Symphonic Metal Saved My Life Blog
Obvious? Omissions-
Now to include what I haven't included in my listings. This is my chance to touch on a few very popular bands in the genres I have featured in this blog. I would be remiss and easily judged to have not acknowledged them. But I haven't spotlighted any one song from these bands due to one main reason, which is I don't listen to them. I've tried, I've bookmarked, I've took note of, I've researched. But they simply don't move me nor impress me further than other bands have. Whenever I do discover a new song that either blows me away or I find myself enjoying more through re-listens, I think back to these bands in my omissions and wonder, when if ever will I find that song from them? But so far it hasn't happened and I will now explain why for each of these giants in their respective genres, doesn't mean I don't respect what these bands have done, keep in mind I named this section Obvious Omissions. I also consider my blog more of a gateway of introducing these genres than a who's who or 'best of' or all inclusive giant list.
H.I.M. (Gothic Metal) Ville Valo, the Finnish sensation who loosely self-categorizes his music "love metal". I haven't included any listings from HIM mostly due to the fact of his Uber-popularity, but also because I don't find his music very groundbreaking. Its rather commercial to me although I feel he shares a lot in common with Marlyn Manson. Both are artists whose talents supersede the art which they create. What I mean is if they push the envelope, they get labeled as trying too hard, if they create hit songs, they are called selling out. Its an impasse which usually results in the older fans losing appreciation for each release, and newer fans who prefer "the new stuff". My guess is that along with Marylin Manson, for H.I.M., the better music is perhaps the earliest, more aggressive and less commercially aware releases. I have selected an example from a release which Ville refers to darker bands as influence. Maybe if Ville had continued on with this mindset and style, well I guess there would more that I would enjoy.
H.I.M.- Love in Cold Blood (Gothic Metal, Finland 2007)
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Nightwish (Symphonic Metal) Although Therion pre-dates Nightwish, they are considered the originators to make Symphonic Metal what it is today. How could I eliminate the originals from my listings? I blame the drummer. I also blame singer Tarja Turunen. But I put the blame more technology. As pioneers of the genre, they simply did not have tech on their side in comparison to just about any band starting out today. With that being said they deserve more credit than I give, knowing that bands have it so much more easier today to re-create what NW did before them. But, for me, Tarja just doesn't sound metal, I hear a great classical singer who is singing for a metal band and the band actually plays around her. The only interaction her melodies have are with her own background over dubs and choir tracks. I also find the drum work a bit less inspired. Again I feel there is a case of 'harnessing' going on. As if the band is not allowed to outshine the vocals.
So far this is one of the songs that I like the most from them and it was from the last CD with Tarja. So what would Nightwish be without Tarja? We found out when Tarja and NW parted ways, and enter new singer Annete Olsen and now NW sounds less symphonic, more NuMetal and well, so much for that.
Nightwish - Romanticide (Symphonic Metal, Finland 2004)
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Within Temptation (Symphonic Metal?) Basically at the same time Nightwish makes a serious splash in the Euro-metal scene, Within Temptation is born. Molded from a now familiar format, heavy doom-influenced dark drudgery sounds played against quieter, softer moments which allow a soprano-styled singer like Sharon De Tomme to shine. Although they predate just about everyone in my listings (ex. Therion) I don't see where they ever made the jump from a-typical female fronted metal to symphonic metal heavyweights, despite huge concerts with full orchestration and choirs. Although Sharon has had many bright moments I don't see her overtaking the heavies of Floor, Simone, Tarja, Anneke, and a few others. She's been the choice 2nd for duets mainly due to the fact she will blend well but not overpower the other. Their brand of metal to me is more closer to a standardized rock and never challenges the listener. Most of the drum work is passive and the guitars (though prominent in their beginnings) are all but an afterthought for the most part. Other bands which came after WT have had a bigger impact in the genre, despite WT gigantic fanbase.
An early example...
Within Temptation -Mother Earth (Symphonic Metal Netherlands, 1997)
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Other bands that haven't cracked my listings as of yet...
Sirenia
DreamTheatre
Paradise Lost
My Dying Bride
Theatre of Tradegy - Very huge discography but all over the place. Their origins definitely showed promise until they went - techno?
Lacuna Coil - I am still trying to get to know them, I have one or 2 songs from apparently their best release so far, Comalies (2002)
So that's the basic explanation of why you wont see the bands listed above in my blog. But now I have included them. So you can't really say I didn't. But that could change, maybe one day when I post link after link from songs I eventually fall in love with. Since this blog is in a true to life timeline, that very well could end up being true one day. But for now, this is the perfect moment to include a moment I highly regard....
Next Posting: The Greatest Moment in Symphonic Metal History. - So Far...
