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[Metallus Maximus]

Metallus Maximus � Metallus Maximus Forums � Metal On Metal (Moderator: Hellboy)
How do you guys see the scene today?

[Release]

I noticed in another thread that not many of us are going to see nearly as many shows as in the past.  Is this because we're older or is there just not much interest in seeing bands anymore (or are they just shit lineups)?  Also, most of the albums we're looking forward to are the ones from bands with a long history.  Add to that there isn't much talk here (or on any metal board really) about new bands that are blowing everyone away.

For me, I'm completely out of touch with new bands.  There's a few here and there that I'll check out but I other than Orchid (who aren't doing anything new to begin with) there hasn't been any bands that have truly kicked my ass in (what feels like) years.  The last band I saw was Social Distortion and that was at least 6 months ago so I'm obviously not going to many shows.  And there's nothing on the horizon either. 

So... has the scene stagnated to any of you?  Is it about the same?  Is it better than in recent years?  Has it changed too much for your liking?  I know we're all going to be listening to this stuff forever in some way or another but I'm kinda curious to see where you guys see the scene in general today? 

[Sharktopus]

Locally, the scene here is fantastic and I go to (and play) many shows.  There are a ton of small, local bands writing and playing top notch music that, unfortunately, seldom gets heard outside our area.

Beyond that, things seem pretty stagnant, but that could just be perception.  I used to go to 1-2 metal shows a month and see touring band after touring band.  Now?  Maybe a handful of times per year.  I don't know if it's just that the bands I care about seeing don't tour much/anymore or that I just don't care. 

I look at the local "big" metal promoter's website and frankly, it must be an age thing because I think it's all garbage.  It's all bands like Emmure and Acacia Strain.  If that's what's "in" in metal today, count me out.

[Metal_King]

It's tough for me personally to get out there and see gigs when I have hockey/soccer/baseball  practices/games.   Sunday morning we travel an hour and a half for Matt's away hockey game. 

When you're involved with yuor kids, it just gets tougher when your in-laws have now passed away.

Although this Friday night, I am taking my boys to see the Iron Maidens again in Santa Ana. 

[Firefarter]

i;m going on 2 years without having been to a concert,the last one was Megadeth's 20th anniversary RIP show in march 2010.for me there's a bunch of things that factor in.

-being older,i dont care to stand around for hours just to see a band anymore(not to mention getting home late)
-not living in a big city means more travel time and more expenses(gas,food etc...)
-having kids=less free time
-going with the wife means expenses are double everything
-the biggest one is that between the time i started going to show(1990) and the time i moved south(2007) i've seen HUNDREDS of shows including my favorite bands multiple times,so i'm nowhere near as excited about seeing concerts as i used to be.i think that would hold true even if i were single and lived smack dab in the middle of a city that i could see 5 shows a week,anyway.

[Metal_King]

Let's face it, we're just a bunch of old fucks. 

[Hellboy]

Let's face it, we're just a bunch of old fucks. 

QFT 

I strongly agree with Firefarter, that's pretty much how I feel aside from the fact that I don't have any kids.
I've seen most of my favourite bands live multiple times, and as I get older, I'm truly despising crowds...
The only show I saw in 2011 was Opeth & Katatonia

I have almost zero interest in newer bands, the last 3 cds I bought in December are vintage NWOBHM (Tokyo Blade, Tytan and Savage).
As far as new releases go, If my memory serves me right, the only releases from 2011 I felt compelled to buy are the latest from Amorphis, Anthrax, Symphony X, Pagan's Mind, Dream Theater and Opeth.

[Pelata]

Let's face it, we're just a bunch of old fucks. 

I think this has a lot to do with it. Like some have said, I just don't care to drop coin to go to every show under the sun anymore. Add to that the fact that most bands I would take time to go see don't come very near to me and the numbers get even smaller.

I made the observation last year sometime that even though I had over 5000+ songs on my iPod, the newest artist in there was over 10 years old. I just don't have the time to look into new bands like I did 10-15 years ago. But I keep up with the bands I do like.

