The Fall (and rise?) of Metal...
Article by C. Evans Putman--Guest writer
Dead and buried. All used up. The fat lady has sung. Cliches.
Dictionaries define a
cliché as a trite or overused expression or idea. As the Eighties were ending and the
Nineties just hitting stride, the music industry decided to move in a new direction.
Heavy Metal, they said, had become a cliché. There were too many bands sounding
the same and looking the same. Putting out the same videos over and over again. Too
many Poisons, Motley Crues, and Metallicas were out there roaming the airwaves.
Sure, there were some lame bands copying formulas that worked for those before
them. Dare I mention Pretty Boy Floyd or early Winger? But, for every one of these bands,
five or six were expanding and bettering the genre...
Look at this web page with all of
its categories and styles of music that Heavy Metal offers. I say it was not the music
or the bands that became cliché. It was what the programmers were willing to put on
their playlists. It was what was forced into our ears and before our eyes every time we
turned on a radio or television. It's what is happening now to alternative music...
Sad as
it is, MTV is very influential in today's culture. This network that once boosted Heavy
Metal's popularity turned its back on the bands and their fans. At first MTV banished
Metal to a three-hour slot Saturdays at midnight, and then to short clips on Beavis and
Butthead. MTV executives and those who followed their lead showed total arrogance
and a lack of respect towards the music fans and bands. The fans were so fickle; they
felt that we would listen to whatever MTV decided was "cool and hip"...
They were
right about some of the "Metal fans". However, many of us never jumped ship. We
turned off MTV. We sought out underground radio stations and clubs that still played
the music that we liked. We played our cassettes (yes, cassettes) repeatedly until the
sound became a muddled groan. Then we ventured to independent stores to restock
with CDs, because for many of our favorite bands the times were dark...
Many bands lost their record
deals. Most went from playing sold out arenas to playing medium to large size clubs.
Sadly, some bands began to change musical styles or conform to what the industry
wanted. Well, guess what MTV? Now your beloved "alternative" has fallen prey to
the same industry overload. The music world is saturated with music that has no
emotion, no originality, no life. Rock music is just no fun. Where are the larger than
life bands with the over the top concerts? Where are the rock stars? In the early
eighties, my friends and I traveled anywhere, anytime, to see our favorite bands. Who
could pass up seeing mascot Eddie explode from behind the drum riser at an Iron Maiden
show? What about Rob Halford screaming onstage with a growling Harley, or David
Lee Roth's hire wire act to the opening chords of Unchained? Newcomers like the
young Cliff Burton and Metallica and Dave Mustaine's Megadeth pounded us with
incredible riffs played with speed, precision, and power. Possibly my favorite shows of
all: Axl Rose's swirling rage contrasted by Slash's calm coolness and the rest of the
disheveled GnR opening for the pyrotechnic blasts, pounding bass, and hire wire drum
solos of Motley Crue. Those were great years when the concerts were events.
Traveling circuses trying to outdo the one that just left town. Well, it is my belief that
door is ajar and Heavy Metal is peering in from the darkness outside. Sure, Heavy
Metal has been around and some good bands have been out there hitting the streets
with some damn good music. But, the time has come for Heavy Metal to conquer the
mainstream music world again. I am proclaiming that the time is now for a Heavy
Metal revolution...
Revolution Calling...
There are circumstances involved in revolution. These include a
general dissatisfaction amongst the multitudes, strong and able leaders, a powerful
force or army, and fanatic supporters. All of the signs are pointing in our favor. The
pieces are falling into place. Two men are doing their duty as leaders of the castaways.
Who better to enter the foray than two of the most viled men past and present-Ozzy
Osbourne and Marilyn Manson. The industry scoffed when Ozzy said let's put
together a festival of metal and tour during the summer. Thank you Ozzy. Ozzy and
wife Sharon put together an incredible package consisting of old and new bands as
well as a wide range of diversity within the genre. Take OZZfest 98 for example, Ozzy
gave us Megadeth, Limp Bizkit, Tool, Sevendust, Soulfly, Coal Chamber, and
himself. If that was not enough, we had Motorhead, Snot, Life of Agony, Fear
Factory, and Incubus to name a few on the butt-kicking second stage. The prior year
Ozzy brought along a man who is bringing back the controversy in Metal. Heavy
Metal has always been about controversy and opening eyes to new ideas. While no
one out there was stirring up controversy, Marilyn Manson took his AntiChrist
Superstar tour on the road and pissed of every "family values" conservative group in
the nation. It was laughable--but true to form. His tour was banned from cities and
states across the nation. Manson's popularity soared, and he now owns MTV. Now
the station that tried to vanquish our music is again enamored with our bands. Along
with Marilyn Manson, both Korn and Monster Magnet are waving the Heavy Metal
flag on the station that once banished us. Now, a rumor abounds that Anthrax's new
video is getting the nod for heavy rotation on MTV. I say to hell with MTV, but as I
mentioned earlier they are very influential. The first time around the station used
Heavy Metal to become popular and powerful. This time let's use them as a stepping
stone towards dominance...
The Heavy Metal armies are in full force touring mode.
Speaking of armies, the KISS army is once again preparing to take on the world with
their Psycho Circus tour beginning Halloween night. Korn has its Family Values tour
ripping through the states. Slayer is touring Europe. Judas Priest is hitting North America
for the second time this year. Morbid Angel is getting ready to
kick off its tour. Dee Snider's Strangeland Tour is wrapping up. Tommy Lee is free
and the Crue is gearing up for another tour. Other eighties bands that disappeared
during the dark years are coming back in multitudes. Cinderella is back in the studio.
Rumors of a Poison reunion are flying. Just last month 3/4 of the band played old
tunes in a Los Angeles club. Brett Michaels has been spreading rumors of a festival
type tour called the "Exiled from Mainstream Tour". Warrant, Slaughter, and Quiet Riot are on the road together as we speak. There
are also plans for a tour featuring L.A. Guns, Danger Danger, and Enuff Z'Nuff to start
their "Rock Never Stops" tour. I could go on and on, but my point is that the bands we
love are everywhere. Now, I know that many of us didn't like certain bands or their
music, proclaiming them as weak or poseurs. If you were into Slayer and Metallica, no
way would you be caught with a Poison CD. Well let me say one thing, I'm personally
glad that all of these bands will be back. This variety provides strength in numbers for
mainstream dominance. Finally, the last links in the chain are the fans...
We now have a
tool that we did not have before--the Internet. Heavy Metal sites like Ultimate Metal
Reviews, run by true fans, provide news and knowledge for the fan's benefit. Support
your fellow fans! Also, record companies, radio stations, and magazines are on the
web. Go to their sites and demand your favorite bands! Industry people will take
notice. Support your local music scene as well. These guys and gals are the future of
the music you love. Without the support they deserve, Heavy Metal may disappear
again... On a final note, for those of you who worry, I do not wish Heavy Metal to fall
into the mainstream. Heavy Metal will become the mainstream. A music world
revolving around crunching riffs, exploding drums, slamming fans, and pyrotechnic
blasts. For those who doubt me, let me point to this one fact: The creators
themselves--Black Sabbath--have reunited after many long years. The walls have come
down and the tide is shifting. If you can't swim, then as Bruce Dickinson sang so well,
you better run to the hills. Revenge is sweet. Long live Rock!
--C. Evans Putman
TGOS