About The Site
The Story behind the Project
I’ve been in a lot of arguments over the years about metal, specifically about elitism among metal fans. I hate elitism as much as the next person, but in a recent argument, I was being accused of it. So I thought, “Wait, am i?” I recounted all the times people had recommended bands to me and I’d reply “Thanks! I’ll try them out!”, having no real intention of doing so as the guy giving the recommendation was sporting a Bullet for my Valentine shirt.
So I began to wonder if I really knew what I was talking about when it came to what “good” or “bad” metal is. I realized that although I know what the genres are, I’m a bit fuzzy about why bands fit the genre they were placed in, and how to place a band in a genre without any help from websites or know-it-alls. I can tell you a band is good, but I can’t tell you why it’s good.
I decided that I can’t be an elitist until I’ve heard everything. So this blog is my personal quest to listen to every band listed on the Metal Archives. And to record my thoughts and opinions along the way. Of course, this is basically an impossible undertaking, to do so would require listening to one band a day for 202 years, or 10 bands a day for 20 years. To do it before I’m 30 would require listening to and forming opinions on 50 bands per day, which is basically impossible given my work schedule. But, such as it is, I will continue until I’m satisfied with what I’ve done.
Flaws in the Experiment
There are a few reasons why evaluating the bands in the manner I’ve chosen is not the best option. In the interests of time (as in, I work 40-60 hrs a week), I have decided to review a few songs from each band from their myspace, Website, iTunes, or somewhere else. As a result, bands with epic concept albums, or bands that tend to change their sound and even their genre between albums (which is common with bands experimenting with different sounds) are going to get shortchanged. This sucks, but I don’t have enough time or money to listen to each bands individual discography. I just trust that the stuff they make available for download is the best stuff to get started on.
Also, I am fully aware that some bands are better live. For example, I love Cannibal Corpse. I have seen them live 9 times. I don’t listen to Cannibal Corpse at home. For me, they need a big crowd, a big amp and beer. I understand this phenomenon, and as a result, some unfair conclusions are gonna be made. This sucks.
Music is Subjective
Ok, there’s been a lot of debate about this, but I truly believe that since you are a unique snowflake with different experiences colouring how you see the world, music is a subjective thing. Listening to 74,000 bands likely isn’t going to change the fact that I prefer good production values over shitty ones, great guitar work over simple power chords, A good controlled screamer over a grunter, and so on. We’re bound to disagree at some point. On the same token, I do not claim to be an authority on what’s good or bad. In fact, that’s the reason I started this blog; to learn more, to understand more about why I’m drawn to some music styles over others.
As a result I’m not sure, at this time, what this blog offers in its earliest incarnation to a reader, besides the opportunity to see how our tastes compare, or to get ideas for new stuff to listen to. This is a personal blog, not a review site, though clumsy, non-authoritative reviewing is basically what I’m doing here. It’s a project spawned out my love for metal and my need for self improvement. I hope as a reader you can forgive me for thinking your beloved favourite band is crap.
- May 13th, 2010
