[MetalGuardian]

Hello fellow Metal-GAF brethren

I've mentioned this before, but I have been working on a metal website. It was originally going to be a blog, but I've since decided to class it up and shell out money for an actual .com url and a decent web template. Everything is still in the conceptual stage (because I had to scrap the original idea I was working with), but I'm making progress.

Before I throw some real life dollars at this thing though I want to make sure I have an idea of the type of content I'll be putting up. So I'm asking you guys, what types of things would you like to see on a metal website? I'm not going to do a "review and post news about everything metal" type site, because that's boring and there are plenty of other sites out there that can do that far more effectively than I could. The main appeal, I'm hoping, will be in my writing style. Though I rarely spend time developing well-constructed posts on NeoGAF (because I'm lazy and it won't aid me at all in life), my entire college major is writing-centric so it's something I'm certainly capable of. My goal is to make the both humorous and well-written.

Anyway, so far the current sections I have planned out are:

Metal Monday: Every Monday I highlight a certain song or band or subgenre and write about its badassery (or lack there of)

Reviews without a number system: These will only be albums I'm interested in sharing my thoughts on, and again, since I want the focus of the site to be on the writing I'm not going to quantify my thoughts with a numerical score. It's all in the wording baby

Metal Musings: My thoughts on something metal-related that isn't necessarily a specific song or band.

Online Diary: This is going to be a fictional character who likes metal writing entries as if it were a private, online diary. He'll probably be kind of a dopey and confused chap, and I'll upload youtube videos with audio of me reading the entry as if he were narrating it in his head (humor is half inflection when it comes to stuff like this)

A section where I take a metal song with god-awful lyrics, and take them seriously. I would be analyzing them as if they were profound pieces of art

I have a couple other sections floating around that I don't have all the details worked out yet, but those are the five sections I've decided on thus far. I probably won't actually launch the site unless I can come up with seven good ones, so I know I can have categories of content to write without going creatively bankrupt within the first month. I'm also going to be launching a facebook and twitter account (as well as the youtube channel), and use all of my public relations skills (PR is my major) to try and make it a successful sight. I can then use it as a portfolio piece when searching for jobs. But something like Metal Monday is good because it's memorable (due to the alliteration) and keeps a set date each week of new content, hopefully ensuring people will eventually learn to check back each week if they enjoy it.

I'll also probably make the twitter account something like tweeting only Metal Haiku's. I want to do something unique to each medium in order to play upon the strengths of whatever format I'm using.

I haven't discussed these plans with anybody, so somebody please stop me if all of this sounds like a horrendously embarrassing waste of my time.

And if anyone has any other ideas for additional sections they would like to see, let me know

[Formless]

Something oriented to making metal music, or analyzing musical components of a song? That includes history, influences, to straight up theory/technique.

[MetalGuardian]

Something oriented to making metal music, or analyzing musical components of a song? That includes history, influences, to straight up theory/technique.

That would be great, but while I have had a music theory class and know a decent amount about the history of metal I definitely don't think I'm knowledgable enough to tackle something like that without bullshitting my way through parts of it.

I really want the site to be humorous, so I'm trying to come up with additional sections that would lend itself to dark, metal-themed comedy

[Giant Robot]

Lol testament. All of these bands suck compared to what neurosis has been doing for almost thirty years now without having a single album that is anything less than awesome.

I love Neurosis. However I haven't kept up with them since Every Eye of the Storm.

[Flynn]

Hello fellow Metal-GAF brethren I've mentioned this before, but I have been working on a metal website.

I really like what those cats do at Invisible Oranges. They lost their best writer, but I think there's a lot to learn from them about the way they spread out content.

[spink]

Megadeth 1.) Rust In Peace 2.) Countdown to Extinction 3.) Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? 4.) Youthanasia 5.) Cryptic Writings 6.) The System Has Failed 7.) The World Needs a Hero 8.) Endgame

What about So Far, So Good... So What!?

