I always go to different websites to view some differing opinions, and I go to sputnikmusic a lot for metal releases. They hate this band? I can't really figure out why exactly though.
haters gonna hate most of the criticism I've seen is about their aesthetic. that they've got this macho tough guy thing going on and it's cheesy. I've also heard people say that in interviews the band is arrogant and cocky about how they're the best thing going in hardcore. But as far as I'm concerned, the performance the other night should make everyone shut the fuck up. They proved themselves and then some.
The listening party on Friday was cool. The whole band did a meet and greet and photos. The new drummer signed his name as "Mud Man" and wore the mask all night. My photo is below (Jami forced me to take one with them). I've been trying to figure out who it is. The local paper here did an interview with Jami and asked about the drum situation:
the macho argument is pretty instantly negated by reba contributing half the songwriting but okay that seems more like “jami yells a lot and joe is shirtless”
seems like a lot of the people hating on them are just mad to see a "hardcore" band get this popular by incorporating "non-hardcore" sounds into their music.
Idk I’ve read a few interviews with Jami and his comments scan as purely confident to me, but I can see how he tows the line. He’s a very well spoken guy and the interview he did with Ian Cohen is a pretty good read
The constant "WAKE THE FUCK UP BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF EACHOTHER" type shit he yells at the crowd doesn't help shed the macho critcism. I will say of all the "bigger" bands I've played with, Jami was one of the nicer/more personable dudes I've met. Seemed like he actually wanted to hang out and have a conversation, not just doing it to be polite. I don't doubt that they're all actually great people, but their aesthetic choices over the last few years are cornball as hell to me
I enjoyed this a lot on first listen and it pisses on Forever from a great height imo. That album really didn't connect with me, this is much more my shit!
I mean that's a general hardcore hype thing, I don't necessarily think getting amped up should equate to being overly macho I dunno, as someone who is adamantly against toxic masculinity and masculinity in generel just making me eye roll usually they've never really bothered me with the "macho" thing
I recommend not checking out that place and rateyourmusic... in general. edit: At least, don't delve too much into the comment section.
Also, not that it's tongue in cheek or a joke or anything, but it's also not meant to be taken totally seriously. I used to look at it as kind of corny, but after the live stream, it all clicked and I kinda like what they're going for and think they pull it off really well. no more cheesy than Slipknot wearing masks and beating on trash cans. It's all pa
its more to just get our of the echo chamber of this website, and they have good reviews on a lot of metal albums that dont get much coverage other places. its a crappy website whose design is 20 years old, but ive discovered some cool metal/prog stuff there.
Oh yeah I have too. There are a few subgenres I've managed to familiarize myself thanks to a few users I have in mind and who have also migrated here over the years (and they'll probably recognize themselves if they read this thread). It's just... the 4chan-y trolling and edgy / problematic jokes gets a little much at times. Rateyourmusic bothers me for bringing up Ronald McDonald in every single shoutbox too.