It’s a fact that rock & metal are going through their hardest and most laborious crisis ever. I can’t remember a time since the early 60s that the music business was such a mess like today. There’s nothing to remind of the glorious days except for some old bands which have become a shadow of themselves and others which are trying hard to stay on the surface. Surely, the deliberate economic crisis plays a “major” role too but it ain’t just it.It is the music quality that is facing down the gutter. I’ve talked about “music quality & quantity” with more details on the previous editorial. Hence, what did the labels do about that situation? At first, since the new millennium, they started “bombarding us” with all those new modern acts which they hoped they could replace the “old mighty bands” of the past. Through the years those modern music trends turned out to be a modern post-something – hardcore, metalcore etc. with “vocalists” who scream like wounded animals and with the same sound, production, riffs and songwriting. That’s OK if you’re a teenager but what happens when you grow up? Yeap those modern acts brought many profits to the major labels and especially the digital sales have totally risen. So far so good… till the whole trend started becoming too obvious, identical and tedious. It doesn’t only matter if you’re angry about everything (I wonder if they are angry cuz they get paid well and they are on multinational companies)… but it should matter if you can actually write a damn song and a couple of good melodies. I guess when you’re angry, nothing matters at all! Thus now that the whole modern “angry” generation is fading away what’s next? The (digital) sales are not as high as they used to be… and when there’s no profit there’s no “trend”…
The major labels have found another way to stay in the game. They are now “making” the “old and reliable” bands, which have loyal fans, return to their roots. Yes, I remember all this talking about evolution, new things, lack of repetition etc. but when it’s about money everything vanishes in a blink of an eye. A great example of that is Paradise Lost, that returned to the late 80s early 90s days with their new album. Probably Holmes has forgotten all those statements about how they grew up and they progressed and they did not want to do the same things all over again. Most importantly, his voice would be “damaged” if he continued to growl and so forth. What changed and they returned to their early days? Wasn’t that “Depeche Mode” thing part of their evolution? Now have they totally erased it?
Paradise Lost is just a case in point about this new “back to the roots trend”. Many bands are doing the same thing cuz’ the business says so. And those who “became” modern will follow that road as soon as their sales start decreasing hazardously.
It’s true that art goes in circles but it’s hilarious to see bands who have “got rid of their past”- when they did things cuz they were young and foolish- rapidly return to their “roots” More bands will follow suit and especially bands that have made some very critical statements for their prime and used to “promote” their right to evolve as persons as well as musicians! Does “evolution” mean going back to where one has started...?
PS: The days are getting hotter & hotter… so it will be a good chance to visit the nearest beach and enjoy the sun and the sea… listening to rock/metal music of course!
PS2: There is no Model Spotlight for this Month as the Lady that used to be featured here wanted her article to go down for her own reasons. So be it.
PS3: This month’s editorial is dedicated to the Master of Horror, Sir Christopher Lee, who passed away a few days ago – thankfully having fully lived his days and having offered so much in terms of movies & music. We are so lucky to have seen such an amazing actor playing such great roles… May He Rest In Peace…