Coming Back From Metal / Hard Rock ?

[Sensi Star]

As a teenager my musical taste became defined. I loved Classic Rock, mostly the soft-sounding, easy on the ears, non-hard-rock type of stuff. Pink Floyd, America, Donovan, Eagles, Phish, some Led Zeppelin. Also liked 90s Rock/Pop that was played on the radio (Wallflowers, Counting Crowes, Weezer, etc). I even liked Smooth Jazz when I was in the mood for relaxation, and for driving, background music, etc.

As I got older I started incorporating some hard-rock / metal into my collection (thanks to the video game Guitar Hero), but I still preferred Classic Rock, Rock, and Smooth Jazz.

Fast-forward to age 23. I was flipping through the channels and discovered VH1 Classic's That Metal Show. I wasn't a hardcore fan of hard rock / metal at that point, but was SO drawn in by how entertaining/funny the 3 hosts are, regardless of what music they talked about.

One thing leads to another, and I explore some of the artists they complimented, etc. Boom, I'm immersed in a new world of hard rock / metal. Judas Priest, UFO, Michael Schenker, Guns N Roses, Van Halen, etc. I never took a liking to death metal (or similar genres that are too loud/fast and not melodic enough), but I don't mind some occasional thrash like Metallica or Megadeth. The key is it HAS to be somewhat melodic sounding.

So I guess you could say I'm now a big fan of hard rock, and CLASSIC metal. I listen to it 90% of the time, regardless of my mood or time of day. The negative is that I've found when I try to return to my old favorites like soft Classic Rock, Smooth Jazz, etc, I just don't get the same enjoyment I used to from them. I WANT to be able to enjoy those genres again, but I'm afraid I may have permanently rewired my brain into craving the animal-like electric loudness of HR/Metal.

I've only been into HR/Metal for 2 years now. I hope one day I can get as much enjoyment out of non-hard music as I did before. Has anyone experienced something like this? Is it just a phase? What happened over time?

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

I've only been into HR/Metal for 2 years now. I hope one day I can get as much enjoyment out of non-hard music as I did before. Has anyone experienced something like this? Is it just a phase? What happened over time?

I experienced something close, but opposite. I was very into metal in high school. I mean all sorts of metal, from Gorgoroth to Korn to Sabbath. Then I transitioned to new age, alt rock, and progressive stuff, and more recently electronica. I can only rarely listen to the metal anymore, the closest I routinely listen to are RATM and Marilyn Manson (<-pre-2003). For me, it's all related to my emotional state. I guess I've just never been as consistently pissed as I was in high school...

Maybe you've just gotten bored with it, or the circumstances behind your emotional state have since changed? Hell, try listening to The Sonics. They're my go to band as of late.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

One thing leads to another, and I explore some of the artists they complimented, etc. Boom, I'm immersed in a new world of hard rock / metal. Judas Priest, UFO, Michael Schenker, Guns N Roses, Van Halen, etc. I never took a liking to death metal (or similar genres that are too loud/fast and not melodic enough), but I don't mind some occasional thrash like Metallica or Megadeth. The key is it HAS to be somewhat melodic sounding.

This sounds kind of similar to my own initial interest in hard rock and heavy metal. The one thing that hooked me was melody(whether vocals or instruments) and I was able to withstand a lot of the harsh stuff that way(e.g. In Flames, Dark Angel, Arch Enemy, Mastodon, Slayer, and Electric Wizard's Vinum Sabbathi), and enough of that and I became desensitized and was able to appreciate the overall sounds.

I think System of A Down were my musical guide, especially with their first album. I was listening to it more than four years before I even got into heavy metal.

I've only been into HR/Metal for 2 years now. I hope one day I can get as much enjoyment out of non-hard music as I did before. Has anyone experienced something like this? Is it just a phase? What happened over time?

It's probably a phase, or could be your own evolution of taste. I would say just ride it out, and one day maybe you will "feel done" with hard rock and heavy metal and will come back to your old favorites. Don't try to fight it, just enjoy it.

 

[LarsMac]

I grew up around classical music and jazz. My uncle had a very nice sound system, and taught me a lot about music. in the late sixties, we live near Atlanta and the classical station would run a few hours of the latest head stuff out of Frisco and New York.
I became fascinated with the new sounds and went off to dig Airplane and the Dead, and a lot of trippy stuff out of California.

Sometime, in the early70's, while running the Carribean, I took to mother Rum.
Suddenly heavy metal sounded really interesting.

Then, after my blowout, I isolated myself on the Florida coast, and got away from all that NOISE!

Now the heaviest stuff I listen to, the Dirt Band and old Dead vibes.

