Metal Music

[moses2792796]

In a society which promotes decadent materialism and unrealistic values, extreme metal rose as an artistic movement against the times, forcing the unforgiving nature of reality upon the listener. Evolving out of heavy metal, which essentially was rock music with aesthetic neoclassical tendencies, and incorparating a romantic, transcendence into the very heart of the music, metal became a true artform. It aimed to express what had long since been forgotten by the swarming mass of uneducated peasants who now ruled.

Three early acts which helped form the basis of extreme metal were Slayer, Possessed, and Sepultura. Each bands early works formed the aesthetic and ideological basis for death metal. The dissonant chromatic riffing distincly unpleasant to the ear, boding evil with every note, was clearly designed to discourage all but the most commited listeners. The overtly Satanic imagery to the point of hilarity was a clever move in that, by attacking a societies religion, they symbolically attacked every aspect of the society.

In the years that followed metal developed further and two styles, death and black metal, were the most artistically creative genres between the years of 86 and 96. Morbid Angel created a romantic yet sickening work of death metal with their album Blessed Are The Sick. The occultist, satanic theme had clearly been more deeply researched and by illustrating this concept through a developed sonic narrative, Morbid Angel managed to create their own dimension, a free space in which to express their ideas.

In the Scandinavian countries the death metal scene flourished but even more notable was the Norwegian black metal scene, particularly notorious for a number of arson attacks and homicides. Influenced by the first wave black metal acts including Bathory, Venom and Hellhammer a second wave appeared in Norway. This group of bands took the artistic achievements of metal to new heights. Bands such as Immortal and Enslaved epic works of art and displayed some of the best developed melodic technique in modern music. The overtly romantic nature of these bands allowed them more emotional and transcendental structuring through their albums, Emperor being a prime example.

Beyond all of these bands though, one man stood alone. Varg Vikernes, the soul member of a band known as Burzum transcended all the limitations that metal had previously known. With his album Hvis Lyset Tar Oss he reached a level of expression, mood, composition and ambience that had never before, and has never since been achieved. The epic structuring akin to classical music allowed what seemed like simple music to express profound and beautiful ideas.

Unfortunately in around the year 1996, with Vikernes recently being imprisoned for the murder of a bandmate, the metal scene went into a decline. The Norwegian visionarys began to fade, their commitment in their youth clearly taking its toll on their ability to create. They had been condemned and ostracised by society for their beliefs, they simply lost the youthful drive for idealism that once produced transcendental works of art.

Instead of a new generation taking their place however, metal became commercialised. Bands like Satyricon and Dimmu Borgir created black metal stripped down to the level of the mainstream and this opened the floodgates for millions of new listeners. With the advent of the internet even obsure metal became populated by people who listen to it for novelty or status. Egotistical peasants conquered what was once an elitist form of art. Metal degenerated from an artistic movement, into a collection of social scenes and parasitic record labels signing and shamelessly promoting worthless bands.

Metal is a perfect example of how society corrupts art. My suggestion to any metal fan is, not to write off any album because of the release date, but do not lower your standards from what you would expect of the early Norwegian scene, if we tolerate mediocre bands, they will continue to thrive. Metal is not about tolerance, it is about transcendence. romanticism and elitism.

[Jaaaman]

I have never thought of 'metal' in that light... interesting perspective Moses.

What kind of metal band would you define 'Metallica' to be? Just curious.

[moses2792796]

Metallica created some artistically viable thrash early in their career, but they never had a strong ideological grounding, which is why they degenerated so easily into mainstream rock. Even their better albums are morbidly over-rated though.

[Jaaaman]

Metallica created some artistically viable thrash early in their career, but they had had a strong ideological grounding, which is why they degenerated so easily into mainstream rock. Even there better albums are morbidly over-rated though.
Oooh... Viola is not going to like this post... :lmao:

[ECW]

I had the unfortunate displeasure of being exposed to a Slayer performance last month. I spent that hour talking to some Marilyn Manson fans (the concert I paid money to see) rather than observing this collection of dischordant "musicians" too closely. If I want to see something that is attacking the very roots of our society and the hypocrisy therein I just follow the exploits of the Flying Monkeys up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. There is plenty of death and metal to go around for everyone. Thanks for the interesting essay, though. Well written and informative.

