As someone who absolutely loves 80s metal I'm glad that theres still 80s revival bands like Fortress, Riot City, Antioch, Skull Fist, Air Raid etc. playing the same old 80s style with a modern touch
I love the NWOTHM movement, although I wish some of those bands were a little more innovative. The classic heavy metal formula is great but bands shouldn't be afraid to reinvent themselves whilst staying true to the trad metal roots. I like that Striker is taking risks with some of their more recent material. Their last single had bongos and funk syncopation beneath soaring power metal leads. I'd love to see trad bands take on a jazz or funk influence. I think it would make for some incredibly underrated music.
The quality of canned beans has undoubtedly declined in recent years. The bean farmers of rural Appalachia and Tibet (just to name some of the big bean farming regions) have started to put quantity over quality. The days of the boutique bean shop have passed and we are now being fed mass market garbanzos and corporate pintos instead of the humble beans of the past. It’s a sad time to live in but Serious Bean Co. is working to change that!
Probably worse because I'm pretty sure they reduced the sugar/salt content. Which is kinda good for health but no so much for that beany tasty goodness.
Completely agree here. I love both eras, mainly because my dad got me into all the old school bands before I got into modern acts. It actually goes both ways. My dad is WAY into modern metal that I introduced him to.
Yep I'm only 25 and I have a really hard time getting into the new sound. I listen to everything from Black Sabbath, to early Skyclad, Sodom, Fates Warning the list goes on for classic metal but maybe enjoy 20 albums after 2000.
Modern metal is shit because it has been redditified. You only have to look at the skinny-fat nu-males and feminists that are modern metalheads to understand why the genre is such a joke and why there is no creative spirit. Metal was originally daring and hyper-masculine, now it is risk-averse and utterly emasculated. Pure reddit cringe.
I’m in the middle tbf. I love both classic and modern. The only problem I have with modern stuff is the genre is over saturated with metalcore which does sound extremely same-y.
Yep and the constant down tuning to low fucking chug shit is not my taste at all. It just takes over the bass side of things and leaves less room for bass guitar in the mix, just making it sound like bean fuelled shit. Classic metal all the way for me
It’s like a spectrum, going from the classic era to the modern era. Classic can be represented as yellow, whilst modern can be represented as green. I’m the type of person who most likes and fits in with the yellow to lime green era, and some green stuff as well. I’m more of an oldie for sure, but it’s not impossible for me to adore more recent stuff. Anyways, I’ll have to get back to
That's a very linear way to look at it, as if metal has always been this one thing that was once yellow and since turned green. Instead, I would think it makes more sense to see metal like a tree, with one single trunk that has since diverged into countless different branches. Some branches I really like, other branches I could do without. And any comparison of "which is better?" really doesn't make sense anymore, because which of the hundred branches is the "modern metal" you're comparing the "classic metal" to?
@@frankvandorp2059 Fair point honestly. I mean, time is linear, and time obviously has an effect on metal, but yeah, the linear spectrum I spoke of really doesn’t account for all the outgrown branches much.
I'd say most of the criticisms about modern metal really only apply to the superficial normie bands. Go deeper than Ax7 and Jinjr and you'll find the heritage of classic metal is alive and well. It's thriving even. I'd say we're in something of a new golden age. In twenty years, bands like Power Trip, Tomb Mold, Black Braid, and Bell Witch will become mythic names just as much as Slayer or Priest ever were.
I like classic metal more but I’m not really much of a metal head anyway. But by god, this is way too accurate. When you talked about rock star personalities, I could instantly hear in my mind “despite his talent, Ritchie Blackmore was a miserable git” from your “best and worst things about these bands” video
As a zoomer, I started with the modern stuff but eventually returned to monke with the 80s trad/US power metal. The vibes are there. Not really into edgy music anymore but I can respect what the modern djent/core/etc bands are doing. I wish neo-traditional bands would innovate a touch more; I feel like it would really push that subgenre forward.
Finally, someone else that mentions US Power Metal. There's so many incredible bands/Albums in the genre, yet it seems to get overlooked for some reason. Way better than the European Power Metal. Any particular favourite bands/Albums? I can see what you mean by the lack of innovation with neo- traditional bands. However, I think that was kind of the idea- getting away from the need to constantly innovate and getting back to just making the ol' Metal that we love. Of course, some bands took the 'trad' worship a bit too far and just ended up sounding like generic rip- offs. But then there are also those who still sounded awesome and genuine. And there are still somewhat innovative bands within that space too. Lazarus AD did a great job fusing old school thrash with a more modern 'NWOAHM' sound. Steelwings last album was definitely one of the more unique 'trad' albums. In Solitudes last album was a weird fusion of trad Metal with like Joy Division or some shit. Enforcers latest album is like if ABBA were a NWOBHM band. And then theres Vektor.
Modern metal music being quantized and normalized is the reason I hate it. Somehow it just doesn't stay in the head. Goes into one ear and goes out of the other, as they say. Agree with Marty Friedman who blames modern American music for being perfected to inhuman level and praises the Japanese concept of heta-uma, "a voice that is not so good, but has a magic to it that is far more attractive than pristine vocal technique" or just "bad but good"
People just don't know where to listen to modern metal, there are so many godly bands out there: Kingdom of Giants, Twelve Foot Ninja, The Ocean, Whitechapel, Trivium, TesseracT, etc. The classics will be always the classics tho, both parts are good but you gotta put your sight in future metal and how to improve it
Totally agree, and I think what’s important too is with those old classic rock stars and there wild antics, they brought a sense of danger to their music. With modern, it’s technical and clinical but there is very little danger as everyone is so safe these days, so the music suffers for it, metal is supposed to feel like it’s literally on the edge of crazy
Very true. Its the same thing with Pro Wrestling too. Back in the day they were living the life of rockstars, doing shit loads of steroids and coke. Now they are skinny nerds that just play video games 😂
Absolutely right and it's more than just 1 or 2 of them. It's also been a very long time since they've talked about rocking out on the radio and living to rock and rocking to live And that's because they don't period End of report. Tell me when the last time that That 1 guitar just Blew them away and so they started rocking and singing about the bands that inspired them or even talking about Them.
@@dougmasters4561 Good to know, I heard it here for the first time tho.. good to say that perfection lies in imperfection thats why I love "disgusting" music as they like to say
Agreed but in the eighties, if you put on a blindfold and just randomly picked a metal cassette youd have a far greater chance of it being good and interesting than if you did that today
I started off with oldschool 80s metal and it will always have a special place in my heart bcs of that, but since I'm part of a younger generation Ive recently been feeling somehow more connected to modern metal, because... I mean... at least I'm ALIVE in this era of music lol
The ultimate proof is the test of time and i honestly doubt moat modern bands, as technically more advanced they may be, will still be talked about in 50years... the over the top lifestyles were more than just antics. It showed that these people lived, had fun and went through struggles, which in turn, reflected in the music. Whos gonna know who henson and polyphia in 50 years? Most people have no idea who they are now. But ask anyone about Ozzy, Hetfield, Mustaine and the lot and there are few that have never heard of them. Music stands the test of time when it carries the musicians heart and emotions with it. Most moderm musicians are more concerned in making a product, or a proof of challenge.
I'm a more modern metal fan, but I can still love and respect the classic metal. I'm glad you mentioned Poppy because I love her genre bending. I honestly think you hit the nail on the head with the pros and cons for each eras of metal. My favourite band lately is Nekrogoblikon, their last album was my favourite album of the year
I saw Nekrogoblikon live a couple of years back, together with Gloryhammer and Wind Rose. I don't think anyone who went to that concert would say that modern metal doesn't "have enough fun".
@@frankvandorp2059 It's sad that poppy and ghostename never did a real collab when they were together, I loved ghostemanes Anti Icon and she did some good metal genre mix stuff too
TBH genre-bending has always been around in metal: whether it was thrash blending punk with metal, or bands like Sabbat (blackened thrash), Skyclad (folk thrash), Paradise Lost (gothic metal, as well as their more controversial electronic period), Anthrax (rap metal), Therion (symphonic metal), Dub War (reggae metal), Senser (?!?) and more besides...