Though, really getting back to 40's and 50's Jazz, and the hot stuff from the 17th and 18th centuries.

 

[Puffy]

My direction sounds a little similar to thehabitatdoctor's. I personally don't get much enjoyment out of most bands I used to listen to 6+ years ago, and even some from 6 years til now. If you're worried about hard rock re-wiring your brain, in particular, I can say I started out in hard rock/ metal, could only listen to it for a long time, but eventually moved past it. I don't really flirt with pure examples of the genre these days, but those that have accomodated the new sounds I've come to like; things can just evolve that way, I guess.

I think changing taste's are good, regardless of what you move on to though. On one hand you have a wider palette of expression, on another there are now more musical circles you could fit in to; music seems to be an almost omnipresent interest among people, if you like sharing/ talking about it.

 

[redbaron]

I went through a phase as a teenager of listening to Meshuggah, Opeth, Pantera, Testament. I listened to metal pretty much all day every day, and I got into hardstyle when it was the craze around the same time. I found that melody wasn't necessarily required as much as rhythm, but I definitely enjoyed melodic pieces. Though I gravitated towards a lot of rhythmic/syncopated music.

Same as ESC, I loved SOAD as soon as I heard them - well before I enjoyed other metal bands. Different to you though, I never really got into Led Zepp, Guns n Roses or even Floyd. I liked them but I never listened regularly. I can't stand Metallica or Megadeth.

Nowadays my music taste has evolved to more complicated and groovier endeavours. Rhythm and groove are what really determine my enjoyment. Bands/Artists that I've liked ever since I discovered them and for which their awesomeness has never been diminished are Tool, Primus, Clutch, Mahavishnu Orchestra, RHCP (Blood Sugar Sex Magik).

The above have been part of my regular listening rotation for years, regardless of what other phases I go through.

I'd say I definitely don't find much appeal in a few of the first bands mentioned any more. Meshuggah I still love but only in small doses, Opeth has some classics that I still go back to, but the rest I haven't listened to for ages. My listening is definitely a lot, 'softer'. Currently I'm listening to a lot of Marcus Miller, Clutch, Primus and Celldweller.

 

[Sensi Star]

Thanks guys for the high quality responses. Now that Opeth has been mentioned, I will say that that is hands-down the ONLY death metal band I can enjoy. It's amazing how melodic they can be, given their mainly death style. Even a lot of the fast/loud songs I like, but how about those melancholic acoustic songs? (me...melts ) "Benighted" is one of the most beautiful acoustic/soft songs ever written in the history of music (I've even learned to play the first minute or two on guitar).

 

[Sensi Star]

These 2 videos are what really solidified my transition to Metal/HR. Michael Schenker without a doubt played the biggest role, particularly because of my love of melodic solos/instrumentals (never cared too much for vocals, even before metal). His style and solos are such a unique hybrid of "badass" electric distortion and soulful melody I've found to be unmatched by any other guitarist. He's way too underrated, and I probably wouldn't have discovered him if not for Eddie Trunk's (That Metal Show) endorsement of him.

1:48-1:58, 2:08-2:18, 2:27-2:38 are extremely catchy 'licks' of Schenker's (on left).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U__vtSWMGvk


This performance of "Rock Bottom" cannot be beat. There's not one point during his solos here that my hairs aren't standing up with goosebumps!! Can't even imagine the energy the crowd must have felt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctTXZ2JHrC0

 

[INeedToPee]

i dont really listen to rock but i went through a similar transition. i used to listen to old school hip hop, focusing on the lyricism. but over the last few years i started listening to more electronic type music, particularly house and a bit of trance, and some alternative music. now im more fixated on a nice melody and beat, and can care less what the vocalist is spewing out as long as it sounds nice. i feel like ive abandoned half my library because when i listen to music i usually skip over the hip hop tracks, except when they fit my new music tastes or im feeling nostalgic.

 

[redbaron]

These are a few of the songs that made me transition from Metal/HR into a more jazz/groove taste.

Spoiler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzUBiTITM3o

Spoiler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xxVHSb5NRg

Spoiler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXS4qSZS6zE

Spoiler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXYjo5-UaTY&

As a drummer I also largely attribute the change to the fact that Poogie Bell is on drums. Guy gets deep in the pocket and never budges, he's one of the best drummers I've ever heard.

 

[Valentas]

I was astonished by classic music today. Just saw concert of New Year in Vienna...Amazing. I will start to listen to Vivaldi now...used to play "Winter" on accordion and now I'll listen hehe.

I am a fan of hard rock, metal. I hate pop music, though I admire Bruno Mars. Idk why but he is cool guy. I love Iron Maiden, Metallica and especially Whitesnake. <-- My favorite band.