What's wrong with mainstream metal?

[BurningMan]

I take a lot of crap from my fellow metalheads when they ask we what bands I like. I most often hear: "Oh. That's all mainstream crap." They act like no true metalhead should listen to mainstream metal. I am a true metalhead, and I listen to underground and uncommon metal just as much. But what is it that makes mainstream so bad?

 

[Gelp]

Because it's all noise and no soul
Edit: sorry I thought you were talking about new generation of metal.
My bad.

 

[Jamash]

The fact it's called "Metal".

If it was labelled correctly, called "Hard Pop" or "Cringecore", then it wouldn't garner as much hate from Metalheads.

Also it just sounds absolutely dire. It like someone's taken the old, inaccurate stereotype that metal is just unmelodious, out of tune guitars, with growling & screaming, and actually made music out of it to make a quick buck.

It's just a dire, lowest common denominator, bad stereotype made flesh.

 

[ace_of_something]

nothing.

Music is art

Art is based on opinion there is no fact.

 

[SeniorDingDong]

The "argument" is that mainstream bands sacrifized their "art" to please as much possible listeners as possible. Their music got washed out for the masses, thats because they are so famous and more sucsessfull.

On the other side, the underground bands stayed "true" to their visions and prefer unchanged art and expressing over making money.

Thats the "logic" behind it.

 

[Rusty Bucket]

That would depend entirely on what bands you're on about.

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

Think of it like this, all mainstream bands used to be underground. They'll feel like you and be called out on being a true metalhead in five or so years. What are some examples of the underground these days, anyway? I remember when Muse was underground.

EDIT: Red Hot Chili Peppers actually played in my hometown all the time before they became famous. I think they actually lived here for a few months.

 

[curlycrouton]

nothing.

Music is art

Art is based on opinion there is no fact.

This, pretty much.

 

[thiosk]

its not iron maiden, thats the problem

 

[Spartan Bannana]

I don't know

Wow, way to contribute.

Anyway, I don't like songs that are basically just: "AHHHHNHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAH" For 5 minutes, so I listen to alternative metal, still has all the riffs and beats that I like, but without a psychopath screaming into a mic and in their place someone singing meaninful lyrics.

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

I know this is setting off a mine but for us non-metal fans, although I do like Masterplan(are they Metal?), can we get some clarification or examples on what would be Metal and Mainstream Metal for this discussion?

Something interesting about what you said is you don't know if Masterplan counts as Metal. Ever since its formation there's never been a true basis for what metal REALLY is. We just know if something is metal or isn't.

 

[dangerousdave_42]

I say listen to what you will trust me just because other people don't appreciate your bands does not mean they are not good if you enjoy them then I say carry on and be happy

 

[wewontdie11]

It may not be my music of choice all the time, but mainstream metal usually becomes mainstream in the first place because it's pretty good and people like it. And as mentioned by ace_of_something, music is a kind of art which is always subject to opinion.

One of my friends who is of the school of thought that the more obscure a band is, the better, sent me this - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvsq6_8Hzo8 because he thought it was awesome and was proud that he discovered this little known band. Strange man.

 

[Dechef]

The fact it's called "Metal".

If it was labelled correctly, called "Hard Pop" or "Cringecore", then it wouldn't garner as much hate from Metalheads.

Also it just sounds absolutely dire. It like someone's taken the old, inaccurate stereotype that metal is just unmelodious, out of tune guitars, with growling & screaming, and actually made music out of it to make a quick buck.

It's just a dire, lowest common denominator, bad stereotype made flesh.

And that sums it up pretty nicely.
It's just that mainstream metal isn't actually metal.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

There's actually a very simple answer to your question. Some people are elitist and like to look down their nose at others.

You listen to whatever you like, and don't let musical snobbery change your opinions.

 

[Arsen]

Because it can appeal to anybody, which is not what metal is about. It's supposed to be a rare artform for those who have the insight to understand the intelligence, artistic notion, and emotional side which makes metal metal...

I have to admit it, many American Nu Metal bands stole the label of metal because they did the following things:

A. Make loud music.
B. Semi growling (Slipknot, KoRn, etc)
C. Have a moronic fanbase.

Bands SUCH AS KORN took the harsh vocal styles without crediting bands such as Death. In the eyes of the majority the most famous band IS the band who has made it and metal can't reach that level because people have generalized the sound and mentality behind it as music for "angry, loud, fat, drunken idiots".

That is my say on the whole "mainstream metal" argument. Mainly it's about the modern bands. Trivium, A7F, Slipknot, etc... who haven't truly done anything innovative and are only famous because they created a sound that those who DIDN'T EVEN LIKE METAL previously can get into. It wasn't for that crowd unless they can hack the real thing.

 

[Fronken]

The fact it's called "Metal".

If it was labelled correctly, called "Hard Pop" or "Cringecore", then it wouldn't garner as much hate from Metalheads.

Also it just sounds absolutely dire. It like someone's taken the old, inaccurate stereotype that metal is just unmelodious, out of tune guitars, with growling & screaming, and actually made music out of it to make a quick buck.

It's just a dire, lowest common denominator, bad stereotype made flesh.

And that sums it up pretty nicely.
It's just that mainstream metal isn't actually metal.

are you serious?, why wouldn't mainstream metal be metal?, there has always been a fanbase for metal groups, and as the internet grows and more and more people start to use it, its only natural that people find more bands they like, and some bands fit alot of peoples taste, that doesnt mean its not metal music...

Face facts: All That Remains is just as much metal as Misericordiam is, only difference is their sub genre, one's metalcore, others deathcore, they are both metal, and the fact that almost everyone knows about All That Remains yet not alot of people know about Misericordiam doesnt change what sort of music they play.

(and dont call me out on my examples, i just picked 2 bands at random from my playlist.)

 

[Arsen]

Classic Metal
Power Metal
Thrash Metal
Speed Metal
Death Metal
Black Metal
Viking Metal
Melodic [insert genre here] Metal
...

If it can't fit into any of those categories, or what was inspired by those categories...it ISN'T metal. It's made to sell.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

i think because most of the songs sound the same, this doesn't include a specific hook or playing style. when bands become popular they do one of two things and it really depends on how good of a band they are, ie talent wise, they either say "screw you producer we're doing our own shit" or they say "yes sir mr producer we'll make another song like that big hit we had so we can all make more money". now the good bands they pick option one and they either fall flat the second album or become even more popular. the bad bands take option number 2 and you get 178904739214780 albums released by them and they all sound the same much like nickelback

now most bands that take option 2 are considered sellouts because they sold out to greed and money and the record label. fans get mad because they wanted the band to "stick it to the man" and pick option 1. i do find it annoying to listen to a band and then once they "make it big" they decide to release all the same crap over and over

 

[Dechef]

The fact it's called "Metal".

If it was labelled correctly, called "Hard Pop" or "Cringecore", then it wouldn't garner as much hate from Metalheads.

Also it just sounds absolutely dire. It like someone's taken the old, inaccurate stereotype that metal is just unmelodious, out of tune guitars, with growling & screaming, and actually made music out of it to make a quick buck.

It's just a dire, lowest common denominator, bad stereotype made flesh.

And that sums it up pretty nicely.
It's just that mainstream metal isn't actually metal.

snip

Well that's the problem with the word mainstream, it's very wide, I was specifically talking about those bands that claim to be metal when they're more hard/alternative rock.