What Makes Good Metal?

"What makes good Heavy Metal?" This question has plagued me ever since I was 7 and my cousin introduced me to heavy metal why on earth did he like this band but not very similar other band when I asked him he simply replied with "cos they're sh@t!"

What? No reason just a statement this still applies today with my metalhead friend Stuart: he loves Queen, AC/DC, Bon Jovi and Van Halen but (this is a reference only those from the UK will get) he hates The Darkness which are a brilliant new band from London who are greatly influenced by the great glam rock bands they have it all hair, a brilliantly over the top Freddie Mercury style frontman, Angus Young styled guitars, a brilliant stage show and incredibly infection singles like "I Believe In A Thing Called Love." But Stuart doesn't like them "Why? They sound awesome!" I hear you cry when I ask him he says "They have stolen all their ideas and should be playing the Wigan Bingo Hall" it is true that they are not afraid to show their influences in a way which is obvious but so did Metallica in their early days so why not like them? I still don't know but I did again start to wonder what makes a good Heavy Metal band so I investigated the subject and wrote this article well here goes:

1. It helps a Heavy Metal band if they are from the UK no-offense to American Metal bands but the British invented it and do it in the majority better than the Americans (granted Metallica, Pantera, Motley Crue and Guns N' Roses are the exception to this rule) Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath invented the basic genre where Motorhead, Iron Maiden and the NWOBHM refined it to what it is today

2. They must have long hair (or at least have had long hair at one point) how many good Metal bands have short hair I cant think of any if you can please tell me.

3. They must have at least a half decent guitarist e.g no 7-stringers (except Steve Vai) and they have to be able to do a decent solo all the great metal bands have brilliant guitarists (Kirk Hammett from Metallica, Eddie Van Halen, Slash of Gn'R, Angus Young of AC/DC and all the others)

4. Attitude. One of the most important characteristics to have in a Heavy Metal band where is Metal without attitude? Without trashed hotel rooms? Without the willing groupies? Nowhere attitude is a cental part of Metal culture without attitude Gn'R and Motley Crue would only be good musicians with a bland stage show and a guitarists who looked like half man, half beast hybrids.

5. Memorable Drummers. e.g. Tommy Lee (Motley Crue memorable not only for his flying drumkits but also for his "relations" with Pamela Anderson), Nicko Mcbrain (Iron Maiden that name who can forget) and Lars Ulrich (Metallica who can forget the Danish berk who never shuts up? but we still like him).

So there it is in my opinion the 5 things that make a good metal band.

Comments

[n_punx]

haha. what about the music???

[seven_stringer]

About the exception to UK bands being best. What made guns n roses so great? Slash. and guess what? Hes a brit!!

[thebassmaster]

firstly, how does it help if you ae from the uk or not?

secondly, why does hair length matter about the music

thirdly, why do you assume all 7 string guitarists cant play guitar, im pretty sure guitarists like wes borland could own your ass at guitar anytime

fourthly, trashing a hotel room makes good metal? wtf?

and fifthly, memorable drummers??!?!?!? that makesw good metal? does that mean blink 182 make metal music?


im not even gonna vote

[MattyB]

I wudent agree with this article. Attitude maybe, solo's maybe. meh

[methodlessman]

This is a bunch of crap. You hardly even name any metal bands. Motley Crue is crappy popped up hair rock. Iced Earth is heavy metal not Motley Crue or The Darkness or Van Halen.

[Lightly Toasted]

The Darkness is nowhere near heavy metal...the guy sounds like he has a clamp on his nuts through the whole song "I believe in a thing called love"...most of the good metal bands are out of like sweden and such...im also gonna have to agree with "thebassmaster"...what the hell does hair length, the number of strings, and trashing a hotel room have to do with how good of a band you are...although i have to agree with this article that you do need a good drummer if you want to become a good metal band...who cares about memorable as long as they can play fast and loud and sound good.

[phil_axe-man]

im not even a metaler and i can tell you havent a clue what the hell youre talkin about!

[exile166]

dumb article

[PacoWang]

slash is a guit, you're an idiot.

you don't know anything about metal.

i usually respect people's opinions, but not yours.

ac/dc is not metal, retard. tommy lee isn't that good of a drummer, neither is lars ulrich.

i would suggest some good metal bands for you to listen to, but you aren't worthy.

[Wickedcarny]

Yea i never considered Queen and AC/DC metal. I think that is because they arent metal. This article could have been good, maybe you should have named more than 3 examples of metal bands. Or what bands arent metal that have short hair? Who knows...so i repeat, this article could have been good.