Your 'what you don't like about. modern metal..' list for a large part explains why I love Babymetal. They play metal and they actually make me smile, all the while playing sick riffs and demonstrating top class song writing. Ignore the last album, which is a bit drab. Mind you, I love the last A7X album to bits as well, so happy happy joy joy isn't always on the top of my list.
Worse if you choose what people call "modern metal" but if your idea of modern metal is just any new band then no. There's always more or less real metal carrying the sound of older bands with some really interesting takes on the subgenres.
Pretty much agree on everything. I just can't get into the new wave of (imo) overcomplicated metal like Polyphia or Animals As Leaders. I don't mind me some new metal and rock stuff like Asomvel, Fortress, Mammoth and even some of Poppy's shit is good too. Still my respect to them because I don't even have 0.00000001% of the skill that Henson or Abasi have.
I agree with a lot of what you said here. I’m in my early 20's and I listen to mostly "classic" metal, I feel like it's what made me different than some of my friends who are mostly listening to the newer bands. Although I am expanding my tastes onto the more modern metal bands and songs, my issue with it however is that a lot of it just feels too mechanical and boxed in. Now sometimes it can sound good, but I feel like too many bands are trying to accomplish the same thing. Often times it makes me think “all of these bands sound the same.” What I like about the older stuff is the aforementioned "organic" feel when bands would all play together naturally without the reliance of a click track and still worked with imperfections which sometimes would bring out the best in the song. Plus the imperfections in both performance/mixing bring the out the raw emotion. The rawness of it made it feel more 'real' if that makes sense. I honestly wish more newer bands would take more chances with how they execute their performance and mixing. I think fans of older and newer can find something good out of both eras.
Not better NOR worse. Different. Classic, good metal is usually less technical (or difficult) to play with a murky, but atmospheric production and the songs are memorable and are open to a larger public. Modern, good metal is usually more technical and has arguably cleaner, clearer production where you can truly hear each detail (unless we talk about St Anger-type shit), but since the best easily-recognizable riffs and ideas have been already used, are either mimicking earlier stuff or are fairly complicated. Which causes their fanbase to splinter and divide. So, old metal appeals to my heart more, but modern metal appeals to my brain. Bad or mediocre metal doesn’t appeal to anyone - whether it be old or new.
Pretty spot on with this and I agree with most of your points. For me personally, I love it when a more modern band is able to blend a clean sounding mix with the some of the rawness that you would hear on earlier records. It still keeps that human feel to the performance without sounding dated as hell. A good example of this is Insomnium's latest album Anno 1696. There's definitely a polish to the overall mix, but you can still tell that the instruments were actually recorded in the studio. Sure, there might be a touch of triggers/sampling on the bass drum or quantization here and there, but the overall band performance on that album still feels natural. I understand that programming drums or other instruments on a computer is cheaper than going to actual to studio to track the instruments. But sometimes, I can't help but turn off a new album if the mixing is so cleaned up and polished to where it feels like no real instruments were actually recorded (especially when you record live drums, but then just slap a ton samples on the performance to the point where it doesn't feel real anymore). Point is, there's great things about both the classic and modern era of metal. You just have to find bands that can effectively use old and new recording tactics to their advantage while obviously writing great songs along with it.
Classic heavy, thrash and power are still the best, it has something special. But, if you take classic sound and modern sound together you will get LOVEBITES... BAD ASS! I have never been more impressed by any metal band EVER. These girls are PURE GOLD.
You mentioned it wasn't fun anymore. Do you think we need an infusion of "Nu Glam Metal"? Do you think we need to bring back bands that sound like Poison, Warrant, etc.?
There are a lot of fun metal genres. Power metal and folk metal, as well as modern bands making more traditional heavy metal, are often quite upbeat and happy, and write songs about beer and having fun.
@@frankvandorp2059 Can you give me some examples of some really fun ones? I have to admit, I'm a little lost here. All I can think of is Steel Panther and Wig Wam with their Peacemaker theme song "Do you Wanna Taste It", which was actually from 2010. Airbourne debut album was pretty good too.
@@warriorneedsfoodbadly Alestorm, Gloryhammer, Wind Rose, Burning Witches, Ensiferum, Powerwolf, Twilight Force, Warkings. And those are just the fun folk/power metal bands I saw over the past two weeks when I was at Wacken and then Alcatraz. There are a lot more.
I've liked both ever since I became a metalhead as a teenager. Love Dio, just saw Judas Priest last fall and Helloween a few months back, but I'm pumped to see Blackbraid and some other black metal bands in the months to come.
My god, this is so well-balanced and spherical! I find myself agreeable on all the points you've posed, and you phrased them so accurately. Loved it! I'd also add that it's a matter of age as well. Tastes are formulated during people's crucial 15-25 years of age. Being born in 1979 I find myself more keen on the music of my age, irrespective of all the factors you pointed. However, it is true that all the pros of the past are the cons of the present and vice versa!
If you don't like today's metal/rock music, you're listening to the wrong stuff. Try listening to Japanese rock and metal music. You're in for a big surprise.
Showing the cover for Human while talking about bad production is a crime! Leprosy or Spiritual Healing would make sense, but I always thought Human was a turning point for Death production wise and it only continued to improve from then on. With that moan fest over, great vid as always Bradley! 💪🏻
Both are good. It's the recording and mixing/mastering that also creates the sound. If a early Iron Maiden recorded today, the e would sound completely different.
Well most of those points are very fair However a lot of those oldschool songs don't have such terrible mixes (although they're much better these days) and the looks, well who cares it's about the music anyway And it just feels like modern metal bands are just in a competition to be the heaviest and tune the lowest which comes at the cost of songwriting imo Besides, I just like the style of the oldschool subgenres Thanks to the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal for bringing back the oldschool sound in modern sound quality
Old metal all the way. There’s some good newer metal but in my opinion, most of it is generic, boring, and compressed to the point that the guitar and drums are flatter than Kate Moss. Seriously, listen to Anthrax’s “Worship Music” and Death Angel’s “Humanicide” and tell me that the guitar tones on those albums don’t lack the badass texture and grit found on “Persistence Of Time” and “Act III” respectively.
I like the classic metal more, just because it seems the older I get, the harder it is to get into new music. I'm also still discovering a lot of the classic stuff now that pretty much everything is out there for free, compared to the pre-internet days of saving money to buy albums, trading tapes and even going to a friend's house to listen to whatever he got. But still, gotta give it to the new generations, a lot of guitarists and drummers got so f-ing good it's unreal.
What do you mean pre 90s metal aesthetics looked gay AF? A bunch of sweaty dudes in all leather getups, rocking giant perms or super long hair, makup and super bright and colorful tights and other articles of clothing, or being buff and basicly naked with just a loincloth is super not gay, and metal AF. I`m just poking fun, but aside from the glam aesthetic, I actually like alot about the 80s metal look, and I really enjoy and respect the fact that Manowar really commited to the He-man aesthetic. Also, I personally generally prefer the classic stuff (more soul and character to hemusic), but alot of it is unlistenable due to how horrible the sound mixing was on alot of these albums. I guess that`s what modern remasters are for
What you said is true. I remember rehearsing the whole master of puppets in the practice room while being recorded "vintagely" with proper microphones set up near amps and drums. That was in early 2000s and it cost some money for 15 year old kids like us. We literally rehearsed to death that song because the time was limited and we couldn't afford more. One screw in 8 minute song and we had to start all over again. But when we heard ourselves we felt like Metallica themselves (probably better than them ahahah) Greetings from Italy.
i think metalheads will just like what they like, once you stop thinking that there is a "best" kinds of music and its just "music that i like" and "music that i dont like", i've become much more acccepting with music and have branched out. like if a classic and modern metal guy start talking, it should never be a fight, but rather an appreciation of the different styles. because not everyone has to like the same thing
When I started playing guitar in 1990 all that was available to me was low quality gear. When you look at the prices and quality of for example Harley Benton today, it's just not comparable to what we spend our hard earned money on back than. I think this is even a bigger advantage for todays young musicians than internet lessons or tab apps.