[Stoner]

What kind of metal band would you define 'Metallica' to be? Just curious.


Metallica's first 4 albums (Kill em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets and And Justice for All) are thrash all the way. Once the 'Black' album came out they became a lot more commercial and quickly went downhill.

Some examples of thrash metal are, Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Megedeth, Exodus, Overkill and Testament to name a few.

There's a few different genres of metal (if you want specific bands for each genre just ask) but some are, thrash, death metal, nu-metal, industrial, grunge, goth, swedish metal, norweigen metal, grindcore, metalcore, power metal, new-wave British heavy metal, black metal, original hardcore, pop metal, glam metal, punk metal, progressive metal, early metal, shock rock, etc...

I can give examples of each genre if anyone is curious.

Some of my favorite metal bands (of all genres) are...

- Lamb of God
- Machine Head
- Slipknot
- Arch Enemy
- Killswitch Engage
- Shadows Fall
- Hatebreed
- Chimaira
- Unearth
- God Forbid
- Fear Factory
- Metallica (first four albums)
- Anthrax
- Exodus
- Testament
- Pantera
- Overkill
- Kreator
- Sepultura
- Nile
- At the Gates
- Soilwork
- In Flames
- Dimmu Borgir
- Kataklysm
- Iced Earth
- Death
- Morbid Angel
- Obituary
- Napalm Death
- Deicide
- Cannibal Corpse
- Dying Fetus
- Judas priest
- Helloween
- Primal Fear
- Iron Maiden

And a metal thread can't be complete without a metal video. Here's 5 good ones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQYPn_en6OU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNyzZQZHYs8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XgHBWuwNp0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0nsaOhaisw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zkxDeFRat8

[moses2792796]

I had the unfortunate displeasure of being exposed to a Slayer performance last month. I spent that hour talking to some Marilyn Manson fans (the concert I paid money to see) rather than observing this collection of dischordant "musicians" too closely. If I want to see something that is attacking the very roots of our society and the hypocrisy therein I just follow the exploits of the Flying Monkeys up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. There is plenty of death and metal to go around for everyone. Thanks for the interesting essay, though. Well written and informative.


Unfortunately you probably heard alot of Slayer's newer material at this concert. Recently they have degenerated into a commercialised imitation of their original music complete with Nu-metal influences to boot. If you take the time to appreciate their older works, Hell Awaits in particular shows a level of composition and understanding of musical progression unmatched in popular rock and other radio music.

Also the directionless anger presented in some of the videos is expressive and enjoyable for those who share the sentiments, but doens't have the universality or structural complexity of more obscure artists such as Burzum and Incantation.

[Stoner]

Also the directionless anger presented in some of the videos is expressive and enjoyable for those who share the sentiments, but doens't have the universality or structural complexity

Lamb of God is hands down the most complex metal band today. If you deny this I know your a hack and have no clue about metal except for what you read online.

Chris Adler is the best metal drummer today. Nobldy plays more complex shit than him. And as far as the 2 lead guitars go, Willie and Mark are 2 of the best. The stuff they come up with are some of the most complicated things you will hear in metal.

So to say they aren't "complex" is laughable. I've just lost all respect for your "metal music" knowledge. You have none. It's clear now you just copy and paste this stuff from magazines that your real metal fans have lying around their houses.

Here's some Lamb of God at their best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOWB6rmSd4I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYlZAI2K0eU

And here's Chris Adler (the one you claim is not complex).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeWTKUXm3tU

[crimzonsol]

I personally moved from the underground punk scene into the metal scene, now I'm stuck in the middle of the two genres. The first time I was at a metal concert was when me and my friends accidently went into the wrong place for a concert, best mistake I ever made. From metal I went into the old rap scene courtesy of Anthrax & Public Enemy and latter Slayer & Ice-T.