[chaz man]

This article was horrible.

[Oswald]

I can say like this.....
You dont have to trash a hotel room to be a good Metal player.
You do not need ***ing long hair like some sissy girl.
So this article is the ***ing worst ive looked at.
You are embaressing me.
By saying this, you might think that I am a boring looser but no!!!
I am smart.
Cause you do not need to be a complete idiot to play decent Metal.
( If you dont play Death Metal!!!)

[frigginjerk]

this article was truly terrible. i mean it. there was so little in here that even came close to a good, valid point.

truly ignorant, truly short-sighted, and damn... what did you expect people to say?

[i am slash!]

i think this artical could have been good if the person writting it new what they was on about. for starters you said heavey metal bands heavey metal is like some one else has pointed out normally from places like sweeden and do play 7 strings an others things like that, also the bands youve named are all from the 80's an so forth so bak then they probaly was classed as heavey metal but now there not . dont get me rong i like 80's ROCK but i just disagree completely with what you have said.i think more like what you should have put is things like most metal bands have long hair not if your good youve got to have it. any way i think it woz a good idea for an artical but only if wrote by some one who's nose what there on about.

[Resiliance]

This was kind of...


Crap.

[verymetal]

metallica and pantera arent heavy metal theyre thrash metal dumbass

[verymetal]

what about megadeth theyre the band

[i_have_issues]

the darkness are from lowestoft not london u twat

[slash is god]

wtf is this guy on about ???????

1) metal is anything from led zepellin to maiden to archenemy to korn, just different types
2)whoever can discuss the darkness (decent glam rock band) and metal in the same sentence needs shooting
3) hes right most good metallers had long hair in the 80's (dave mustaine, james hetfield, bruce dickinson etc.) but most have had it cut (dave mustaine, james hetfield, bruce dickinson etc.)
4) Tommy Lee sucks at drums

[Whiskey Leech]

Darkness are from Lowestoft. n00bs these days eh?

[SHANANDO]

I totally agree with thebassmaster.

I'm not voting either....

[Geldof the Grey]

YAWN!
This could never have been a good article, the concept itself is flawed in that no-one cares...

[Oswald]

Was it even worst than mine???

[roumen]

oswald, no ... (btw i havent read yours)

[Mr_Fooz]

what a retarded article. You give a bad name to real metalheads like me everywhere. People like you should be dragged into the streets and shot. I vote for a public execution/banning. It's obvious you have no idea what youre talking about when 99% of the "metal" bands you mentioned are just rock bands with long hair.

[Oswald]

roumen... You should not read it because your eyes will start to bleed!!!

[Mr_Fooz]

And American Metal is SOOOOO Much better than british metal. There aren't as many real metal bands from the UK anymore. The only good ones still around are Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. The US has Pantera, Slayer, Dream Theater, Metallica, Megadeth, Black Label Society. I can go on forever. WHat a biased and stupid article. Check your spelling next time buddy.

[Oswald]

WHAT ABOUT SWEDEN!!!!!

[roumen]

since when is bon jovi heavy metal?? or queen for that matter?

you know what makes a good article? if its written by someone whos not you

[Munje]

"metallica and pantera arent heavy metal theyre thrash metal dumbass"
---
No.., Metallica USED to be trash metal way back. What an idiot you are. I'm offended.

[axisboldaslove]

what a twat.

[Punk lives on]

what the f**k are you on about!

[pinkerton]

HOLY SHIT, lets not start a fight about the differences between "heavy metal" and "Thrash metal".

And that article sucked, what are you, seven? What makes good metal is good music, just like all other forms of music.

[rhcp_guitarist]

shit....plain shit

[emokid182]

That article rocked... it was incredible


(hey... i felt bad for the writer)

[gnr8801]

Ehhhh... I'll just leave it at that, you've heard enough from everyone else.

[ChurchNSkate]

what about satriani. he does solos too. what about head and munky. not the best, but hell, they proved they can do metallica just FINE dude. crappy grammer and stuff. stick to EASL dude no offence. (english as a second language) or stay in first grade in texas. shit article. also, i play seven string and i could kick your ass in a duel ANY day, and my seven string is made for rhythm and i can still outshread your ass. get over yourself.

[ChurchNSkate]

metallica asshole...some of them have short hair. satriani is shaved head!

[simonparry]

holy crap ur a dumb ***in retarded arse wipe

worst article ever

[MusicIsMyLife]

sounds like something i would of wrote when i was 12... as far as the whole trash metal heavy metal stuff-- it would be such a big arguement and i feel bad for the writer you guys are totally burning him...im not sayin he doesnt deserve but jeese, dont make him kill him self lol- i dunno you really shouldnt of named band names and u sound kind of like a poser (im tryin to get away from using that word) but u mainly described the life style of the band memebers when u should of been talkin about wat really makes a band...THE MUSIC...

