Hey all,
Now I know I'm probably gonna piss some people off with this post, but I truly want some assistance here. You see, I'm an old-school thrasher from the late '80s who is now very much into death metal (and tech metal in particular). I've never been able to get into black metal, due to all the gay theatrical bullshit (corpse paint, fake blood, keyboard solos, etc...). You see, back in the day, thrashers would have killed any so-called "metalhead" who was into obvious makeup and flashy keys. Glam rock was just NOT a good thing, people...
Now I'm well aware of the fact that the metal movement has evolved and become much more complex over the past fifteen years or so, and believe me, I welcome the changes. However, I'm finding it difficult to get over my old prejudices. Most black metal just seems really GAY to me....Cradle of Filth??? Come on people. It's a louder version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. See? I told you I was gonna upset some people....My apologies. Really.
My question is this: Are there any black metal bands out there that are really METAL, and don't go far enough with the makeup and keys to offend the old-school sensibilties of a battered warrior who believes in the metal virtues of blood, sweat and kicking serious ass? By the way, I have listened to some Behemoth (I live in Poland, after all) who I believe would most accurately be described these days as making "blackened death metal". It's good shit. Took me some time to get over the keys and shit, but I could tell these guys were fucking serious about what they were doing (not just jokers making lots of money off dumb kids, like Children of Bodom) and quite technical.
Which brings me to my last point. Why do so many black metal recordings sound like shit? Is it really cool to sound like you performed in your buddy's garage, or something? It that "kvlt" or "trOO" or whatever? I will come right out and say this: I do NOT think spending money on a record that sounds like it was produced under water is "cool" or "underground". I think it sucks and albums like that are a fucking waste of money. And, in some cases. talent. The music may be great, but if the production is poor, the band are wasting their energy making music nobody can hear. What's the point?
So once again, sorry for any offense I may have caused. I love metal, and I respect how much true metal heads love "their" music, in all its genres. All you black metallers may hate me now, or at least write me off as some old fuck who still listens to his ancient Voivod and Megadeth albums (and yes, I still do). But hold on. At least I was honest enough to profess my ignorance when it comes to black metal, and I sincerely want to be introduced to this genre, which I believe must be important due to the simple fact that it's so big and it's fans are so fucking devout. That's very metal. Respect.
Fellow metallers, help an old thrasher "see the light", or should I say, the "darkness" and open these eyes to the world of good, sincere, well-played, and decently produced, black metal. Thanks.
Jimmy K.
Now I know I'm probably gonna piss some people off with this post, but I truly want some assistance here. You see, I'm an old-school thrasher from the late '80s who is now very much into death metal (and tech metal in particular). I've never been able to get into black metal, due to all the gay theatrical bullshit (corpse paint, fake blood, keyboard solos, etc...). You see, back in the day, thrashers would have killed any so-called "metalhead" who was into obvious makeup and flashy keys. Glam rock was just NOT a good thing, people...
Now I'm well aware of the fact that the metal movement has evolved and become much more complex over the past fifteen years or so, and believe me, I welcome the changes. However, I'm finding it difficult to get over my old prejudices. Most black metal just seems really GAY to me....Cradle of Filth??? Come on people. It's a louder version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. See? I told you I was gonna upset some people....My apologies. Really.
My question is this: Are there any black metal bands out there that are really METAL, and don't go far enough with the makeup and keys to offend the old-school sensibilties of a battered warrior who believes in the metal virtues of blood, sweat and kicking serious ass? By the way, I have listened to some Behemoth (I live in Poland, after all) who I believe would most accurately be described these days as making "blackened death metal". It's good shit. Took me some time to get over the keys and shit, but I could tell these guys were fucking serious about what they were doing (not just jokers making lots of money off dumb kids, like Children of Bodom) and quite technical.
Which brings me to my last point. Why do so many black metal recordings sound like shit? Is it really cool to sound like you performed in your buddy's garage, or something? It that "kvlt" or "trOO" or whatever? I will come right out and say this: I do NOT think spending money on a record that sounds like it was produced under water is "cool" or "underground". I think it sucks and albums like that are a fucking waste of money. And, in some cases. talent. The music may be great, but if the production is poor, the band are wasting their energy making music nobody can hear. What's the point?
So once again, sorry for any offense I may have caused. I love metal, and I respect how much true metal heads love "their" music, in all its genres. All you black metallers may hate me now, or at least write me off as some old fuck who still listens to his ancient Voivod and Megadeth albums (and yes, I still do). But hold on. At least I was honest enough to profess my ignorance when it comes to black metal, and I sincerely want to be introduced to this genre, which I believe must be important due to the simple fact that it's so big and it's fans are so fucking devout. That's very metal. Respect.
Fellow metallers, help an old thrasher "see the light", or should I say, the "darkness" and open these eyes to the world of good, sincere, well-played, and decently produced, black metal. Thanks.
Jimmy K.
