Death Metal

[mayfair70]

As I remember, Coppola caused Martin Sheen to have a minor heart attack. A breakdown at the very least, helping him in his "method" approach. The breaking mirror scene.

 

[deathmetal]

I remember the heart attack. Probably the stack of drugs, sleep deprivation and general insanity finally caught up with poor Mr. Sheen.
Structuralist music like death metal requires an abstract approach. Aesthetics will not help; comparing phrases and linking them together into a narrative might, like one would use in classical.
But, if you ask me, the best death metal was the 1985-1994 variety. After that it was pretty much dead.

 

[josephcross]

I love this thread,and have been working my way down the list of awesome albums that have been posted. I have been a metal head pretty much my whole life.

 

[mso489]

Not connected to musical values per se, it is of fundamental importance to each generation that their parents not like, or at the very least, not understand the music you play most reverently. Otherwise you feel you are just a photocopy of paw or maw. This is not a negotiable point. Obviously, when families are under a lot of stress, like being run out of their homes and communities by high explosives and sophisticated military machinery, the kids and the parents cooperate in running for their lives. But in stable places and times, the young'uns need a way out, to find their own way. And mostly, this is good.

 

[maxx]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lEMS-gZiXz0
John Coltrane - Mars (1967)
Not Death Metal, but proof that Jazz already in the late 60s surpassed Rock in musical aggression.

 

[rx2man]

Airheads
[Chazz and Rex are testing Chris]
Chazz: Who'd win in a wresting match? Lemmy or God?

Chris: Lemmy.

[Rex imitates a game show buzzer]
Chris: ... God?

Rex: Wrong, dickhead. Trick question. Lemmy *IS* God.

 

[rx2man]

OK, so not death metal, and I dont care for death metal as I dont care for the vocals. I would argue that Motorhead is not death metal but influenced death metal, which is maybe what the OP was saying. I am attaching some links to groups that may not be known to some. You dont hear much about them. Leatherwolf originated the 3 six string guitars (as far as I know). Crimson Glory is progressive. Demons and Wizards is just very well done.
https://youtu.be/VNyZtmUR7sQ
https://youtu.be/SbSqD2ADdoE
https://youtu.be/0GjOYf4fgQE
https://youtu.be/wWO8oW2N8Ls
https://youtu.be/y5GUfepCLfM

 

[deathmetal]

I would argue that Motorhead is not death metal but influenced death metal

Without doubt, not to mention the hardcore punk that influenced death metal.

 

[jefff]

I always felt Motorhead was hardcore punk.
On the other hand my favorite Classical composer is Duke Ellington....so what do I know.

 

[deathmetal]

Motorhead, whether hardcore punk or not, definitely inspired the next generation of punk and metal bands. RIP Lem

 

[ssjones]

I just do not get the cookie monster vocals, but to each his own. (people laughed at me for liking Rush in the 70's, so what do I know)

 

[smittyd]

Everyone should check out the band Goat, now that's Death Metal

 

[deathmetal]

I have been cranking some older heavy metal classics here this week. Motorhead, Saint Vitus, Candlemass, Judas Priest and a few nearby travelers like Joe Satriani and King Crimson. Also Close to the Edge since one member had it in his profile picture.
And these guys:
Monstrosity - Imperial Doom
@ssjones
It helps to visualize the vocals not as vocals, but another instrument, sort of taking the role of bass since bass mostly fleshes out the guitar. Plus, who didn't like cookie monster?

 

[thomasw]

Lots of smashing death metal in the era DM mentions (1986-1995), still this is a later album from that era; it soothes me while I puff some Semois:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emSDcQ89Ne8
Love the cookie monster ::
My favourite black metal LP is this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiFeDwKKSCo
Great for a contemplative smoke...
Can you remember the first time you heard it?

