Seeing as how this endeavour is entitled "The Book of Heavy Metal", I figured now was as good a time as any to comment on the subject. Displeasing the Gods of Metal is something you never want to do. Ever.
I found out quite by accident today that the newest Amon Amarth album has just released, Surtur Rising, and was amazed that I hadn't heard about it at all. Of all the death metal bands that are out there, Amon Amarth is one of the best, simply because they play viking death metal and look like actual vikings. It's melodic too so it actually has a discernable musical quality to it, rather than the "scream your lungs out incoherently" brand of metal that is unfortunately so popular. The cover for their album Twilight of the Thunder God gives you an idea of just how epic they truly are.
With that said, there's only one other contemporary metal band that I like, and that is a sad commentary on the state of metal. Sure, the 80's are over but the metal from that era is STILL listened to and albums are still purchased to this day. People flock to 80's metal shows (whether it be the actual bands or a cover band that puts on a good show), and so many people still know the lyrics by heart to songs like Foolin', Still of the Night, and Separate Ways. Why then has the metal scene gone pretty much to shit?
Honestly, I don't know. I could say it's due to the pop music that keeps getting produced and stupid bitches like Britney Spears that draw people away from the metal (how I don't know, Britney is one of the dumbest fucking people I can think of), but that doesn't provide a direct cause as to the decline of metal. Granted, the rockstar lifestyle of the 80's is most definitely not desirable to any rational human being, but that doesn't stop people from wanting to be like them. So what is it? Why is there no band out there that can put out a vintage 80's sound?
The closest I've been able to find is a band from Vegas called Taking Dawn. I've been following them for about 5 years now and they just got signed to a record deal and have been touring for at least a year now. Their first album, Time to Burn, is exceptional and while it doesn't quite have that 80's arena rock sound, it's close enough. These guys have some great songs that really get you into it, guitar riffs that stick in your head and lyrics that you sing along to as loud as you can. The best part about this band is these guys always put the fans first, really nice guys who'll pose for pictures and sign autographs and breasts, and really put on a great show. You can tell they do it to have fun and to play some epic metal, and I think THAT is what has been missing from the genre of late. Bands are just in it mainly for the money and recognition, fuck the fans gimme the cash sort of mentality.
I'd encourage anyone who loves 80's metal to go get Taking Dawn's first album and see what you think, I promise you won't be disappointed. Apart from buying old albums and going to see cover bands, this is about as close as one can get to good music nowadays. Rap and country need to go the fuck away. No one cares how tough life is in the hood or how your wife left you for your retarded cousin or some shit. The people want METAL
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