Metal Genre Music Discussion - Vol. 4

[Cosumar]

Okay, so, real talk: I'm a bit disappointed by The Great War. Honestly Sabaton's weakest album. It's good, don't get me wrong, but it has like... three great songs. That's it. All the songs were good, but only three were great. That's a pretty low ratio for Sabaton; especially after the last album which was mostly all great songs. The title track itself was even inferior to one of the songs that wasn't even a single (82nd All the Way), as well as to the other two singles (Fields of Verdun & The Red Baron).

I'm a bit shaken, ngl. I've never been disappointed by Sabaton before so this is a first for me. I hope this is just a fluke. I mean, it's not a bad album in general - but by Sabaton standards it is. Here's hoping the next album is infinitely better.

I’m about to listen to it for the first time today, so I can’t say YET whether I agree or not, but give it some time to sink in. It’s always a little different when your very favorite band puts out a new album. Your expectations are inevitably in high-gear, which leads to less favorable first impressions. Seldom does a song become an all-time favorite on the very first listen. Since you’re a true Sabaton fan, I suspect a few more of the songs will grow on you a lot over the coming days/weeks. It was the same for me when Blind Guardian came out with Beyond The Red Mirror. I was crestfallen on the day or two after it came out, but I’m extremely loyal to my favorite band of all-time so I kept listening to it. Before long, something clicked and BTRM quickly became an amazing album to me. Granted, the same might not apply here because Sabaton aren’t nearly the songwriters that Blind Guardian are in my opinion

70% of what I've seen in this thread is either Black or Death so I've absolutely no idea what you're on about. I'm literally the only one here who posts Power on a regular basis, with the occasional contributions from others being few and far between.

Hey now chief, I rep the power metal stuff too. I just don't post as fervently as you do.

And then there’s me, representing the even rarer open-minded few who love both the cheesiest of fantastical power metal and the grimiest of unholy extreme metal.

I guess I’m the bridge, the keeper of the balance that Hurd speaks of

[Impaled Nazarene]

More like we already get more than our fair share of swordwielding power metal in this thread. It is important to keep a certain balance, so that the whole delicate structure doesn't collapse violently.

70% of what I've seen in this thread is either Black or Death so I've absolutely no idea what you're on about. I'm literally the only one here who posts Power on a regular basis, with the occasional contributions from others being few and far between.

Because those genres are the best.

[Hurdergaryp]

70% of what I've seen in this thread is either Black or Death so I've absolutely no idea what you're on about. I'm literally the only one here who posts Power on a regular basis, with the occasional contributions from others being few and far between.

Because those genres are the best.

Thrash tends to be mentioned regularly as well. We could use more industrial metal, perhaps.

[Cosumar]

70% of what I've seen in this thread is either Black or Death so I've absolutely no idea what you're on about. I'm literally the only one here who posts Power on a regular basis, with the occasional contributions from others being few and far between.

Because those genres are the best.

You could certainly make an objective argument that they’re the most diverse or most creative or most powerful subgenres at peak effectiveness, but I’d shy away from the word “best”. Someone may not like those aspects of music (some people prioritize catchy melodies more, or lyrics, etc.) and then it wouldn’t be “best” for them.

[Impaled Nazarene]

Because those genres are the best.

You could certainly make an objective argument that they’re the most diverse or most creative or most powerful at peak effectiveness, but I’d shy away from the word “best”. Someone may not like those aspects of music (some people prioritize catchy melodies more, or lyrics, etc.) and then it wouldn’t be “best” for them.

power metal is only combined with folk metal. Death and Black are combined with everything.

[Andsed]

You could certainly make an objective argument that they’re the most diverse or most creative or most powerful at peak effectiveness, but I’d shy away from the word “best”. Someone may not like those aspects of music (some people prioritize catchy melodies more, or lyrics, etc.) and then it wouldn’t be “best” for them.

power metal is only combined with folk metal. Death and Black are combined with everything.