 

[halfy]

I am maniac about death metal and black metal, to name a few of my favorite bands... Death, Emperor, Mayhem, Bathory, Darkthrone, Burzum, Morbid Angel, Marduk, Hypocrisy, Nargaroth, Ildjarn ...... They are just like different all day smoke blends. I am also huge fan of J.S. Bach and Pink Floyd...
Those metal music is much more structured and requires much higher tech in terms of musicality than it may sounds. Though the lyrics are usually unnecessary and stupid ...
And damn the Great Fxxking China Firewall, can't watch your youtube shares ...

 

[deathmetal]

Our interview with Ildjarn:
http://www.deathmetal.org/interview/vidar-vaaer-ildjarn/
Also relevant for Burzum fans:
http://www.burzum.com/burzum/meaning/importance/

Those metal music is much more structured and requires much higher tech in terms of musicality than it may sounds.

I agree. Once you get used to the idea that it is melodic in composition and not based around vocal harmony, which is a big adjustment for most listeners, there is a great deal of subtlety and nuance.

Though the lyrics are usually unnecessary and stupid ...

Lyrics vary. Quality bands tend to do pretty well, although some of it like the gore stuff is almost complete metaphor and so will make no sense to most people.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"people laughed at me for liking Rush in the 70's, so what do I know"
Nothing wrong with (early) Rush Al, they were a great band afore they went all commercial. My favourite track was 'Working Man' and 'The Trees' was an all time classic, musically and lyrically....
There is unrest in the forest

There is trouble with the trees

For the maples want more sunlight

And the oaks ignore their pleas
The trouble with the maples

And they're quite convinced they're right

They say the oaks are just too lofty

And they grab up all the light
But the oaks can't help their feelings

If they like the way they're made

And they wonder why the maples

Can't be happy in their shade?
There is trouble in the forest

And the creatures all have fled

As the maples scream 'oppression!'

And the oaks, just shake their heads
So the maples formed a union

And demanded equal rights

'The oaks are just too lofty

And they grab up all the light
Now there's no more oak oppression

For they passed a noble law

And the trees are all kept equal

By hatchet, Axe, And saw
Regards,
Jay.

 

[ericusrex]

Don't get me wrong, I'm no prude. I'm a bona fide metal head since my teens.
But, the problem with 99% of all metal is as follows; in an effort to be BRUUUUUUUUUTAL 110% of the time you end up with a monotonous mess with no development. I have no problem with vocal growl as long as there is variation. If a vocalist stays on one pitch the whole time, then I call them Cookie Monster. What's really annoying is that higher-pitched growl that has an overall tone that really reminds me of puppet mouths; Atreyu comes to mind. The best growlers to me have a richness and depth and variation that keeps it interesting. Michael Akerfelt of Opeth and Joe Duplantier of Gojira are two good ones that immediately come to mind. Death Metal is all too often just a hodge-podge of guitar riffs and not crafted songs. That Monstrosity album is an example. At least Death did it with some craft and skill. Morbid Angel did it better too.
I usually prefer good black metal to death metal. The later 1349 stuff is really good and kinda blurs the line between B & DM. Been getting into Cobalt lately. As for DM, The Antichrist Imperium is great. Akercocke and Voices are more BM but great. Godseed. Already mentioned Gojira and Opeth (their newer prog stuff falls flat...). Zyklon's first album, WoW, is great. Knowing my tastes, anything I need to check out?

 

[deathmetal]

Knowing my tastes, anything I need to check out?

Likes Death and Morbid Angel, looking for structured music... I'd get into Atheist, Demigod, Bolt Thrower, Sadist, Maleficarum, Infester, Pestilence, and Vader.
As far as black metal, you might try going back a generation. Emperor, Demoncy, Burzum, Gorgoroth, and Enslaved.
My tastes tend toward the older material, for exactly the reasons you mention.

 

[thomasw]

Another Black Metal band from the early 1990s to which I still listen is Belial; their LP "The Wisdom of Darkness" is a strong work.
BTW, DM are still hanging around here? Has anyone 'seen' deathmetal on the forums lately? I've missed his posts...