Classic Albums I have never heard

Trollheart · 08-20-2013, 12:08 PM

Thanks guys.
Batty, when I got into metal I knew what I liked --- Maiden, Motorhead and Mozart (sorry, Red Dwarf joke again) --- Saxon, Leppard, Whitesnake, Purple, Zep (to some degree), Diamond Head, and I did try some what would have been called thrash at the time, like Tank, Anthrax, Anvil. I did like it okay but I think something that turned me off even trying Slayer was that they had ---whether deserved or not --- this rep for being the loudest, noisiest (different thing), dirtiest and fastest band around. Now I like fast but not so fast that it all blends together into one indistinguishable mess of noise. I had them pegged to be honest with the likes of Venom et al.

I prefer my metal to be at least somewhat melodic and Slayer just never appealed to me on that level. Plus I assumed --- probably wrongly --- they were Black Metal, and I hated that. So all that taken into account and remembering I wasn't the type of metalhead who strayed too far from what I knew I liked, it's really not that surprising that I never listened to them before, other than a brief snippet of "Raining blood" on South Park, which did nothing to make me want to hear them more. There are piles of bands I never touched --- Sepultura, Death, Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom --- and others I tried --- Haggard, Blind Guardian --- but whose death vocals immediately turned me off. Sad really because Haggard's music was really great but I can not get past d/v.

So as a metal fan I knew what I liked, knew what I hated, and knew what I was likely to hate. After hearing RiB my opinion has been changed very slightly, but in general no, Slayer are not a band (at least, based on this album) that I would listen to for pleasure.

Sorry!

Unknown Soldier · 08-20-2013, 03:26 PM

The reason that you dealt with this album ok compared to the Venom material, is that Reign in Blood has better songs which flow superbly, they're also far superior musicians than Venom ever were and the production is light years from Venom as well. You've listened to one of the band's most famous albums, but to really appreciate the quality of Reign in Blood you have to take it in the context of its time which is 1986 and you really need to be familiar with what was happening in metal at that time as well, only then can you really grasp this album and what it offered.

Trollheart · 08-20-2013, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

The reason that you dealt with this album ok compared to the Venom material, is that Reign in Blood has better songs which flow superbly, they're also far superior musicians than Venom ever were and the production is light years from Venom as well. You've listened to one of the band's most famous albums, but to really appreciate the quality of Reign in Blood you have to take it in the context of its time which is 1986 and you really need to be familiar with what was happening in metal at that time as well, only then can you really grasp this album and what it offered.

Well, I would and I wouldn't agree with that. I just found it a too-fast, blurry mess after the first track, which I was mightily impressed with. It's just not my sort of thing. As I said, there are three important elements in metal --- or any music --- to me, and they are melody, melody and ... oh what's the last one? Oh yeah. Melody. Without that I don't care how avant-garde, experimental, fast or brootal you are, you're not gettin' near these ears.

Never gonna be a Slayer fan, Julian. Have to accept that and move on.

In fairness though, the winos on O'Connell Bridge are better musicans than Venom ever were. My three cats are better muscians than Venom ever were. Hell, I'm a better musician and I can barely play! Venom were just a really bad joke.

The Batlord · 08-21-2013, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

There are piles of bands I never touched --- Sepultura, Death, Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom --- and others I tried --- Haggard, Blind Guardian --- but whose death vocals immediately turned me off.

Wait a minute. Are you saying Blind Guardian have death metal vocals?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

In fairness though, the winos on O'Connell Bridge are better musicans than Venom ever were. My three cats are better muscians than Venom ever were. Hell, I'm a better musician and I can barely play! Venom were just a really bad joke.

Sure they were a bad joke, but that's what's so great about them. They can't play, but the sheer energy hidden behind the wall of noise just stirs the blood. The lyrics are puerile and ridiculous, but that's why they're so much fun. The production is awful, but it's part of what gives their music such a dark feel. Venom may suck, but man do they suck good.

Unknown Soldier · 08-21-2013, 09:48 AM

Talking of Venom, here's an interview

Trollheart · 08-21-2013, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

Wait a minute. Are you saying Blind Guardian have death metal vocals?

What I heard did. I'm quite prepared to listen to them again if that's not the case. But you know what I mean: dark, growly, unintelligible, I'm-comin-to-kill-ya-with-a-bloody-axe vocals....

Quote:

Sure they were a bad joke, but that's what's so great about them. They can't play, but the sheer energy hidden behind the wall of noise just stirs the blood. The lyrics are puerile and ridiculous, but that's why they're so much fun. The production is awful, but it's part of what gives their music such a dark feel. Venom may suck, but man do they suck good.

