The 90s to the early 2000s was a weird period. It signaled the end of the popularity of arena rock bands pushing things to the extreme. Metallica slowed down and people started to associate them more with Nothing Else Matters or Enter The Sandman instead of say Four Horsemen or Creeping Death. Also, Billy Corgan had hair.
What the 90s had to offer though was accessible rock music, in a verse-chorus-verse format. The music was still harsh, yet catchy. It did not have high-end guitar solos that where guitarist masturbate along the frets. The guitarist start using textures, palm mutes and power chords that any 12 year old could pick a guitar and imitate. While fans of the big four cry and claim it as their equivalent of "the day that music died," they have to realize one thing about metal, hardcore and other extreme music at that point. It was becoming more and more inaccessible to the average listener. Metal had evolved to a level where it can only be enjoyed through an acquired taste. In fact, it has be likened to an opera, where you have to develop an ear to it.
What the 90s provided was a slew of "gateway bands." Back to the Smashing Pumpkins, with tracks like this or The Everlasting Gaze, (or even GASPS! Nirvana), is that these bands became training ground. Young kids use this as their training ground and get familiar to the sound of distortion, pounding drums and the occasional solo. When they sense that it isn't enough, that is where they move to heavier territories. Here's to more gateway bands or tracks like this in the future. Crunchy, short and angst y. The 1st step to preserving extreme music culture. Pour your hate onto other "gateway bands" like Limp Bizkit & Linkin Park but you can't deny their service on bringing more fans to discover other genres of rock or metal.
What the 90s had to offer though was accessible rock music, in a verse-chorus-verse format. The music was still harsh, yet catchy. It did not have high-end guitar solos that where guitarist masturbate along the frets. The guitarist start using textures, palm mutes and power chords that any 12 year old could pick a guitar and imitate. While fans of the big four cry and claim it as their equivalent of "the day that music died," they have to realize one thing about metal, hardcore and other extreme music at that point. It was becoming more and more inaccessible to the average listener. Metal had evolved to a level where it can only be enjoyed through an acquired taste. In fact, it has be likened to an opera, where you have to develop an ear to it.
What the 90s provided was a slew of "gateway bands." Back to the Smashing Pumpkins, with tracks like this or The Everlasting Gaze, (or even GASPS! Nirvana), is that these bands became training ground. Young kids use this as their training ground and get familiar to the sound of distortion, pounding drums and the occasional solo. When they sense that it isn't enough, that is where they move to heavier territories. Here's to more gateway bands or tracks like this in the future. Crunchy, short and angst y. The 1st step to preserving extreme music culture. Pour your hate onto other "gateway bands" like Limp Bizkit & Linkin Park but you can't deny their service on bringing more fans to discover other genres of rock or metal.
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