How to write quality metal....(?)

Number of posts : 64 Registration date : 2008-12-07

Hey guys .. how you doing all?

I'm new here, so I hope I can provide a good debate or discussion topic as well as anyone else on here.

I'm a devout black metal adherent while at the same time I try to balance a sane view on metal as an art form. Obviously, I try not to think about silly clichés of trying to be "kvlt" or "tr00." I take the time to learn and understand the art form as much as possible. Also, I'm working on my own black metal band in my own hometown. I'm the drummer and I also do some songwriting and lyrics.

Understanding just how discerning the reviews in the Dark Legions Archive can be, very cruel albeit necessary to discern quality, most of the time I hear pessimism and negativity on most newer black metal bands popping up around the world. There's always a criticism - sometimes even blatant ridicule - for the most blatantly crappy new black metal bands. Which, again, I fully understand, even if I have to admit that I am a fan of some of these bands (I enjoy Behexen and to some extent the new Watain album, for example, very much), personal taste needs to take a sidestep to judge quality from quantity. I read how the crappy bands assemble their songwriting of their releases.

So, as a new up-coming aspiring black metal musician, I'm curious to know, how does one compose quality black metal as art? I know this may sound like a rather stupid question, maybe even a tad redundant or moot, but given the rather overwhelming and daunting judgment of the Dark Legions Archive analysis, it can make any honest newcomer feel very intimidated, maybe even a tad self-conscious to feel like "what's the point" if there's too many mediocre bands and soon-to-be mediocre wannabes who may drown out the more honest and discernible artists. Even just when I look around at what I see. Am I missing or forgetting something? Does songwriting need to be taken on such a conscious level of every riff you write? How does one know if you can assemble any honest metal in general - song-wise - let alone honest black metal in today's time? Even if you honestly try your hardest and still fail? I know the key elements already would be honesty, aiming for something higher beyond the music and NEVER pandering to the audience of imbeciles. I'm just curious to know if there's anything more?

If anybody has any additional advice or opinions, I would greatly appreciate your feedback....

Thanks very much.

Subject: Re: How to write quality metal....(?) Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:56 am

well ... nice topic really
and i liked it ... but the problem is that i cannot answer u coz i m not a metal head ... hope that the others can answer ... and the only real metal head is going to answer this questions ... and we will know is the metal head here and who is the poser .. lol
greetings

Subject: Re: How to write quality metal....(?) Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:22 am

one thing that occurs to me, is: why try to make songs that are "black metal" in thefirst place? just write good music. and yes, dedicate fully to it, if you want it to be worthwhile that is. write songs good enough that you don't care if absolutely nobody hears them in *your* lifetime.

i'm not saying fuck your band and stop playing black metal. just don't make falling into that genre's confines a goal. make quality your one and only goal

Subject: Re: How to write quality metal....(?) Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:50 pm

hell yea!!! i would be ur first fan for sure!
first of all , black metal riffs need some creepy sound , such what most of the oldies do "the converted power chords" either if it was minor or major , it doesnt matter , u just need to sound creepy! .. gloomy tunes .. mostly high power chords .. scary backround with pupey grim sounding vocals (immortal style) ... but after all try to write YOUR SOUND and dont copy , i mean ... try to find your own touch and of course using some influences like : immortal , mayhem , burzum , marduk , emperor .. etc
and if you wanna write a sympho black metal song! it would be a whole different story! coz the keyboard will do all the backrounds and the inveronments!
for the drums , black metal varies from slow tempos to very fast tempos ( double bass work , blast beating , thrash beating , grinding ... etc )
...
anyways ... im a lil sleepy now and i hope i helped Smile

keep it brutal and keep fuckin' supporting metal!!!

Subject: Re: How to write quality metal....(?) Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:57 pm

ah .. about the lyrical themes and the sub genres ...
black metal as u know has some sub genres ... like old school(first wave) black metal , norwigian black metal , gloomy black metal , symphonic black metal , blackened death metal , melodic black metal , depressive black metal , satanic black metal ... etc
and every sub genre has its own sound and its own lyrical theme!

cheers

Subject: Re: How to write quality metal....(?) Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:44 am

mmmmm nice topic .. and good luck with your band .. about the lyrics and how to make them arty Razz

try to write some stories about herons or gods of nature or somthing about viking stuff .. also you can write about castles stuff or dragons .. i think you gonna be pretty good with these themes .. maybe you like satanic stuff but i dont like it really its more religious more than art .. thats my opinion

try to listen to these bands and you will be inspired

stormlord
borknager
dark fortress
behemoth
melechesh

with my best regards

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