Some of my favourite bands would be

-Lamb of God
-Sepultra
-Venom
-Old Slayer
-Mushroomhead
-Slipknot
-Dope
-System of a Down
-Sex Pistols
-Old Anti-Flag
-Quo Vadis
-Obitchuary
-Cannibal Corpse
-Arch Enemy
-Ensiferum
-Public Enemy
-Rammstein
-Rob Zombie
-Bezerker
-Old Man Child
-Black Flag
-Crass
-Bad Brains
-Dimmu Borgir
-Amon Amarth
-Salem
-Orphaned Land
-Eternal Gray
-Opeth

Heres some more videos from across the board:

Rammstein-Amerika
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4w9EksAo5hY


Mushroomhead-Eternal
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eFCgHHTymlo


Anthrax & Public Enemy - Bring The Noise
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NoLkaGcpJFA

Serj Tankain-Empty Walls
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fkCfy4HiG9Q

[Stoner]

Very cool, Crim. I see a lot of the bands I listed you have posted as well.

Hey, Crim, there's one I think I forgot to list that you should check out. Listen to Nevermore. They are a very complex metal band that have some power metal qualities. They're hard to categorize (most slot them as Progressive/Power metal) but they're very talented and awesome to listen to.

If you d/l an album of theirs try and get 'Dreaming Neon Black' or 'This Godless Endeavor.'

[crimzonsol]

Thanks for the advice stoner, if you like Lamb of God check Quo Vadis out.

Here is one of their songs,
http://youtube.com/watch?v=W5ciJcksiEU

Who was the band in the last video you posted, the one under Slipknots spit it out?

[Stoner]

Who was the band in the last video you posted, the one under Slipknots spit it out?


Well there's 2 videos posted under the Slipknot one. The first one under it is Shadow's Fall. The one below that is Killswitch Engage (that's their old singer...the newer one is black).

[crimzonsol]

I never heard of Shadow's Fall, probably why I didn't recognize them, if you like slipknot you will like mushroomhead, I think I all ready posted one of their videos.

[Stoner]

I never heard of Shadow's Fall

Duuuuuuuuuuuuude, they ROCK! Excellent band. They're going to be huge. They are rumored to be close to signing with a major mainstream record label. I love SF.

if you like slipknot you will like mushroomhead

Heh, I actually don't like Mushroomhead. They're too hit-and-miss for me. Some of their stuff is pretty good but then there's some god-awful shit they have.

Check out some Shadows Fall. Their drummer (Jason Bittner) was named Metal Drummer of the Year a couple of years ago. But the guitar players are fucking phenominal too. They play great leads together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shnrE2USgaM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j76-HDB8hU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl2O4hsw4Ng

[crimzonsol]

Heh, I actually don't like Mushroomhead. They're too hit-and-miss for me. Some of their stuff is pretty good but then there's some god-awful sh1t they have.


That depends on what album you have heard or what songs you have heard, Eternal is almost like spit it out except more brutal in regards to lyrics and singing.
Their Album IIIX is a pretty good, but I may like it more because I like more melodic metal and thrashy metal, suppose it comes from being a Punk.

[Stoner]

Hey Crim, how did you like those Shadows Fall videos I posted a few posts up?

[ECW]

I had the unfortunate displeasure of being exposed to a Slayer performance last month. I spent that hour talking to some Marilyn Manson fans (the concert I paid money to see) rather than observing this collection of dischordant "musicians" too closely. If I want to see something that is attacking the very roots of our society and the hypocrisy therein I just follow the exploits of the Flying Monkeys up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. There is plenty of death and metal to go around for everyone. Thanks for the interesting essay, though. Well written and informative.


Unfortunately you probably heard alot of Slayer's newer material at this concert. Recently they have degenerated into a commercialised imitation of their original music complete with Nu-metal influences to boot. If you take the time to appreciate their older works, Hell Awaits in particular shows a level of composition and understanding of musical progression unmatched in popular rock and other radio music.

Also the directionless anger presented in some of the videos is expressive and enjoyable for those who share the sentiments, but doens't have the universality or structural complexity of more obscure artists such as Burzum and Incantation.


You are right on the money with your analysis. The crowd did get into the stuff they played but a couple of times the singer said stuff like, "Remember this one?" or "Here's an old one" and the crowd went even more bezerk and the songs actually had some semblence of chord progression and musical style. I assumed they were from the vault, not a current album. Not that I actually enjoyed them but they had a place, a sense that they were intended to be a song, not a collection of random notes played real loud like the rest of their concert.

Any ideas as to what songs they might have been?