Also in terms of recording your own music it's quite easy and cheap now. And using software to program drums. Definitely been a great tool to help me with my writing.
Can anyone just like what they like. Criticizing old metal is just ridiculous, because it gave birth to modern metal, criticizing modern metal is just as ridiculous because it is the evolution of old metal. The only thing ‘worth’ criticizing is in my opinion any metal that is willfully produced to sell, and copy popular original songs. But there is not very much of that. Senseless shredding maybe lost its magic a long time ago. I listen to any metal that i like. New or old.
Kinda. But not really. That phrase applies a lot more to certain genres ie Metalcore/Deathcore, Trap, whatever this Latin music that people like is called- than others. Sure, there are similarities with bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer, Overkill, Testament, Sepultura, Flotsam & Jetsam- but they sound way more distinctive from eachother than a lot of these modern metalcore/deathcore/djent bands.
@@stephenhughes5156 thats bcs you prolly heard these trash bands a lot to be able to easily identify the differences between them, but if you were a modern metalcore lover you would surely identify lots different details from these newer bands...
I guess the biggest problem regarding modern metal is that too many bands’ production sound a bit too overpolished and unvaried compared to the 80s and 90s, which tend to be more “raw” or “atmospheric” in comparison. I guess the production works well with metalcore or prog metal, but much less so in other genres like trad, thrash, black, and power metal.
Kind of why I love GWAR so much, they vibe with whatever is going on at the time (while viciously mocking it), they really play around with their sound, They never sold out and they’ll never get boring. (R.I.P Dave Brockie thank you for creating the craziest and most ridiculous band in the universe).
It is far more diverse. I grew up in the 80s where there was NWOBHM, traditional metal, hard rock, hair metal, thrash metal and a smattering of some proto black and death metal bands and a few prog metal bands. Now you have completely distinct genres within genres within genres. A cynic would say that metal has been balkanized and is worse for it but I think a more accurate perspective is that there's a band out there for you regardless of what kind of metal appeals to you.
Funny thing: One of the "pros" of modern metal are better mixing... for me is worse. I love the raw sound. I listen to punk and I'm almost 40, so I'm used to listen casettes recorded by hanging the mic over the rehearsals's place ceiling. There are a subgenre of punk called "No-fi", so guess the audio quality (The Dirts are a good band doing this, and they are a 202X band). But who cares? Listen to both, classic and modern metal.
Pretty on point with this one mate. I listen to both old and new and love 'em for what they are, in more modern times I'm big on the Dissonant Black and Death Metal scenes apart from other subgenre-fusion and scenes that are a bit more organic and are doing really cool things. Definitely not a fan of some of the modern-time sterility in production and some of the guitar tones that lose that snarl and crunch with Amp and Pedal settings (or lack thereof-- and seriously, Djent is NOT a word and I hate that tone lol), there's a fine balance to implement both new and old together and make it work to much better degree with or without label support.
My main issue with modern metal is that it all so often sounds way too polished and sterile. And the song structures is so forgettable and run of the mill. There is alot of good modern metal but I feel that the "metal scene" today is overall quite boring.
As someone who loves classic metal, my favorite is actually newer bands who take elements of classic metal and infuse modern elements. Songs like Pray for Blood by Skull Servant and early Ghost records
My main issue with truly getting into modern metal bands is the gutteral vocal style so many use. It just doesn't connect with the bits of me it needs to be enjoyable
Best shot for modern metal (as you said), the home producing. I think (I hope) we're gonna see much more talents emerge with the help of social media or maybe finding themselves to form bands, and enjoy creative freedom more as side-projects and not being at the mercy of big labels (as in hiphop scene one of my fav artists R. A. the rugged man already pointed out: every major label sucks d*cks :D), so I'm thrilled for the future 🤘🏼
In defense of record labels(!), the better labels acted as a quality filter. These days, there's so much new music out there that it's hard to know where to start. I'd pay money for personally curated recommendations from the likes of Peaceville's Hammy, or producer Colin Richardson.
Maybe it wasn't as much of a thing in metal, but if you go out in the music industry in general or maybe a little earlier in time, band members actually didn't have to be all that tight in the studio. The studio/producer/label or whoever would just call in their session guy to record the part while the bass player was too drunk to play or whatever. Also there's been an interesting interview with Steve Vai recently where he talks about how he actually avoided losing all his money to a label by just paying like $12.50 to create his own "label" so that he could sell his albums directly to the distributors and make tons of money instead of the industry standard record deal which would have paid him miserably.
I think that we tend to look back at the best things from the past, and that blurries our perception of the world. Not just with metal, but with everything in general. It's not like every metal band from the past sounded like Metallica or Judas Priest. Having said that, I think that modern metal in the mainstream is kinda dead. But, I also think there are some unkown metal bands / artists which are great and experiment with the genre, in sites like Soundcloud
So many "classic" bands were ignored in their own time, and only rediscovered by the metal community years later. The crappier bands have been forgotten. I'm sure the same weeding process will happen with the newer bands in the future.
I'd say you nailed it. Me I listen to both recently I've been diving into more of the stuff from the past but I love both styles more of a mood thing really.
8:57 Turds of misery. I used to have this problem; screaming out in pain and strain😖, having to use everything within arms reach as handhold to stabilize yourself for those death defying pushes and breaking them off the wall as a result, leaving the aftermath to look like an elk got trapped inside and was thrashing around trying to escape🦌, etc. Like classic metal, sometimes the old ways are the best, in this scenario old fashioned Mineral oil works wonders. You get lubed from the inside out, allowing for an easier escape route (in a manner of speaking). Like modern recording it saves time, eliminating the need to set aside that 60-90 minute recovery period, where you have to lay on your side waiting for everything to close back up lest you risk having half of your internal organs falling out afterwards😯. Hope this tip helps. 👍
I love both types, my favorite Bands are Judas Priest and Lorna Shore. I have to say the Riffs became better and more complex but the Guitar Solos of the old days are unmatched, so much soul and creativity.
I agree with everything except the 80's albums having bad production. Sure there were albums that had horrible production but the albums you listed all have amazing production to me xd
I dont think metal is worse i just think Pantera, Metallica,Megadeath and Lamb of God (bands like this)have set the bar so extremely high in the early days that bands now play it safe kinda or copy off old shit. But idk i love music either way an try to keep an open mind 😊
Agree. The benchmark set by bands in the 80s, 90s is too high. The masterpieces produced by metal bands in those era is abundant. 2010s is the worse for me. This, coming from someone who grew & started with metal in the late 90s & 2000s.
Modern metal is all about pristine recordings, short hair/bald, short pants, and baseball hats. Take a look at an old promotional photo of Destruction. Now, that's what I'M talking about. Take a listen to their first couple of records. It's organic, mistakes and all.
my two favourite bands are metallica, megadeth followed by gojira and trivium, so i think i can say i love modern metal as much as i love classic metal
gojira and trivium blew up in the mid 2000's tho, almost 20 years ago, not sure we can count that as modern metal... I think at this point it's the middle area between the classic and modern
@@kadriblabalitrivium's latest albums aren't worse, or maybe even better than they made in 00's and IMO Gojira's second greatest album was released in 2013, so not than old, compared to banda that are usually considered "Classic Metal"
Idk what you mean about the horrible mix because of this simple fact that you put Human as one of the albums. That mix is literally amazing. The other ones, eeehhh they’re not too good. But Human man, come on now
Highkey, as a tech death enjoyer. The old school feeling is still alive and well in alot of newer releases, that's the case in death metal in general (of course maybe not with bigger household bands).
