The modern version of the
“Headbanger’s Ball” plays what is popular among
today’s younger, more basic metal fans. This article shall
fight for those genres, and ultimately defend MTV as much as it
hurts me to do so.
First, it serves no purpose
to rip down newer genres of metal just because they are different.
Derric Miller hates “nu metal” and “hardcore”
and all the bands that play in those genres. That’s where
we differ. While I am an old fart like him, well into my thirties,
I have a love for ‘80s metal but also realize there are
several good bands in these new types of metal as well. Detractors
hate the screaming lyrics and say it’s not music, but that’s
what my Ted Nugent lovin’ big brother used to say about
my Slayer albums when I was a teenager! We had amazing vocalists
Geoff Tate, David Coverdale and James Labrie; kids today have
Brian Fair, James Jasta and Randall Blythe. And that’s cool,
times change.
Miller wants to see videos
from Danger Danger, Warrant and Vixen, but those days are over.
Haters need to listen to Shadows Fall’s War Within
and hear the great vocals besides the screaming that Brian Fair
brings, or watch the genius of Lamb Of God’s Blythe when
he takes over the whole God Damn show with his dominant stage
performance. When you dismiss the entire song or video because
of the screams, you miss out on all the rest of the songs majesty.
A great example of this phenomenon
is Children Of Bodom, where if you switch the channel you may
miss the spectacular Alexi Laiho on guitar. Miller makes the argument
that if you hate one of the bands that use death vocals you hate
them all, and I say why does it have to be that way? Why not discern
the good from the bad? As far as the screaming lyrics, they are
here to stay, so compare one vocalist to another — don’t
just trash the entire genre.
Are there poser-faggot-pieces
of shit bands in these two genres? Fuck yeah. Mudvayne and Slipknot
are prime examples, but don’t paint with a broad brush.
Just fuck Mudvayne and Slipknot and search for better bands. Another
couple newer bands, As I Lay Dying, Lamb of God and Shadows Fall
include heavy riffing, beautiful melodies plus an occasional solo
to please the guitar heads out there. And SF’s Jon Donais
is as good as any player in the world not just his genre. His
solo work on “Inspiration by Demand” and “Stillness”
are Marty Friedman ‘esque.
Kids nowadays release their
anger through mosh pits at these bands live shows, and by listening
to their favorite CDs the same way I did at Testament or Dio concerts
or when jamming the new Master Of Puppets cassette on
the way to summer school after 9th grade. I actually feel sorry
for people that refuse to change with time, because they miss
out on all sorts of good shit, like Gizmachi’s melodies
on “The Answer,” Cradle Of Filth’s sick lyrics
on “Nymphetamine (Overdose)” or Trivium’s dueling
guitar solos on “Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr,”
three solid newer metal songs. I remember people didn’t
like Phil Anselmo of Pantera’s screams or the terribly slow
riffs of Diamond Darrell (Yeah that was his nickname then, before
Dimebag!) when Vulgar Display of Power came out, especially
on “Walk.” Well, that song is damn near in the Metal
Hall Of Fame now, and Dime (Bless His Soul) is considered a pioneer
for his unique slower riffs and lead passages.
Times change. Nowadays, Hardcore
Bands like Hatebreed and Terror kick ass, because they are bands
that bring wild crazy enthusiastic to metal just like Suicidal
Tendencies or Pantera did 15-20 years ago when I was first getting
into it. Plus, these kids know every word of every Testament and
Metallica (‘80s releases), Megadeth and Slayer and have
mad respect for our days metal. Shouldn’t we show them just
as much love? Sure there are no solos on Hatebreeds’ Rise
Of Brutality album as Hardcore is stripped down metal, but
the amount of goosebumps I get when hearing “Live For This”
are equivalent to the first time I heard ST’s “Join
The Army” because it kicks every inch of my ass, every single
fucking time I hear it!
There are so many killer bands
around, like Killswitch Engage, Following Caligula or American
Headcharge that there is not enough time in one month to sample
them all.
Miller speaks of what it was
like to discover new bands on the old Ball, but what does he call
all this new talent shown on the new Headbangers Ball? Helooooo
(Seinfeld Reference) open your ears for Christ’s sake. He
then switches sides and asks why they aren’t showing classic
metal bands latest releases. Which one do you want Derric, pick
a side damn it. The show gives the newer bands an amazing stage
to shine on; if you want a walk down the memory lane of classic
metal watch Metal Mania on VH1 Classic. While I love some of the
old bands new stuff (Priest, Overkill, Exodus) this show is not
meant for reminiscing. I watched metal videos on Yahoo Videos
for over an hour today and the only classic metal they showed
was Judas Priest “Revolution” but several of the younger
bands had awesome videos showcased such as Breaking Benjamin,
Trivium and LOG.
Plus, the negative view here
is much easier to take but dead wrong, as the program has a limited
amount of time and does well to showcase the young talented bangers
of 21st Century Metal. Shit, I am happy in this American Idol,
Reality TV, No radio station exposure, Bullshit world we live
in, to get 120 minutes a week of metal. It’s actually a
fucking miracle. So get the stick out of your Jamey of Hatebreed-hating
ass, and sit back and learn a little something my brother …
BECAUSE … Every Drop of blood every bitter tear,
every bead of sweat …I LIVE FOR THIS!!
Agree? Disagree? Let me know
email
the webmaster
Previous Editorials:
If
something rocks it fucking rocks! -The Defense of the “NU”
Headbangers Ball! by Matthew Hoffman
The
Ball is Back! And it Sucks by Derric Miller
The
Faulty Top 100 by John Kindred