[zakk_wylde4]

that was horrible, how old are you?

[BloodBlooms]

Here are just a few bands to add to those already mentioned that rip your article a new asshole. Lamb of God is an amazing metal band from Virginia (yeah, the one in the America) and their lead singer has *gasp! short hair! Meshuggah isn't from the UK either, and they are dexterous, innovative, and exceptional with their 8 string guitars! Other incredible non-UK heavy metal bands: Sepultura, Opeth, In Flames, Chimaira, the list goes on. And hair length? Rammstein, Life of Agony, Killswitch Engage, Hatebreed, Mudvayne, and plenty others have short hair. I'm not even going to touch your "Attitude" point, because it's utterly ignorant. If you only enjoy heavy metal because the bands are boisterous, drunken fools, grow the hell up.

[BloodBlooms]

On a less condescending note, however, don't let this piss poor article and those who are hammering you for it (though, in this case you deserve it) keep you from writing. I would highly recommend a healthy dose of research based on something more than opinions and a handful of uber-popular examples as well as a more mature, insightful, and professional approach to your future articles. Good luck!

[Cobain-is-God]

you need to take a good trip out on the highway and wait in the dark for a damn car to hit you!!!

[Kill em all89]

It helps a Heavy Metal band if they are from the UK? not true there are tons of good american metal bands metallica,pantera,etc

[turtleman]

utter crap

[Wizcid]

wow i cant believe how much it looks like u completely BS'ed ur way through this. By the way... i would be very slow to call Van Halen heavy metal. Get your facts straight.

[crzywhiteboy]

im not even gona say anything about this.i wish we can give like -5 on articles.and why the hell does this had a 9.who votes for this stuff.
sorry man but dont write again.
This remindes be of whan i wached american idol right now.They all say they good but suck ass like this artice.

[toadhjo]

Wow, worst article evar!

[Cameo]

I'm gonna be really nice.

This sucks.

I could've said so much more.

[evildeadarmy]

wow!!!Wat a grate areticle.i did gradeate from hed-start schoool en payeettee, idaho last wek aand i tink u ar smaretest pirson i evir hered of.teh wae u yous u wurds is grate.i wahnt 2 groew uhp an b juhst licke u sumedae!!!

[MatsumotoHideto]

This article would've been kick ass if it were back about 20 years ago man.

Nice try.

[musicmaniac2003]

Now, Now. WTF am I supposed to abuse about? AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Van Halen, are all hard rock n' roll bands,pal! How can you shelve them up in metal......and motley crue doesnt come anywhere in the periphery of rock....they are dance-metal or some worser shit.

i agree with"thebassmaster","M
r_fooz" completely. AND,what the hell is your criteria for your inexcusably disgusting classifications. your points dont mean shit. WORSER:your introductory anecdote was like, real irrelevant piece of stinky shit. it didnt support any of your following lines..which were more crappy! Long hair...must have to be 4m UK!...can it be any more ridiculous and moronic? thanx anywayz....i had a hearty laugh at your wretched write-up!

P.S. Dont dare to write another article...I'll track you down to death!

[MetalRawks]

Man this article sucked, u didnt once talk about the music and thats wat metals about. NOT trashing hotel rooms or growing ure hair long. Do us a favour and think about the next article u write and make it relevant.

[eXploZive]

You've ever listened to a song?

[cold_static544]

oh come on............come on.......this article reeks of superficiality.......

[tremontifan]

when were Queen and Bon Jovi ever considered metal, not to mention ^shudder^ Motley Crue? and please don't tell people that drunk and stupid behavior classifies you as a metaler. grow up.

btw, could anyone who knows what they're talking about tell me the difference between thrash and heavy metal and why people argue about whether metallica and other such bands are metal or thrash?

[bigmattbrown]

Im sorry, but no. I just simply cant understand what makes you think of this kind of stuff, and especially makes you want to write an article about it. Particularly when you arent in possesion of any of the facts. My article got flamed to high hell, but this is just not the way to go about it. Try again 'slash is a guit', you need the practice.

[slash is a guit]

for god sake you all take things way too seriously lighten up!

[towelman]

Do random strangers spit on you on the street? Take things too seriously? I wasted 4 minutes of my life on your sh**ty article. I could of painted something or wrote a song about someone with a knife, ya jerk. I don't think I'll lighten up buddy. See if you can prove pyshics wrong by trying to fly.

