The Guardian yesterday carried an interesting piece by Julian Cope on how Metal has become the driving force in the avant garde musical underground. This is hardly news to people who have been following acts like SUNN-O)))) and Acid Mothers Temple, but it is interesting to see the good news being brought to Guardian readers.
I must be really hip - I've seen all three of the bands in the picture that comes with the article.
I've found many metal bands to be some of the most innovative around, particularly those at the extreme end of the spectrum. Many, such as Finland's Amorphis or our very own Cruachan, have incoporated the folk music of their homelands into their music. Others have moved into electronica or like the black metal, Dimmu Borgir, write most of their music around the keybaord, and not the guitar, as you would expect.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the two most avant garde acts I know of are ex-Emperor bassist, Mortiis, known more for looking like a hobgoblin than for his early ambient work, and Arcturus who combine black metal with prog rock, classical music, trip-hop and even jazz! Check out the superb La Masquerade Infernale.