That does not mean that it is the best though. And besides there is no “best” genre. Only genres you like more than others. It is completely subjective.

[Cosumar]

You could certainly make an objective argument that they’re the most diverse or most creative or most powerful at peak effectiveness, but I’d shy away from the word “best”. Someone may not like those aspects of music (some people prioritize catchy melodies more, or lyrics, etc.) and then it wouldn’t be “best” for them.

power metal is only combined with folk metal. Death and Black are combined with everything.

True, black and death metal are very versatile. That’s part of what I love about them.

Power Metal tends to be a bit more of a self-contained universe. But not always. Power Metal has been combined with Melodic Death Metal quite often (Scar Symmetry, for example), as well as Thrash (Persuader, Iced Earth, Helstar) and even Black Metal (Satan’s Host). I’ve even seen someone argue Candlemass is Power-Doom Metal

[Cosumar]

power metal is only combined with folk metal. Death and Black are combined with everything.

That does not mean that it is the best though. And besides there is no “best” genre. Only genres you like more than others. It is completely subjective.

I think it’s both. Taste is subjective but I think some music is also objectively superior to others. Like, Dream Theater is objectively better than my kid neighbor’s shitty garage band.

[Andsed]

That does not mean that it is the best though. And besides there is no “best” genre. Only genres you like more than others. It is completely subjective.

I think it’s both. Taste is subjective but I think some music is also objectively superior to others. Like, Dream Theater is objectively better than my kid neighbor’s shitty garage band.

Sure but when discussing genres it is completely subjective since each genre has good and bad bands so it really depends on your preference.

[Cosumar]

I think it’s both. Taste is subjective but I think some music is also objectively superior to others. Like, Dream Theater is objectively better than my kid neighbor’s shitty garage band.

Sure but when discussing genres it is completely subjective since each genre has good and bad bands so it really depends on your preference.

Well, you could logically follow from there that some genres have a lot more of the good examples than others.

I would consider arguing that overall, Progressive Metal, for example, is objectively superior as an art form to much of the auto-tuned hedonistic garbage dance club music you hear

[Andsed]

Sure but when discussing genres it is completely subjective since each genre has good and bad bands so it really depends on your preference.

Well, you could logically follow from there that some genres have a lot more of the good examples than others.

I would consider arguing that overall, Progressive Metal, for example, is objectively superior as an art form to much of the auto-tuned hedonistic garbage dance club music you hear

Fair enough. I still think it is a little arrogant to go around saying that your taste are objectively right but that is neither here or there.

[Cosumar]

Well, you could logically follow from there that some genres have a lot more of the good examples than others.

I would consider arguing that overall, Progressive Metal, for example, is objectively superior as an art form to much of the auto-tuned hedonistic garbage dance club music you hear

Fair enough. I still think it is a little arrogant to go around saying that your taste are objectively right but that is neither here or there.

Yeah I agree with you. I was just playing Devil’s advocate

I don’t think music is 100% subjective. There’s at least some objectivity in regards to quality and genuinity. But as with any art, it’s definitely more subjective than it is objective. It eventually comes to a point where people find beauty/enjoyment in different ways. Especially in the context of this discussion about metal sub-genres

[Hurdergaryp]

power metal is only combined with folk metal. Death and Black are combined with everything.

True, black and death metal are very versatile. That’s part of what I love about them.

Power Metal tends to be a bit more of a self-contained universe. But not always. Power Metal has been combined with Melodic Death Metal quite often (Scar Symmetry, for example), as well as Thrash (Persuader, Iced Earth, Helstar) and even Black Metal (Satan’s Host). I’ve even seen someone argue Candlemass is Power-Doom Metal

That someone must have been quite young, because Candlemass is pretty much what you get when Iron Maiden would have started playing doom metal. Not a bad thing in itself, but the Iron Maiden influence in the sound of Candlemass is clearly a classic heavy metal one. And as far as I understand, power metal is supposed to be not exactly the same as late seventies/early eighties heavy metal.

