Guitar Gear

After a few years of listening to my boys blast their death metal, new punk and “alternative” rock, I’ve finally hit a breaking point. I just can’t stand that shit! Kudos to those artists who’ve been able to get recording contracts, but I’m sorry, it’s just not for me; especially that vomit screaming bullshit that somehow passes for singing. I first heard that type of voicing when I was riding in a friend’s car. He was always into pretty heavy stuff, but this was way over the top, all growl, no melody, filled with tons of low-end power chords. And now, that style of “singing” has moved into the more mainstream metal areas. I’m not sure I call it an evolution.

Call me old-fashioned or old-skool, but I need a much more melodic approach to music. Don’t get me wrong, I like metal, but I’ll qualify that with I like metal where the musicians have a very definite, discernible level of skill – especially in the guitar department. They don’t necessarily have to be fast, but they really have to feel what they’re playing. In a lot of the music I’ve heard my kids play, I can’t tell one guitarist from another – they all play the same fuckin’ licks! On the other hand, take a pretty high-powered, heavy, thrash metal band like Metallica, and just listen to Kirk Hammett play. The guy’s technique is incredible! Or let’s get even heavier with Pantera. Phil Anselmo may growl a lot, but there is a recognizable melody in what he sings. As far as guitar playing is concerned, does “Dimebag” Darrell ring a bell?

Perhaps I’d be a bit more tolerant of my kids’ music if I could detect a uniqueness in their bands’ musicality, but I can’t. As I said before, it’s as if they all play the same licks. But even though I admire these bands for getting recording contracts, it’s amazing that at least to the younger set, this shit passes for music. So maybe as a seasoned musician who can play more than power chords, plus a trained vocalist, I should learn how to vomit scream and play two chord songs. I just might get a recording contract – NOT!