Who's making better metal now? US or Europe

[Squidfinger]

Lately I've been thinking of something. I've come to the conclusion that I'm bored with america's current metal scene in general and find myself looking more towards Europe's scene and being much more musically satisfied. Don't get me wrong, we still have bands that are worthy flagbearers for our country: Shadows Fall, Nevermore, Lamb of God, Slayer, Morbid Angel, and Mastodon to name a few. But the vast majority of the new bands I'm finding stagnant. I find myself watching Headbangers Ball and Uranium and being bored until the new Nightwish or Akercocke video comes on. Bands like 18 Visions, From Autumn to Ashes, Avenged sevenfold, and Glass Casket I'm just finding too boring/too similiar. And what the hell has happened to vocals in american metal? Rough vocals and emo'ish castrato vocals just don't mix well, I'm talking to you From Autumn to Ashes. EMO is creeping into my beloved metal!!!!!!!


I'm finding the main difference between American and European metal is that the US stuff is much more angry/ugly. The European metal is much more prettier/melodic. I know these are sweeping generalizations to make but I can't help but feel overall that they are true. Power metal is much bigger over there. So is Doom. For awhile I tried to deny I liked power metal, but if you can get past the cheese it's some really great stuff.


I know this was just a ramble, but I'm interested in hearing your guys' opinions.

[The Golden Boy]

Japan.



More proof:

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip...Jacketen7.html

[Selta]

I think American music in general has steadily gone downhill over the past decade or so. Certainly, we have our highlights of show-stopper good bands, but for the most part, due to the industry and not the musicians themselves, everyone seems very much alike. The producers of now-a-days want cash, and if the music they produce sells, then they'll make it until it doesn't sell, and I've even heard of producers taking a band of one genere and chaning their sound so much to fit another, just to reel in more cash.
If you look into unsigned/underground bands, you can find that there's still a lot of good music being made, but it's sooo hard to find, cos the big shots want to make the cash with trends. That's why with my radio time (at WERU!) I play good music that's not mainstream. Get that trash off t he radio that everyone's hearing, and put new stuff on, stuff that people want to hear IMO. But, anytime you turn on the radio, you hear the same junk....and maybe, just maybe someday the producers and companies will get their head out of their asses and ollar signs, and make something good!

Ray

[LajoieT]

IMO in general Europe's been kickin' the US's metal butt for YEARS!!!! (with a few exceptions here and there...)

[Diowulf]

Europe kicks our ass all over the place, with the exception of a few bands. (BTW you forgot Iced Earth, my favorite American metal). I think most of the best metal comes from the Scandinavian area.

There are some European bands you might find "Ugly", but I think it's great!

I find most American metal sounds the same.

[Selta]

Originally Posted by Diowulf

I find most American metal sounds the same.

*reads this line* *looks at his post* *points to his post* *shrugs*


Ray

[jrthebassguy]

Hey, I like From Autumn To Ashes and Avenged Sevenfold

[Benjamin Strange]

Two words: Meshuggah.

[Squidfinger]

Originally Posted by jrthebassguy

Hey, I like From Autumn To Ashes and Avenged Sevenfold

It's not that these bands are "bad", I just have a problem with their vocal approach.

Let's take the drummer for From Autumn to Ashes (Think also the guy from Coheed & Cambria). When did these types of vocals become acceptable? The closest comparison is 50's doowop (Big girls don't cry, they don't cry-ry-ry ). Even 80's hair metal vocals are less cheesy than emo'ish vocals .

I guess my main problem with current american rock is the whole metrosexual vocal approach that's going on. Where the heck are all the soulful voices ala Greg Allman, Phil Lynot, and Paul Rodgers. We've lost ourselves .


EDIT: I'm also starting to realize that not just anybody can growl like I previously thought. It's like singing; some people can do it well (still pronounce their words) and others can't. I also think extreme growling is starting to wear somewhat thin on the collective conscience of the metal community. I want see more metal vocalists SING and not sound like they're 12 years old!!!!!

