1. Complete loss of the soaring, atmospher creating, melodic death neoclassical metal. The songs just AREN'T as fun to listen to anymore.
Complete loss is a bit of an exaggeration, but I would agree that the latest albums are lacking a bit.
2. Switch from Jackson's to ESP's. For my money, the ESP's sound like crunchy garbage and the Jackson's sounded pure.
I don't buy this. I honestly think Alexi's jackson tone is way overrated around here. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a pretty sweet solo tone. But I think that their best tone yet is with their ESP in AYDY album. Honestly the guitar itself probably doesn't have much to do with their sound, the tones vary wildy from album to album.
The hatebreeder tone was mild, yet soothing. But it's lacking a little bit in aggressiveness. The FTR tone (same gear as hatebreeder) got TOO aggressive. Both FTR and HCDR to me sound 'crispy', too trebbly and not smooth. The AYDY tone is somewhere in between the smoothness and aggressiveness, imo. The guitars are loud, clear, aggressive, and not ear piercing. The same tone could have been done with Jackson. Different pickups and EQ's are different.
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.
While I don't like bands of the same style touring together, I agree that the bands that COB is touring with are kind of ehhhh.... I think it is what it is, though. If they have to tour in the U.S. that's how you get exposure I suppose. Besides, they've got some shows with Ensi and Amon Amorth (whom I'm partial towards) which is a good line-up.
4. Drop tuned guitars. Ugh! I never thought COB would stoop to that Nu-metal garbage level. It's bush league.
That's nonsense. You telling me you don't like Angels Don't Kill as a song?
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.
That IS their real attitude, though. IMO it's better for a band to be themselves than to be fake. It's kind of unfortunate that they seem to have that image nowadays but hey... it is what it is.
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.
Maybe the new album has some kind of banger in it, eh?
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.
That's a hard thing to comment on. As for the music style, as a band you want to gather more fans all the time. I don't think COB would be satisfied playing small gigs for their entire careers. As for the drinking, I really can't comment. How can you or I really make judgement if drinking is hampering his music writing? At least in interviews it seems like Alexi was REALLY trying for RFF, staying up countless hours, etc...
I'm sorry but your entire post just screams I want the old COB back, which I think really needs to just end once and for all for everyone. These guys are in their 30s now, and they're not magically going to regain their teen attitude on everything. I'd do unspeakable things for another follow the reaper, but as a realist I know it's not gonna happen.