[Stoner]

Another thing I love in metal is the diversity you're starting to see. Here's some videos of good metal bands with blacks and females as their lead singers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG8hpFw5PuI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1taOP0HcY-E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFQAWdRRChk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4kdO24qgH0

[crimzonsol]

Hey Crim, how did you like those Shadows Fall videos I posted a few posts up?


I like them, not my favorite band but they are up there.

ECW they were probably from Reign in Blood. Their best album.

[HumanBeast]

Does metal espouse values closer to the political Right than say the music of the 1960s, that was obviously Leftist?

[Stoner]

Does metal espouse values closer to the political Right than say the music of the 1960s, that was obviously Leftist?


Metal is just metal. However when politics is put into metal it's usually anti-war messages. There's a lot of bands I love that have anti-war lyrics (Lamb of God). However Lamb of God has stated they are moving away from that.

[crimzonsol]

Does metal espouse values closer to the political Right than say the music of the 1960s, that was obviously Leftist?


It all depends on what bands you listen to, some of them sing local folk tales to metal, while some like stoner said have anti-war lyrics, while some have right-wing even nazish lyrics. Some like slayer just try to be assholes to everyone. It all depends on what you listen to. For political metal I think that the left-wing is more evident, followed by those who are independent. The thing to remember about metal is that while there are political bands they represent the minority, the majority are all about anger and aggression.

[moses2792796]

You are right on the money with your analysis. The crowd did get into the stuff they played but a couple of times the singer said stuff like, "Remember this one?" or "Here's an old one" and the crowd went even more bezerk and the songs actually had some semblence of chord progression and musical style. I assumed they were from the vault, not a current album. Not that I actually enjoyed them but they had a place, a sense that they were intended to be a song, not a collection of random notes played real loud like the rest of their concert.

Any ideas as to what songs they might have been?


Reign in Blood is their most extreme album. For something more structured and progressive Hell Awaits is best.[hr]
Does metal espouse values closer to the political Right than say the music of the 1960s, that was obviously Leftist?


The best metal transcends politics altogether.

[crimzonsol]

For something more structured and progressive Hell Awaits is best.


I disagree I thought that Reign in Blood was more structured, but I guess thats a difference of opinion. BTW you need an easier name to type.:P

[moses2792796]

Here is an excellent example of the spritual/romantic side of metal

these lyrics are from Cosmic Keys to my Creation and Times by Emperor

The heavens are lit by the stars
where years of secrets of universal forces lay hid.
They shine so bright, but yet they have seen more evil than time itself.
Reflected in the deepless lakes
(they are drowning in black elements).

They are the planetary keys to unlimited wisom
and power for the Emperor to obtain.
(They being) the gods of the wolves
whom upon they bark at night,

requesting their next victim in thirst of blood.
I enjoy those moments I may haunt with these beats of the night.

What kinds of beings are existing
at the deeps of my lakes?
They surely must be of an evil race,
for no friendly thing can live in such depressive waters.

(Here is also a planet similar to the Moon, but its phases is only one
and it is in its most powerful for all and ever...
There passes no light without the barking of the wolves.)

All these landscapes are timeless,
and this is all just a part of cosmos,
but all is mine and past and future is yet to discover...
Much have been discovered, but tomorrow
I will realise I existed before myself.

I will be reborn
before I die.

I will realise planets ages old,
created by a ruler with a crown of dragon claws,
arrived with a stargate...
a king among the wolves in the night...
An observer of the stars.

I will realise planets ages old,
created by a ruler with a crown of dragon claws,
arrived with a stargate...
a king among the wolves in the night...
An observer of the stars.

An observer of the stars.
An observer of the stars.

[moses2792796]

For something more structured and progressive Hell Awaits is best.


I disagree I thought that Reign in Blood was more structured, but I guess thats a difference of opinion. BTW you need an easier name to type.:P


You could make a case for the album as a whole being more structured, but not the individual songs, unless you are talking about Angel of Death and Raining Blood.

[crimzonsol]

I was talking about the entire album and Angel of Death.

[moses2792796]

^^Ahh ok, makes sense now, alot of people find the album hard to deal with because the songs themselves are not as 'complete' as the tracks on Hell Awaits, what they miss is that the album must be listened to as a whole.

[crimzonsol]

I agree. I think that SOAD and Lamb of God are starting to bring back that structered sound, albet not in the traditional sense.

