to see what real melodic death metal masters are all about.
That is the image of metal today. Well, rather, metal a few years ago. Metal today has become a shadow, a limping figure in the dark, a false god.
Why?
The reason is quite simple really. Metal has become “cool”. Metal was never meant to be cool, Metal thrived on being the antithesis of cool. Metal was anti-establishment, anti-jock, anti-prep, sometimes even anti-drug or antiwar. Metal is statement music. Rebellious, raw, powerful.
It's hard to be rebellious when everyone likes you.
Back to the original point about melodic death, not to mention the fact that Dark Tranquility's name is in the title so you must be expecting something about them too.
The closest thing to real metal today, power metal aside, is melodic death metal. I specify melodic death because most death metal bands that haven't adhered to the melodic path are merely bad recreations of death metal glory long since past.
Of the three original “kings” of melodic death metal, At The Gates, In Flames and Dark Tranquility, only the latter truly holds to their roots in the melodic death metal genre, albeit with the addition of some terrible gothic undertone.
At the gates split up, probably for the better, considering the former member all went on to swell the ranks of other bands.
In Flames, well, they took the path of the popular. They became cool. Indeed, today if you mention death metal, never mind specifying Melodic death, In Flames will be the first band most people think of, whether they're fans of metal music or not.
This is not a good thing.
It's a sign that they gave up the ghost, they began producing shit! They're 2002 effort, reroute to remain, was the first sign that In Flames had begun they're downward tumble into pseudo-mainstream sound.
The problem with heavy metal bands taking the route of popularity is that its the first step towards obscurity. The metal sound doesn't translate well into radio friendly bullshit. Losing your integrity and then attempting to woo the masses, with whom you stand little to no chance, is never a good idea.
So, metal lost one of it's big names, one of its real heavy-hitters.
Funny though, Dark Tranquility, who also pioneered the melodic death metal sound, never gained massive respect in the metal community, despite far a superior sound to that of In Flames. Nevertheless, Dark Tranquility has never lost their popularity, they still go on, strong as ever, perhaps even stronger than ever.
Bands like Dark Tranquility are what metal has always been about. Never surrender.
Never surrender your ideals.
Never surrender your integrity.
Never surrender your sound.
Dark Tranquility have just released their latest studio album. Fiction.
Get it as soon as you can to see what real melodic death metal masters are all about.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Lamb of God: New DVD
Lamb of God, once acclaimed as the saviours of “true” metal bring their latest effort in gritty, truth-telling material, to us once again. Their documentary DVD, “Walk with me in hell”, recorded over the two year period of their most recent world tour, is a true-to-metal, dirty retelling of the biggest metal band in the world touring the world.
Lamb of God, though they have been accused of 'softening' their sound for more commercial ears, have remained true to their fans and their music of choice ever since the bands inception in their original guise of Burn the Priest. This DVD is further proof of the bands power and integrity in the face of the fading purity of metal today.
Walk with me in hell hits the streets on June 1st 2008 with the premier DVD trailer being previewed on Myspace.
Prepare yourself for a dark and in-depth look at the thrash-inspired metalcore band that is constantly rewriting the rules of modern metal.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Cradle of Filth follows the fall of mighty Metallica
Cradle of Filth erupted from the mid-90's with their unique gothic-tinged black metal sound. No one had heard anything like what these English extremists were producing. Dark sounds, killer melodies, romantic overtones, the bands music appealed to the entire underground culture of heavy music lovers.
Their rise to power and repute shook the music world and many parallels could be drawn between the rise of Cradle of Filth and the rise of the mighty Metallica. Listed here are the three most obvious comparison's that one could draw from their early rise to musical accomplishment:
Dusk and Her Embrace: Cradle of Filth had garnered much respect in the underground by the time dusk.. was released, though mostly with the followers of more extreme metal. This album was their first step into the spotlight. Dusk and Her Embrace and it's effect on the band could be compared to Metallica's ...And Justice For All. Both albums still possessed the rough, unpolished sound of earlier efforts, but brought the level of the groups' respective music to a new level.
Cruelty and the Beast: Widely considered by the bands more “metallic” followers to be their best effort to date, much like Metallica's Master of Puppets the album made the band a respectable prospect in the eyes of the mainstream. These albums, respectively, represented, for the bands', their first real step up from their peers.
Midian: Depending on your point of view, this album, like the black album by Metallica, could be the band's ultimate production, or their first step into the black pit of conformity. No album produced by the band until this point had attained the exposure or popularity they now achieved. Both the black album and Midian gave their bands before unknown popularity, not to mention profit. Likewise, both albums were the groups' final masterpieces.
For both bands, these final, masterful works were to be the albums by which they are remembered (in Cradle's case perhaps this accolade would go to Cruelty and the Beast, depending who you asked). None of their later albums would come close to reaching the potency of these.
I am not saying that all Meatllica and Cradle Of Filths subsequent albums have been absolute rubbish, but by comparison they have been hollow and empty sounds produced by artists in the death throes of a rotting career.
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