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Can anyone explain to me why the Symphonic Heavy Metal bands in Europe are so refined and awesome compared to similar bands here in the U.S.?
And, why aren't more classicaly trained female vocalists fronting more heavy metal bands here in the states???

JerryB wrote:Can anyone explain to me why the Symphonic Heavy Metal bands in Europe are so refined and awesome compared to similar bands here in the U.S.?
And, why aren't more classicaly trained female vocalists fronting more heavy metal bands here in the states???

It seems more people in Europe are interested in that genre. To be honest, I've discovered just as many of those types of bands here in the US via MySpace who are equally as good as many of the European bands but their production is nowhere near the European bands' due to there not being a market here for that type of music AT ALL. Perhaps if they moved overseas, many of the US bands of that genre would go somewhere. Basically, I think it all comes down to the music market. I mean, how many venues do you personally have around you that would have some Symphonic Heavy Metal bands come through and KNOW they would draw a huge crowd? How likely is a person here in the states to be exposed to that genre of music without seeking it out as opposed to someone overseas? I have no idea if it's any lesser or greater but I thought I would throw that out there.

I live in Charlotte, NC and the more symphonic or heavy the music gets, the less of a crowd it draws and the concerts are held in much, much smaller venues. Likewise, the number of festivals here in the States where you would hear bands like that are very minimal where it seems as though festivals of that type are abundant overseas. I could be ignorantly wrong as this is just my personal perspective/observation/what have you. I'd like to see a much more well-informed perspective from an industry pro or an overseas local.

-Stephen

did someone say..."a well-informed perspective from an industry pro or an overseas local." well im far from an industry pro but im irish.

ah yes the old penny of europe vrs america in terms of music...well it has more to do with the "market place" than the style of music..

ie styles like metal have a long history in europe...but like all styles it has fragmented into a million other types of metal and in the end starts to destroy itself...this could be said of all styles of music...

but to close a band like "the killers" who are from vegas couldnt get anyone to listen to there music in the states but as soon as they hit europe and britain they got really big...and i must admit when i heard them i thought they were english untill i saw an interview and they had american accents.....its a matter of market place...what works in the states doesnt mean it works across the pond and vice versa...

different strokes for different folks.

irish anthony wrote:did someone say..."a well-informed perspective from an industry pro or an overseas local." well im far from an industry pro but im irish.

ah yes the old penny of europe vrs america in terms of music...well it has more to do with the "market place" than the style of music..

ie styles like metal have a long history in europe...but like all styles it has fragmented into a million other types of metal and in the end starts to destroy itself...this could be said of all styles of music...

but to close a band like "the killers" who are from vegas couldnt get anyone to listen to there music in the states but as soon as they hit europe and britain they got really big...and i must admit when i heard them i thought they were english untill i saw an interview and they had american accents.....its a matter of market place...what works in the states doesnt mean it works across the pond and vice versa...

different strokes for different folks.

I must agree with that. Genres of music tend to span out too far and it kills them sometimes. Also, I agree with the fact that Europe and America have different music tastes. I also agree that The Killers did sound like they were British or definitely European, then I heard that they were playing in Vegas and realized they were American. They had some good stuff, a little odd though. A band I heard that reminds me of them is "The Bravery." The similar sound, that is like some totally new genre. I have no clue what it is called. It is like techno rock meets fusion, meets crazy people, meets disco, meets, something else, lmao. I just looked it up, it is called "Indie Rock/Synth Rock," I have no bloody clue what that is, lol.

Shows I need to start diversifying myself even more in music. So yeah, I know nothing really about symphonic metal. Although, I do like Nightwish, but when they had Tarja Turunen. They had really good stuff.

I had to actually look up what symphonic metal was just a moment ago, I had no clue, although the name did make it pretty apparent what it was (So it was like knowing but not, lmao). I had a feeling Nightwish was considered that, due to the components of their music.

Metallica lately seems to be touring Europe more, I cannot figure out why. Is it that they have a stronger fan base over there ever since Napster or something? Lol. More money, more what? Who knows, just bring them back here!

Peace to all, GuitarAnatomy.

"A band I heard that reminds me of them is "The Bravery." The similar sound, that is like some totally new genre. I have no clue what it is called. It is like techno rock meets fusion, meets crazy people, meets disco, meets, something else, lmao. I just looked it up, it is called "Indie Rock/Synth Rock," I have no bloody clue what that is, lol."

The Killers and The Bravery both harken back to 80's new wave sounds that were before your time. The new Bravery CD is excellent, I will see them soon when they visit Detroit.

jimmydanger wrote:
The Killers and The Bravery both harken back to 80's new wave sounds that were before your time. The new Bravery CD is excellent, I will see them soon when they visit Detroit.

So that is what that is, thanks for the info man. That explains it, and now that I think about it they do remind me of Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode a bit.

Peace out, GuitarAnatomy.

JerryB wrote:Can anyone explain to me why the Symphonic Heavy Metal bands in Europe are so refined and awesome compared to similar bands here in the U.S.?
And, why aren't more classicaly trained female vocalists fronting more heavy metal bands here in the states???

I've always found European tastes are more refined in about every way. They more value musicality, and training in musicians. In the states its more about volume than substances, sadly enough.

This discussion had also briefly begun to stem from a thread I started recently called 'ambient symphonic metal', and in my last reply I wondered the same.
I've only been into symphonic metal (i.e. Nightwish, Within Temptation, Epica, etc) for about a year, but I'm crazy about it and have pondered what it would take to get the US fan base anywhere even CLOSE to what it is in Europe. I'm jealous of the exposure they have to such great bands!
Cheers