[zimbloth]

I just heard their album. This of course is the metal band fronted by movie-star Jada Pinket Smith, aka Will Smith's wife. It's not nearly as bad as everyone was making it seem. I mean I think it kind of sucks, but from the reaction to them being on Ozzfest, it was like they were the worst band on the planet. Frankly I don't see how this band even comes close to being as bad as half the bands that show up on Ozzfest and other festivals each year. I can only think of a few reasons why theres so much universal deep hatred for this band.

1) Fronted by a celebrity. You can't be 'true metal' if you're rich.
2) Fronted by a black celebrity. Hooray racism.
3) Fronted by a black female celebrity. Hooray sexism.

Seriously, I think this band is pretty average. It's nothing to get excited about, but I for one think it's kind of cool a black female celebrity loves metal this much to go against the grain and do this. I think it's refreshing, and I'm embarassed that the vast majority of the metal community has exhibited so much ignorance and hatred. I mean people were saying that they should be killed or egged and other shit, it's ridiculous. I'll take this over emo bands masquerading as metal acts like Atreyu or Himsa anyday. There's actually some pretty heavy parts on this disc. Sure it's a lot like Otep but so what?

PS: This isn't a rant against anyone here, just a reaction to everything I seem to read elsewhere.

[Metal Ken]

I'd hesitate to call it 'true metal' just on the fact its Nu metal-ish. Its just another average commercial wanna be metal band. As such its so average, why bother with it, when theres so many other better bands out there?

[zimbloth]

I listened because I was intrigued by the universal bitter hatred towards them. You're making my point. It's your average nu-metal. Nothing more nothing less. Hence, it makes no sense to hate them so bitterly when there's far more obnoxious stuff out there to hate if you MUST hate anything at all. I don't get why they should have rocks thrown at them just because they're mediocre.

Quite frankly, a huge number of metal fans are close minded morons, which is the opposite of what metal is supposed to be about. This album actually has really cool guitar tone and a few good riifs. More than I can say about emocore bands.

PS: There's no such thing as "true" metal. Just good metal and bad metal. Metal is metal. Wicked Wisdom is undeniably metal, If you think it sucks, so be it...I would tend to agree with you also, but it's still metal nonetheless.

[Shannon]

I've heard the album & yes, it's really average at best. It's not terrible though. I don't think it has anything to do with her being black or being a female.

Metal is about anger, pain, blood, sweat, tears, etc. She started this band after she made her millions. To most, it just looks like a hobby that some rich chick decided to do. She didn't spend years in shitty clubs busting her ass to get her band off the ground. She got her record deal & the Ozzfest tour because of her noteriety.

It's just really hard for the majority of metalheads to take a millionaire movie celebrity who's married to the Fresh Prince seriously in the metal world. With her afforded lifestyle & persona, it just doesn't scream "metal." Given her background & the way the band got their record deal, their credibility was scarred from the start.

That said, I give her nothing but a pat on the back for trying, but most people just aren't buying it.

[zimbloth]

Well most people are lame as hell then. Someone shouldn't be penalized because they have money or advantages. She obviously discovered the passion for it late. I don't think someone has to "pay their dues" in order to be taken seriously. Music is music. If someone puts out an album, thats a piece of art that speaks for itself, the artists financial backround should have nothing to do with it.

Obviously it's cool if someone works their way up and does it the hard way, that should be commended. But it's bullshit that just because she had success in hollywood first, that she shouldnt be taken seriously. What right does anyone have to restrict people's passions in life? The book is closed on your life if you've had success doing something else in the past?

The majority of metalheads should get a clue and judge bands based on their music and not these goofy cliches. Metal isn't about "blood sweat and tears" to me. It's about the MUSIC, the energy, the passion. I don't think someone needs to "sacrifice" in order to be metal. And yes a lot of it has to do with her race and her sex, I've seen tons of evidence to support that first hand - which is quite sad and embarassing.

[Shannon]

I know what you mean. I'm not saying it's right, but that's just how a majority of people think.

[Ancestor]

I watched some video of them, and I just plain wasn't impressed at all. She's gonna get all these advantages just because she's famous, which I think sucks. And they suck. That slot - the Ozzfest, the recording time, everything - should go to a band that deserves it.

Just my humble thoughts on the matter.

[zimbloth]

I think it's AWESOME that she uses her status to her advantage....

NEWSFLASH: Artists like to have their work heard/seen by as many people as possible. That's the point, to create something you're passionate about and share it with the world. If I was rich, I'd NOT buy myself good equipment? I mean why hinder yourself just to prove to 15 year olds that you're as credible as some cookiemonster growling band?

By the way, most bands on Ozzfest the last few years have been a joke. WW has fit right in. Hardly an All-Star lineup you know? Some good bands, then a never-ending sea of emo/metalcore mediocrity.

PS: Once again, I agree that the band isn't very good... I just don't care for the double standards here.

[Ancestor]

End Theory, now there's a metal band with a hot singer that kicks ass. Put them on the Ozzfest.

[zimbloth]

Disturbed is on Ozzfest. I'd rather get a root canal then be seen at that travesty. Anyways I'm out for the night, -RANT OVER-, peace.