As a supporter of BW&BK (the mag) since their very first issue and all 3 of their festivals (yeah, I already got my tickets) as well as being a so-called "veteran" of metal myself, I feel I should say a couple things about this.
It seems as though too many of you want to immediately start bashing on festivals like BWBK because perhaps it doesn't secure every one of your favorite bands, whoever is popular at the time, or (insert name here) isn't playing. I find it somewhat disheartening to see this type of attitude, maybe because I suppose I am a little more open minded than some at this site. But that's fine - everyone has a right to their opinion. What I don't understand is how you can complain about the band selection when a mere 6 or 7 years ago, there were ZERO metal festivals of any worth at all in our United States, and the best you might be able to do was a half-assed Metallica tour or whatever. Can it be that we are that spoiled now, what with a handful of true heavy metal festivals in the States, that we can afford to just start bandwagon bashing the ones that don't attract the cream of the metal crop year after year - especially fests that are still in their infancy? Man, that's pretty harsh. Maybe we would all be better off if grunge came back, or better yet, hip hop got even BIGGER and more widespread than it already is...
I am just trying to remind some of you that may not have been around for the lean years of metal here in the U.S. when you couldn't find a festival to attend if your life depended on it. It would be refreshing to see true metalheads at least try and respect the people who are doing their best to bring true metal back in this rap/alternative/garbage music plagued country, and support them for all their hard work. It's not like the ones who do all the legwork are making millions to compensate for their time, research and efforts. I am sure Glenn would echo these sentiments exactly, as he knows firsthand how much work goes into making these things happen.
I, for one, embrace the comeback of such bands as Trouble, Jag Panzer (yes, they came out originally in '81), Exciter, Death Angel, and Raven. These bands embody what real heavy metal is, was and always will be about. Maybe they are not your cup of tea, but does it really do any good to say that they "blow" or "don't do anything for me?" If you don't want to go, that's fine - just please don't be so quick put down some of the forefathers of metal. I think that bringing some of these bands back is great for metal because it enables many younger (and older) fans to have the chance to see what started it all, and for that I am grateful. Just two years ago, I was able to see Candlemass and Trouble, two bands I had always loved as a teen, but never had the chance to see live. This year, I get to see Raven, Death Angel and Exciter, three of the one time "giants" on the Megaforce roster in one place. I think for that type of nostalgic value, we should all be grateful.
If you really can't stand the bands at the festival, that's fine. It's not like you pay for your ticket before the bands are announced, so where's the problem there? (oh yeah, and I've been a gold badge holder for this festival for 3 years, by the way, where it's my PLEASURE to pay in advance for such a great endeavor) All I am saying is let's not bring it down by bashing it just for the sake of bashing, because it's not to your liking. Metal needs all the help it can get in this godforsaken, media force-fed country. Flame away if you must, but this type of attitude just pisses me off so I had to vent my opinion. Thanks for listening...
Brian
