Metal By Country

Out of curiosity, I decided to do a quick analysis of which countries the metal artists contained on my computer come from. I only included artists that are, for the most part, definitively considered to be metal. I did not take into account owning (or at least having in the house) multiple albums from artists, as there are several on the list in which I have more than one album.

After looking at the number of artists by country, I decided to take a look at the number of albums by country that I have. The distribution is relatively the same, with the exception of the United States.

Shared List of The 10 Best Folk Metal Bands

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2013/12/the_10_best_folk_metal_bands.php

It seems that this particular blog entry has been shared quite a bit recently, so I thought I’d take a look for myself. While everyone is going to have some level of disagreement over ‘best of’ lists, this one leaves me a little puzzled. Like every other writer, and music lover, I tend to have opinions that do not necessarily agree with the opinions of others. 

There are a few bands appearing on this list that I would not put into the category of folk metal. Ulver seems to be a weird choice, especially when the author notes that they’ve created a hybrid that includes almost every sub-genre but folk metal. Just because you have cellos or ambient drums does not make you a folk metal band. Agalloch is another that I wouldn’t classify as being an example of folk metal. Sure, they incorporate several different subgenres, and much like Ulver, have sampled many different influences. Are they folk metal? I wouldn’t say so. Blackguard really does not strike me as folk metal either. I’ve seen Blackguard live numerous times with bands that are both folk metal, and bands that are more death or thrash influenced. While they fit somewhere in the middle, I would not use them as an example of folk metal.

With a ‘ten best’ list, you have to quite selective. The title suggested that I would find examples of folk metal upon reading the list. While there are some legitimate examples of what one tends to consider folk metal, there are a few that make me question the choices on the list. There are so many other bands that are much more distinctly folk metal than Agalloch, Ulver and Blackguard that including them to exemplify the sub-genre seems misguided. The other bands on the list are what most would likely consider folk metal, albeit being some of the most popular, well known bands of the genre. 

I always like reading ‘best-of’ lists and contemplating why I either agree or disagree with the choices. Maybe I should just write my own list of 10 Best Folk Metal Bands. 

(Insert Number) Best Albums of the Year

Just a quick thought...

When I see these lists of the best albums of the year, I often wonder how you can have enough time to sit and actually absorb the material on each album. I would assume that whomever is composing these does not pay for each and every album, because when I see lists of the '100 Best Metal Albums of the Year', I begin to wonder how this is even possible.

I know I certainly couldn't find the time to listen to and review that many albums without shirking every other responsibility I might have! Nor could I find anywhere near the level of spare cash required to buy that many albums in a year...

The difference between a hobby and a career? Probably.

Concert Photography: A Dying Art?

A piece that is purely my opinion, and thrown together in a short amount of time. Take from it what you will. 

Is concert photography becoming a lost art? I find myself pondering that question every time a myriad of pictures appears from any live show I’ve attended (or any other show, for that matter). It’s relatively easy to find pictures from almost any event or show now, posted online for the entire world to see. The quality ranges from absolutely awful to professional. 

‘Professional’ photography seems to have different defining characteristics now than it did before the rise of and the popularity of digital cameras. Sure, digital cameras have made taking pictures simple. Compared to film, you can store a ridiculous amount of photos on a simple memory card. So why not take a thousand pictures, hoping for a handful of truly excellent ones? If you don’t get any fantastic pictures, not to worry, any number of photo-editing programs can come to the rescue. With the advances in technology in recent years, anyone can become a ‘professional’ photographer. 

On one hand, there’s nothing wrong with this. I’ve seen some great photos, and some really creative ideas emerge using available technologies. Things that would have been very difficult, or impossible, to do using film. In terms of photography for the sake of capturing a moment in time, digital cameras and phone cameras have made it ridiculously simple for the average person. Cell phone cameras have made leaps and bounds in the last few years, although personally I’d rather use an actual camera to capture whatever I’m trying to capture. Even professional level photography equipment is readily available, and although somewhat expensive, still affordable if one prioritizes correctly. Some photo editing software is relatively easy to use, and simple photo editing is built into cameras and standard computer photo programs. Perhaps this is starting to paint a picture of why the true art of concert photography is on it’s last legs...

