improbable case...but

[luke]

I'd like to pose a question to all of the devoted....
What would you do if within the next year, metal (namely extreme metal) were to become the most popular style of music, dominating airwaves, and occupying a place in the hearts of the masses?
It has often been noted in this very forum that growly vocals is the major obstacle in the way of metal gaining widespread popularity. Some of us actually fear the loss of 'underground' status for our favourite bands; probably because it means a move from the sphere of music created for the sake of expression to that of music created for economy. If harsh vocals gradually became more accepted, and record companies, looking for something to promote besides 5 pretty boys singing simple harmonies to music created on a home computer decided to encourage sales of metals artists, how would you feel?
Would you be afraid that metal would lose its purity, becoming a means for posers to profit, or would you rejoice that metal was reaching new ears?

 

[Orchid]

Originally posted by luke
What would you do if within the next year, metal (namely extreme metal) were to become the most popular style of music, dominating airwaves, and occupying a place in the hearts of the masses?
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Would you be afraid that metal would lose its purity, becoming a means for posers to profit, or would you rejoice that metal was reaching new ears?

I don't think I would quit listening to metal just because it became popular or commercial, unless all metal turned into superficial, clichéd dung with no feeling. For me, in music the feeling is everything. I don't really care if something is popular or commercial if it has the feeling I'm looking for. For example, I like some techno artists/acts even though techno is the most commercial kind of music I can think of.

 

[Nevyn]

It's an interesting dilemma, but I don't really think we have to fear it... but if it would happen I think I first of all would be really pissed off and maybe sit in my apartment and curse everything and everyone for about a year. Then I probably would get to my senses and still listen and enjoy the music I love, namely metal.

But I think (and hope) that I always will be interested in the musical underground, even if all metal became commercial and popular among the masses (which isn't very likely.. there's a lot of pretty exreme stuff out there as we all know.. and it's not just the harsh vocals...), because it's in the underground that you find the music that really means something to somebody. It's a product of real feelings and emotions, not just created to bring in money to a record label. And since I want that kind of music it's in the underground I'll be looking...

It's like the old balance between
a) no one's ever heard of the bands that you like and you feel like it's really "your" music and you feel a special bond to the musicans
and
b) you want your favourite bands to sell records so that they can get something (eh..money) for all the effort they've put in the music you love

 

[benny]

I would definatly be sad for a while because I would hate seeing a bunch of kids in a group wearing some Opeth shirts, just because it's the cool thing, not because they really like the music. But if metal ever got mainstream I think I would have to give it up (hopefully not though) because all the new bands that would come up would be trying to sound like the "money maker" band, and would suck at trying. Every record company would be looking at the $ and not the music. The scene would get over crowded until everyone just got sick of it and then it would be left to die. Hell classical isn't bad so with that and all my metal cd's I could get by hopefully. I don't see that happening but it is a sad thought for me.

 

[HoserHellspawn]

I'm with Nevyn on this one. I really do love having a whole set of favourite bands that nobody knows about.
To quote Devin Townsend:

"Wouldn't you love to be able to tell your friends that you're into some dippy, obsure band that they more than likely will never've heard? THAT'S COOL AS SHIT! ...your own personal 'favourite band'! Yowza!"

And, at the same time, I do think it's important that these guys do well... I try to promote Opeth as much as possible to anyone I know who has any musical sense, and I have a strong commitment to BUYING all of the records. In this age of MP3's it's easy to not buy records anymore... if I, for some reason, wanted to listen to Britney Spears songs I would have no moral issue with just downloading them, but with the more obscure bands that I actually like, I feel an obligation to fiscally support them so that they may continue to make the music I love. That, and I'm a bit obsessive about having the cover art, lyrics, etc. I actually enjoy reading the thank-yous and seeing where the album was mastered n' pointless shit like that... ANYWAYS!

At the same time, however, if these bands did get all popular and were all over Entertainment Tonight and cheesy shit like that I'd probably get sick of them.

Want them to do well, try to promote them, yet enjoy their obscurity. Are these feelings rather contradictory, or is it just me?

