Being a metalhead in America.

[the_tramp]

In Britain, unless the metal band is popular they tend to only get a London venue. If they're popular, and a non-UK band then they usually play 3-4 venues which are still ridiculous to get to in my case without a car (uni student!). If they're from the UK then they're usually limited by their label although tend to play one more gig roughly wherever they came from.

Really? I had always got the impression that metal was very popular in the US, almost mainstream. Maybe I'm just stuck in the 80's/90's.

Funnily enough I thought that America had more choice than us as well, I guess it comes down to ignorance about the countries. I think that there are loads of gigs in the US but if I actually looked then I'd probably see that they're hundreds of miles apart and Arsen's view of other countries is most likely as ignorant.

I am not saying ignorant in an insulting way, I am merely speculating a lack of knowledge about the country's layout.

 

[RanD00M]

Iceland ain't all dandy either.
The biggest band we ever had here was Iron Maiden.
And that was back in '04.

But if I were to move to any country based on the music.I would go to Germany.They have Wacken.

 

[Death_Korps_Kommissar]

Is it just me or is it a curse? It seems that all over the world these great acts and musicians get to perform. All countries in Europe, many in South America, Japan, Asia in general, the Middle East...Hell, for some strange reason even Mexico is given more respect and a time of day than North America gets.

And whenever they do come to North America they typically stick to major cities that are way out of the way for the average fan. I am grateful that many bands do tour here, however I wish more energy would go into the overall attempt to come to the states.

Specifically, yes I know there is a lack of a major fanbase and an immense crowd here, but at the same time if rare acts showed up and we didn't get bands like Sonata Arctica and Lamb of God every weekend I think there may be a future for it in the end.

Nonetheless, it's painful loving this music and having to drive a thousand miles just to watch a single act perform.

Europe, you have no clue how lucky you are to have it.
I have flown from Florida to Ohio just to watch Iron Maiden play. Let me tell you, it was all worth it. But I still had to fly all that way...

I know this country is quite big and all that jazz, but in the end if many acts just simply got together and made a great tour worth coming to many would jump at that opportunity.

Your thoughts?

I live in Ireland.
Hardly anyone comes here often enough....

 

[CrafterMan]

Yeah all my favourite metal bands are from Sweden so I feel your pain mate, in New Zealand so we only get the real popular acts, and then our govt goes broke for 3 years afterwards

-Your loyal sheep shaggin New Zealander.

 

[Ironsouled]

I've had enough metal concerts where I live in the US of A to satisfy me.
'nuff said.

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

As a side note, good American metal DOES exist but shit is it hard to find. Familiar with Cellador?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X7hr-Ky8tg

Kind of an Iron Maiden or Helloween vibe going on.

Can't say that I was until a minute ago - definitely a Helloween vibe there.

Familiar with Savatage? I just came across them recently.

Spoiler: Some Savatage songs.

Other than them (and possibly Cellador now, not sure if I'm entirely sold on their vocalist or not), I think my list of American metal bands that I enjoy just has Dream Theater, Echoes Of Eternity, Iced Earth, Kamelot, Operatika, Todesbonden, Symphony X, and Urn on it (which is by all metrics a pretty darn short list).

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

Other than them (and possibly Cellador now, not sure if I'm entirely sold on their vocalist or not), I think my list of good American metal bands is just Dream Theater, Echoes Of Eternity, Iced Earth, Kamelot, Operatika, Todesbonden, Symphony X, and Urn.

Death Metal bands not on the list makes me sad panda...

Well I don't really like Death Metal all that much, and the few Melo-Death bands I do like are Scandinavian anyways so they wouldn't be on that list.

 

[Cain_Zeros]

Canada's the same way. The closest places any band plays are Vancouver (about a ten hour drive away) or Calgary (about a four hour drive away, and in Alberta).

 

[Hiphophippo]

As a side note, good American metal DOES exist but shit is it hard to find. Familiar with Cellador?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X7hr-Ky8tg

Kind of an Iron Maiden or Helloween vibe going on.

Can't say that I was until a minute ago - definitely a Helloween vibe there.