Photography in general can still be considered an art form, but I do not consider it nearly as much of an art form as before cameras went digital. Anyone who has actually used a film camera knows that unless you wanted to spend a lot of money developing a lot of pictures, or spend a lot of time changing film rolls that you could easily ruin by simply opening the camera, you had to spend a little bit more time considering the shot you wanted to take. Personally, I’m a lot more proud of most of the photos I’ve taken using a film camera than I am of the vast majority of photos I’ve taken using digital cameras. It’s not as exciting to instantly have the photos available. Something has been lost in no longer having to wait to get film developed and finally seeing the results. Developing one’s own film, and watching an image slowly come to life, instead of merely clicking a button, had something inherently rewarding about it. Sure, it was easy to screw up, and you might not always get the results you wanted, but that was part of it. Film just seems to have a more organic appeal, although this is quickly being lost in a society that doesn’t value things that don’t come instantly. 

Will we really get those truly iconic concert photos anymore? Those live photos of bands like Led Zeppelin and The Who? It’s still possible to find great concert photography. While still possible, it seems that it’s lost the edge that it once had. It’s easy to make a photo polished after the fact. It’s easy to digitally adjust any number of factors that couldn’t be so easily adjusted before. It’s relatively easy for anyone to become a great photographer. That in itself seems sad. On one hand, it’s fantastic for the average person. On the other hand, it signals the end of an art form in which not everyone had the skills readily available at their fingertips to create something great. 

Personally, I’ve generally quit attempting to take live concert photos. If my camera makes an appearance, it’s to capture moments with friends, or perhaps to get a picture with a band member. Granted, I do not have professional photography equipment, nor do I have the photo editing skills to make it appear that I do. When I take pictures, it’s for my own reasons. Not for the disillusionment that I can become a professional photographer, or that any photos I take are of a ‘professional’ quality. 

With that being said, I’m still struggling to understand the ban that has been placed on photography at some venues, or for certain shows. (Unless of course, you have a photography pass and a professional quality camera). What’s the point in placing a ban on point and shoot cameras? I’ve run into it countless times upon attempting to bring my point-and-shoot into shows, and have often rudely been told that photography is not allowed. Even though it mentions nothing about on the ticket itself, or any publicity put out before the show. Why ban a point-and-shoot camera when every idiot out there is snapping (often horrible) pictures with their cell phone? Just a thought...

Finntroll with Blackguard, Metsatöll, Trollband Concert Review

Finntroll with Blackguard, Metsatöll and Trollband

Nov. 18th, 2013

The Pawnshop

The evening started off with western Canadian blackened folk metallers Trollband opening. Having missed their album release party a few months ago, I was interested to see their take on folk metal. Especially since I did not realize they were on the line-up until arriving at the venue. The ‘blackened’ element definitely shone through at times, creating a sound heavier than most folk metal. Trollband was able to put some energy into a half-full house, evidenced by having those who were initially reluctant to get on the floor nearer to the stage by the end of their set. 

Metsatöll’s set proved to be an interesting experience, as one could assume it would be. Interesting, in this case, does not have any negative connotations. Rather, utilizing traditional Estonian instruments on stage (and in recordings) proved to be something slightly different and incredibly good. Metsatöll was able to build upon the energy in the room, engaging the audience although it’s almost a complete guarantee that no-one in the crowd actually understood the Estonian language. Ancestral instruments and lyrical themes were still able to be communicated through the music, creating for a solid set. Metsatöll is a band that I have long had intentions to further check into, and after seeing an impressive set, this may become a priority. 

Blackguard, hailing from eastern Canada, held the slot directly before the headliners. Having seen Blackguard numerous times over several years with several different lineups, they still felt slightly out of place on this folk metal flavored line-up. The crowd seemed quite receptive and the first evidence of a small mosh pit could be witnessed during their set. Perhaps it was due to relatively recent line-up changes, but their set seemed slightly disorganized in comparison with previous shows. Personal opinion might play an influencing role in my perception of Blackguard’s set as I used to be a fan but have not been for some time now. (There is a good reason, but a review is not the place to discuss it in detail). 

Headliners Finntroll came out with force, tearing into ‘Blodsvept’ and ‘Solsagan’ at the start of the set. These, as well as other material from the two newest albums, “Blodsvept” and “Nifelvind” seemed to be crowd pleasers. Having been a long-time Finntroll fan, it seemed strange when other audience members clearly didn’t recognize older material, but I suppose it’s bound to happen. Vocalist Mathias ‘Vreth’ Lillmåns even got a chuckle out of a few in the crowd when he stated that not every song is that good after an overzealous outburst from a fan. Finntroll brought their characteristic energy and unique mix of several metal sub-genres out with a vengeance. Even though the stage was a little cramped for the number of band members, the energy remained high throughout the set, and all instrumental and vocal components came through loud and clear. Although the vocals are in Swedish, most fans seemed able to headbang and mosh along to the ever-changing tempos. Finntroll is the perfect embodiment of a band that can combine a musical style leaning toward blackened folk, with an interesting aesthetic sense and enough onstage energy to provide an unpretentious and yet grandiose  show.