[elms2988]

wow, we guitarists aren't very forgiving people, huh?

[Pagerot]

What can I say, people suck.

It's the music we listen to, not how they look. Look at Iron Maiden. Not the prettiest fellows around, if I may say so - but their music is good. Your article makes very little sense.

[Punk lives on]

whats your problem with seven stringers? as for the article it was completly retared my baby cousion understands metal better than you! since when were queen ac/dc and Guns an Roses heavy metal?

[tacocraig]

that article has nothing much do to with metal at all. it doesnt matter how you act or look to be metal. the music is what makes things metal. if you have good heavy metal music with short hair, it doesnt matter at all. what does led zeppelin have to do with metal. they are rock n roll definitely not metal. metallica, pantera, yes, they are metal, but not good ole led. i think next time you need to think a little more clearly before you right an article about heavy metal.

[Valhalla]

Yeah shut up, Joe Satriani is none of those things, yet he will destroy all.

[slash is a guit]

god you really are retards aren't you it's not serious it's a ***ing joke none of that shit has anything to do with the music its ironic a piss take like Spinal Tap and if you are too stupid and uncultured to see that then I have 2 words for you "FUCK OFF!!!"

[slash is a guit]

next time I'll write an amazing serious article and kick all of your nu-metal-loving asses! so you soon losers!
P.S.I could out guitar any of you any day of the week! So piss off!!!

[slash is a guit]

Oh yeah also I am more metal than all of you put together!!!

[sctblr]

well i think you had good ideas, but what you are talkin about isnt always true, cuz well, whenever there is a rule, there is always and exception, its called a matter of opinion, and yours sir, was shit

[slash is a guit]

you all just wait my next article will kick all your nu-metal asses!!!

[Knifeparty]

this author is a prime example of the now cool 'alternative' culture in britain where the ppl think that they are 'extreme' by listneing to what they think is metal but really they dont have a clue this is a good example as the author has said what makes good heavy metal but has failed to mention any heavy metal bands cept metallica i feel truly ashamed of this culture in my nation

[Knifeparty]

i actually enjoyed this article not the article itself but abuse after it well done to all involved and dont try and say itssupposed to be a pisstake now thats weak atleast stick by your sh*t

[lp_mayer_guitar]

i believe in a thing called love is one the worst f*cken songs i've heard in a long time. and they expect to be taken seriously with crap that that, and what's with the video?

[fixxxer_928]

yeah, is that guy gay or something....i mean theres heavy metal tight leather but then theres gay tight leather (or whatever that guys wears).....i think that guy is gay

[Cameo]

I can understand satire-- it's the "grammar" and "sentence structure" that hurts me. Not very funny, either.

[plrdsmthdude27]

this article is shit. You know what makes a good heavy metal band?, THE MUSIC JACKASS

[MusicIsMyLife]

dude, slash is a guit who the *** do u think your kidding... how can u claim to be more metal than anyone here and your screen names is about ***in slash... and anyone who is gunna come in here and say they can "out-guitar" anyone in here is 1 of 2 things,,,1) a fake 2) a total asshole who can decently play a guitar...u could of passed it as a joke if u didnt try to sound so smart in your article, if it was a piece of litature i would rip it into a million tiny pieces... light it on fire..but the fire would be started with a spark from a flint,,then i would piss it out and shit on it... honestly num nuts... DONT WRITE AGAIN

[Lint]

well this guy is an idoit

and i dont think an/dc is heavy metal as much as general rock

[crzywhiteboy]

"ow can u claim to be more metal than anyone here and your screen names is about ***in slash..."

what you mean ***in slash he would own anyone on UG on guitar without even trying.

[thebassmaster]

slash is a guit:
you all just wait my next article will kick all your nu-metal asses!!!

ill be waiting, though if it mocks nu metal, i think im going to give it 1*

[bigmattbrown]

just a minor point, but this is some seriously bad joke, if, of course, that wasnt just a pathetic attempt to cover yourself for writing this trash. by the way, my ass may be hairy, but its certainly not nu-metal.

[BigCheese]

Ooh, he'll kick all our nu-metal asses, over the internet too, impresive. >_

[koreazz7]

um, whatever (dumbass!)

[musicmaniac2003]

"slashisaguit" U r a big disgrace for keeping that ID which has guitar-legend SLASH in it...what does that shitty ID mean anywayz?

