Because it seems as if the only metal band that mainstream music critics cover and bother to review nowadays is just Mastodon. Think about it; the only band that publications such as the LA Times, the NY Times or the Village Voice is Mastodon.

And not only do these big names cover and review the albums, but they also respect Mastodon and give the band pretty high marks!

Sure, they occasionally review other metal bands such as Meshuggah or The Dillinger Escape Plan, but they always do so in kind of a condescending manner.

Another band that gets covered is Metallica (but in my opinion, that's only cause they are extremely famous).

It seems as if the only critics who cover metal (particularly extreme metal) music are the critics from metal or guitar music publications/websites such as "Kerrang!" or "The Metal Observer".

Modern metal bands that have large cult followings such as Dream Theater don't even have any of their albums reviewed here on Metacritic.

I wonder how does the metal community feel about this?

What grudge does the mainstream intellectual have against metal (aside from Mastodon)?

Note: As far as I know, Mastodon is the only metal artist that has albums in the "Universally Acclaimed" category. Not only does it have one album that is universally acclaimed, it has TWO ALBUMS THAT IS UNIVERSALLY ACCLAIMED (Blood Mountain and Crack the Skye. Both at 82%, out of at least 23 reviews each).

And while we're at it, what makes Mastodon so special that critics love it?

I get the feeling that most critics see heavy music of any kind as a novelty at best. Most don't seem to understand that the music has grown into a ridiculously diverse genre that has plenty of quality material that often reaches "art" status.

The mainstream establishment generally picks one or two bands to praise so they can go "see, we cover metal" and then they can just ignore the rest of it and write about more mediocre pop and indie music. Might as well be Mastodon, they are a damn good band. Hardly above and beyond everyone else, there is so many relevant Metal bands right now that match their quality but Mastodon's the most popular so they get the praise.

And it's not just publications that are biased either. The Rock Hall of Fame just let Metallica in so that means there won't be another Metal or Hard Rock band in for many more years.

I think a lot of people see metal as a 'fringe' genre, something that doesn't really appeal to them, nor does it appeal to their audience I suppose. The thing with Mastodon is that, if they're being covered, it could just as easily open people up to other bands like High on Fire, or Harvey Milk, or Kylesa, or hell, Torche! They're catchier than most bands!

But yeah, a lot of critics tend to be hands off, which is a shame. Lots of good stuff out there. I could understand if they had a hard time getting into the more extreme grindcore stuff, but I dunno, there's just such a wide range that it shouldn't be limited to just niche magazines.

quote:

Originally posted by cuneyt81:
The thing with Mastodon is that, if they're being covered, it could just as easily open people up to other bands like High on Fire, or Harvey Milk, or Kylesa, or hell, Torche! They're catchier than most bands!

I think p4k has positively reviewed every one of these bands...

the question is if those bands were worth the coverage? (no for the most part)

quote:

The thing with Mastodon is that, if they're being covered, it could just as easily open people up to other bands like High on Fire, or Harvey Milk, or Kylesa, or hell, Torche! They're catchier than most bands!

If you start with any band of course it will lead to others that their musically related to. The thing is that Mastodon and their scene is hardly the only relevant thing happening in Metal, which I'm sure everyone here realizes (hopefully).

I just don't understand why still, decades later, Metal is still not taken seriously. It's become such an integral part of Rock music and the overall culture over the years and most critics don't seem to understand that Judas Priest isn't representative of the whole genre. There's so much more to it than cheap theatrics and immature lyrics.

p4k makes a feeble attempt to cover metal (and do a bit better than they do with rap) and actually cover some stuff that isn't mainstream metal.. I was impressed when they covered Wrnlrd.. although I can't really think of any others off the top of my head.

Most respected art critics are a bit 'up their own arse'.

Sadly metal has never been famous for it's intellectual properties, so it stands to reason that any self-respecting 'up their own arse' music journalist would much rather talk about the latest album by Laser Fuckstick or some other obscure band hotly tipped to be the next big thing.

I should add that Laser Fuckstick don't actually exist - I just made them up. In my mind, they wear polo neck sweaters, have Beatles hairstyles and should appear on the front cover on NME sometime next summer, next to the words 'SAVIOURS OF ROCK' in bold Impact font. This is depsite the fact that their music is painfully boring.

Meanwhile the metal kids are too busy jumping around at a Faith No More reuinion concert to even care.

quote:

Originally posted by jack(gl)ass:

quote:

Originally posted by cuneyt81:
The thing with Mastodon is that, if they're being covered, it could just as easily open people up to other bands like High on Fire, or Harvey Milk, or Kylesa, or hell, Torche! They're catchier than most bands!

I think p4k has positively reviewed every one of these bands...

the question is if those bands were worth the coverage? (no for the most part)

I thought the question was why publications ignore metal.

As a critic, I've found it fairly difficult to get into metal. I'm certainly interested and open to it, but they don't have very aggressive marketing. I wouldn't know where to go for promos, and aside from the Southern Lord style experimental metal already big in indie rock circles (which I'm not really into), I've never been approached. We just don't run in the same circles. They likely focus their promo dollars on established metal magazines and blogs.