[Soviet Haaregrad]

Not only am I back, I got bars like the entertainment district.

Hey, another Metal Thread OG! Welcome back, my Soviet friend!

I miss your beautiful flag though.

I'll get it uploaded once I find it again. I've been really focused on working on music recently.

Power Metal is by it's nature hot shit; it wouldn't be Power Metal if it wasn't. I have yet to hear a Power Metal song I didn't like.

The freshest, most foully fragrant turds tend to be hot.
Personally if I was stuck on an island with either a power metal CD or a trap music CD, I'd be more likely to consider listening to the trap one, and I can't stand trap music.

[The Imperial Reach]

You could certainly make an objective argument that they’re the most diverse or most creative or most powerful at peak effectiveness, but I’d shy away from the word “best”. Someone may not like those aspects of music (some people prioritize catchy melodies more, or lyrics, etc.) and then it wouldn’t be “best” for them.

power metal is only combined with folk metal. Death and Black are combined with everything.

Power Metal doesn't need to be combined with anything. It's pure A-grade awesomesauce on it's lonesome.

Personally if I was stuck on an island with either a power metal CD or a trap music CD, I'd be more likely to consider listening to the trap one, and I can't stand trap music.

Sorry, I didn't realize I was taking How to Destroy All Your credibility With a Single Sentence 101 classes.

[Soviet Haaregrad]

Personally if I was stuck on an island with either a power metal CD or a trap music CD, I'd be more likely to consider listening to the trap one, and I can't stand trap music.

Sorry, I didn't realize I was taking How to Destroy All Your credibility With a Single Sentence 101 classes.

I'm sorry, power metal isn't to my tastes. I can't stand generic tripe, but as far as generic tripe goes trap is at least tolerable in small doses.

[Impaled Nazarene]

power metal is only combined with folk metal. Death and Black are combined with everything.

Power Metal doesn't need to be combined with anything. It's pure A-grade awesomesauce on it's lonesome.

Personally if I was stuck on an island with either a power metal CD or a trap music CD, I'd be more likely to consider listening to the trap one, and I can't stand trap music.

Sorry, I didn't realize I was taking How to Destroy All Your credibility With a Single Sentence 101 classes.

That moment when reach is trying to talk shit on the most respected person in this thread's history.

[Andsed]

Fair enough. I still think it is a little arrogant to go around saying that your taste are objectively right but that is neither here or there.

Yeah I agree with you. I was just playing Devil’s advocate

I don’t think music is 100% subjective. There’s at least some objectivity in regards to quality and genuinity. But as with any art, it’s definitely more subjective than it is objective. It eventually comes to a point where people find beauty/enjoyment in different ways. Especially in the context of this discussion about metal sub-genres

Yeah I agree with that. I honestly think this is a better viewpoint than the one I had coming into this discussion.



And speaking of opinions I actually really enjoyed The Great War. I mean I am a Sabaton fanboy so I am biased as hell but I felt like most of the songs were good and I think The Attack of The Dead Men is my new favorite song. I really did not dislike any of the songs in the album and I felt like most of the songs were of pretty enjoyable and were on par with older Sabaton songs.

[Soviet Haaregrad]

Power Metal doesn't need to be combined with anything. It's pure A-grade awesomesauce on it's lonesome.



Sorry, I didn't realize I was taking How to Destroy All Your credibility With a Single Sentence 101 classes.

That moment when reach is trying to talk shit on the most respected person in this thread's history.

Suddenly this clip seems relevant:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q49TBRP6ddU

[The Imperial Reach]

Power Metal doesn't need to be combined with anything. It's pure A-grade awesomesauce on it's lonesome.



Sorry, I didn't realize I was taking How to Destroy All Your credibility With a Single Sentence 101 classes.

That moment when reach is trying to talk shit on the most respected person in this thread's history.