U have lost every possible civil right 2 open your ***in mouth coz your article sucked ass, and ur further posts simply reveal your hysteric stupidity.What do u mean "FUCK OFF"...You can only say that 2 a mirror...for writing this worst piece of shit. GO FUCK YOURSELF, BASTARD!

[slash is a guit]

god you all whine way too much

[musicmaniac2003]

You deserve more pain than a brutal blood-curdling death...You freakshow.

Stop posting or i'll burn ur ass...& NEVER WRITE...EVER.

[BigCheese]

Funny, everyone flaming in here probably has no ablility to kick anyones ass, ever. XD

[BloodBlooms]

Hey, man, if you are being serious and that article was intended soley as a piss take, then more power to you. You should've made it a little clearer that that was your intention, though. It probably would've resolved alot of this. But either way, it wasn't that funny. If you really can blow us away with a serious article, I'd stick to doing that, because humor really isn't your forte.

[musicmaniac2003]

Bigcheese...stop being a loser, just bcoz u cant kick anyone's ass doesnt get generlized 4 all. People posting have brainz and passion for music and it pains to see such a worthless article doing the round of UG. If u wanna keep your ass shut, then go ahead. We will keep speakin ... sense.

[JenJen]

what was this guy on

[saiyanmetalhead]

what in the hell are you ***ing thinking, trashing hotel rooms, no 7 string guitarists,having long hair, you are the biggest ***ing loser i have ever read in my life, hell i usually let people talk about music and get away with it but you dont even have a clue what music is apparently, next time you decide to post an opinion about something try talking about something you half ass at least know...jesus christ this article sucked

[the fendernator]

yeah motorhead really refined heavy metal to what it is today. yaeh...

[Bilzzard_of_Ozz]

Y' kinda forgot John Bonham on the drummers section...

[_3Dblasphemy_]

motorhead and maiden refined it to what it is today??? bullshit man todays metal is nothing like that....US bands are much better (and im from the UK!)

[devcon1]

DUDE WHAT MAKES A GOOD HEAVY METAL BAND IS THE F***ING MUSIC NOTHING MORE... THE OTHER STUFF IS JUST HEAVY METAL LIFE STYLE/LOOK

[pant weasel]

F*** what it looks like...the music is the heart and soul of metal. You could look like a damn emo kid and still be metal.

[PunxNotDead7688]

All you mother ***ers are gonna pay. You are the ones who are the ball lickers. We're gonna *** your mothers while you watch and cry like little whinny bitches. As soon as we get to Hollywood and find those Miramax ***s who are making the movie, we're gonna make them eat our shit, then shit out our shit, then eat thier shit that we made them eat. Then all you little ***s are next.

Love,
Jay and Silent Bob

[talking_goat]

I agree with everyone else in the whole goddam universe...

I didn't think it was actually physically possible, but this article both sucks and blows.

[Kai-7]

Slash was born in the UK. No shit. He told me. LOL kidding, but he was born in the UK. I like all those bands there. but they aint metal.

[JenJen]

dude. when the other dude did the "101 rules for extreme metal" it was funny. but when you do it, its just sad because i actually think you are serious about the long hair comment.
hahahahahaha, kind of pathetic.

[elnicko12]

Who's 'we'? I hate Lars Ulrich.

[Electro Man!]

No stars for the article but 5 stars for the comments!!!

[shinkyo00]

Electro Man!:
No stars for the article but 5 stars for the comments!!!
[POSTED: 14 March 2004 - 11:25]|

I agree.

[bass_maiden]

...queen aren't a heavy metal band...

[bass_maiden]

i could have said so much more

[strigoi_vii]

queen is progressive

[eyehatepop89]

Queen is prog.? huh. didn't know that... thanx though

[harvestersorrow]

lead guitarists are cool

[IllegalMOFO]

Fuck, man. Don't write anything involving metal, cuz you don know what metal is.

[desecratedone]

who cares about the appearance if they're awsome musicians then i wouldn't care wat they looked like but as stated in the article attitude is everything look at killswitch engage they have a great attitude and sense of humor and r an awsome still awsome even with their new singer an drummer

[desecratedone]

by the way it would've been nice to mention bands like chimaira, in flames, shadows fall, fear factory, killswitch engage, korn, machine head, opeth, and the list goes on (and by the way neone who says lars isn't a great drummer obviously dosen't noe wat drumming is)

[Wasted_Years]

Worst cover up ever.





You may be able to kick my ass at guitar, most people can but you still sound like an arsewipe.