[HarryHengst]

Metallica 1.) ...And Justice For All 2.) Master Of Puppets 3.) Ride The Lightning 4.) Kill Em All 5.) The Black Album 6.) Load 7.) Death Magnetic 8.) ReLoad

Load is better than the black album. Load is a really solid album which is underrated because it was made by Metallica. Even Reload has some decent songs. Death Magnetic is horrible.

[choodi]

And if anyone has any other ideas for additional sections they would like to see, let me know

How about this...interviews with metal musicians where instead of asking the same boring questions about music, you ask them questions about world events or politics.

For example, asking a question like, "what is your opinion on current events in Syria?"

The potential for comedy is enormous and you are likely to at least get some unique and interesting answers.

Edit: preferably you would do phone interviews, or interviews in person. You definitely need to be able to ask follow up questions.

[spink]

Load is better than the black album. Load is a really solid album which is underrated because it was made by Metallica. Even Reload has some decent songs.

I've had Drought by DsO on repeat all night.
http://youtu.be/I1mIi6ua5tE
punishing!

[MetalGuardian]

How about this...interviews with metal musicians where instead of asking the same boring questions about music, you ask them questions about world events or politics. For example, asking a question like, "what is your opinion on current events in Syria?" The potential for comedy is enormous and you are likely to at least get some unique and interesting answers. Edit: preferably you would do phone interviews, or interviews in person. You definitely need to be able to ask follow up questions.

That would be bloody fantastic. I'm just not sure how likely it is that musicians would want to talk to a no-name like myself. Definitely something I'll try for though, as it would probably be the best thing on the site

On a different note, why is nobody talking about this album?



It's brilliant. By far my favorite album so far this year (excluding the Blind Guardian compilation that came out in January, but I'm not sure if that counts)

It's like they've distilled their decades of wisdom and musical mastery into one glorious disc.

I actually didn't like it my first few spins, but it got such great reviews that I decided to keep listening until it clicked. Now I can't get enough of it. Definitely my favorite Rush album since their glory days

[fallout]

http://i.minus.com/j1SDvlmJAqnlz.jpg

Load gets a lot of shit for being a Metallica album, but it really is a fantastically written and produced piece of work.

[Greg]

I don't care how much hate St. Anger gets, Sweet Amber is one of their greatest songs.


And on another topic - has anyone been following the recent Katatonia updates? I wasn't completely sold on the first track they released from the new CD, but the snippets from the entire album have my expectations through the roof.

Lethean is incredible:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvYoouZbi5E

[Aske]

Load gets a lot of shit for being a Metallica album, but it really is a fantastically written and produced piece of work.

Not even kidding, Load is the only Metallica album I'll listen to these days. Can't stand Lars' shitty drumming on anything more up-tempo or complex, but the pace and mood of Load lends itself to percussive simplicity. He doesn't have to reach beyond his capabilities only to miss the mark. He's actually the only drummer I've ever heard who is so inept that he ruins a band who would otherwise be incredible. I've heard other bad drummers, but they've always been in bad bands. Amazing to think what Metallica could have been if they'd had someone like Dave Lombardo behind the kit.

But yeah, Load is an interesting album. Bleeding Me, Outlaw Torn, Thorn Within, Hero of the Day...those are some legitimately great tracks. Shame Re-Load doesn't come close in terms of songwriting.

[spink]

Metallica have been irrelevant since Justice.

[kingslunk]

Metallica have been irrelevant since Cliff died

Fixed.

[spink]

a fair call

[Ixion]

Death Magnetic is horrible.

It's a poor man's version of their classic albums, so there's no reason to listen to it besides the fact it was new at some point. But I wouldn't say it's "horrible".

[choodi]

That would be bloody fantastic. I'm just not sure how likely it is that musicians would want to talk to a no-name like myself. Definitely something I'll try for though, as it would probably be the best thing on the site

Just use a bit of bluster if you have to. Ambush them at gigs where you can just lie about how big your site is too.

