I've come to realize something: when formally trained musicians get together to make heavy metal music, it will always suck, or it will be amazing. There is no middle ground. The bands are either focused so much on the individual parts that the virtuosity of the single members does not add up to the whole that it technically should be. On the other hand, bands with high skill levels of composition will look past single instruments and solos and realize that composition is key.
Let's start with the bad: Dream Theater. While they're not the worst band I've ever heard, (and I'll openly admit to liking their album Metropolis II: Scenes) they're an example of how NOT to write songs. Pretty much every member has some form of formal music training, such as the guitarist and bassist, who both went to Berklee College of music, but it simply doesnt add up. What you get is 10-20 minute songs with emphasis on showing off and flashy soloing. While this may be somewhat interesting for the first couple of times listening to them, to me they are superficial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkF4JD2rO3Q
On the other hand, there are bands who's level of composition is so high that there isnt really any room for them to be showing off much. Swedish band Spawn of Possession is a pretty good example of the good side. With most of the members being formally trained, they are naturally more influenced by ensemble music such as Shostakovich and Bach than they are by death metal, although it definitely shows through. They make knowing use of counterpoint and compositional technique such as fugues. Contrasting with the metal makes them quite interesting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7lBgn8Ukc
The German band Defeated Sanity is similar to the previous example in that they work together to form a cohesive unit. However, with them, the focus has moved away from melody and instead has moved to texture and sound. The bassist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJEMHyFxUB4) and the drummer are both classically trained, yet from hearing them you probably would never guess. They are death metal of the heaviest kind, but they are so much better than pretty much all others. When trying to write this kind of music, a lot of bands just go for random notes and powerchords, but Defeated Sanity found a way to actually write it musically: Arnold Schoenberg's 12 tone technique. Combining this with very lucid knowledge of rhythm and syncopation yields some interesting results. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awlUcEQ8qt8&feature=related)
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This is a really interesting post. I'm going to listen to the musical excerpts you provided when my kids are in bed and I have a few moments truly alone.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where I read it, but somewhere I read that "fusion," such as jazz rock fusion, comes about because the musician isn't really good enough to make it in either of the two "fused" genres - ie, not enough chops or theoretical background for jazz, not enough emotion and soul for rock. Kid Rock, as an example - can't rap, can't really sing, so he makes up his own thing somewhere in the middle.
I know Dream THeatre. A friend of mine records their solo stuff. They are monsterous players no doubt. But what they play is, well, forgettable, isn't it? They just don't have the writing chops at all - no head for a melody or a harmony - plenty of theory, but no spark on interesting invention. Contrast it to the Beatles -players who can just about handle whatever they need to handle, and yet they write stuff that changes keys and time signatures and flows around with amazing melodies - melodies in the classical sense of melody - and interesting harmonies and structures, textures, and sounds, and it is all effortless, memorable and organic.
I'll listen to the metal stuff and if I've a chance write some more. This is an interesting conversation you started.
Luke
Dude, you are listening to some heavy heavy sh*t. These guys make Slayer look like pussies.
ReplyDeleteThe Dream Theatre song is really boring. It's like the attack of the eighth notes.
Here are some things for you:
A different version of shredding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuLcYeBauyw&feature=player_embedded
Here is something with repetitive parts and a lot of syncopation. Have you heard this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWNkOr2ZxzY
That ukulele shredding is really cool with the fast chordal movement. The most similar thing I've seen is John Pizzarelli's solo in "I Got Rhythm" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP7NlPbyVeg&feature=related
ReplyDeleteI've heard that King Crimson song before, the other guitarist in my band plays the opening riff all the time.
Have you heard if Venetian Snares? It's this guy named Aaron Funk who composes breakcore music (electronic samples, drum machines) that's incredibly technical while catchy at the same time AND has is composed brilliantly in my opinion. This song in particular strikes me as perfect movie scene music, yet I still find new stuff in his music every time I listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dexRDAMsX9I
I've only seen a few actual drummers playing his stuff, it's apparently ridiculously hard.
Great post. Its a shame that most people don't take the time to listen to the instruments as much as they used to. It's all about lyrics, "THIS BAND GETS ME!" "Their lyrics speak to me on levels!" which is annoying. I seem to never shut up about bass, and it's annoying me. I forget that I'm a drummer too. Death Metal drumming is insane and deserves high praise. Here's a video for the both of you that I used to watch a lot, it's not metal, but it's insane.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6T4OwacRL0