Another sign that Metal is making a comeback?

[Ayeka]

Nu-metal is uncool. Pop punk and Rock Revolution seem to have faded somewhat. The Darkness are the current biggest hype with no signs of a backlash starting yet. Arch Enemy have joined In Flames into bringing 'extreme' metal to the masses. Iron Maiden's star is still high, and how much publicity do we think Judas Priest's new album will receive next year?

To cap it all off, here are the results of a poll from the latest issue of J17, a magazine I blagged off a 13-year old on the weekend:
Which Is Cooler, Pop Or Metal?
Pop: 8%
Metal: 92%

And here's a bit of girly feedback on the subject:

"Pop is so last century! My parents listen to pop, for crying out loud!"
"Metal bands rule, like Murderdolls, MM, etc. They don't have to rely on 'good looks' to sell CDs. Pop stars never play live."
"So long as u love what u listen to, it's cool, there's always gonna be peeps who diss yer taste! Metallica r gods!"

All these little signs building up are leading me to believe that, soon, we could well have a crisis on our hands...

 

[NAD]

Very nice. That quote is frightening.

 

[JayKeeley]

You know, I heard that Maiden are taking out Helloween and Gamma Ray on the upcoming Dance of Death tour. And we all know Maiden sell out stadiums around the world.

They also had Arch Enemy support on some shows on the Give me Ed tour.

Regardless of what you think of those bands, I think there's a genuine nod of appreciation to those who followed Maiden. It ties in nicely with Maiden not wanting to tour anymore after DoD. And Helloween, GR, and Arch Enemy would certainly not exist if it weren't for Maiden, right?

If Maiden want to take them out to their own fans, then so be it. At one point, it was going to be Sum41, who certainly do NOT deserve that level of exposure.

Yeah, it would be nice to see 'traditional' metal back in the stadiums and arenas. I have no problem with that.

 

[Ayeka]

Bloody hell! That is EXCEPTIONAL news!!!! Helloween and Gamma Ray YES PLEASE!

It's times like these I suppose we could be thankful for Steve and Rod's single-minded approach at maintaining commercial success. They're getting into the same places on TV where people can see Sum41 and Metallica - I cite these bands as they're a good example of non-Metal bands acting as a gateway to mainstream Metal round my area. When Sum41 played my hometown back in February a lot of people lost their live concert virginity - even up to the end of August I was meeting people who told me that was their first ever gig. That is how seeds are sown...as for Metallica, well, yesterday I had this girl who's a St Anger fan listen to Nightcrawler by Judas Priest, and to my surprise it got a nod of approval!

Bands like Sum41, of course, point their fans towards Maiden and Priest as their influences. Maiden have the advantage of being a 'cool' band to like - I meet people who wear Burberry telling me they like Run To The Hills. Priest could well have an opportunity to reclaim this crown next year if the album and tour are promoted properly. Justin Hawkins is doing a great job of making falsettos acceptable to do in public ^_^

So, if Maiden tour with Helloween and Gamma Ray, the popular music press is obliged to report about them, and kids ask "who are these guys?" and we say "listen to Keeper Of The Seven Keys", which they download and are amazed by! This is why I was going mad when I heard Sum41 and Funeral For A Friend were getting the support slots, cos not only do they both suck but those slots are better used to expose OUR bands that need the exposure. Sum41 certainly have/had enough means already to work our agenda

 

[Demonspell]

I don't find that in any way encouraging...the last think I want is for metal to become another genre for the mass media to exploit and milk its creative dry, or another refuge for the terminally trendy.

 

[JayKeeley]

Bloody hell! ! That is EXCEPTIONAL news!!!! Helloween and Gamma Ray YES PLEASE!