[dan123]

if all gd metal is from the uk why do u mention angus young from AC/DC twice come on the aussies mate

[RockNRollGuy420]

ya some of todays black metal come from a bunch or european countries but still there is ***ig great death metal and black metal and industrial and other bands from the us so *** you and you dont know shit ..What makes metal sucks is when it just sounds stupid *cough *cough * cough *cough marilyn manson *cough Korn *cough *cough or they do some poserass shit like like Insane clown p ussy i mean poser uuh posse ..like mixing rap and metal together (I heard slipknot does this too...)
also i hate saying i like a band that a bunch of poser teenage cunts wannabe goths who just listen to ICP slipknot manson Korn mettallica... you get the point?

[RockNRollGuy420]

you just piss me off because you say no american bands bands are good, first off american punk rock kicksass but that is not metal so i will not keep talking abbout that so ill just think that the only american bands that you hear about today are ***ing nu-metal and that shit

[RockNRollGuy420]

just to tell you for the *** of it you there is a kickass death metal band from Brazil called Sepultra check em out

[twocenttip]

ummm i disagree.

[Metalmouth]

Ok you ****ing Dick American Metal Kicks ass! You do not need long hair to be good even though most metal bands have long hair. The band needs to not sound like SHIT & it will be good! fUCK YOU Rocknrollguy420 Marilyn Manson ****ing Kicks ass! I do not agree, on marilyn manson but I do agree on Insane clown possy. They SUCK!

[Metalmouth]

Every band desecratedone said kicks ass

[the.iron.maiden]

alright. queen isnt metal, or even hair metal, although Brian May really brought it with the hair. Freddie kept the lighter and more intricate feeling in the band. he kept it strictly to the talent and meaning, not so much the loudness. as for the hair, yes, i know, it ups your look as a metalhead, and really helps for the headbashing, but it doesnt have to be that well,...big.

[metalbassist988]

everyones goin around agreein with that bassmaster dude and sayin how trashed hotel rooms dont make you metal and long hair is for sissys. i kinda agree with the hotel thing, your band cant trash a holiday inn and say "yeah! we're metal now!" but what the guy was tryin to say was all the awsum metal bands didnt care about what people thot of them and just had fun.most bands should be like that today, but it doesnt throw an "I'm Metal" sticker on u.
But i think that more metal bands need long hair. i mean c'mon guys, thats a key ingredient in rocknroll!
you dont have to grow ur hair out if u dont want to, but im tired of seein these horrible metalcore bands on headbangers ball that bang their bald-ass heads like its cul or sumthin. what really made me mad was when that Oswald fuker said long hair is for sissy girls. dude, this isnt tackling drills at football practice.we dont have to proove whos more manlier when we talk about music.and that Bassmaster dude oviously hasnt seen the awsum,long-haired headbanging of Cliff Burton.
but do what u want. if you like short hair, than have it short.if u dont like to party a little, then dont. remember that only the music labels the genre.

[rockergurl09]

hows anyone supposed to define metal? comparing to the newer metal makes the older metal bands look like sissies with facepaint on. lol

[true_bacon22]

methodlessman wrote:

This is a bunch of crap. You hardly even name any metal bands. Motley Crue is crappy popped up hair rock. Iced Earth is heavy metal not Motley Crue or
The Darkness or Van Halen.

You see this is why i hate all these screamer bands theyve over populized and are now the majoraty of metal bands and now people think Van halen and acdc arent metal they arent hardcore KILL YOUR PARENTS BLAAAAAHHHHH THERE IS NO GOD BLAAAAAHHHH. god dman

[Shreddin 4 Life]

Seriously, the there is NO answer what so ever to the question: "What makes great metal?"
And the reason for that is simply because there are too many different sub-genres of metal, from the NWOBHM to Shred to Black Metal to Death Metal and all of the variants in between. Great metal is based on your tastes. Some people like softer pioneering metal (like Black Sabbath or Deep Purple) while others like brutal metal (like Cannibal Corpse or Nile). What you like defines what you think is great, so the question proposed in this column is a huge load of crap as far as I'm concerned...

[usandthem_tool]

this is the worst article i've ever seen. saying you need long hair to be a good metal band is just embarassing

[pagan_bloodlust]

pinkerton :
HOLY SHIT, lets not start a fight about the differences between "heavy metal" and "Thrash metal".
Heavy metal is actually a general term and has no meanin in relation to metal what so ever and thats when you tell metal noobs from metalheads. Metalheads always refere to a specific genre and noobs call it all heavy metal

[doomnight]

The five things that make a good metal band are: Vocalist, Lead guitarist, Rhythm guitarist, Drummer and Bassist. Easily said.

[ragflesh]

whatever! metal thing 4 me is me!!!! har..har..har..

