Metal: American or European?

[ANTHEM]

^^^ I was going to suggest in my answer, which was Europe..."or American bands that think European..."

As in for example Rush was influenced by european bands and I'm sure there are a few of todays american "metal" bands that are influenced by european bands as well. But that really admits that over all europe is where it's at then and now.

 

[DaKillerWolf]

I can't argue the OVERALL statement but the problem lies w/ the fans not the bands...they are a slew of kick ass, talented US bands that are huge in Europe that no one here on this side of the pond bother to even give a glance..that's the reason the Euro scene kills the North American. Their fans are overall superior ,,,,,

 

[tomcat]

Some is intentionally Poppy, while a lot of the true Metal artists either here or there are obviously not Poppy at all. Nu-Metal comes to mind as I feel that most Nu-Metal intentionally or unintentionally fits the bill. That ain't true Metal or Hard Rock.

Nu Metal definitely isn't metal as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Khor1255]

Like most great things in modern music it got it's rough start in the states and was refined into something great in Europe. Britain specifically.

EDIT

I wasn't addressing Nu 'metal'. I was talking about heavy metal.

 

[Riff Raff]

I disagree, I consider nu metal as metal whether its liked or not depending on the band.

 

[DaKillerWolf]

^^^ I was going to suggest in my answer, which was Europe..."or American bands that think European..."

Yeah, I see what your getting at ...more of a European leaning..... musically more complex and less poppy then what most think of as American music.

 

[ANTHEM]

Here's an example of one of the few exceptions of american metal. This seems to lean more toward a good classic heavy rock or nwobhm style.

 

[Nololob]

No one has mentioned Quiet Riot, who are actually quite important American metal band, that brought this genre into mainstream yet wasn't too poppy. There were some tasty cookies that came out of the States - Twisted Sister, W.A.S.P., Motley Crue and literally tons of stoner/doom metal bands from the 90s and 00s, but let's be honest - there is no way American metal can be as good as European. It just can't. If you compare and contrast two metal documentaries made by VH1 and BBC, you should be able to find that VH1 one, people don't know what they are talking about, because they haven't experienced everything.

In related, more humoristic way, to the topic...

 

[ANTHEM]

^ And the question still looms about what metal is or isn't. The subject is very controversial and I don't think it will ever be defined 100 % and be thought about objectively. And another thing many forget is heavy metal if there really is such a genre is a sub genre of rock n roll which in the big picture just makes it rock. I know the "hardcore" fans and "true metalist" might not want to accept the aforementioned things but they are true. I still do use the word "metal" from time to time but it is used loosely on my behalf or to help describe what a certain band sounds like to those who are hooked on the labels.

I must add something else which is that melody is the foundation of real music and without it it DOES become nothing but noise, and as Dickenson said before that maiden could be a bit harder or faster but there comes a definite line where one has to ask themselves is it better to sacrifice quality for just being a bit more heavier ? Sure certain "metal" or rock bands are labeled as "melodic" but not just because certain others don't have melody but because certain bands have put a bit more emphasis on it and then again because more and more bands and sub genres are actually starting to leave out that founding element of music so it could be a label that is used to contrast. These "hardcore" genres only give critics of rock ammo to argue the old stereotype that it's nothing but noise instead of real music. These are reasons I could never totally get into any of the "hard core" type genres. I know many will disagree but in reality these things are true.

 

[Riff Raff]

^ And the question still looms about what metal is or isn't. The subject is very controversial and I don't think it will ever be defined 100 % and be thought about objectively. And another thing many forget is heavy metal if there really is such a genre is a sub genre of rock n roll which in the big picture just makes it rock. I know the "hardcore" fans and "true metalist" might not want to accept the aforementioned things but they are true.

I must add something else which is that melody is the foundation of real music and without it it DOES become nothing but noise, and as Dickenson said before that maiden could be a bit harder or faster but there comes a definite line where one has to ask themselves is it better to sacrifice quality for just being a bit more heavier ? These "hardcore" genres only give critics of rock ammo to argue the old stereotype that it's nothing but noise instead of real music. These are reasons I could never totally get into any of the "hard core" type genres. I know many will disagree but in reality these things are true.

Depends on the band and also the fact that what defines quality can be subjective. Generally speaking I don't believe something has to be heavy to be good but with some bands for me I enjoy it more when it is. Depends on your personal perspective on it.