Metal with Meaning - The New Metal Masters

Do you remember listening to the apocalyptic accounts of historic battles fought? Do you remember when you could understand every word sung and when singers didn’t have to grunt? How about the psychological metal thriller lyrics that had you doubting your place in society? Or the meaning of life? Do you remember listening to Metal music with meaning?

I remember. The metal masters of yesteryear such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Led Zepplin and others inspired us with thought provoking lyrics that delved into the darkest recesses of human consciousness. Is it any wonder that we were affected?

This brings us right to the heart of the problem with popular metal music today – at least in the U.S. The lyrics can’t be understood. The popularity of the “death metal vocal” style typified by the rise of bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Dimmu Borgir and similar bands now deprives metal listeners of meaning. Yes, we have emotion, yes we have grunting. But we are without understanding. Even more strangely it has morphed into other sub-genres such as punk (understandably) seen with bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, and progressive metal (less understandably) with bands such as Opeth. Now, please understand me when I say that I don't "hate" death metal vocals. But when your band's lyrics consist of primarily or entirely death metal vocals lyrical quality disintegrates.

It is not rare to encounter this music; rather it has become the “norm” among modern metal bands to the point where it is cliché in the extreme. In fact, I feel that it is negatively impacting metal music to such a point where it has substantially decreased listenership.

In fact, it has had a profound affect on what we listen to as members of XONE. With no modern metal masters who can actually sing from the United States as we had in the past, we have focused our attention almost exclusively towards what is now being referred to as “European Metal” from places such as Sweden, Finland, Holland and Norway. These bands include Evergrey, Kamelot, Symphony X, Nightwish, and others. Interestingly, some members of these bands are not European at all (like all of the members of Kamelot except for Roy Kahn) and in one case (Symphony X) all of the members are from the United States. However, the primary reason that these bands have become influential to us as new metal masters is that they all focus on two things: 1) understandable, well sung, well written lyrics, 2) and a focus on musicianship.

When I hear Russell Allen of Symphony X, his vocals are clear and strong, his breathwork amazing. I’m reminded of the precision of Bruce Dickinson combined with the passion of James Hetfield. I know I am hearing a master, and I understand and can believe in the reality he is painting through his words.

All of these new masters of metal, Roy Kahn of Kamelot, Tom Englund of Evergrey, Tarja Turunen, and Russell Allen have the ability to captivate and stimulate like the masters of old by weaving tales and creating dreams. And although we don’t attempt to emulate anyone (old or new) XONE is subtly and undoubtedly affected by these new masters as much as the old and as we strive each day to perfect our music we hope to come just a little closer towards achieving Metal with Meaning.