Many bands use symphonic/orchestraic elements in their music these days, and do it a hell of a lot better than metallica. Dimmu Borgir is the most recent example I can think of, with the latest album feeling like a very evil soundtrack at times. I don't consider that a bad thing. All the Stravinski I've ever heard feels like soundtrack music too.
metallica and Slayer decimated the metal scene with the newer albums, both leaning toward hard rock/crap. Slayer's "God Hates Us All" is almost a masterpiece compared to anything metallica did from Load onward.
The newest metallica album, at least, what I've heard of it, sounds like angsty emocore/mallcore shouting and bullshit. There is nothing metal about it. It's more related to Nirvana and Pearl Jam than to any metal bands.
I keep hearing people bitching about metal being dead, or no good bands being around. I see people saying that Slipknot and metallica carry the metal torch. this is such bullshit. Mentioned in this thread already has been one of the most brilliant newer metal bands, Nevermore. It's not even just that, some of the older bands still exist. Blind Guardian started in 1989, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are both still around kicking ass and releasing awesome albums. Dio still knows how to rock as well as he did in the 80s. Iced Earth, Symphony X, Manowar, Helloween, Testament, King Diamond, Therion, all still making great albums. These guys carry on the older torch, while other bands have created a new flame to shine on. Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Arcturus, Vintersorg, and slews of others continue to make great music. Why do people hang onto old, crappy, boring crap or latch onto the newest pop trendy crap when there's so much good stuff out there?
And for the record: Metallica before Load = metal. metallica after Load = not metal. Black Sabbath = Metal. Led Zep = Hard rock with metal songs. Iron Maiden = More metal and any band on the radio today, possibly the quintissential metal band. Judas Priest = Another candidate for quintissential metal band. AC/DC = Hard rock, great for parties.
Blues-based or not, Black Sabbath was metal. Distorted guitars and all, metallica is no longer metal. It is angsty shit rock.
And in case anyone noticed, yes, I am aware that I didn't capitalize the name "metallica" most of the time. I think of it as another band, and that's the only way I can differentiate between the two without calling them something lame like "Sucktallica!" or "Craptallica!".
And I think Slayer may be dead. Black Sabbath is on life support. Iron Maiden and Judas Priest have a few more years left, but the members are starting to really show their age. Still rock harder than metallica though.
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