Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: Metal
January 30, 2007 by Jo Minor
The scene of modern music is always moving and constantly changing - there is nothing that stays put for certain, and no fate is pre-determined in any way. Endless factors and variables control the fate of metal bands, be it for the better, or for worse. Let’s take a look at Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in the metal scene today - as predicted by me, judging from recent events and developments.
Hot: Lamb Of God
After the release of the brilliant Sacrament, these young rebels have proven their critics wrong - that they are, indeed, here to stay. It would seem that commercial success would slow down a band - take, for instance, Metallica or Megadeth - but there’s no stopping this maniacal quintet. They are true contenders for the throne of thrash metal - after Slayer and Nevermore are long gone, of course - and will stop at nothing to hold the flag of American Metal up high.
Not: Metallica
Oh, boy…a real surprise here. Metallica seems to be fumbling deeper and deeper into nothingness, breaking under the pressure of commercial success and their inner struggles. They seem to be inside a constant vortex of dreariness - there’s just no creative juice left in their tanks anymore. While they are in the recording studios finishing up their next album, true metalheads know that the real Metallica died a long time ago.
Hot: Nevermore
Nevermore has never released a weak album; all of their efforts have either been good or fucking awesome - and their last album This Godless Endeavor fell into the latter category. It was a brilliant display of imaginative songwriting, groundbreaking technicality and stood firmly as a solid concept album, all on its own. Having ex-Testament guitarist Steve Smyth on board has helped a lot - founding member and guitar virtuoso Jeff Loomis says he has never felt more comfortable working with any other guitarist in his career - and the old guns are firing harder than ever before. Vocalist Warrel Dane, bassist Jim Sheppard and drum maestro Van Williams are at the top of their game - even though it’s already been 12 years since their self-titled debut came out. There seems to be no stopping them, and a lot more can be expected from these guys from Seattle.
Not: Megadeth
I have completely given up hope on this new incarnation of Megadeth - main man Dave Mustaine seems to have his priorities on being endorsed by as many guitar companies as he possibly can, instead of focusing on quality material. His egomaniacal nature has seen the exit of many former members of the band, yet he is quite confident of his upcoming album entitled United Abominations - when the songs from that album which are already out don’t seem to be the least impressive. Megadeth is another dinosaur roaming the earth, waiting for its demise.
Hot: Deicide
If The Stench Of Redemption is anything to go by, than Deicide has been rejuvenated and is ready to cause some widespread damage! Newly appointed guns Ralph Santolla and Jack Owens have given the band a much needed boost in the guitar department, while drummer Steve Acsheim and frontman/bassist Glen Benton seem to be at the top of their game. The Stench Of Redemption was a solid and worthy release by the band last year - and was able to hold it’s own against the releases from better known bands - and this year we hope to see so much more from the band who has given so much to Death Metal in recent years.
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