 

[Orchid]

Originally posted by HoserHellspawn
At the same time, however, if these bands did get all popular and were all over Entertainment Tonight and cheesy shit like that I'd probably get sick of them.

Good point, I didn't think of that.. every time I see some documentary/interview made by E! or such, I get really mad at the artist/actor for doing the interview (actor: "yes, it was wonderful working with Mr. Director; he's a genius!" director: "I must say, working with Mr. Actor has been nothing but a pleasure, he's so talented he should be cloned!" ), but also the stupid people who look at the shows, create the demand for them, and thus support the makers of such crap, really piss me off. And I hate such companies for making money out of that. Commercialism should go to hell.


Then again, one could just forget all about the commercialism, pay no attention to it, and concentrate on the music itself. Like I said in my previous post, the feeling is what matters to me. If you didn't know what your favourite band had said or done (or left unsaid or undone), you wouldn't be bothered, would you?

 

[Nevyn]

Originally posted by HoserHellspawn
I'm with Nevyn on this one. I really do love having a whole set of favourite bands that nobody knows about.
To quote Devin Townsend:

"Wouldn't you love to be able to tell your friends that you're into some dippy, obsure band that they more than likely will never've heard? THAT'S COOL AS SHIT! ...your own personal 'favourite band'! Yowza!"

It's so true... and to walk around in a t-shirt of the band no one's ever heard of is even cooler.

In this age of MP3's it's easy to not buy records anymore... if I, for some reason, wanted to listen to Britney Spears songs I would have no moral issue with just downloading them, but with the more obscure bands that I actually like, I feel an obligation to fiscally support them so that they may continue to make the music I love.

Exactly, I download A LOT of music. After I've listened to it it either goes in the trash or gets saved on a CD-R. And of course, when I find something that I love and listen to again and again, I buy the album. I especailly try to do it when it's a small artist/group and you know that they don't sell a lot of albums... *sigh* I wish I could buy more music...

Want them to do well, try to promote them, yet enjoy their obscurity. Are these feelings rather contradictory, or is it just me?

It's the same for me

 

[Opet]

I don't think I'd have a problem with metal being played on the radio day and night. I don't think I'd have a problem with "kids" listening to Opeth. Why? Because, maybe they'd see the err of their ways. If they started listening to Opeth, maybe they'd start to feel music and really listen to what's going on. I think it'd change their musical preferences if they had a taste of something with some real talent for once.

Besides that, I think it would do good for the bands. Bad for the exclusive fans who love things just the way they are. But, hey, it'll never happen anyways. Right? Metal? Being accepted and played on radio stations? DEATH METAL? Heh! Yeah!

So, sleep well, metalheads. Your underground brutality will not be harmed. Their secrets are locked away, safe from society and only come out in wee hours of the night to blastbeat their way into our hearts and souls.

LYNN

 

[Nevyn]

Originally posted by Opet

So, sleep well, metalheads. Your underground brutality will not be harmed. Their secrets are locked away, safe from society and only come out in wee hours of the night to blastbeat their way into our hearts and souls.

LYNN

Beautiful. I think I'll print it out and put it on the wall next to my bed...

 

[HoserHellspawn]

I think Opet's trying to outdo my one-liners with that poetic little ode to the underground. Silly girl...

(Heh. Very nice, I must say. I might actually take that quote into Photoshop and print a nice little framed image for Nevyn to put on his wall.)

The little plastic ends of your shoelaces are called "aglets".

 

[Nevyn]

Originally posted by HoserHellspawn
(Heh. Very nice, I must say. I might actually take that quote into Photoshop and print a nice little framed image for Nevyn to put on his wall.)

*hehe*
Ooooh , that would be very kind.

 

[Opet]

[color=sky blue]((bows)) Thank you. I do try, but it's tough to come out with anything that's half as brilliant as some of the things that the two of you say. So, that means alot to me.

HONESTLY.[/color]

 

[Nevyn]

There! now it's on paper and soon it'll find a place on my bedroom wall.