[atkm2891]

no 7 stringers? how about shadows fall retard?

[LoW]

Have u ever heard the term FUCK YOU? Cause wad da **** u know about metal? The Darkness... They are just bunch of cock rockers who CAN'T PLAY! And 2ly, what the ****in rules those are?! Have a break and get a life man...

[wetwilliamthe3r]

i guess john pettrucci, matt heafy,and the guitarists from meshuggah whose names i cant spell are all crap now arnt they?

[pie_man_25]

I hope candlejack comes to get hi

[pie_man_25]

EPIC FAIL

[Guitargod12345]

How about Classical influences.

[Helliex]

Wow lol... This article does suck. -5 stars.

[Cannibal Corpse]

Looks like you have got things just a bit mixed up. Good musicianship makes good metal.
Not long hair, that's an image thing that has been around with metallers for ages. To be honest just because someone uses a 7-string guitar it doesn't mean they're not going to make good metal.

It doesn't matter where a metal band is from, as long as they make good music that's okay with me. & there are a lot more good metal bands that come out of America than here in the U.K. Perhaps something to do with the popultion differences & how much more widespread it is in America...

[blasphemy666]

heheheheheh u ppl need to chill out this is obviously a joke and its a good one!

[Gab_Chris]

dude u never heard of COB and Hammerfall ( one from finland and the other from suede. they started at the same i think and now the RULE each side with their genre) COB with death metal more aggresive and hammerfall a combinason of hard rock and power metal

[Gab_Chris]

in the end its all about music and nothing more

[mikea93]

whoever posted this article has NO FUCKING IDEA what metal is. this guy just talks about music he hears on vh1 classic.

[buck_inc]

Punk lives on wrote:

whats your problem with seven stringers? as for the article it was completly retared my baby cousion understands metal better than you! since when were queen ac/dc and Guns an Roses heavy metal?

[buck_inc]

dude seriosly there are so many good 7 string guitar bands. unearth,divine heresy. nevermore, dude your stupid as hell

[FaceInTheSand]

From the writing style, it seems to be tongue-in-cheek, but without the wit to pull off the parody of metalhead elitists correctly.

Observe -
_____
ATTENTION: MEDICAL EMERGENCY

A new disease has been discovered, called "Shrinking Horizon's Syndrome". This ailment is caused by excessive windmilling and detuned noise, and the 20-40 year old, single, white male group is particuarly at risk because the virus thrives in long hair and leather trousers.

This terrible plague may affect your friends and family, so be on the look out for the symptoms below.

They refuse to listen to Korpiklaani because they're not quite as heavy or Viking as Finntroll.
They can't stand Isis anymore because Oceanic was such a sell-out album.
They stopped listening to Iron Maiden when Bruce Dickinson cut his hair.
They refuse to listen to Mayhem because they haven't burned a church or murdered one another for a whole four years.



If left unchecked, this illness could lead to opinions so concrete, and elitism so deep, that the sufferer will listen to nothing but Axis Of Perdition vinyls at half speed in a room so dark it makes space look like Divali.

(Announcement brought to you by Professor Hegg, Department of Metal Studies, Finland)

[EricC89]

First off, you are an idiot if you think that's the stuff of great Heavy Metal. Second, theres more to metal then just a guitar solo and a drummer thats name is well known. Yes, I will agree with that statement on attitude, it is somewhat important to metal. But what makes good Heavy Metal is the MUSIC. It's a combination of the guitars, the bass, the drums, and the vocals to create the music they enjoy playing. But this is all just my opinion, some may agree with this and some may not, either way is fine by me.

[AA00P]

You can hardly name a single metal band, for starters.

1. It helps a Heavy Metal band if they are from the UK no-offense to American Metal bands but the British invented it and do it in the majority better than the Americans (granted Metallica, Pantera, Motley Crue and Guns N' Roses are the exception to this rule) Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath invented the basic genre where Motorhead, Iron Maiden and the NWOBHM refined it to what it is today

Who gives a **** where metal started in regards to a band being good?
And metal today is far more varied, diverse, and refined than it was in the days of the NWOBHM. Certainly many British bands are great, but give America props where it's due. California Bay Area thrash and Tampa Florida Death metal spawned some amazing bands, and today America's got the NWOAHM.
And don't even get me started on Scandinavia...

2. They must have long hair (or at least have had long hair at one point) how many good Metal bands have short hair I cant think of any if you can please tell me.

Long hair may be good for headbanging but honestly, this is the stuff of worthless hair-metal.