[Against Will]

Originally Posted by Bad_Habit_Bassist

I think American music in general has steadily gone downhill over the past decade or so. Certainly, we have our highlights of show-stopper good bands, but for the most part, due to the industry and not the musicians themselves, everyone seems very much alike. The producers of now-a-days want cash, and if the music they produce sells, then they'll make it until it doesn't sell, and I've even heard of producers taking a band of one genere and chaning their sound so much to fit another, just to reel in more cash.
If you look into unsigned/underground bands, you can find that there's still a lot of good music being made, but it's sooo hard to find, cos the big shots want to make the cash with trends. That's why with my radio time (at WERU!) I play good music that's not mainstream. Get that trash off t he radio that everyone's hearing, and put new stuff on, stuff that people want to hear IMO. But, anytime you turn on the radio, you hear the same junk....and maybe, just maybe someday the producers and companies will get their head out of their asses and ollar signs, and make something good!

Ray

Inquiring minds want to know:

What stuff do you play on your radio show? Can I/we have a sampling of your playlist?

[Against Will]

I'm seeing a lot more metal kids at the hardcore shows I go to. I know there's been a lot of cross-pollination between the two styles, but there's never really been that much mixing between the two cultures. However, I'm finding the shows that I go to in Providence have an equal amount of kids in Black Flag, Kid Dynamite and Germs t-shirts as there are kids in Slayer, Venom and Cannibal Corpse t-shirts. Also, the bands themselves share this love of all things metally and hardcore. I wouldn't call it metalcore, because that has weird connotation, but there's the clear prescence of classic/heavy metal guitar lines and instrumentality sitting on top of a hardcore break beat.

[Selta]

Originally Posted by Against Will

Inquiring minds want to know:

What stuff do you play on your radio show? Can I/we have a sampling of your playlist?

I've an entire thread for it over in band management/performance subtopic, I suggest you check it out. It's sticky'd at the very top, can't miss it! (Got a Band thread). 99% of the songs I play come from TB bands, as they've given me enough material to cover my show for a week (we didn't start broadcasting yet, mind you). After that, I'm hoping to get input from other TBers, as well as people here at Riddle to see what other music I can unearth, as I know at least 1/2 of my hallway has some underground bands they like.

Ray

[The Golden Boy]

Ray, how big is your station?

There's a college by our house that is 10w. That's not a typo. It's by far the best radio station around here, and it's great because some corporation isn't controlling the playlists. Bad thing is it's got maybe a mile radius, fortunately I'm like 5 blocks away.

[Josh Ryan]

USA has Lamb of God.

[Selta]

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

Ray, how big is your station?

There's a college by our house that is 10w. That's not a typo. It's by far the best radio station around here, and it's great because some corporation isn't controlling the playlists. Bad thing is it's got maybe a mile radius, fortunately I'm like 5 blocks away.

We just re did the entire station, and I *think* that we're around 75W total now. That's what I've heard anyway. Last year we were 25, and they said they upped it "signifigantly". Mostly right now I don't do the on-air stuff, as far as I know I'll be doing the live shows and such, with saturday late night spot on air. Since I'm a freshmen I don't have much standing, but I figure one show a week is at least a start.


Ray

[karrot-x]

Lamb of God ... Mastodon .... Killswitch Engage ... Dillinger Escape Plan ... As I Lay Dying

"Pure American Metal " is right up there if not better then European metal....but Europes got Meshuggah which is worth 4 of those bands mentioned

[Matt Till]

My Lord, Europe slaughters America when it comes to metal. It all started with Iron Maiden and they've been kicking our asses ever since. U.S. gets a few awesome awesome awesome metal bands sprinkled vaugely across the country, but more fantastic bands come from... elsewhere.

[Benjamin Strange]

Originally Posted by Matt Till

My Lord, Europe slaughters America when it comes to metal. It all started with Iron Maiden and they've been kicking our asses ever since. U.S. gets a few awesome awesome awesome metal bands sprinkled vaugely across the country, but more fantastic bands come from... elsewhere.

You could say that of just about any band. The Beatles, Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath, King Crimson, Elton John... Europe pwns us.

[DiG]

imo Europe has a better metal scene, the only American metal band that is currently impressing me is Dream Theater, while in Europe this is much more metal to dig: Led Zeppelin, Children of Bodom, Black Sabbath, Opeth.. etc

also, I dont know if i'd consider Lamb of God metal...

[Squidfinger]

Originally Posted by DiG

also, I dont know if i'd consider Lamb of God metal...

Really? What would you consider them?