[moses2792796]

SOAD and Lamb of God only seem good because they have the ability to appear worthwhile, when in reality, they are worthless. I understand the love for these bands, but it mostly comes from people who don't know of many better ones. As far as metal goes, neither of them are near the top of the genre, or try to be for that matter.

[Stoner]

I agree. I think that SOAD and Lamb of God are starting to bring back that structered sound, albet not in the traditional sense.


Exactly. Lamb of God is one of, if not the most technical band in metal today. No one tops Chris Adler on the drums. He's just not human. And the 2 lead guitar players come up with some of the most complex and complicated riffs you'll ever hear. No one tops LoG in those cateogries.

I'm glad they're finally getting the recognition and popularity they deserve.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HpBs_ri808

[moses2792796]

^^Technical does not make a band good, there are bucketloads of tech-death bands that make LoG look like they just picked up instruments and yet none of them manage to say anything with their music. Technicality, more often than not is used to cover for the fact that a band has nothing to say. That said however there have been some remarkable achivements in the tech-death genre by bands who actually knew how to compose as well as write cool riffs, Obscura by Gorguts and Nespithe by Demilich are great albums. For an example of an uber-technical but completely worthless band see Necrophagist.

Demilich have all their songs up for free download on their website

http://www.anentity.com/demilich/download.php

[crimzonsol]

Lamb of God does have something to sa and so does SOAD, they are not using tachnicality to hide that, they are using it to accent it.

[Stoner]

Demilich have all their songs up for free download on their website


Horrible band. Drummer is extremely sloppy and the guitar players are very ordinary. The singer sounds like a fat guy farting on a metal chair. Nothing new nor groundbreaking here. And cetainly not technical.

I now see why you dislike great bands such as LoG and others. Your taste in metal and general metal knowledge is extremely backwards. You are definitly in the extreme minority...not to mention in the wrong. I knew this right away from your Metallica comments. Your taste in metal seems to be of the generic, mainstream variety. I prefer more edgier, harder and technical metal. You just have an opposite taste than I do.

Hey, Crim...here's some more cool metal videos you may like. I picked out some from different genres.

Here's a good hardcore band called Hatebreed. The problem with hardcore metal is it tends to get repetitive. Unfortunately Skinheads, Nazi's and White Supremicists have also taken a liking to this genre and given it a bad name. Most of the bands in this genre do not hold the same values as the before-mentioned. However it is great to listen to when you're pissed off and need to vent. This one's called, "I Will Be Heard."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtiPU73qjRk

Here's a very good band called Unearth. They're awesome live.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzhNjkwTjlI

Norwegian Black Metal is pretty cool. Different, but cool. One of my favorites of this genre is Dimmu Borgir. Their last 2 albums kicked ass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVBJqvMG1LU

Then we have Swedish Death Metal. Also in the "different but cool" category. Here's a band called Soilwork. Love this band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a733LewgmD0

I'll post some other stuff you may not have heard of later. And welcome to metal, Crim![/quote]

[moses2792796]

Once again instrumental talent does not define how good a band is. LoG could never compose anything remotely as complex and as well put together as Nespithe. They are without depth or any real talent, I'm not sure what you're trying to say about Metallica either, all I said was that their earlier albums didn't completely suck, your taste in metal seems to be alot more mainstream than mine, not that it matters, but it is true that the mainstream radio bands to tend to suck badly. I probably should have mentioned Atheist for tech-death as well, their Unquestionable Presence album is amazing, though i generally prefer the less technical genre of black metal, it has more emotional depth IMO. At least the better bands do, the ability of the early Norwegian bands to create epic neo-classical structures in the form of songs is unsurpassed by anything that followed it. Your comment about my taste being backwards is ridiculous, I'd rather listen to something that's old than listen to the garbage that defines metal post-96.

[preservanation]

I liked metal and grooved on some speed metal when younger. Henry Rollins was pretty good in his day. I hated that glam shit in the 80's and I have to give Marlyn Manson some credit for getting metal away from that. He was right in our faces and said f-you to all that with "Beautiful People". Brought metal back to its' roots.

I saw "This is Spinal Tap" when it was in the theaters. Laughed my ass off.
The knuckle-heads I was with thought it was a serious documentary, and couldn't understand why I found it funny.
Really.
Not sure what those jamokes are doing now but I'm sure they aren't watching Seinfeld.

