Why don't new bands leave any 'space' in their music?

[TimothyLeary]

i listened metal a lot, but nowadays people over do it, i don't know why. it's like making music to prove something or show their skills... and they do it loud!! ....ing lord, anyone that try to play prog/tech/metal/ihavealotofskills has to do it loud??! the mixes are so ....ed up that after one song my ears are dead.

there's still good bands who know that dynamics are important, and are not trying to cranked up all the instruments to make a good mix. also, good bands try to tell something with their songs, not just copy paste riffs that sound good at this moment.

or maybe this is just me being older and boring. :P

[budda]

Originally Posted by Harry

I tend to just listen to a wide variety of music genres because I just have heaps of different moods I go through.
Lack of dynamics doesn't bother me at all......if I'm in the mood for it though.
Sometimes, honestly I just want full ....ing blast tech death.
Other times, I wanna sit back and listen to Isis, Pelican or recent Katatonia.
Music is made to serve different types of artistic expression.
If a band wants to AND can make good music that's on 11 the whole time, more power to them because I'll listen to it.
If a band wants to leave space, again, that's awesome and if I dig the music, I'll listen.

Although I will say, as I've gotten older, I can no longer listen to as much "Full on" music anymore, because as a person I've gotten more relaxed and chilled out in general and of course that influences the way I feel and my mood, but like anyone of course I still sometimes feel pumped up and energized and want something totally in your face.

Right there with ya, bud. I still love intense metal like ATB, BOO, VoM, LoG, but I enjoy softer stuff as well. Music that has some sweet delay and reverb while still having punch is really getting my attention lately, and I want to write some (w00t to having a DD-6 on loan from a friend!). I like my 'it's on 10 the whole time, its crazy, and its dirty. Love it" (read: Beheading of A King is getting constant play, its only 5 songs). I also love stuff like Sleeper Set Sail, Casey Baker and the Buffalo Sinners and Blackout Skies (RIP) for their use of melody, delay, reverb and getting heavier and lighter.

Originally Posted by JohnIce

But throw a bunch of compression on there, and it doesn't matter whether you pick like a total sissy, it's gonna be loud and punchy anyway. So then what happens when you want to back off a little in volume and intensity? Nothing, that's what happens. You're still on 11 no matter how you play. That is fail.

Agreed!

[Espaul]

I don't know if it has been said already, but in the metal genre this is taken to an extreme. Trying to fill EVERY spot with sound and layers, pushing music further and further without keeping in mind that there should be some dynamic in it.
I mean if I hear a slow mellow-ish buildup and then a riff that rips your balls out it sounds MUCH heavier than just two ball ripping riffs after eachother.

With that said, I firmly believe it much more difficult making that dynamic song rather than just going balls to the walls all the way

[Explorer]

Originally Posted by Espaul

I don't know if it has been said already, but in the metal genre this is taken to an extreme. Trying to fill EVERY spot with sound and layers, pushing music further and further without keeping in mind that there should be some dynamic in it.

...With that said, I firmly believe it much more difficult making that dynamic song rather than just going balls to the walls all the way

And, with all this discussion, a question:

With so many metal bands sounding the same, with only slight characteristics to distinguish one band from another... what makes it different from musics which metalheads disdain, like pop music, other than the instrumentation and vocal style?

Pop music/metal has its normal instrumentation (poppy guitars and happy synths/loud distorted guitars) and its vocals (happy harmonies/screaming and deep croaking ("I'm ebil - rarr!") voices.

The only difference I can think of is that song structure is often better and more interesting in pop music... and this is from someone who listens to both.

[Espaul]

^

I do agree with you.. Too many metal bands have that heavy verse thing with growl then the melodic riffing and poppy singing on the chorus..
Those are the metal bands that get most famous (and disappear) most quickly. At least by my count :P

[Mexi]

I think because most young songwriters feel that a song is more "complete" if there is something going on every second. more sound= better amirite?
and really, its easier to play brutal for 4 min straight than to actually think about dynamic phrasing and more subtle song structures. music that leaves you with lasting emotional impact should really be the goal

Originally Posted by Espaul

With that said, I firmly believe it much more difficult making that dynamic song rather than just going balls to the walls all the way

case in point

[Deadnightshade]

For me this is an excellent display of dynamics...Few bands especially in this genre can play like that..

EDIT:Look at the youtube poster's user name...Is there hope in this world? XD

[NaYoN]

I think both the overkill loud music (executed properly) and the spacey music have their places, and both are good depending on current mood.

[McKay]

People want dynamics in music but hate stuff like Deathcore. That I don't get. The music is practically built on slow and fast sections interacting with each other.

Plus, it's not like Vinnie laid off the blasts. He never used them. Pantera were their own kind of bland. Awesome bland, but still samey.

[McKay]

Originally Posted by Scar Symmetry

I've just realised that Opeth and Meshuggah are my favourite bands because they employ dynamics to their full use and do so in an atmospheric and masterful way.

I ....ing love metal.

Destroy Erase Improve. So good.