Western metalheads that could not enjoy & tired of the same-y metal music in the West? Move your focus to Japan and listen to their diverse Metal bands. My recommendation: 1. Lovebites - Holy War 2. Galneryus - The Follower, Destiny, Struggle for the Freedom flag 3. Hanabie - We Love Sweets 4. Ningen Isu - Heartless Scat 5. Unlucky Morpheus - Black Pentagram, Angreifer, The Black Death Mansion Murder 6. SIM - The Rumbling 7. Maximum the Hormone - Shimi
9:51 it's worth watching The Decline of Western Civilization part 2 just for this whole scene with Chris from WASP. I've never heard anyone say, "because it makes me happy" with so much forlorn misery.
I love Metal from any time period, there are always artists that just make you feel something. My favorite bands are mostly newer ones just because I enjoy the way they sound the most, It's also mostly bands that have their very own style I can recognize instantly when I hear them. I also love experimentation a lot, I'd rather hear something that no one has dared to do before and maybe not like it than something that a band created way back and made it sound the best. Of course there are exceptions as well. Metal in general is just amazing. I love it.
Metal was always about pushing the boundaries, standing out and competition to be the best. Now its about sounding exactly like your favorite guitarist. I blame democratization of good equipment. Its completely killed all the innovation. Style used to be a necessity to cope with technical limitations.
Before Internet, musicians had to learn more by themselves, therefore there were unique sounds. Nowadays, all techniques are much more accesible to learn and music is more homogenous. Of course there are exceptions, like Imperial Triumphant
My opinion is that nowadays metal compositions are too predictable. Musicians it's like they just want to sound difficult, like if it was a circus instead of trying to do a work of art. I'm so tired of breakdowns, djenty riffs, overproduced and stupidly low tones, the same pretentious melody lines, the same guturals/screams on the verses and the melodic/gay chorus... The only time they are "oRigINAls" is when some band makes a lame mix between genres. Like Falling in Reverse just talking fast and screaming the last word or putting a trap beat with, surprisingly, djenty guitars. Ghostemane made a great combination of industrial music, rap and metal in his last album, lots of traces of Marilyn Manson, NIN or even Ministry. The productions are always the same, there's no such creativity in sound anymore. Back then you could really tell what band was just by listening just a cymbal or a guitar note. I mean, a shitty amp can sound infinitly better than the best production system if the guitarist knows to extract a good own sound from it. I don't think anyone would prefer the 72 Seasons sound to the Ride the Lightning sound. Of for example, the Money beat made with the sound of coins being thrown. This genius creative things just won't happen today. And the lyrics today?? Every band is like "ooo life is super tough, I have depression (living in the USA in my parents house)". Mate, if you want to talk about depression why don't you learn something about Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, King Crimson, Tom Waits, Van der Graaf, Johnny Cash, NIN... I miss historics themes like Iron Maiden; fantasy and philosophy like Rush, Genesis; the akwardness of Primus, Faith No More...
Honestly I prefer the old-school mixing *because* it is bad. It has a feel that is very authentic. While I do enjoy an overproduced mix now and then, and I don't prefer the other extreme of Black Metal lo-fi, I really like the amateurish feel of the old-school mixing, it just feels like it was made by a bunch of teenagers/young adults who had no idea what they were doing but were still trying their best, and it sounds a lot more human (pun intended since you included that album in the bad mix section ;) ) and bold than mixing it to perfection. You also need to remember, distortion itself was "invented" due to audio-clipping, something that some may consider to be "bad mixing" back in the day...
I like both. About a year ago when I was new to metal, I only really listened to thrash and heavy metal bands from the 80s, but over the last few months, I’ve really been getting into metalcore and deathcore, but I still like older bands as well.
Growing up with classic metal, I loved it. As I got older, and thanks to my parents, I got exposure to the then and now simultaneously. I can still throw back the classic era from time to time, but I've honestly grown out of much of it. I love finding new artists that are innovative/inspired. I've been around too many people who only stick to the old better times" without ever really embracing anything new. And I tire of every rock station playing Welcome to the Jungle 5 times a day on the radio.
70’s and 80’s Metal not my thing. 2010’s and current Metal not my thing. 90’s and early 00’s Metal is where it’s at. Funk Metal, Alternative Metal, Nu-Metal/Rap Metal, Groove Metal, Industrial Metal. That’s my Metal leaning
The techniques of technical picking and mixing in the new stuff has me blown away. Love the old stuff too. Its organic and powerful because of it. edit: Clowncore is awesome on all levels.
Modern guitarists are playing faster and more precise than ever, yes. And their endless arpeggio sweeping and other "standard shred techniques" makes them all sound the same. Listen to Dines shred collab and close your eyes. You used to be able to get hooks in your metal and rock.
I totally agree. There are thing to love and hate about both. I can’t stand the fact that classic metal fans are completely unwilling to listen to the new stuff. I love metal from all time periods! 🤘🏻
What can I say, newer metal (music in general tbh) just doesn't speak to me. It's not like I don't hear it, it just doesn't do it for me like older music does.
Bro your examples of modern metal were mid at best though. Iotunn, White Ward, An Abstract Illusion, Blackbraid, Ne Obliviscaris, Thy Catafalque... those are bands with good ratings and reviews.
What are YOUR thoughts then? Do you prefer modern or classic Metal??
Middle
I love Metallica and Fit For A King sooo
Classic, most modern metal is a sumo competition, whoever is heavier wins
I'm starting to become more neutral, as a bunch of the issues modern metal has, were also apparent back then.
everything i will eat
Hradley Balls
Hardley Ball
🫃
Boooo😅
Lady H. Baller
Balls
As someone who absolutely loves 80s metal I'm glad that theres still 80s revival bands like Fortress, Riot City, Antioch, Skull Fist, Air Raid etc. playing the same old 80s style with a modern touch
Steel panther
The NWOTHM in general has been a great evolution of truly traditional metal, and I am all for it, considering how well Doom evolved with that mindset.
Modern thrash metal is fucking amazing. Power Trip, Lich King, Vektor, Inhuman Nature, Enforced. All these guys fucking rule 🤘
I love the NWOTHM movement, although I wish some of those bands were a little more innovative. The classic heavy metal formula is great but bands shouldn't be afraid to reinvent themselves whilst staying true to the trad metal roots. I like that Striker is taking risks with some of their more recent material. Their last single had bongos and funk syncopation beneath soaring power metal leads. I'd love to see trad bands take on a jazz or funk influence. I think it would make for some incredibly underrated music.
@@SpacemanXCI like Gama Bomb, too.
now, make "Is canned bean BETTER Or WORSE Then It Used To Be??"
The quality of canned beans has undoubtedly declined in recent years. The bean farmers of rural Appalachia and Tibet (just to name some of the big bean farming regions) have started to put quantity over quality. The days of the boutique bean shop have passed and we are now being fed mass market garbanzos and corporate pintos instead of the humble beans of the past. It’s a sad time to live in but Serious Bean Co. is working to change that!
Probably worse because I'm pretty sure they reduced the sugar/salt content. Which is kinda good for health but no so much for that beany tasty goodness.
@@waltysalamanderBig Bean is oppressing the masses.
@@waltysalamandertruly a sad time in history
Completely agree here. I love both eras, mainly because my dad got me into all the old school bands before I got into modern acts. It actually goes both ways. My dad is WAY into modern metal that I introduced him to.
As good as Modern metal is I haven't found tons of songs that I would revisit more and more but for the classics that is frequent
Yep I'm only 25 and I have a really hard time getting into the new sound. I listen to everything from Black Sabbath, to early Skyclad, Sodom, Fates Warning the list goes on for classic metal but maybe enjoy 20 albums after 2000.
@@brennanfry3768 same I enjoy and appreciate new songs but there comes a few songs that I'm interested to visit again soon
Modern metal is shit because it has been redditified. You only have to look at the skinny-fat nu-males and feminists that are modern metalheads to understand why the genre is such a joke and why there is no creative spirit. Metal was originally daring and hyper-masculine, now it is risk-averse and utterly emasculated. Pure reddit cringe.
