Go ahead, But you have to go by things like this. The Muisical Talent. Jimi Hendrix was high 216% of the time. As was Led Zepplin's Vocalist.
Now the musical talent in Metal exceeds what you believe. Your stuck on the fact that people keep saying Slipknot and Killswitch Engage is true metal. But they look past the fact that they were influenced by such musicians like, Chuck Shuldiner (Death, Control Denied), Matt Barlow (Iced Earth, Pyramaze), Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth, Demons & Wizards), Kirk Hammet (eXodus, Metallica), Jeff Loomis (Santuary, Nevermore) & Warrel Dane (Santuary, Nevermore)
Ahh, assumptions, assumptions. I don't what real metal is eh? I used to listen and WORSHIP all those bands you just mentioned. I was a HUGE metalhead about two years. Just wanted to clear that up before I make my points.
Now, you mentioned technical skill as what I should go by when making my points and I agree that it should be taken into consideration. But, let me also say that a bands creativity, live show, originality, among other things should be taken just as much into effect, with that lets get going.
Metal and Rock, in their historical roots, essentially go hand in hand. Which is why I said that this thread is iffy in the first place. You have GREAT rock guitarists who can play a technical style such as Ritchie Blackmore, and Steve Howe, but here's the difference-they keep their playing fresh and original compared to many metal guitarists.
See, as you probably already know, when the Thrash movement started, it was about a total disregard for any way music, up to that point was meant to be played. The problem with that, is that it doesn't become 100% about the music anymore does it? It was a fad, it was something teenage kids who wanted to get away from the glam and pop, did to rebel more or less.
Bands like Slayer, Exodus, Testament all had the EXACT SAME formula for their music. Included where heavy downtuned riffs, a beavy of palm muting, and a more often than not, wanky and formless guitar solo. The bass played well too many root notes, and the drums were ALWAYS a double bass frenzy of just seeing who could play faster. Which is why I often say that if you've heard one thrash song, you've heard around 90% of them. Now, by the same token, take a guy like Jimmy Page, who played some very beautiful acoustic melodies and then breaks out something like Whole Lotta Love. Its a change, a CONTRAST, something new.
Now, onto originality. Well this is where Rock completely trounces Metal, and its by default because rock MADE Metal. Blue Cheer, The Who, Black Sabbath, Mountain, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin, were all rock bands who Metal artists consistently mention as influences. Metal was original in the sense of the Thrash movement I suppose, but even that was just a more "cranked up" version of the Bay Area Punk bands that were litering the San Fran. scene in the early 80s.
So, in conclusion, the basic points are that most Rock bands have more originality/freedom for songwriting than Metal bands. Because if a Metal band writes a record of all acoustic material, it really isn't Metal anymore is it?
Technical skill shouldn't come into it as much as you say. There are Metal bands that have tons of skill, such as Death, but they can't songwrite for balls. As opposed to a Rock band, who will usually have compatable, to very good musicians, and can write more memorable songs.
This was really just a sloppy overview of all my points. If you wish to disect my points further, just ask me to explain them indivudually, so I can give you a more clear answer of what I'm talking. Also, keep in mind that I DO think Metal is music, and that it has a voice. I just think its a very unoriginal voice, that has been riddled with bad cliches, and sub par songwriting.