Familiar with Savatage? I just came across them recently.

Spoiler: Some Savatage songs.

Other than them (and possibly Cellador now, not sure if I'm entirely sold on their vocalist or not), I think my list of American metal bands that I enjoy just has Dream Theater, Echoes Of Eternity, Iced Earth, Kamelot, Operatika, Todesbonden, Symphony X, and Urn on it (which is by all metrics a pretty darn short list).

As a side note, the band Transiberian Orchestra is composed of a few members of Savatage.

 

[freakonaleash]

so where does the average metalhead in america live if the concerts are never near you?

 

[Eggsnham]

And since metal is generally ignored by the mainstream music scene in America, it doesn't make a lot of sense to go on a lot of tours there, since the high turnouts necessary to recoup traveling expenses and make a profit, would be risky.

Really? I had always got the impression that metal was very popular in the US, almost mainstream. Maybe I'm just stuck in the 80's/90's.

Yeah, America is now filled with spoiled white kids who've only ever seen a black man that one time that daddy's SUV got lost in the city, yet they still try to be black and listen solely to mainstream hip hop.. Which they call rap.

 

[Freshmaker]

I feel your pain. Unfortunately, I have the same problem

You'd think Detroit was a big enough city to warrant a tour, but noooo I guess not. The DTE Theater holds alot, and the few concerts I've been to there it's been packed.

And how about Queensryche, guys? They are fucking awesome!

 

[Hithel]

Living in Gothenburg helps if you're a metalhead. I've seen In Flames live a dozen times. Dark Tranqulity 3 times, Arch enemy 2, Soilwork 3 etc etc... I even got to see At The Gates at their farewell tour last year.

So yeah, your geographical location matters alot on wether you are catching good music.

 

[TMAN10112]

I know what you mean, a good portion of the best power metal around comes from Europe.

Luckily for me, I live within driving distance of New York City, which tends to be the most common stop for bands on tour.

As a matter of fact, Hammerfall is playing in NYC next month, and I'm simply estatic over it.

 

[Yesiamaduck]

Last.fm is you're friend, it will highlight gigs near your area baed on your listening habbits.

I tend to try and go to at least 5 gigs a month.

 

[Hiphophippo]

The real problem is America's almost complete lack of decent metal acts. I'm not sure what's going on over there in Europe to produce such a high rate of amazing metal but I know America lacks it.

Your Wrong.



Be thankful that the USA has the following awesome bands: Suffocation, Death,Immolation,Cynic,Atheist,Morbid Angel,Slayer,Metallica,Wolves in The Throne Room,Neurosis,Isis,Mastodon, and loads more....

These days I only really enjoy Wolves in the Throne Room out that list. When I was younger I loved Slayer and Metallica though. I'm not much for those other bands you mentioned.

 

[Hiphophippo]

As a matter of fact, Hammerfall is playing in NYC next month, and I'm simply estatic over it.

When I saw Therion in St. Louis I stuck around to meet them after the show. They probably spent a good 15 minutes droning about lame Hammerfall was. Truthfully, I agree, but I'd still like to see them live.

 

[wench]

When talking about Canada, this is generally the case for most musicians, as there is a vast amount of geography to cover and traveling it costs some amount of change. A good portion of non-local music ends up only touring in and around Toronto and Montreal.

I would expect it would be similar for the US, considering the vast geography. For many groups, going on tour costs some hardcore coin, and doing a tour in Europe, where you can drive across some countries in a day, it makes more financial sense. And since metal is generally ignored by the mainstream music scene in America, it doesn't make a lot of sense to go on a lot of tours there, since the high turnouts necessary to recoup traveling expenses and make a profit would be risky.

That's what I find as well. That said, however, it looks like Finntroll will be making it to Vancouver next month so we do get the occasional perk!

 

[floppylobster]

I've always thought it was because American metalheads typically have terrible taste in metal. They'll often be into a few cool bands but then add someone like Motley Crue to their definition of metal?! Of course that doesn't apply to every metalhead in 'merica but if you're looking for theories, that's mine.