I'm a 50+ metalhead and I have to say that this is really a very well balanced critique. Kudos, sir.
I’m in the middle tbf. I love both classic and modern. The only problem I have with modern stuff is the genre is over saturated with metalcore which does sound extremely same-y.
That’s exactly why I avoid it.
Yep and the constant down tuning to low fucking chug shit is not my taste at all. It just takes over the bass side of things and leaves less room for bass guitar in the mix, just making it sound like bean fuelled shit. Classic metal all the way for me
@@andjustjizzforall long live the classics.
It’s like a spectrum, going from the classic era to the modern era.
Classic can be represented as yellow, whilst modern can be represented as green.
I’m the type of person who most likes and fits in with the yellow to lime green era, and some green stuff as well.
I’m more of an oldie for sure, but it’s not impossible for me to adore more recent stuff.
Anyways, I’ll have to get back to
That's a cool way to look at it!
That's a very linear way to look at it, as if metal has always been this one thing that was once yellow and since turned green.
Instead, I would think it makes more sense to see metal like a tree, with one single trunk that has since diverged into countless different branches. Some branches I really like, other branches I could do without.
And any comparison of "which is better?" really doesn't make sense anymore, because which of the hundred branches is the "modern metal" you're comparing the "classic metal" to?
So umm, what's blue? Hardcore?
@@frankvandorp2059
Fair point honestly. I mean, time is linear, and time obviously has an effect on metal, but yeah, the linear spectrum I spoke of really doesn’t account for all the outgrown branches much.
I'd say most of the criticisms about modern metal really only apply to the superficial normie bands. Go deeper than Ax7 and Jinjr and you'll find the heritage of classic metal is alive and well.
It's thriving even. I'd say we're in something of a new golden age. In twenty years, bands like Power Trip, Tomb Mold, Black Braid, and Bell Witch will become mythic names just as much as Slayer or Priest ever were.
I like classic metal more but I’m not really much of a metal head anyway. But by god, this is way too accurate. When you talked about rock star personalities, I could instantly hear in my mind “despite his talent, Ritchie Blackmore was a miserable git” from your “best and worst things about these bands” video
just wanted to say that i absolutely love your content Bradley!! you deliver everything so, so well. every second is funny and entertaining!
Thanks a lot! ❤
As a zoomer, I started with the modern stuff but eventually returned to monke with the 80s trad/US power metal. The vibes are there. Not really into edgy music anymore but I can respect what the modern djent/core/etc bands are doing. I wish neo-traditional bands would innovate a touch more; I feel like it would really push that subgenre forward.
Finally, someone else that mentions US Power Metal. There's so many incredible bands/Albums in the genre, yet it seems to get overlooked for some reason. Way better than the European Power Metal. Any particular favourite bands/Albums?
I can see what you mean by the lack of innovation with neo- traditional bands. However, I think that was kind of the idea- getting away from the need to constantly innovate and getting back to just making the ol' Metal that we love. Of course, some bands took the 'trad' worship a bit too far and just ended up sounding like generic rip- offs. But then there are also those who still sounded awesome and genuine.
And there are still somewhat innovative bands within that space too. Lazarus AD did a great job fusing old school thrash with a more modern 'NWOAHM' sound. Steelwings last album was definitely one of the more unique 'trad' albums. In Solitudes last album was a weird fusion of trad Metal with like Joy Division or some shit. Enforcers latest album is like if ABBA were a NWOBHM band. And then theres Vektor.
Take a gander at bands like Haunt, Eternal Champion, Enforcer, Visigoth and Unto Others. I'd think they'll give you what you're looking for.
@@metalheadrailfan Already a fan of all of those bands 🤘
Modern metal music being quantized and normalized is the reason I hate it. Somehow it just doesn't stay in the head. Goes into one ear and goes out of the other, as they say. Agree with Marty Friedman who blames modern American music for being perfected to inhuman level and praises the Japanese concept of heta-uma, "a voice that is not so good, but has a magic to it that is far more attractive than pristine vocal technique" or just "bad but good"
People just don't know where to listen to modern metal, there are so many godly bands out there: Kingdom of Giants, Twelve Foot Ninja, The Ocean, Whitechapel, Trivium, TesseracT, etc.
The classics will be always the classics tho, both parts are good but you gotta put your sight in future metal and how to improve it
Totally agree, and I think what’s important too is with those old classic rock stars and there wild antics, they brought a sense of danger to their music.
With modern, it’s technical and clinical but there is very little danger as everyone is so safe these days, so the music suffers for it, metal is supposed to feel like it’s literally on the edge of crazy
Very true. Its the same thing with Pro Wrestling too. Back in the day they were living the life of rockstars, doing shit loads of steroids and coke. Now they are skinny nerds that just play video games 😂
Agreed
You're not talking about modern metal here. You're talking about metalcore.
I hate to break it to you but sleep token has no hardcore influence, they aren’t metalcore
All I can say is the 80s and 90s is a time I was glad to be part of, it’s a case of , “you had to be there”. Nothing can replace that era
Couldn't agree more, so glad i was as well
Okay boomer
@@konjfful2963 🙄
I love how finally someone mentions the sterile sound some modern bands can have. Really something
Absolutely right and it's more than just 1 or 2 of them. It's also been a very long time since they've talked about rocking out on the radio and living to rock and rocking to live And that's because they don't period End of report. Tell me when the last time that That 1 guitar just Blew them away and so they started rocking and singing about the bands that inspired them or even talking about Them.
Finally?
All of us in the 'charmingly vintage' age range have been saying thisbfor years
@@dougmasters4561 Good to know, I heard it here for the first time tho.. good to say that perfection lies in imperfection thats why I love "disgusting" music as they like to say
Metal new= good
Metal old= good
In conclusion, metal= good
Very based
I love good metal, modern or classic doesn't matter. Good music is good.
Agreed but in the eighties, if you put on a blindfold and just randomly picked a metal cassette youd have a far greater chance of it being good and interesting than if you did that today
I started off with oldschool 80s metal and it will always have a special place in my heart bcs of that, but since I'm part of a younger generation Ive recently been feeling somehow more connected to modern metal, because... I mean... at least I'm ALIVE in this era of music lol
The ultimate proof is the test of time and i honestly doubt moat modern bands, as technically more advanced they may be, will still be talked about in 50years... the over the top lifestyles were more than just antics. It showed that these people lived, had fun and went through struggles, which in turn, reflected in the music. Whos gonna know who henson and polyphia in 50 years? Most people have no idea who they are now. But ask anyone about Ozzy, Hetfield, Mustaine and the lot and there are few that have never heard of them. Music stands the test of time when it carries the musicians heart and emotions with it. Most moderm musicians are more concerned in making a product, or a proof of challenge.
It's more difficult to play and more technical and complicated, but paradoxically worse (I.M.O.)... Classic "oldie" bands had more "soul", I think...
I'm a more modern metal fan, but I can still love and respect the classic metal. I'm glad you mentioned Poppy because I love her genre bending. I honestly think you hit the nail on the head with the pros and cons for each eras of metal. My favourite band lately is Nekrogoblikon, their last album was my favourite album of the year
ell yeah, nekrogoblikon is awesome
I saw Nekrogoblikon live a couple of years back, together with Gloryhammer and Wind Rose. I don't think anyone who went to that concert would say that modern metal doesn't "have enough fun".
@@frankvandorp2059 It's sad that poppy and ghostename never did a real collab when they were together, I loved ghostemanes Anti Icon and she did some good metal genre mix stuff too
nekrogoblikon is v good, saw them live and they killed it
TBH genre-bending has always been around in metal: whether it was thrash blending punk with metal, or bands like Sabbat (blackened thrash), Skyclad (folk thrash), Paradise Lost (gothic metal, as well as their more controversial electronic period), Anthrax (rap metal), Therion (symphonic metal), Dub War (reggae metal), Senser (?!?) and more besides...
