To say that new music isn't any good is utter rubbish. Every generation says the same. Your parents said that about 'your' music. To say that music was better when you were young isn't only arrogant, it is also way off the mark.
New sub-genres appear all the time and one of the main reasons that the 80's is remembered so fondly, is that the sound and style of Metal was still something fairly fresh and new. It was almost like sonic dough - pliable and full of potential. Fast forward 30 years and of course things aren't the same.
In fact, I'd say that things are better now. We have so much more choice of what to listen to. Before the appearance of the internet, the bands we were exposed to were those promoted (mainly) by the major record labels through the medium of magazines, MTV, etc and some underground music through tape-trading (a primitive version of file-sharing, younger readers). These days bands have a whole range of options for getting their music out there to the (relative) masses, without much, if any, financial backing. There are more bands, genres and therefore, choice than ever before, so we should be embracing this and looking to the future rather than to a now dim and distant past.
Of course, this doesn't mean that we can't still respect and enjoy what the 80's gave us, but we need to dispel this myth and the attitude that we owe it a debt and start looking to the future and supporting and embracing up and coming bands. Let's face it, the "classic" bands aren't getting younger and if we want Metal to continue, to survive and to grow, we need to start building the fanbase for the huge bands of the future. Without them, we might be looking at a future without the likes of Wacken, Sonisphere, Download, Bloodstock, etc as there just won't be bands with a large enough following to be considered viable headliners. Year after year the same tired old acts are trotted out (Maiden, Metallica, Kiss, etc), but there are very few "new" bands in said bracket (Slipknot aside). If we don't start living in the moment and celebrating the bands we have now, the future of live Metal music may consist of nostalgia bands playing year after year with ever decreasing returns. So, pick up a magazine or get yourself down to your local pub / venue and start supporting the bands of tomorrow.
Fair point hon. Interesting reading! X
ReplyDeleteI agree, although I think I''ve become a lot more picky in what music I latch on to with age...then again some old music might just be good due to the nostalgia googles that comes with age.
ReplyDeleteIt is true my friend , I know many people that are literally stuck to "the golden era" ( although metal was born before that) and are scared to listen to new music. And the thing is that many bands today have the old classic bands as influence.
ReplyDeleteIn my case I do love my old music and I'll always listen to it because it;s priceless .But I do like to give new bands a chance too. I have discovered so many new great bands that have a WOW factor and blows my mind away and that is because I do listen. Many people are listening but they are not really and that is why they don't understand it.
In 20 years from now it will be the same story thou , some people will be skeptical about new sounds and again will be daja vu. It is important to listen to new things indeed because we do grow with the music just like everything else in this world. Well is my opinion.
Anyways honey , very good post. I enjoyed it . Hopefully you get more comments here :)
Gaby xxxxx