From: nasiatka@anhep3.anl.gov.bitnet (Jim Wylde)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Re: Devil CD's
Date: 15 Dec 92 16:08:23 GMT
Organization: Argonne National Laboratory



dbidwa@sei.cmu.edu (Daniel Bidwa) writes:

>Wellll, while neither group is singing about cars and 
>broads, they're also not exactly breaking new lyrical 
>ground any more. Over a five record stretch, Metallica has 
>covered the war/death/isolation/lonliness territory pretty 
>much to the exclusion of anything else -- maybe not the 
>"get wasted and party" cliche, but no less a cliche. 

I'll agree with you on most of that, as far as some of the
content goes, but on thier last album they did break some
new musical ground by getting the producer from Moley Crue
in to help hone thier sound.  It was (and still is to my 
knowledge) the first time a death/thrash metal band got
any commercial air time, and really started to hit a more
mainstream crowd.

>(Admittedly, Metallica was/is one of the biggest influences
>on the heavier metal scene, and are the reason so many bands
>have that big-midrange-small-treble-Marshall-on-10 guitar 
>chuk-chuk-chuk sound.) I personally find the w/d/i/l cliche
>a bit more palatable than the beer and babes bit, but it's 
>hardly any different in the end than, say, the Smiths.

I don't know about that.... :)  Metallica's stuff is, in 
general a bit more educated than the Smiths (however, I'm 
not really a fan, nor am I really familiar with them)
If you look at some of the stuff like 'Johhny Get Your Gun'
(based off a VERY good film that has some really nifty
social statements in it) or 'Justice for All'  You can see
that they are at least well read and educated, and that
they reflect it in their music.

>And the idea that either band has serious political views 
>is ludicrous.

Not really.  See my last paragraph on Metallica.  I guess I
should have clarified myself as well.  Not just political
views, but opinions on social issues as well.  To tell me
that Dave Mustaine, Mr. ex-coke head, anti-drugs, Ross Perot
supporter (initially), who covered the Dem. National
Convention for MTV has no political views is ludicrous.
Listen to some of the songs and the titles, and you'll see
that while they may not totally be political as Sinead Oconner,
Mustaine expresses himself and his views pretty well.
(re:  Peace Sells, Hangar 501, and a couple off thier latest
that I can't remember off the top of my head...)

>Dan, who's lately been listening to death metal, which sings (um) about
>serious political stuff like dismemberment and necrophilia

If you really want to listen to some cool death-metal, try
Testament.  You'll find that not only is the lead singer
*HOT*, but he sings of such nasty stuff as Rain Forest destruction,
and the like....  Practice What You Preach is a cool album,
and if you can see them live... DO IT!!

>p.s. Never heard of Helot Revolt, but I'm kind of on the wrong coast for that.
>More info?

They're a pretty decent band, more of a stage show like
early Kiss though, but with a MAJOR political message.
Thier lead singer Jack Spittle is a friend of mine.  They
are (to my knowledge) the country's first openly gay metal
band (Axl Rose doesn't count!).  Thier album is 'Bigotry 
is Not Rebellion' is out, and they are currently working
on getting a national club tour going.  (I'm the midwest
promotions-dude)  If you have a fax or something like
snail mail address, I can send you *tons* of stuff on them.

Hippie Jim

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