Start with some of the smaller bands and work your way up to the bigger ones. Better to hone your interview skills as well.

I would love to help you out, but I live in Australia and there is a bit of a dearth of metal bands of much note here at the moment.

[Subprime]

I love Neurosis. However I haven't kept up with them since Every Eye of the Storm.

Youre only one album off then. Given to the rising is great. They have a new one coming this year.

[Subprime]

Most of the bands that are actually good wouldn't care. The kind where you need to get to them through a manager are usually pieces of shit anyway.

[HarryHengst]

No, im not trolling. I really think Load is an excellent album.

[HammerOfThor]

No, im not trolling. I really think Load is an excellent album.

I never understood that hate for Load. Its a great album. Just not metal.

[spink]

I don't really rate Metallica. like I said earlier, they've been irrelevant since Justice.
but their bloody semen albums are uninspired generic rock.

[Flynn]

Someday we'll make a timeline of the metal thread and pinpoint the times when the inevitable Metallica debate returns. There has to be some kind of pattern.

[Cactus]

I can't believe ...And Justice For All is so universally praised here on gaf. I mean, most of the songs are pretty good but the bass is sorely missed. I don't know about the rest of you, but I like the bass to be audible when I listen to metal.

My favourite Metallica albums are Kill Em All and Ride the Lightning. I liked Master of Puppets as well, but the rest of their albums post-Master range from mediocre to terrible, IMHO.

[Aske]

I never understood that hate for Load. Its a great album. Just not metal.

There's a lot of metal influence in the music, and from a production perspective it has a heavy sound. But I agree it's a tough sell as a metal record; it's more true to the nebulous 'alt rock' genre. It's more Foo Fighters or Soundgarden than anything else.

[Subprime]

Whether or not something is metal or not has nothing to do with whether it is good. Of course its metal, but its all shit.

[Secks4Food]

I never understood that hate for Load. Its a great album. Just not metal.

Yeah, I like it quite a bit actually, it was ReLoad that kinda aggravated me; one album in that style was a nice change of pace, two albums in that style was overstaying its welcome.

[XShagrath]

There's a lot of metal influence in the music, and from a production perspective it has a heavy sound. But I agree it's a tough sell as a metal record; it's more true to the nebulous 'alt rock' genre. It's more Foo Fighters or Soundgarden than anything else.

I've always felt it was a decent album if you could disconnect it from the Metallica name. If they had released the album under a "ghost band" name, I think the reception overall (maybe not in the metal community) would have been vastly different.

[spink]

enough talk about the mediocrity that is Metallolica
more talk about the glorious majesty of Boris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CjsaFBQA1Q

Wata will melt your face



and your heart

[DieNgamers]

Nothing against drone and distorted muddy guitars but is it wrong to say Metallica melts my face and heart much more than this?

[spink]

yes. yes it is

[Giant Robot]

enough talk about the mediocrity that is Metallolica more talk about the glorious majesty of Boris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CjsaFBQA1Q Wata will melt your face and your heart

<3

Boris has been all over the place and super unpredictable, but then they come out with songs like this on mediocre albums which makes up for it: Boris - Aileron

Crushingly beautiful. I wish they made more entire albums like this.

[Greg]

the new The Faceless CD is awesome - completely unexpected progression of their sound (different instruments, interesting arrangements, a lot of singing), but I'm really digging it

[spink]

<3 Boris has been all over the place and super unpredictable, but then they come out with songs like this on mediocre albums which makes up for it: Boris - Aileron Crushingly beautiful. I wish they made more entire albums like this.

got to see that live earlier this year. so fucking good!
I really do hope their next album is more drone/doom.

[Giant Robot]

I really do hope their next album is more drone/doom.

we all hope for that, but Boris will do something like release 2 albums at the same time and one of them being the same name as an older album!

seriously, i would kill for another Amplifier Worship.

