Tales from the Jugular
Taking the Music Back: The Return of Old School Metal
By: Eric Compton & Frank Hill
Published: Friday, February 27, 2004
Taking the Music Back: The Return of Old School Metal
In a previous Tales from the Jugular column, we wrote:
"Metal will see a big hard rock resurgence in the U.S. similar to the '78-'82-era
and the pre-thrash days of '84-'86. Trendy bands will one again put on jean jackets and
grow their hair long and straight so they can look like real old-school metalheads."
Looks to us like older metal is definately back. Some of the indicators that are showing
up across the board are:
Headlining the 2004 Ozzfest lineup is Judas Priest and Slayer. Between those bands, they
have about 50 years worth of metal history. The Ozzfest audience is surely going to see a
different looking crowd this time around. Somebody count up the average number of Camaros,
mullets and crop shirts in the parking lot.
The changes in MTV2's Headbangers Ball lineup to more classic sounds. An episode with
Dave Grohl's Probot featured a lot of old school metal and his new CD is getting great
reviews especially from people who are glad to hear some old-but-familiar vocalists again.
Iron Maiden as one of the most successful British touring acts for the year.
A new AC/DC album should be out soon. IMO, they have a tendency to release a great one
then some clunkers then another great one. Should be time for a really great one now after
the weak "Stiff Upper Lip". Let's have another "For Those About To
Rock"!
Nu metal sales have plummeted; not that it won't exist anymore, but its day in the sun
is clearly over. One could also argue that all the wigger-haters have grown out of
proportion. Get on any metalboard and post something positive about Fred Durst, for
instance. That rush of wind you'll feel will be from the rush of people running to their
keyboards to flame you.
A good many old thrash bands are releasing new albums: Death Angel, Exodus, Testament,
Heathen, Vio-lence, etc. to name some.
Hard rock acts have come back, with Brides Of Destruction, White Lion, Warrant, Tesla,
Motley Crue(?), Van Halen(?), Black N Blue, Skid Row, and Krokus all trying to muscle back
in the market.
US/Canada Classic metal bands are emerging again, with Hallows Eve, Exciter, Attacker,
Omen and other bands still keeping it strong like Anvil, Jag Panzer, Annihilator, Warrior,
and so on.
Listen to the interviews on shows and in magazines from here on out. Everybody is talking
about having more of an "old-school" sound and every genre of metal seems to be
gaining in popularity right now, whether the bands are any good or not isn't the question.
To offer a nod to Anthrax, the old-schoolers are absolutely "taking the music
back".
[Other Maximum Metal Columns]
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