[moses2792796]

:sick: Stoner you like Dimmu? Everything makes sense now.

[preservanation]

Dimmu.Shimmu
Everyone is dead.[hr]Four chords can a generation make! Let Alone THE Muffin Man!
The ledzep and ZAAAApa got me through the gov high school!

[crimzonsol]

Thanks Stoner, I already have some Hatebreed. I also went to Dimmu Borgir in concert, can't remeber much from it. I also went to LoG and Unearth live with some friends, It kicked ass.

Only mainstream Hardcore has skinheads, they would get a good ass kicking if they came to any underground Hardcore, like the Dead Kenndy's song: nazi punks fuck off.

[Rage]

In a society which promotes decadent materialism and unrealistic values, extreme metal rose as an artistic movement against the times, forcing the unforgiving nature of reality upon the listener. Evolving out of heavy metal, which essentially was rock music with aesthetic neoclassical tendencies, and incorparating a romantic, transcendence into the very heart of the music, metal became a true artform. It aimed to express what had long since been forgotten by the swarming mass of uneducated peasants who now ruled.

Three early acts which helped form the basis of extreme metal were Slayer, Possessed, and Sepultura. Each bands early works formed the aesthetic and ideological basis for death metal. The dissonant chromatic riffing distincly unpleasant to the ear, boding evil with every note, was clearly designed to discourage all but the most commited listeners. The overtly Satanic imagery to the point of hilarity was a clever move in that, by attacking a societies religion, they symbolically attacked every aspect of the society.

In the years that followed metal developed further and two styles, death and black metal, were the most artistically creative genres between the years of 86 and 96. Morbid Angel created a romantic yet sickening work of death metal with their album Blessed Are The Sick. The occultist, satanic theme had clearly been more deeply researched and by illustrating this concept through a developed sonic narrative, Morbid Angel managed to create their own dimension, a free space in which to express their ideas.

In the Scandinavian countries the death metal scene flourished but even more notable was the Norwegian black metal scene, particularly notorious for a number of arson attacks and homicides. Influenced by the first wave black metal acts including Bathory, Venom and Hellhammer a second wave appeared in Norway. This group of bands took the artistic achievements of metal to new heights. Bands such as Immortal and Enslaved epic works of art and displayed some of the best developed melodic technique in modern music. The overtly romantic nature of these bands allowed them more emotional and transcendental structuring through their albums, Emperor being a prime example.

Beyond all of these bands though, one man stood alone. Varg Vikernes, the soul member of a band known as Burzum transcended all the limitations that metal had previously known. With his album Hvis Lyset Tar Oss he reached a level of expression, mood, composition and ambience that had never before, and has never since been achieved. The epic structuring akin to classical music allowed what seemed like simple music to express profound and beautiful ideas.

Unfortunately in around the year 1996, with Vikernes recently being imprisoned for the murder of a bandmate, the metal scene went into a decline. The Norwegian visionarys began to fade, their commitment in their youth clearly taking its toll on their ability to create. They had been condemned and ostracised by society for their beliefs, they simply lost the youthful drive for idealism that once produced transcendental works of art.

Instead of a new generation taking their place however, metal became commercialised. Bands like Satyricon and Dimmu Borgir created black metal stripped down to the level of the mainstream and this opened the floodgates for millions of new listeners. With the advent of the internet even obsure metal became populated by people who listen to it for novelty or status. Egotistical peasants conquered what was once an elitist form of art. Metal degenerated from an artistic movement, into a collection of social scenes and parasitic record labels signing and shamelessly promoting worthless bands.

Metal is a perfect example of how society corrupts art. My suggestion to any metal fan is, not to write off any album because of the release date, but do not lower your standards from what you would expect of the early Norwegian scene, if we tolerate mediocre bands, they will continue to thrive. Metal is not about tolerance, it is about transcendence. romanticism and elitism.

I like metal as much as the next person, but...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xJ28J1pa2mk

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OFom-4Lnj9E

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MkGnhyWN4Yo

Undeniably good, I dislike dimmu borgir, but they have 1 good song I like and that is...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=strpgh3N9e0

Godlike.... Multikill... yeah, thats right lol

/edit that last video (the dimmu one) contains boobies, watch out