Your 'what you don't like about. modern metal..' list for a large part explains why I love Babymetal. They play metal and they actually make me smile, all the while playing sick riffs and demonstrating top class song writing. Ignore the last album, which is a bit drab. Mind you, I love the last A7X album to bits as well, so happy happy joy joy isn't always on the top of my list.
I love cute girls being cute
Worse if you choose what people call "modern metal" but if your idea of modern metal is just any new band then no. There's always more or less real metal carrying the sound of older bands with some really interesting takes on the subgenres.
Pretty much agree on everything. I just can't get into the new wave of (imo) overcomplicated metal like Polyphia or Animals As Leaders. I don't mind me some new metal and rock stuff like Asomvel, Fortress, Mammoth and even some of Poppy's shit is good too. Still my respect to them because I don't even have 0.00000001% of the skill that Henson or Abasi have.
I agree with a lot of what you said here.
I’m in my early 20's and I listen to mostly "classic" metal, I feel like it's what made me different than some of my friends who are mostly listening to the newer bands. Although I am expanding my tastes onto the more modern metal bands and songs, my issue with it however is that a lot of it just feels too mechanical and boxed in. Now sometimes it can sound good, but I feel like too many bands are trying to accomplish the same thing. Often times it makes me think “all of these bands sound the same.”
What I like about the older stuff is the aforementioned "organic" feel when bands would all play together naturally without the reliance of a click track and still worked with imperfections which sometimes would bring out the best in the song. Plus the imperfections in both performance/mixing bring the out the raw emotion. The rawness of it made it feel more 'real' if that makes sense. I honestly wish more newer bands would take more chances with how they execute their performance and mixing.
I think fans of older and newer can find something good out of both eras.
Not better NOR worse. Different.
Classic, good metal is usually less technical (or difficult) to play with a murky, but atmospheric production and the songs are memorable and are open to a larger public.
Modern, good metal is usually more technical and has arguably cleaner, clearer production where you can truly hear each detail (unless we talk about St Anger-type shit), but since the best easily-recognizable riffs and ideas have been already used, are either mimicking earlier stuff or are fairly complicated. Which causes their fanbase to splinter and divide.
So, old metal appeals to my heart more, but modern metal appeals to my brain.
Bad or mediocre metal doesn’t appeal to anyone - whether it be old or new.
What's wrong with the production on 'Altars or madness' or Death's 'Human' both still sound great to my ears!
Pretty spot on with this and I agree with most of your points. For me personally, I love it when a more modern band is able to blend a clean sounding mix with the some of the rawness that you would hear on earlier records. It still keeps that human feel to the performance without sounding dated as hell.
A good example of this is Insomnium's latest album Anno 1696. There's definitely a polish to the overall mix, but you can still tell that the instruments were actually recorded in the studio. Sure, there might be a touch of triggers/sampling on the bass drum or quantization here and there, but the overall band performance on that album still feels natural.
I understand that programming drums or other instruments on a computer is cheaper than going to actual to studio to track the instruments. But sometimes, I can't help but turn off a new album if the mixing is so cleaned up and polished to where it feels like no real instruments were actually recorded (especially when you record live drums, but then just slap a ton samples on the performance to the point where it doesn't feel real anymore).
Point is, there's great things about both the classic and modern era of metal. You just have to find bands that can effectively use old and new recording tactics to their advantage while obviously writing great songs along with it.
Classic heavy, thrash and power are still the best, it has something special. But, if you take classic sound and modern sound together you will get LOVEBITES... BAD ASS! I have never been more impressed by any metal band EVER. These girls are PURE GOLD.
You mentioned it wasn't fun anymore. Do you think we need an infusion of "Nu Glam Metal"?
Do you think we need to bring back bands that sound like Poison, Warrant, etc.?
There are a lot of fun metal genres. Power metal and folk metal, as well as modern bands making more traditional heavy metal, are often quite upbeat and happy, and write songs about beer and having fun.
@@frankvandorp2059 Can you give me some examples of some really fun ones? I have to admit, I'm a little lost here. All I can think of is Steel Panther and Wig Wam with their Peacemaker theme song "Do you Wanna Taste It", which was actually from 2010. Airbourne debut album was pretty good too.
@@warriorneedsfoodbadly Alestorm, Gloryhammer, Wind Rose, Burning Witches, Ensiferum, Powerwolf, Twilight Force, Warkings.
And those are just the fun folk/power metal bands I saw over the past two weeks when I was at Wacken and then Alcatraz. There are a lot more.
Me'al is me'al
I've liked both ever since I became a metalhead as a teenager. Love Dio, just saw Judas Priest last fall and Helloween a few months back, but I'm pumped to see Blackbraid and some other black metal bands in the months to come.
Breeeeh I saw Priest last year and Helloween in May, phenomenal bands. Love Dio as well.
@@MetalGildarts Nice, we def caught the same tours then!
@@Syndicate_01 frick yeah! I saw JP here in Utah and I caught Helloween in Denver on May 30.
My god, this is so well-balanced and spherical! I find myself agreeable on all the points you've posed, and you phrased them so accurately. Loved it! I'd also add that it's a matter of age as well. Tastes are formulated during people's crucial 15-25 years of age. Being born in 1979 I find myself more keen on the music of my age, irrespective of all the factors you pointed. However, it is true that all the pros of the past are the cons of the present and vice versa!
Classic Metal has dem feels Modern Metal Not so much
exactly
Back in the day: bands get shafted by labels. Glorious present: bands get shafted by streaming services and ticket sale monopolists.
If you don't like today's metal/rock music, you're listening to the wrong stuff. Try listening to Japanese rock and metal music. You're in for a big surprise.
I think both has boring and interesting aspects, but tbf I listen to like, two bands properly 😂
Honestly bradley u hit the nail on the head
Agagaga
Showing the cover for Human while talking about bad production is a crime!
Leprosy or Spiritual Healing would make sense, but I always thought Human was a turning point for Death production wise and it only continued to improve from then on.
With that moan fest over, great vid as always Bradley! 💪🏻
Eh, taste is subjective. For me Leprosy sounds exactly as it should, while Human sounds awful.
I like it when modern metal is inspired by classic metal.
I just like metal it's great
Both are good. It's the recording and mixing/mastering that also creates the sound. If a early Iron Maiden recorded today, the e would sound completely different.
The thing I like most about classic metal is Bradley Halls. The thing I like most about modern metal is Hradley Balls.
Well most of those points are very fair
However a lot of those oldschool songs don't have such terrible mixes (although they're much better these days) and the looks, well who cares it's about the music anyway
And it just feels like modern metal bands are just in a competition to be the heaviest and tune the lowest which comes at the cost of songwriting imo
Besides, I just like the style of the oldschool subgenres
Thanks to the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal for bringing back the oldschool sound in modern sound quality
Old metal all the way. There’s some good newer metal but in my opinion, most of it is generic, boring, and compressed to the point that the guitar and drums are flatter than Kate Moss. Seriously, listen to Anthrax’s “Worship Music” and Death Angel’s “Humanicide” and tell me that the guitar tones on those albums don’t lack the badass texture and grit found on “Persistence Of Time” and “Act III” respectively.
Modern metal usually gets 177 string guitars and mostly uses the top string, wether classic metals lowest tuning is probably drop d
Sometimes bad mixing works in their favor, makes the music sound more extreme and genuine
I like the classic metal more, just because it seems the older I get, the harder it is to get into new music. I'm also still discovering a lot of the classic stuff now that pretty much everything is out there for free, compared to the pre-internet days of saving money to buy albums, trading tapes and even going to a friend's house to listen to whatever he got.
But still, gotta give it to the new generations, a lot of guitarists and drummers got so f-ing good it's unreal.
What do you mean pre 90s metal aesthetics looked gay AF? A bunch of sweaty dudes in all leather getups, rocking giant perms or super long hair, makup and super bright and colorful tights and other articles of clothing, or being buff and basicly naked with just a loincloth is super not gay, and metal AF.
