This is so true, I show people different metal bands all the time and people will usually say that the music isn't bad, but they question how I can understand / enjoy the vocals. Bands that use shrieking or death growls are always the ones that people with a mainstream taste in music can't stand. If I show someone a Nevermore or Hammerfall song, for example, they will usually like it - or at the very least, they won't tear out the earbuds in disgust and complain.
A perfect example: I showed one of my muso friends from school (he's a jazz musician and knows his musical theory really well) a solo from Necrophagist (The one from 'Fermented Offal Discharge' - it's easily one of the best metal solos ever) and he really enjoyed it, but after the solo there are some growled vocals and he just shook his head saying that it just 'ruined the song'. The same thing happens with Insomnium, CoB and Kalmah - everyone loves them until the vocals start!
Metal vocals are an aquired taste, and us metalheads are just geared towards them more-so than our Bieber fankid counterparts...
Understanding the logic of metal vocals takes some getting used to, but once people understand they are an artistic and energy-binding instrument, there's no looking back. It's a whole other reality.
2. Switch from Jackson's to ESP's. For my money, the ESP's sound like
I do. Its more down to earth.The whole F-U attitude thing. COB used to have a mystique about them that was great. Now they are just "We are a bunch of trashy overdrinking thrashers." I don't find that cool.
Well as much as I agree, we can't do shit about it. That's why I don't listen to the blooddrunk album, it just does not appeal to me. I also want the old stuff back, but it's their band, and even if you stop listening to them or buying their cd's there will always be new fans. That's just how the world is.First of all, I will say that I love COB and they are my favorite band of all time (And that is based off only their first 3 albums, and a little bit from Hatecrew.) I got into COB after FTR came out, but I will say that I am mighty disappointed at the path Alexi decided to take. Things I hate about the current COB:
1. Complete loss of the soaring, atmospher creating, melodic death neoclassical metal. The songs just AREN'T as fun to listen to anymore.
2. Switch from Jackson's to ESP's. For my money, the ESP's sound like crunchy garbage and the Jackson's sounded pure.
3. Touring with these super lame thrash bands. I don't know where COB decided they weren't a melodeath band and they were somehow on the same level as Slipknot and Slayer. They aren't, they are way better, and they should be headlining with bands that are actually similar in style to them. I don't want to pay money to see COB, see a 6 song set, and then pretend to like a garbage thrash band or leave.
4. Drop tuned guitars. Ugh! I never thought COB would stoop to that Nu-metal garbage level. It's bush league.
5. The whole F-U attitude thing. COB used to have a mystique about them that was great. Now they are just "We are a bunch of trashy overdrinking thrashers." I don't find that cool.
6. Ending EVERY concert with Downfall. Dudes, I've seen you 6 times (And I do feel blessed to be able to say that) but you have tons of great ending songs, use another one.
That's it for now. Alexi is one of the few people I've ever really idolized for his innate genius, but I must say it does bum me out to see him not utilize his talent to it's full potential and drink himself to death. Someone needs to have an intervention with him, he is too great to lose.
Comments and feedback appreciated. I want to hear some other opinions on some of these subjects.
I differ with you on this point.
I do. Its more down to earth.
3. Touring with these super lame thrash bands. I don't know where COB decided they weren't a melodeath band and they were somehow on the same level as Slipknot and Slayer. They aren't, they are way better, and they should be headlining with bands that are actually similar in style to them. I don't want to pay money to see COB, see a 6 song set, and then pretend to like a garbage thrash band or leave.
Things I hate about the current COB:
1. Complete loss of the soaring, atmospher creating, melodic death neoclassical metal. The songs just AREN'T as fun to listen to anymore.
2. Switch from Jackson's to ESP's. For my money, the ESP's sound like crunchy garbage and the Jackson's sounded pure.
3. Touring with these super lame thrash bands. I don't know where COB decided they weren't a melodeath band and they were somehow on the same level as Slipknot and Slayer. They aren't, they are way better, and they should be headlining with bands that are actually similar in style to them. I don't want to pay money to see COB, see a 6 song set, and then pretend to like a garbage thrash band or leave.
4. Drop tuned guitars. Ugh! I never thought COB would stoop to that Nu-metal garbage level. It's bush league.
5. The whole F-U attitude thing. COB used to have a mystique about them that was great. Now they are just "We are a bunch of trashy overdrinking thrashers." I don't find that cool.
6. Ending EVERY concert with Downfall. Dudes, I've seen you 6 times (And I do feel blessed to be able to say that) but you have tons of great ending songs, use another one.
I must say it does bum me out to see Alexi not utilize his talent to it's full potential and drink himself to death. Someone needs to have an intervention with him, he is too great to lose.
Congratulations, on average you agree 91.43%.
You should not blame ESP for the shitty sound on AYDY and Blooddrunk.
6. Ending EVERY concert with Downfall. Dudes, I've seen you 6 times (And I do feel blessed to be able to say that) but you have tons of great ending songs, use another one.
I agree I think esp got nothing to do with their sound change, they changed their sound because they wanted, I dont know why.
Anyway I think wether alexi is a lazy motherfucker, or he is running out of neurons, songs now are like quick writed, not so meditated not so cool as the old ones, Its like a riff here another one there and thats all no cool bridges no rythm changes, just boring. They are by far my favourite band and I respect them, but I absolutly dont like the way they took with blooddrunk. Cmon you are children of bodom make something awesome!.
BTW I think that the new album will be a disapointment for those who like me prefer the old children of bodom
Most just don't realize it unless they play guitar, but the newer stuff, IMO, is a lot harder to play than the older stuff.