In The Raw wrote:Interesting what Stormspell had to say. Not only do I have a tolerance for a lot of softer stuff - I LOVE a lot of aor and melodic metal as well as a huge amount of 70's hard rock.
What I really cannot take is most hair metal. Aside from the first MOTLEY CRUE lp (which I think is actually pretty heavy and sort of a trash rock classic) stuff like POISON, NITRO and that stuff makes me want to throw up.
I just like my bands to stick to their strengths and not try to hop on some bandwagon because they think they can get more sales.
JAGUAR were a brilliant nwobhm/proto-speed metal band. They could have gone on to far more success by sticking with their original sound. Instead, they try this "dance metal" thing and wind up competing with a million other bands that are already doing the same kind of thing.
Sellouts rarely work. For every DEF LEPPARD there are a hundred JAGUARS or RAVENS.
At least with something like DIAMOND HEAD's "Canterbury" I can see what they were trying to do. Its a complex record with some interesting progressive touches and not just a lame pop metal lp.
I also tend to listen to a lot of AOR/MHR. Of course I have my preferences too and the majority of the commercial shit like POISON, FASTER PUSSYCAT, etc. never worked for me, but there are also some other commercial bands which I dig and enjoy, like DEF LEPPARD, PRETTY MAIDS, CASANOVA, or T'n'T just to name a few. I guess I'm too old and cynical and don't bother what is considered true and whatnot anymore and just enjoy and listen to what really appeals to my taste.
In case of Celtic Frost, I truly believe Tom Warrior was clueless and was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time when creating the early classics. Sort of learning how to play and going along. Once they got popular and he could afford it, he put the one album which was truly on his heart - Cold Lake. All you need is to check the Hammersmith Odeon VHS to see that he is really happy playing those songs - he shines and is all smiles man, enjoying every second of it. And I can feel this energy when I'm spinning the record - it is crude and naive, sort of underground glam, but at the same time very sincere and energetic and always bring smile to my face.
Later Tom Warrior disavowed this album of course, under the collective pressure from fans and the label, but whatever he says, he never wrote anything so honest and sincere ever since, especially when compared to recycled and tired shit like Monotheist while wearing adidas jogging suit and beanie cap, ugh! I liked him more with the L.A. Guns shirt and lipstick