Yeah but I don't listen to band for novelty or comedy value. Like I said, I need melody in my music. I can appreciate their appeal, and their place in metal myth, as you'll see if you check the feature I did on them for "Maidens, Monsters, Witches and Bitches" (or is it the other way round?) for my journal...

TboneFrank · 08-21-2013, 11:42 PM

These are the one's I've listened to at least a dozen times each. Definitely worth the time to listen to them at least a few times. But you will know which ones you'll want to listen to more than once.

The * are the ones I still listen to completely periodically after 30-35 years. but I listen to select tracks from all when I need to.

*The Clash --- London calling (This is definitely the best Clash album but also one of the top 10 albums of all time...in my opinion...even if you don't like punk :-) )
*REM --- Automatic for the people (This is the best REM album)
U2 --- The Joshua Tree
AC/DC --- Back in black
*Neil Young --- After the gold rush
Paul Simon --- Graceland (An exceptional album but I still prefer There Goes Rhymin' Simon)
Stevie Wonder --- Songs in the key of life
Simon and Garfunkel --- Bridge over troubled water
*Bob Dylan --- Blood on the tracks

The Batlord · 08-22-2013, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Talking of Venom, here's an interview

"God, he vomited on the dog, didn't he?"

"Oh, he did, aye."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

What I heard did. I'm quite prepared to listen to them again if that's not the case. But you know what I mean: dark, growly, unintelligible, I'm-comin-to-kill-ya-with-a-bloody-axe vocals....

Dude, Blind Guardian are one of the least-death-metal bands on the planet. I don't know what you think you heard, but you heard wrong. They should be one of your favorite bands to be honest.

Unknown Soldier · 08-22-2013, 12:05 PM

Venom are just three hilarious Geordies

As for Blind Guardian, the vocals of Hansi Kursch are gruffer than a lot of power metal vocalists, but the subject matter of their songs are a world away from death metal, despite the fact that some of their stuff is quite dark.

Trollheart · 08-22-2013, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Venom are just three hilarious Geordies

So are the guys from "Auf wiedersein, pet", but I wouldn't listen to an album by them! As I said, being funny doesn't make you listenable, not as far as I'm concerned anyway.

Quote:

As for Blind Guardian, the vocals of Hansi Kursch are gruffer than a lot of power metal vocalists, but the subject matter of their songs are a world away from death metal, despite the fact that some of their stuff is quite dark.

Noted. Will send for review and report back. Best album/best to start with?

08-20-2013, 12:08 PM	#161 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Thanks guys. Batty, when I got into metal I knew what I liked --- Maiden, Motorhead and Mozart (sorry, Red Dwarf joke again) --- Saxon, Leppard, Whitesnake, Purple, Zep (to some degree), Diamond Head, and I did try some what would have been called thrash at the time, like Tank, Anthrax, Anvil. I did like it okay but I think something that turned me off even trying Slayer was that they had ---whether deserved or not --- this rep for being the loudest, noisiest (different thing), dirtiest and fastest band around. Now I like fast but not so fast that it all blends together into one indistinguishable mess of noise. I had them pegged to be honest with the likes of Venom et al. I prefer my metal to be at least somewhat melodic and Slayer just never appealed to me on that level. Plus I assumed --- probably wrongly --- they were Black Metal, and I hated that. So all that taken into account and remembering I wasn't the type of metalhead who strayed too far from what I knew I liked, it's really not that surprising that I never listened to them before, other than a brief snippet of "Raining blood" on South Park, which did nothing to make me want to hear them more. There are piles of bands I never touched --- Sepultura, Death, Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom --- and others I tried --- Haggard, Blind Guardian --- but whose death vocals immediately turned me off. Sad really because Haggard's music was really great but I can not get past d/v. So as a metal fan I knew what I liked, knew what I hated, and knew what I was likely to hate. After hearing RiB my opinion has been changed very slightly, but in general no, Slayer are not a band (at least, based on this album) that I would listen to for pleasure. Sorry! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

08-21-2013, 11:42 PM	#167 (permalink)
TboneFrank Groupie Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: sacramento Posts: 50	These are the one's I've listened to at least a dozen times each. Definitely worth the time to listen to them at least a few times. But you will know which ones you'll want to listen to more than once. The * are the ones I still listen to completely periodically after 30-35 years. but I listen to select tracks from all when I need to. The Clash --- London calling (This is definitely the best Clash album but also one of the top 10 albums of all time...in my opinion...even if you don't like punk :-) ) REM --- Automatic for the people (This is the best REM album) U2 --- The Joshua Tree AC/DC --- Back in black Neil Young --- After the gold rush Paul Simon --- Graceland (An exceptional album but I still prefer There Goes Rhymin' Simon) Stevie Wonder --- Songs in the key of life Simon and Garfunkel --- Bridge over troubled water Bob Dylan --- Blood on the tracks