What can be said other than that the expectations and quality of metal are substantially low as of late? It seems to me that no extra effort is being put in on what have been the lackluster releases of recent years. There is nothing setting the bar for the years to come.
It seems we are still waiting for the miracle that will make metal as outstanding as it has been in previous decades. From the earliest stages there has been an image behind the music. Today, the majority of bands consist of everyday normal looking dudes. There is nothing that differentiates them as a band or even a sub-genre. The image just isn't there, the sound isn't quite what it could be and there is no legacy to speak of for the majority of metal bands being signed.
There was a time when you looked at a band and knew who they were, who was who. Today, there seems to be a lot of Jims and Robs that you just can't tell the difference between. Of course, many people will tell you it’s not about how you look, it’s about your skill and personality. That, I believe, is bullshit. The minute we all see a band, our first thoughts are "these guys look fucking stupid, what the hell is this?" or "these guys look pretty cool, let’s see if they sound as good as they look."
There is a certain attitude behind the image that soaks into the music you are playing. Not many people can tell you that today, but ask anyone that was doing this 20 years ago. Times are different. Flip through some 80s and 90s records and it becomes pretty obvious that this generation is considerably different. It feels like everything has already been done, so there is no forward movement - just a focus on what they want – the fans are left behind.
It seems we are still waiting for the miracle that will make metal as outstanding as it has been in previous decades. From the earliest stages there has been an image behind the music. Today, the majority of bands consist of everyday normal looking dudes. There is nothing that differentiates them as a band or even a sub-genre. The image just isn't there, the sound isn't quite what it could be and there is no legacy to speak of for the majority of metal bands being signed.
There was a time when you looked at a band and knew who they were, who was who. Today, there seems to be a lot of Jims and Robs that you just can't tell the difference between. Of course, many people will tell you it’s not about how you look, it’s about your skill and personality. That, I believe, is bullshit. The minute we all see a band, our first thoughts are "these guys look fucking stupid, what the hell is this?" or "these guys look pretty cool, let’s see if they sound as good as they look."
There is a certain attitude behind the image that soaks into the music you are playing. Not many people can tell you that today, but ask anyone that was doing this 20 years ago. Times are different. Flip through some 80s and 90s records and it becomes pretty obvious that this generation is considerably different. It feels like everything has already been done, so there is no forward movement - just a focus on what they want – the fans are left behind.
