MovieChat Forums > Metal Evolution (2011) Discussion > Kind of running out of steam

Kind of running out of steam

posted 12 years ago by jaltenbu
19 replies | jump to latest

I will start by saying that I have loved this series. I DVR it every week and get excited to watch the episode. I haven't yet watched the power metal episode, but it seems like he is running out of sub-genres and really stretching it these last few episodes. I would say that the Shock Rock episode is a good example of this. I don't really consider that a sub-genre at all. Pretty much every single heavy metal band that burst onto the scene with something new and innovative was shocking to parents. Every hairband was shocking until the mainstream became over saturated. Every thrash band would shock parents if they actually saw or heard them.

While I haven't watched the power metal episode, I feel like that isn't really a sub-genre either. Are there any thrash or death metal bands that are not powerful? Were not most of the NWOBHM bands powerful? It seems like an excuse to show bands that weren't already covered. Since AC/DC isn't American or British, we'll lump them in the "power metal" category. Since Dio wasn't part of NWOBHM and wan't a hair band, but was from the '80's, we'll call them a "power metal" band. Is Dio any more powerful than the NWOBHM bands?

I feel like they could have had one more episode after the Nu-Metal that just brought everything together to a conclusion and highlighted some of the current heavy metal bands. I didn't even mind the grunge episode because I really think that some of the grunge bands could be considered "heavy metal" whether they liked it or not. I just think that maybe there was a contractual obligation to film 11 episodes, and they are stretching to get there.

[–] Sharmster 12 years ago

Power metal doesn't mean the music is "powerful" - it is a sub-genre. Watch the episode and you'll see what defines it.

However, I would agree with you that the shock rock episode presented as a sub-genre was a stretch. The visual aspect of metal is important and worth exploring, but the format they chose (basically cycling through sub-genres) kind of boxed them in.

[–] yngvai 12 years ago

Dunn even said that the Shock Rock episode wasn't as much about the music as it was about the presentation of the music. But if that was the case, why not even a mention of GG Allin?

I don't think it's running out of steam, as much as the episodes that are being aired seem to have missing branches. Going from Early Metal UK to NWOBHM to Glam to Thrash to Grunge without including episodes on Punk or Hardcore? Which is why I wonder that since the Prog Metal episode is being touted as "Season" finale instead of "Series" finale, if we'll get the other branches aired next year.

[–] jayhn1111 12 years ago

I think it was VH1 classic that told him they didn't want certain sub genres covered. Death metal has lasted almost 30 years and has been the most consistent and they skipped that. Also black metal.

[–] Danimal_77 12 years ago

Absolutely right. It just reminds me of Eddie Trunk and how much he HATES death metal bands. This entire documentary series is being funded by VH1. For all those who want a FAR BETTER and far more accurate documentary, that doesn't OMIT sub-genres based on TV rating (a la VH1), watch Sam Dunn's first TRUE metal documentary from 2005.

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[–] Danimal_77 12 years ago

The power metal episode it by far the worst episode of the 10 that I have seen so far. It was so diluted. I mean, why is power more important than death, or black metal, or so many other off shoots. He REALLY stretched this episode far longer than it should have been. Was very boring.

[–] KinksRock 8 years ago

The explanation as I understood it was that, even when heavy metal was disfavored, power metal kept it alive.

Jaan Pehechan Ho

[–] jaltenbu 12 years ago

OK so I watched the episode, and I liked it quite a bit. While I think that "power metal" is a pretty lame name for the genre, I do think that it is a definite classification. I don't know what a better name would be, but it is there.

For those speculating on a follow-up season, I don't think it will happen. He's pretty much covered the mainstream, and I don't see it being realistic that there would be more than 3 or 4 more episodes. AC/DC is the only really popular group that I can think of that hasn't been covered at least a little bit. While I like some of the death metal groups, I understand where VH1 is coming from. They need people to watch, and I bet the numbers would be lower for death, black, grind core, etc. If there is a continuation, I bet it will be straight-to-DVD.

[–] jayhn1111 12 years ago

I think it's a pretty cool genre actually. There's thousands of great and talented power metal bands. Myself, I only listen to a limited amount. Only the more well-known power metal bands. There's only so many of those bands I can listen to. I find some of those choruses absolutely hideous. The ones that they showed all those fans singing along to. I like the power metal bands that have a more traditional metal style. So while it's not one of my favorite genres, I can see why it's popular in Europe, but it'll never pick up much steam in the states. It was a must that this was covered in the series

[–] Slaytanic1 12 years ago

The power metal episode was one of my favourites. It's a sub genre very well known in Europe, the likes of Blind Guardian, Manowar and Helloween have sold millions. I'm really annoyed that the series has completely left out black and death metal though...and that the thrash episode ignored the big German bands...Sodom, Kreator and Destruction. Far more relevant to the scene than having a chat with Lamb of God.

[–] jaltenbu 12 years ago

I actually like a decent number of the power metal bands going back to when I was a kid. I loved Helloween, and I am really annoyed that I can't get the entire song "Halloween" on iTunes without buying the entire album. I just never really gave a thought to it being in a different genre than Iron Maiden, etc.

[–] Slaytanic1 12 years ago

Early Helloween albums are real cheap to buy here in the UK, I could quite easily get the re-issue of Keeper 1 for a fiver or so. The whole album is killer...indeed after a wobbly period in the early 90's Helloween have continued to bang out quality power / old school heavy metal ever since. Their last few albums have all been brilliant.

[–] TitusYorick 12 years ago

Yeah, the Power Metal episode was definately one of my favorites too. Ever since I saw it, I've been listening to DragonForce and Nightwish practically non stop. Maybe if the demand is high enough, Sam Dunn will go back for a few more episodes because like you, I'd love to see him do an episode on Death Metal and interview bands like My Dying Bride and Amon Amarth (and maybe even sit down with the makers/musicians of Metalocalypse and discuss how they managed to incorporate so much realistic elements into Dethklok and also pay homage to the greats of the genre in the series).

[–] Furiousfury 12 years ago

Sad to hear that.I'm buzzing after seeing the first episode.EVERYBODY!!! seemed to turn up for this series, great to see them all, either overweight or driving around in their Ferraris lol.Can't wait for the second ep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpvcfv5FjfE&feature=related

[–] bainz 12 years ago

what is a band like Incubus considered. I mean their earlier stuff obviously LOL. An album like S.C.I.E.N.C.E. comes to mind. What is it? Its pretty dam heavy.

[–] GasmaskAvenger 12 years ago

don't tell me you're getting the band that stole the name Incubus from the REAL Incubus (now known as Opprobrium these days) confused with said real group bro.

I warned you not to go out tonight

[–] FooserX 9 years ago

The power metal episode was fantastic.

Too bad so many people didn't get the point of showing Accept or Dio. He was showing the beginning roots of Power Metal and the "evolution" of the sound and genre. I loved listening to Dio talk about wanting to describe fantasy visions in his lyrics, and how things progressed.

Power metal is a monster genre, just like thrash and death. Not sure why some people aren't getting that on here.

X

[–] Screen_O_Genic 8 years ago

OP: Nah, all the episodes were good and apt. The only one that was off was the Grunge episode. They should have featured Stoner Metal instead.

After all... tomorrow is another day.