If you can find respect for someone who says something like this:

Sorry, I didn't realize I was taking How to Destroy All Your credibility With a Single Sentence 101 classes.

I'm sorry, power metal isn't to my tastes. I can't stand generic tripe, but as far as generic tripe goes trap is at least tolerable in small doses.

Then that says more about you than anything else.

Tone down the bootlicking, Naz. It doesn't look good on you.

[Esheaun Stroakuss]

I've been into metal for about 8 months now. Love it. It's one of my favourite genres at the moment. My favourites in no order are:

Black Sabbath (fav album Master of Reality)
Bathory (fav album Under the Sign of the Black Mark)
Darkthrone (fav album A Blaze in the Northern Sky)
Iron Maiden (fav album Powerslave)
Judas Priest (fav album Screaming for Vengeance)
Death (fav album Symbolic)
Slayer (fav album South of Heaven)
Metallica (fav album Master of Puppets)
Morbid Angel (fav album Covenant)
Autopsy (fav album Mental Funeral)
Sacramentum (fav album Far Away from the Sun)
Motorhead (fav album Ace of Spades)
Cannibal Corpse (fav album Tomb of the Mutilated)
Voivod (fav album Dimension Hatross)

The ones I have been listening to the most at the moment are both Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. So awesome. Love the dual guitar work on before and the vocals are an acquired taste, one which took me ages to get. In fact, it took me months to even like The Number of the Beast and Sad Wings of Destiny respectively.

[Cosumar]

Under the Sign of the Black Mark
A Blaze in the Northern Sky
Powerslave
Symbolic
Mental Funeral
Far Away from the Sun

We are going to get along very, very, VERY well \m/
Welcome brother! (Or sister.)
That's an impressive array of favorites for having only been listening to metal for 8 months. What started you on your journey?

If you can find respect for someone who says something like this:

I'm sorry, power metal isn't to my tastes. I can't stand generic tripe, but as far as generic tripe goes trap is at least tolerable in small doses.

Then that says more about you than anything else.

I respect Soviet because he's generally a cool dude with good taste in music aside from thinking he's too cool for all power metal

That said, anyone who calls Blind Guardian generic tripe will at least get a virtual dirty look from me...

[Esheaun Stroakuss]

Under the Sign of the Black Mark
A Blaze in the Northern Sky
Powerslave
Symbolic
Mental Funeral
Far Away from the Sun

We are going to get along very, very, VERY well \m/
Welcome brother! (Or sister.)
That's an impressive array of favorites for having only been listening to metal for 8 months. What started you on your journey?

First of all, thank you. And I am a brother.

Honestly, my dad is a huge metalhead. Has been for years. He sent me a list of his favourite albums in the genre and split them into their sub-genres. The very first band in the style I listened to was Black Sabbath. The first song was the self-titled one, with the tritone riffs, doomy bells and melodramatic vocals from Ozzy Osbourne. I was sold on it right away.

[Hurdergaryp]

If you can find respect for someone who says something like this:

Then that says more about you than anything else.

I respect Soviet because he's generally a cool dude with good taste in music aside from thinking he's too cool for all power metal

That said, anyone who calls Blind Guardian generic tripe will at least get a virtual dirty look from me...

Now that's quite the veteran band you're mentioning there. Many of the more recently established bands tend to recycle without actually adding something of their own to their music, so calling those acts generic is not entirely reasonable.

[Esheaun Stroakuss]

Interestingly enough, it's cleared up a lot of misconceptions I already knew were bullshit. The whole Satan thing is only really there for shock value, and even though black metal is an entire sub-genre dedicated to it, it mostly discusses paganism & retreating into the forest. Also, a lot of metal bands - Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, even fucking Slayer - have Christian members in them who use the idea of Satan and temptation to force us to confront our own humanity. Honestly, most of Slayer's output is about how evil is awful; it's just through the POV of the bad guy, a la Angel of Death.