[Metal_King]

But, for me it helps that my boys have picked up on Iron Maiden.  So, if Maiden decides to tour again, that show will be a slam dunk. 

Of course, I will have to purchase 4 tickets though. 

[Firefarter]

I'm truly despising crowds...

forgot about that.BIG +1 there.

[Protag]

You old farts should go out & buy the latest Kate Bush album (see my avatar). Not only worth it for Steve Gadd's drum work alone but the songs are awesome & are linked one way or another with snow. Even her duet with Elton John on Snowed In At Wheeler St. is great. The best vocal I've heard from Elton in decades.

BUY IT NOW YOU FRUMPY OL' FUCKS!

[COFFINCAR!!]

I'm on board with Firefarter (except for the kids and big city parts) and Hellboy.

And when it comes to new bands, I just rarely get that "holy shit this is awesome" feeling. I think part of that comes from oversaturation of the scene, but another thing that turns me off is that it's become such commonplace to fix studio performances to the point where everything sounds so absolutely perfect, that even when something is "holy shit" awesome, I tend not to buy into it because I don't know if what I'm hearing was really played or not.

Being a musician, I want to know that the band actually pulled off what I'm hearing...at least within reason. I know there's always been "studio trickery" and fixes, but some of today's bands/engineers take it way too far. Now even the shittiest band/musicians all sound amazing on album, then you see them live and it's like "what the fuck is this?". Back in the day, bands had to PLAY what you hear on those albums. Were they all perfect? Far from it, but at least there was more character and personality to the music than on a lot of today's robot recordings.

[Klschmann]

I have little to no interest in going to shows anymore.  I just no longer care to put up with the hassle (dicks in the audience, standing, shitty sound, etc) with some big exceptions (favorite bands).  I still love watching performances and get a kick out of really well done live DVDs and stuff, but the act of actually going to shows has kind of grown old to me.

And I'll check out new stuff but the majority of my listening is new albums by familiar older acts. 

I simply no longer have the time to listen to a gazillion of different bands and albums, I don't.  I bought 30 albums last year and maybe 15 of those I listened to more than 20 times.  I have time to enjoy what I do enjoy though if that makes any sense.

And when it comes to trooness and all that silliness, well, I don't think I've ever cared about that childish bullshit.

[Pelata]

I still love watching performances and get a kick out of really well done live DVDs and stuff, but the act of actually going to shows has kind of grown old to me.

The only shows I care to go see are ones my son want to go see OR an all-time favorite.

I simply no longer have the time to listen to a gazillion of different bands and albums, I don't.

Me either...90% of my listening is familiar bands. It may be new albums...but the bands are old.

when it comes to new bands, I just rarely get that "holy shit this is awesome" feeling.

Me either. It bums me out. But I remember that being my age (40) comes with it's own share of circumstances. Nothing is going to hit me at 40 the way it did at 15/16/17 years old. My tastes & preferences have been established. I may hear something new (Metal or not) that catches my attention for a short time, but then it's back to my own personal routine.

But, for me it helps that my boys have picked up on Iron Maiden.

That worked out for me too. My son was born when I was 21. He's an only child w/ artistic tendencies and both his mom and I have music backgrounds. So naturally he gravitated to music, comics, movies & video games. He has his own bands that he likes (H.I.M., System Of A Down, Born Of Osiris, etc) but he has a huge love of old (to him) Metal...Iced Earth is one of his all time favorite bands...then he loves Kiss, Van Halen, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Dio, Sabbath, TNT, Tad Morose, Blind Guardian, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, etc...we've seen some of those bands live together and it's always an awesome time.

[Iced Ray]

I think the scene is really awesome.  I think there is a great mix of old bands releasing new kick ass material and new bands who are releasing their own kick ass stuff.

So much great metal, just not enough time to absorb it all. 

[Metal_King]

I will be seeing the Iron Maidens tomorrow with my boys in Santa Ana (Galaxy Theater...now called The Observatory).  They demand it. 

The place is under new ownership and I hope the waitresses have not been changed since an adorable young lady named Bree waited on us the last time we were there.  I will be requesting for her.