I liked Baroness' debut, though. I caught wind of that before it came out and wrote a glowing review of it. Genghis Tron is great too. I'll be keeping my eye out for their next album. Who else should I listen to?

quote:

Originally posted by Filmore Mescalito Holmes:
Who else should I listen to?

something you like.

ask ezaltdude for recommendations. here are bands that i like, with general descriptions. some are boarder metal but anyway... :

Jesu (doom, shoegaze)
Iroha (doom, shoegaze)
Primus (funk-psych-prog)
Boris (sludge, drone doom, stoner)
Melvins (sludge, stoner)
Om (stoner in a temple. really)
Sleep (stoner metal)
Pelican (stoner doom, post-rock)
Converge (metalcore)
Century (metalcore)
Celtic Frost (doom)
Nachtmystium (black)
Dissection (black)

That's a pretty good list.

If you are more of the 'indie' persuation, see also -

Fudge Tunnel
Carcass (circa 'Necroticism')
Faith No More
Godflesh

They were all pretty weird off-shoots from other metal genres. Never really fitted into anything in particular, and hence achieved critical acclaim from those in the know.

They had a lot in common with 'indie bands'.

I'd also add Botch and Coalesce.

^^^ Botch is dope. I like Oxbow too.

quote:

Originally posted by egg:
Boris (sludge, drone doom, stoner)
Om (stoner in a temple. really)
Sleep (stoner metal)
Pelican (stoner doom, post-rock)

Yeah, I've heard all of these guys. I'm not into the whole Boris/Sunn O))) drone thing at all. Didn't much care for Sleep either. Om is great, though, and Pelican has their moments. I dig the Grails too.

quote:

Originally posted by egg:
Primus (funk-psych-prog)
Melvins (sludge, stoner)

Okay, now you're not giving me any credit at all. Primus rules. I've got several of their albums. It's all about the bass.
I got to see the Melvins live when they came through Vancouver a few years ago with Jello Biafra. They were righteous. I've never been able to connect with their studio recordings, but they were awesome live.
I'd never heard the rest, though I've seen the name Jesu around. Nachtmystium certainly has a ring to it. I'll check those out for sure. Thanks.

Filmore, I've begun a series of "mix tapes" (yeah, you're not the only one) chronicling the history of extreme metal (thrash, death, black, doom, etc). Feel free to check them out either on my blog ( twophoton) or at the metal forum on the other MC.

^^^ Sweet. Downloading 'em all.

So, what did you think?

quote:

Originally posted by egg:

quote:

Originally posted by Filmore Mescalito Holmes:
Who else should I listen to?

something you like.

ask ezaltdude for recommendations. here are bands that i like, with general descriptions. some are boarder metal but anyway... :

Jesu (doom, shoegaze)
Iroha (doom, shoegaze)
Primus (funk-psych-prog)
Boris (sludge, drone doom, stoner)
Melvins (sludge, stoner)
Om (stoner in a temple. really)
Sleep (stoner metal)
Pelican (stoner doom, post-rock)
Converge (metalcore)
Century (metalcore)
Celtic Frost (doom)
Nachtmystium (black)
Dissection (black)

Solid list, but I gotta add Kyuss to that. They're ridiculously underrated.

I think some of the bands listed earlier are a bit harsh... though I like most of them. I just think there's an easier way to transition into liking heavier sounds. Sure, call it hipster-metal, but it's good nontheless.

Filmore, based mostly on your liking Baroness, I'd say that you would probably like Kylesa and Harvey Milk. I think Harvey Milk is a bit overrated, but their faster songs are really damn good. Kylesa is fantastic though, and they've seemed to incorporate a more palatable rock-ist element into their metal on their new album, "Static Tensions"

If you like those, High On Fire would probably do it for you.

Dillinger Escape Plan's last one might float your boat.

Did anyone recommend Botch? Amazing band. I guess they're more Metal-Core, but what does that even mean these days?

Torche seems like you would like it. Very melodic, moreso than anyone could really expect from metal.

Giddy Motors isn't really metal, but they're last album had hints of it. Think more post-hardcore/metal. Pop Group with heavier riffs.

My beloved Isis must get recommended. I'd say go for "Oceanic," probably their best album.

Neurosis is fantastic if you like Isis. Though I like Isis more, Neurosis is definitely heavier and is probably the better band through and through. More variety.

I'd also like to add that you may not have listened to the right Boris albums if you lump them in with Sunn O))).. they have some droney moments but I'd say they're more towards Stoner metal and sometimes border on punk. Every recording they do is different.

Check out Pink and Heavy Rocks for their more Stoner and Punk offerings.

i prefer Boris a lot more than Sunn O))). Like jackglass said, go with "pink" or "heavy rock" AND also "akuma no uta" or something like that. You can try "smile" for more psychedelic, distorted high notes guitar riffs.