I`m just poking fun, but aside from the glam aesthetic, I actually like alot about the 80s metal look, and I really enjoy and respect the fact that Manowar really commited to the He-man aesthetic.
Also, I personally generally prefer the classic stuff (more soul and character to hemusic), but alot of it is unlistenable due to how horrible the sound mixing was on alot of these albums. I guess that`s what modern remasters are for
What you said is true.
I remember rehearsing the whole master of puppets in the practice room while being recorded "vintagely" with proper microphones set up near amps and drums. That was in early 2000s and it cost some money for 15 year old kids like us.
We literally rehearsed to death that song because the time was limited and we couldn't afford more. One screw in 8 minute song and we had to start all over again.
But when we heard ourselves we felt like Metallica themselves (probably better than them ahahah)
Greetings from Italy.
i think metalheads will just like what they like, once you stop thinking that there is a "best" kinds of music and its just "music that i like" and "music that i dont like", i've become much more acccepting with music and have branched out.
like if a classic and modern metal guy start talking, it should never be a fight, but rather an appreciation of the different styles. because not everyone has to like the same thing
When I started playing guitar in 1990 all that was available to me was low quality gear. When you look at the prices and quality of for example Harley Benton today, it's just not comparable to what we spend our hard earned money on back than. I think this is even a bigger advantage for todays young musicians than internet lessons or tab apps.
Also in terms of recording your own music it's quite easy and cheap now. And using software to program drums. Definitely been a great tool to help me with my writing.
Can anyone just like what they like. Criticizing old metal is just ridiculous, because it gave birth to modern metal, criticizing modern metal is just as ridiculous because it is the evolution of old metal.
The only thing ‘worth’ criticizing is in my opinion any metal that is willfully produced to sell, and copy popular original songs. But there is not very much of that. Senseless shredding maybe lost its magic a long time ago.
I listen to any metal that i like. New or old.
"All songs sound the same" is easily applicable to all music genres.
Kinda. But not really. That phrase applies a lot more to certain genres ie Metalcore/Deathcore, Trap, whatever this Latin music that people like is called- than others. Sure, there are similarities with bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer, Overkill, Testament, Sepultura, Flotsam & Jetsam- but they sound way more distinctive from eachother than a lot of these modern metalcore/deathcore/djent bands.
I was thinking that myself
@@stephenhughes5156 thats bcs you prolly heard these trash bands a lot to be able to easily identify the differences between them, but if you were a modern metalcore lover you would surely identify lots different details from these newer bands...
I guess the biggest problem regarding modern metal is that too many bands’ production sound a bit too overpolished and unvaried compared to the 80s and 90s, which tend to be more “raw” or “atmospheric” in comparison. I guess the production works well with metalcore or prog metal, but much less so in other genres like trad, thrash, black, and power metal.
Kind of why I love GWAR so much, they vibe with whatever is going on at the time (while viciously mocking it), they really play around with their sound, They never sold out and they’ll never get boring.
(R.I.P Dave Brockie thank you for creating the craziest and most ridiculous band in the universe).
2:28 Cradle of Filth under "norwegian black metal"?? They're from the UK
I definitely appreciate the classics I grew up with but I’m more of a fan of modern metal.
I don't listen to old metal. Doesn't mean I shouldn't respect it and it's influence.
It is far more diverse. I grew up in the 80s where there was NWOBHM, traditional metal, hard rock, hair metal, thrash metal and a smattering of some proto black and death metal bands and a few prog metal bands.
Now you have completely distinct genres within genres within genres. A cynic would say that metal has been balkanized and is worse for it but I think a more accurate perspective is that there's a band out there for you regardless of what kind of metal appeals to you.
Funny thing: One of the "pros" of modern metal are better mixing... for me is worse. I love the raw sound. I listen to punk and I'm almost 40, so I'm used to listen casettes recorded by hanging the mic over the rehearsals's place ceiling. There are a subgenre of punk called "No-fi", so guess the audio quality (The Dirts are a good band doing this, and they are a 202X band).
But who cares? Listen to both, classic and modern metal.
Pretty on point with this one mate. I listen to both old and new and love 'em for what they are, in more modern times I'm big on the Dissonant Black and Death Metal scenes apart from other subgenre-fusion and scenes that are a bit more organic and are doing really cool things. Definitely not a fan of some of the modern-time sterility in production and some of the guitar tones that lose that snarl and crunch with Amp and Pedal settings (or lack thereof-- and seriously, Djent is NOT a word and I hate that tone lol), there's a fine balance to implement both new and old together and make it work to much better degree with or without label support.
I dont like a lot of the modern bands because of detuning. I dont hear heavier, just lower and murkier. Guitar tones have become very generic too.
I like both old metal and new metal.
My main issue with modern metal is that it all so often sounds way too polished and sterile. And the song structures is so forgettable and run of the mill. There is alot of good modern metal but I feel that the "metal scene" today is overall quite boring.
As someone who loves classic metal, my favorite is actually newer bands who take elements of classic metal and infuse modern elements.
Songs like Pray for Blood by Skull Servant and early Ghost records
My main issue with truly getting into modern metal bands is the gutteral vocal style so many use. It just doesn't connect with the bits of me it needs to be enjoyable
Best shot for modern metal (as you said), the home producing. I think (I hope) we're gonna see much more talents emerge with the help of social media or maybe finding themselves to form bands, and enjoy creative freedom more as side-projects and not being at the mercy of big labels (as in hiphop scene one of my fav artists R. A. the rugged man already pointed out: every major label sucks d*cks :D), so I'm thrilled for the future 🤘🏼
In defense of record labels(!), the better labels acted as a quality filter. These days, there's so much new music out there that it's hard to know where to start.
I'd pay money for personally curated recommendations from the likes of Peaceville's Hammy, or producer Colin Richardson.
It won't happen often, if at all.
For me modern metal is too much gimmick, and too bad most of them are just skilled/great player not a great musician.
Maybe it wasn't as much of a thing in metal, but if you go out in the music industry in general or maybe a little earlier in time, band members actually didn't have to be all that tight in the studio. The studio/producer/label or whoever would just call in their session guy to record the part while the bass player was too drunk to play or whatever.
Also there's been an interesting interview with Steve Vai recently where he talks about how he actually avoided losing all his money to a label by just paying like $12.50 to create his own "label" so that he could sell his albums directly to the distributors and make tons of money instead of the industry standard record deal which would have paid him miserably.
I think that we tend to look back at the best things from the past, and that blurries our perception of the world. Not just with metal, but with everything in general. It's not like every metal band from the past sounded like Metallica or Judas Priest. Having said that, I think that modern metal in the mainstream is kinda dead. But, I also think there are some unkown metal bands / artists which are great and experiment with the genre, in sites like Soundcloud
Yep, survivorship bias is very real. There was some reeaal garbage back before too.
So many "classic" bands were ignored in their own time, and only rediscovered by the metal community years later. The crappier bands have been forgotten. I'm sure the same weeding process will happen with the newer bands in the future.
I'd say you nailed it. Me I listen to both recently I've been diving into more of the stuff from the past but I love both styles more of a mood thing really.
8:57 Turds of misery.
I used to have this problem; screaming out in pain and strain😖, having to use everything within arms reach as handhold to stabilize yourself for those death defying pushes and breaking them off the wall as a result, leaving the aftermath to look like an elk got trapped inside and was thrashing around trying to escape🦌, etc.
Like classic metal, sometimes the old ways are the best, in this scenario old fashioned Mineral oil works wonders. You get lubed from the inside out, allowing for an easier escape route (in a manner of speaking). Like modern recording it saves time, eliminating the need to set aside that 60-90 minute recovery period, where you have to lay on your side waiting for everything to close back up lest you risk having half of your internal organs falling out afterwards😯.
Hope this tip helps. 👍
This is truly wisdom for the ages
I love both types, my favorite Bands are Judas Priest and Lorna Shore. I have to say the Riffs became better and more complex but the Guitar Solos of the old days are unmatched, so much soul and creativity.