Yes but it will be split me thinks. Helloween are apparently booked for France shows and most of NW Europe (probably including the UK). I've read that Judas Priest will take South America, and Gamma Ray take the rest:

German metallers Gamma Ray have been confirmed as the support act for the first 10 European dates of Iron Maiden's Dance Of Death World Tour. Gamma Ray, fronted by Kai Hansen, have been busy throughout the summer playing at many of the big open air festivals including Wacken, followed by a tour of South America to support their recently released 'Skeletons in the Closet' live album.

The dates they will be opening for Iron Maiden are -

19/10/2003 HUN - Debrecen - Phoenix Hall
21/10/2003 SLO - Banska - Bystrica Sports Hall
22/10/2003 CZE - Prague - T-Mobile Arena
24/10/2003 GER - Munich - Olympiahalle
25/10/2003 GER - Stuttgart - Schleyerhalle
27/10/2003 ITA - Milan - Filaforum
28/10/2003 ITA - Firenze - Palasport
30/10/2003 SWI - Zurich - Hallenstadion
01/11/2003 SPA - Barcelona - Pavello Olympic Badolona
02/11/2003 SPA - Madrid - Palacio Vistalegre

I didn't realize the DoD tour was starting so soon by the way...I don't think we'll see Maiden return to the US until next year. No idea who's supporting them here.

 

[ChiefB]

Demonspell][/b]I don't find that in any way encouraging...the last think I want is for metal to become another genre for the mass media to exploit and milk its creative dry, or another refuge for the terminally trendy.

I don't understand your point about Iron Maiden being at a creative disadvantage by undertaking this concert. The album is finished, the creativity is over, its now time to party and do the concerts. The concert is NOT creating any thing fashionable or trendy. It is simply bringing together two colossal giants under one roof.

As a fan of both bands, I am delighted to hear of this concert line-up and only hope for something really cool when they play at London Earls Court Arena on December 12th.

 

[JayKeeley]

Here's another example of traditional metal getting some attention...Christopher Lee will play one of the central characters on the next Rhapsody cheesefest album.

Apparently he's a classically trained vocalist, so he'll be singing as well as narrating. Who would have thought, heh?

Bands like Rhapsody and Symphony X practically create movie soundtracks anyway, so I guess having Hollywood A-lists appear on their records might be a good compromise?

 

[Ayeka]

Here's another example of traditional metal getting some attention...Christopher Lee will play one of the central characters on the next Rhapsody cheesefest album.

Apparently he's a classically trained vocalist, so he'll be singing as well as narrating. Who would have thought, heh?

Bands like Rhapsody and Symphony X practically create movie soundtracks anyway, so I guess having Hollywood A-lists appear on their records might be a good compromise?

Well, that can only help Phapsody's exposure, ne? Sounds like it'll be totally kickass also!

I don't find that in any way encouraging...the last think I want is for metal to become another genre for the mass media to exploit and milk its creative dry, or another refuge for the terminally trendy.

I don't see this harming us directly...the odd ignorant person might shout "trend-whore" but then we're used to people shouting anyway, ne? Plus, it'll help pick up chicks

Where the problem of a scene drying up because the same old same old gets flogged to death...well, we can try our hardest to steer things in the right direction street teaming, word of mouth, other promotion...exert a bit of power, you might see that we have more power than you think.

 

[Demonspell]

I have no problem with word of mouth or website promotion, I feel it's the only way to completely avoid commerciality in promoting music. But the examples in the first post aren't exactly the most intelligent responses, and I hate the idea that the older guard will be the one to save metal...in order for the genre to gain widespread respectability amongst the masses, it can't be perceived as being anachronistic.

 

[Ayeka]

(had to look up "anachronistic")

You got a good point and your Songs To Watch helps with that? I'll need to dip into that again...haven't checked since the Iron Maiden BB days

I feel there's enough bands knocking round Blighty right now who could keep the scene healthy without it feeling like cover-band land...I try and do my best to get them recognised round here

 

[JayKeeley]

Look, all I know is that I would rather have Gamma Ray or Arch Enemy support Maiden than Sum41 and the Deftones.