I very thoroughly enjoyed the half of their set that I was able to watch. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to leave in the middle. Sometimes things happen, but here’s to hoping Finntroll comes back sooner rather than later.

(As a bit of an added random thoughts-brought-about-by-the-show rant: Since when did Finntroll’s music become popular with hipsters? Unless they just show up at metal shows for the sake of showing up at metal shows, as seems to be the case as of late. It might explain this ‘electro-swing’ trend that keeps popping up, and that I can’t wrap my head around. I’m still also struggling with the idea that some people can stand in the front row and not be engaged in the music what-so-ever, but it happened again. Again, I still find myself shaking my head at some women at metal shows. Perhaps it’s because I started going to shows when you would only find a handful of women in the room, or got used to the same generally self-respecting, knowledgeable women or perhaps I’m just getting older and more jaded, but some girls really seem to try their hardest to make all female metal-heads look like idiots. Thanks for that). 

So, this review may have turned out to have a personal opinion, rather than more objective, flair to it. I suppose if you don’t like it, find some way to cope with it. 

Legends Of Thrash concert review

Kreator / Overkill / Warbringer 

Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver, BC

November 11th, 2013

Starting the evening off was the thrash stylings of Warbringer, a band from the United States. While they served to raise the energy of the crowd streaming into the Rickshaw Theatre, their set seemed frantic and a little disorganized at times. This was atoned for by vocalist John Kevill’s willingness to chat with fans and hang out in the crowd for the rest of the evening. 

Veteran thrashers Overkill raised the bar significantly upon taking stage. With a no holds barred, in your face attitude they demonstrated more energy than musicians half their age seem to have. They played a solid set, mixing both newer material and old spanning a career of thirty years. The crowd seemed to enjoy the Overkill set, moshing enthusiastically at the urgings of vocalist Bobby ‘Blitz’ Ellsworth. Not being too familiar with Overkill, I found myself immensely enjoying their set. These American thrash legends definitely gained a new fan. 

Anticipation was high as German thrash legends Kreator began their set. They brought a blistering intensity, playing with the ardor of a band with something left to prove, although their highly acclaimed career speaks for itself. Kreator played a mixed set of old and new material, both equally as heavy. ‘Phantom Antichrist’ had the crowd chanting the chorus, as well as ‘Hordes of Chaos’. The fact that everyone in the venue, younger and older, seemed to be involved in some way, rather than standing on the fringes, proved how well liked and how true to their thrash roots that Kreator have consistently remained over the years. While songs like ‘Pleasure to Kill’ and ‘Endless Pain’ seemed like staples, they were executed greatly to the uninitiated Kreator fan. At the end of the set, vocalist Mille Petrozza brought the “Flag of Hate” onstage, accompanied by the song of the same name, adding a little bit of flair. Overall, Kreator played a fantastic set.

After the show, it was refreshing to see that all the members of Kreator, but namely Mille Petrozza and Sami Yli-Sirniö, were willing to chat and sign autographs, even in a dank alley in one of the worst neighbourhoods in the entirety of Canada. With all of the bands bring a solid array of merchandise, a venue that was unrivaled by anything locally and a solid night of thrash, the Legends of Thrash tour was well worth the nearly two thousand five hundred kilometer round trip to see it. 

My boyfriend's now-signed vinyl. 

"Ugly" Christmas Sweaters

More metal bands need to do this! Metallica, Slayer and now Devildriver have 'ugly' Christmas sweaters, and I think it's an epic idea. Completely appropriate to wear to a family festive gathering, and yet still awesome. Plus, it's a lazy and yet appropriate option for that holiday dress-up idea that many people seem to partake in. I'd probably occasionally wear one everywhere else during the winter too.
(While I don't have many nice things to say about deathcore/metalcore, a band called Attila, falling into the aforementioned subgenre, has a somewhat offensive ugly Christmas sweater. It might be worth looking it up if you're bored).

I actually particularly like this Devildriver one, even though Devildriver is not in the very top of my most listened-to bands category. Plus, the scarf and Christmas ornament are a nice addition.

A bit more on the Devildriver Christmas bundle here:
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/devildriver-ugly-christmas-sweater-coming-next-month/