I agree with everything except the 80's albums having bad production. Sure there were albums that had horrible production but the albums you listed all have amazing production to me xd
I dont think metal is worse i just think Pantera, Metallica,Megadeath and Lamb of God (bands like this)have set the bar so extremely high in the early days that bands now play it safe kinda or copy off old shit. But idk i love music either way an try to keep an open mind 😊
💯🤟
Listen to Car Bomb and see where the bar is.
Agree.
The benchmark set by bands in the 80s, 90s is too high.
The masterpieces produced by metal bands in those era is abundant.
2010s is the worse for me.
This, coming from someone who grew & started with metal in the late 90s & 2000s.
Modern metal is all about pristine recordings, short hair/bald, short pants, and baseball hats. Take a look at an old promotional photo of Destruction. Now, that's what I'M talking about. Take a listen to their first couple of records. It's organic, mistakes and all.
my two favourite bands are metallica, megadeth followed by gojira and trivium, so i think i can say i love modern metal as much as i love classic metal
All great bands.
gojira and trivium blew up in the mid 2000's tho, almost 20 years ago, not sure we can count that as modern metal... I think at this point it's the middle area between the classic and modern
@@kadriblabalitrivium's latest albums aren't worse, or maybe even better than they made in 00's and IMO Gojira's second greatest album was released in 2013, so not than old, compared to banda that are usually considered "Classic Metal"
Idk what you mean about the horrible mix because of this simple fact that you put Human as one of the albums. That mix is literally amazing. The other ones, eeehhh they’re not too good. But Human man, come on now
Highkey, as a tech death enjoyer. The old school feeling is still alive and well in alot of newer releases, that's the case in death metal in general (of course maybe not with bigger household bands).
Western metalheads that could not enjoy & tired of the same-y metal music in the West?
Move your focus to Japan and listen to their diverse Metal bands.
My recommendation:
1. Lovebites - Holy War
2. Galneryus - The Follower, Destiny, Struggle for the Freedom flag
3. Hanabie - We Love Sweets
4. Ningen Isu - Heartless Scat
5. Unlucky Morpheus - Black Pentagram, Angreifer, The Black Death Mansion Murder
6. SIM - The Rumbling
7. Maximum the Hormone - Shimi
There’s some amazing stuff (some) that comes out of the modern era. That, however, is too far too few. Classic metal is just glorious.
9:51 it's worth watching The Decline of Western Civilization part 2 just for this whole scene with Chris from WASP. I've never heard anyone say, "because it makes me happy" with so much forlorn misery.
I love Metal from any time period, there are always artists that just make you feel something. My favorite bands are mostly newer ones just because I enjoy the way they sound the most, It's also mostly bands that have their very own style I can recognize instantly when I hear them. I also love experimentation a lot, I'd rather hear something that no one has dared to do before and maybe not like it than something that a band created way back and made it sound the best. Of course there are exceptions as well. Metal in general is just amazing. I love it.
Have you heard Terminal Redux 👀?
@@henrywalton5967 Yeah I've recommended that album in a different reply under this video lol it's highly underrated for how good it is imo
Metal was always about pushing the boundaries, standing out and competition to be the best. Now its about sounding exactly like your favorite guitarist. I blame democratization of good equipment. Its completely killed all the innovation. Style used to be a necessity to cope with technical limitations.
Before Internet, musicians had to learn more by themselves, therefore there were unique sounds. Nowadays, all techniques are much more accesible to learn and music is more homogenous. Of course there are exceptions, like Imperial Triumphant
My opinion is that nowadays metal compositions are too predictable. Musicians it's like they just want to sound difficult, like if it was a circus instead of trying to do a work of art. I'm so tired of breakdowns, djenty riffs, overproduced and stupidly low tones, the same pretentious melody lines, the same guturals/screams on the verses and the melodic/gay chorus... The only time they are "oRigINAls" is when some band makes a lame mix between genres. Like Falling in Reverse just talking fast and screaming the last word or putting a trap beat with, surprisingly, djenty guitars. Ghostemane made a great combination of industrial music, rap and metal in his last album, lots of traces of Marilyn Manson, NIN or even Ministry.
The productions are always the same, there's no such creativity in sound anymore. Back then you could really tell what band was just by listening just a cymbal or a guitar note. I mean, a shitty amp can sound infinitly better than the best production system if the guitarist knows to extract a good own sound from it. I don't think anyone would prefer the 72 Seasons sound to the Ride the Lightning sound. Of for example, the Money beat made with the sound of coins being thrown. This genius creative things just won't happen today.
And the lyrics today?? Every band is like "ooo life is super tough, I have depression (living in the USA in my parents house)". Mate, if you want to talk about depression why don't you learn something about Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, King Crimson, Tom Waits, Van der Graaf, Johnny Cash, NIN... I miss historics themes like Iron Maiden; fantasy and philosophy like Rush, Genesis; the akwardness of Primus, Faith No More...
Honestly I prefer the old-school mixing *because* it is bad.
It has a feel that is very authentic.
While I do enjoy an overproduced mix now and then, and I don't prefer the other extreme of Black Metal lo-fi, I really like the amateurish feel of the old-school mixing, it just feels like it was made by a bunch of teenagers/young adults who had no idea what they were doing but were still trying their best, and it sounds a lot more human (pun intended since you included that album in the bad mix section ;) ) and bold than mixing it to perfection.
You also need to remember, distortion itself was "invented" due to audio-clipping, something that some may consider to be "bad mixing" back in the day...
I like both. About a year ago when I was new to metal, I only really listened to thrash and heavy metal bands from the 80s, but over the last few months, I’ve really been getting into metalcore and deathcore, but I still like older bands as well.
Worse. I forgot the term, but it's too far from the source. Too convoluted. Obsessed with being technical and extreme. It's not "music" anymore.
Growing up with classic metal, I loved it. As I got older, and thanks to my parents, I got exposure to the then and now simultaneously. I can still throw back the classic era from time to time, but I've honestly grown out of much of it. I love finding new artists that are innovative/inspired. I've been around too many people who only stick to the old better times" without ever really embracing anything new. And I tire of every rock station playing Welcome to the Jungle 5 times a day on the radio.
Mind you name some of those new inspired metal artists?
thats exactly what i think too!!
70’s and 80’s Metal not my thing. 2010’s and current Metal not my thing.
90’s and early 00’s Metal is where it’s at. Funk Metal, Alternative Metal, Nu-Metal/Rap Metal, Groove Metal, Industrial Metal. That’s my Metal leaning
The techniques of technical picking and mixing in the new stuff has me blown away.
Love the old stuff too. Its organic and powerful because of it.
edit: Clowncore is awesome on all levels.
Agreed re Clowncore!
Modern guitarists are playing faster and more precise than ever, yes. And their endless arpeggio sweeping and other "standard shred techniques" makes them all sound the same. Listen to Dines shred collab and close your eyes. You used to be able to get hooks in your metal and rock.
I totally agree. There are thing to love and hate about both. I can’t stand the fact that classic metal fans are completely unwilling to listen to the new stuff. I love metal from all time periods! 🤘🏻
Hey now, don't put all the shame on classic fans. Newer fans are just as guilty of snubbing classic metal.
What can I say, newer metal (music in general tbh) just doesn't speak to me. It's not like I don't hear it, it just doesn't do it for me like older music does.
Bro your examples of modern metal were mid at best though. Iotunn, White Ward, An Abstract Illusion, Blackbraid, Ne Obliviscaris, Thy Catafalque... those are bands with good ratings and reviews.
Can someone mention a modern album as iconic as Rust In Peace?
Being iconic and being good don’t need overlap. I like Vektor’s terminal redux, the best thrash of the 21st of the century
Its all good
it's really difficult for me to find a good or fresh 'new' band so I end up listenning to old stuff from 90's and back.
I feel the same way really, the only band that's really stood out for me Is Vektor
@@henrywalton5967check out "thantifaxath- hive mind narcosis" album. Imo it's the best experimental metal album that cane out this year.