Greetings all,
As a Metalhead by default (Goth second), I have been to see many bands over the years; you can't be a proper fan of the music without at least getting a few gigs under your belt – it could even be described as a 'right of passage' so to speak.
I have been very privileged to see bands that have been at the height of their powers (Max Cavalera era Sepultura, Paradise Lost before they emulated Depeche Mode), and bands that are sadly no more (Pantera, Stamping Ground). Not forgetting meeting band members too (Morbid Angel, Brutal Truth, Dream Theater, Bolt Thrower, Cradle of Filth – and yes, the latter did have a piss ant attitude as well documented by the music press).
I do confess to being somewhat stubborn and dogmatic about many things. Due to getting into the scene at a time before Nu-Metal had existed, and with regards to my musical preferences I am quite rigid about what I prefer. For example, when I find a band, I love the buzz of discovering a band before most people have heard them. Or, at least a very select few people – and many examples of this have occurred but unfortunately snowballed out of control, notably Arch Enemy (who I had followed after the demise of Carcass before they had Angela Gossow on vocals), and Nightwish (I bought 'Oceanborn' not long after it came out when barely anybody knew about them). Okay, it doesn't put bread on the table for the band and they don't make a really good profit but I like it when a band stays pure and to their roots. To be honest, when a band gets too successful and earned their way they become musically lazy when they get to stadium filling level as it's usually just about the money and not about the music. There are numerous examples if you sit there and think about it properly.
Anyway, the source of my discontent is when a band claims that they are eventually calling it a day. Which, if mainstream so called 'Popular Music' (sic) is anything to go by is a load of bollocks – for example with the likes of Boyzone and the 'Lazaurus-esque' resurrection of Take That. In the case of the Metal scene – I cast the finger of suspicion over Rammstein.
So far, I have seen them twice, some time in 2010 and during their 'Mutter' tour of 2002 that had American Head Charge and Raging Speed Horn as support (Manchester Apollo). I have pondered seeing them again, but I refuse to see them out of principle.
“Why is this?” I hear you ask.
As mentioned before, widespread rumour and 'legend' has it that they are about to split up and word has it that next year's tour is to be a 'Greatest Hits' tour. Two things here, set off alarm bells in my mind:
'Greatest Hits' and (allegedly) 'Splitting Up' – also, the so called 'xx Year Anniversary Tours' (as a tenuous connected footnote).
As far as I am concerned, a band should 'never say never'. They should not mention they are splitting up and just disappear off the radar, usually getting their fingers dirty with curious little side projects. Or, just go back to their relatively normal lives living off the fat of their earnings with touring if they are that successful as a band and make a ferocious profit. To be honest, a stadium filling band isn't entirely short on cash and claims unemployment benefit in the interim, does it? - NO, they don't (although Paul Di'anno – ex Iron Maiden did get busted for fraudulent claiming of unemployment benefit, apparently).
To be honest, I have more respect for a band that does this as they leave fond memories behind, and keep their fans guessing, wondering, and living in hope that they tour again before either someone in the band carks it or the fan in question carks it. To me, personally, I call bullshit on a band that claims they are calling it a day as all I see it to be is a cynical marketing exercise which drags their fans like a moth to a flame. So, I opt out of this and take no part in it whatsoever. I am sure I will not be the only person that will happily sit there, laughing their arses off if (usually, when) they 'valiantly return to the stage'. You can't sit there and say “No, it won't happen” - it might do, it might not. Who knows, apart from the band members themselves? People also mention that they are 'cracking on a bit' with the band members being an average age of 45 and are too old to be doing it. Fair enough, but what about the likes of Motorhead and AC/DC then? Those guys must have 10 years plus over Rammstein
While bringing this to a close, I dislike the bandwagon of an arena gig in general. I feel, as a result the bigger the venue the more it depersonalises the music, atmosphere, and experience as a whole; large sou-less venues that are are more like a sterile concentration camp, with over zealous security that herd the flock of sheep in to be financially raped by expensive warm beer, substandard nasty food and band merchandise that requires the fan to re-mortgage their home, to be gassed in their own musical Auschwitz. Many bands don't work properly in the arena environment, and in some cases the support can embarrass the main act – for example, the last time I had seen Slayer live I found that Lamb of God destroyed them and sounded more potent and ferocious. Sadly, as much as I love Slayer I hate to admit it but it's true.
What makes a gig for me, is a smaller and friendlier setting – even if it's a crummy venue where even the Cockroaches are complaining. A setting where you can get as close or correctly equidistant as you like without the sterile confines of a stadium sucking the soul out the enjoyment and the marrow from the music. Somewhere where you can easily find your friends in-between bands playing, and discuss how it went. A venue where, if you so wanted, can be sufficiently near enough to see the whites of the band members' eyes. The smaller venue is a dwelling of, dare I say it a form of beauty where you can enjoy a band in a more intimate setting (and come home with some decent pictures and memories, instead of muddiness and lack of focus and clarity both aurally and visually). Not forgetting it's great when you bump into band members on occasion to give them the thumbs up in person and congratulate them on their musical works.
If you want to ruin the enjoyment of a band – go to a arena gig. You know it doesn't make sense.
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