[Charmicarmicat]

Is anyone watching the Bloodstock stream? Behemoth should be on any minute.

[Formless]

That would be great, but while I have had a music theory class and know a decent amount about the history of metal I definitely don't think I'm knowledgable enough to tackle something like that without bullshitting my way through parts of it. I really want the site to be humorous, so I'm trying to come up with additional sections that would lend itself to dark, metal-themed comedy

One of those "Old people listen to" sort of deals could be funny. It could be random people or it could be just one person you know that isn't into metal. You can see if they ease into it or are just constantly repulsed with comedic results.

[blahness]

got to see that live earlier this year. so fucking good! I really do hope their next album is more drone/doom.

Same here. I was kinda disappointed in their last two albums. Didnt really float my boat. Saw them live with Russian Circles opening and holy fuck that was an awesome show.

[Ixion]

After really enjoying Versus The World, I went ahead and listened to Amon Amarth's next four albums...



Amon Amarth - Fate Of Norns



Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Released: 2004

Rating: 3/5

A pretty solid album, but I found myself getting bored at times because most of the songs sound very similar, primarily due to the extensive amount of tremolo picking on this album. On their other albums, they use tremolo picking a bit more sparingly, but that's what you'll usually be hearing throughout this album. This also isn't quite as heavy as their other albums.



Amon Amarth - With Oden On Our Side



Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Released: 2006

Rating: 4/5

This album is quite a bit more varied than Fate Of Norns, and there are some very good songs here. However, the first half of the album is a bit weaker than the second half, even though it's still quite good. The last song on the album, "Prediction Of Warfare", might be the best song I've heard from this band.



Amon Amarth - Twilight Of The Thunder God



Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Released: 2008

Rating: 4/5

Every song on this album delivers with the exception of "No Fear For The Setting Sun", which is very standard song that doesn't really add anything to the album. With that said, the title track provides this album with the strongest opener since "Death In Fire" back on Versus The World. The melodic leads are definitely more prominent on this album, and this results in the songs being a bit more distinguishable than before.



Amon Amarth - Surtur Rising



Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Released: 2011

Rating: 4.5/5

This album is strong the entire way through and there's a good sense of flow here. This might be the best album out of the five I listened to. I'm assuming fans were slightly less enthused with this album because the songs aren't quite as memorable after the first listen, but I feel that's because the songwriting is a bit more complex and varied than before. The songs here change up more often than on previous albums.




I probably won't bother listening to their first three albums. Now it's on to Strapping Young Lad!

[Giant Robot]

After really enjoying Versus The World, I went ahead and listened to Amon Amarth's next four albums... I probably won't bother listening to their first three albums. Now it's on to Strapping Young Lad!

the fuck?

Once Sent From The Golden Hall is fucking great.

[spink]

Dodecahedron - View from Hverfell I: Head Above the Heavens

fans of Deathspell Omega should dig this
really solid debut album

[Ixion]

the fuck? Once Sent From The Golden Hall is fucking great.

I listened to it just for you...


Amon Amarth - Once Sent From The Golden Hall



Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Released: 1998

Rating: 4/5

This is rawer and more aggressive than their later work. There is also a lack of choruses, which makes for a fresh listen compared to the proceeding albums, as the band relies more on keeping the songs fresh instead of repeating a sing-a-long chorus. However, each song may not be as memorable, even though the album is quite strong the entire way through.

[Ravager61]

I'm not sure if any band has the ability to write riffs as catchy as Amon Amarth. It's just effortless for them.

[Subprime]

Tragedy

[Melchiah]

Here's another great sounding teaser for the upcoming Behexen album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sZHGuHL4KY

[Wrayfield]

Boris is a tad too whiny for my taste... No offence. Amon Amarth on the other hand :).

[spink]

Boris, whiny?

[Wrayfield]

Boris, whiny?

I did say for my taste...

[spink]

you talking about the vocals, yeah?