3. They must have at least a half decent guitarist e.g no 7-stringers (except Steve Vai) and they have to be able to do a decent solo all the great metal bands have brilliant guitarists (Kirk Hammett from Metallica, Eddie Van Halen, Slash of Gn'R, Angus Young of AC/DC and all the others)

Mhm. You're right there.

4. Attitude. One of the most important characteristics to have in a Heavy Metal band where is Metal without attitude? Without trashed hotel rooms? Without the willing groupies? Nowhere attitude is a cental part of Metal culture without attitude Gn'R and Motley Crue would only be good musicians with a bland stage show and a guitarists who looked like half man, half beast hybrids.

Meh. Attitude is best conveyed through the music and through the band's stage presence while performing that music, not through all that extra crap.

5. Memorable Drummers. e.g. Tommy Lee (Motley Crue memorable not only for his flying drumkits but also for his "relations" with Pamela Anderson), Nicko Mcbrain (Iron Maiden that name who can forget) and Lars Ulrich (Metallica who can forget the Danish berk who never shuts up? but we still like him).

Doesn't matter so much just as long as the drummer is good.

You sir, are fail.

[GenderConfusedJ]

Iron.

[Tig Bitties]

1. It helps a Heavy Metal band if they are from the UK no-offense to American Metal bands but the British invented it and do it in the majority better than the Americans (granted Metallica, Pantera, Motley Crue and Guns N' Roses are the exception to this rule) Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath invented the basic genre where Motorhead, Iron Maiden and the NWOBHM refined it to what it is today


This might be the dumbest thing you said in the article, just because alot of bands came from the UK doesnt mean you have to be from there, it just means that back then there was a different culture, in present day bands come from everywhere

2. They must have long hair (or at least have had long hair at one point) how many good Metal bands have short hair I cant think of any if you can please tell me.

Correction THIS is the dumbest thing you said, you dont need long hair, Ex. Kerry King doesnt even have hair! And having an appearance doesnt increase music ability

3. They must have at least a half decent guitarist e.g no 7-stringers (except Steve Vai) and they have to be able to do a decent solo all the great metal bands have brilliant guitarists (Kirk Hammett from Metallica, Eddie Van Halen, Slash of Gn'R, Angus Young of AC/DC and all the others)


Jeff Loomis plays 7 strings and he is a phenomenal guitarist. Other than that yes the guitarist has to be halfway decent.

4. Attitude. One of the most important characteristics to have in a Heavy Metal band where is Metal without attitude? Without trashed hotel rooms? Without the willing groupies? Nowhere attitude is a cental part of Metal culture without attitude Gn'R and Motley Crue would only be good musicians with a bland stage show and a guitarists who looked like half man, half beast hybrids.


You must be living in the 80's because all that stuff was back in the day. Metal nowadays doesnt have to do with trashing hotel rooms? It is varied between crusifying nuns, partying you are right about and its alot about recordings and stage presence.

5. Memorable Drummers. e.g. Tommy Lee (Motley Crue memorable not only for his flying drumkits but also for his "relations" with Pamela Anderson), Nicko Mcbrain (Iron Maiden that name who can forget) and Lars Ulrich (Metallica who can forget the Danish berk who never shuts up? but we still like him).

You just named drummers who were in the hair metal era. It can be a memorable anybody!

[fred_slayer]

The country? what does the country change? maybee there was more good band from the UK, but why would it help ? does your location on the earth make you play better ?In my opinion, a band from the north pole that is popular would be better than an UK popular band, why? because it was harder for them to become well known. The country does not change anything.

What does the ****ing hair have to do with the music ??? Of cours every metal bands have long hair, why? because its a marginalisation, and its an other way to be diferent from, and the stronger argument, METAL IS A LIFE STYLE ''sex drugs rock and roll''

7 strings guitar ? I would personaly not use them, but if a metal band use it, why not ? it is music, they can do what they want, would you notice in a song if a guitarist use a 7 string guitar ?. And of course good music need good musician, it is an evidence that a good metal band could not exist whitout good guitarists.

The atitude? does the fact that Motley Crue screw up their hotel rooms and have groupies make them better? it is because they are good that they have groupies, not because they have groupies that theyu are good. Idiot.

Drumer ? Memorable ? its not their tecnicals abilitys that make them good, it is what they create and play. You dont need a memorable drummer, or event guiarist, the whole band must be memorable.

Conclusion:
You don't know what is metal, you seem to have listen too much these stupid biographies, but not enought the real metal which is music, not biographies.

[yao151]

Oh....so thats how it is?you do not want to diss AMERICAN metal! we already stomped your asses in one war...