Tag Archives: Atheist

Atheist vs. Death?

So, I just woke up and read a couple of news posts on Blabbermouth and then I saw the headline “ATHEIST Frontman: CHUCK SCHULDINER Did Not Create Technical Metal“. Now, that sounds kind of interesting, doesn’t it?

So, I read the article which features an interview with Atheist singer Kelly Shaefer and he talks pretty respectfully about Chuck Shuldiner and Death. He does include the line that Schuldiner didn’t create Technical Metal, sure, but I felt like the headline of the article was pretty misleading. Just read the most important part of the interview yourself:

“Everybody has a branch on the tree, and Chuck was definitely a thicker branch on the tree, a very important part of what we all do. We owe him a great deal of gratitude for being the pioneer that he was. I have a lot of respect for what he’s done and accomplished. But truth and matter of fact is that technical metal was not created by Chuck Schuldiner.“

So to me it seems like Blabbermouth took that last line out of context to create a headline that makes people want to read the article. Don’t get me wrong, we do that as well at times but we usually set it straight when you start reading the article.

The issue I’m having with this headline is not that it’s putting Atheist in a bad light, which it does, or that it’s trying to set up a feud between two legendary bands, which it does as well. My issue is that Blabbermouth turned Metal news into ordinary gossip and that doesn’t sit well with me.

Maybe I’m just trying too hard to be an elitist here, but I still view metal as something that can make people bond, something absolutely positive. I don’t even remember how often I got into a conversation with people because of the band shirts I’ve been wearing. There’s just something about “Hey, that dude wears a shirt of a band I like as well” that makes people bond. It’s not like everyone around you is a metalhead so it’s cool to meet new ones and I kind of think we should stick together and Blabbermouth is doing the exact opposite of that.

Blabbermouth is trying to create a feud not just between Atheist and Death but also between Atheist fans and Death fans. Personally, I view both bands as almost equally important to the scene so this is no Metallica/Megadeth situation, it’s more like a Judas Priest/Iron Maiden situation, albeit in a much smaller way.

What I’m trying to say is that especially metal sites should try to be better than Perez Hilton and not follow his example. Let’s try to unite metal fans, not divide them.

Atheist drummer's got skills

Drummer Steve Flynn of the technical metal band Atheist is showing off his technical skills, on the song “Fradulent Cloth“. I’ve also got some tech skills, give me a keyboard and I’ll show you how fast I am. I wonder which one of us gets more girls? Make the jump and see the video, then compare that to 15 minutes it took me to write this article. Yes, I type with one finger. And this poor guy plays with both hands and both feet. Who’s cooler now?

Some interviews

Lars Ulrich (pictured above) got interviewed by some very annoying guy in Australia. I don’t know if all Australians talk and look like that, but my God I felt like headbutting my monitor. Watch it after the jump.

Steve Flynn of Atheist also got interviewed. He talks about the band’s early days and whatnot, I didn’t really read it but maybe you have a better attention span so click here for it.

Wednesday 13 of Murderdolls (huh?) got interviewed, too. I didn’t know you could name yourself after a date. In that case my name is September 11, not because of the horrible terrorist attacks, but because I lost my virginity then. Sadly, September of 2010, not 2001, but hey, at least I’m a man now. Video also after the jump.

Clint Lowery of Sevendust also has an interview… You’ll find it after the jump, and  you gotta give it to Clint, he’s keeping it real, he doesn’t need fancy schmancy pro interviews like Lars. He did a webchat or something cause everything looks horrible, technical wise. That’s what my mom said about my first sextape by the way, but since I’ve gone HD she became a fan.

Support Atheism

“Christian metal” band Atheist are finally releasing a new album,  “Jupiter“, on November 9th.

Steve Flynn, who happens to be the drummer for Atheist, released a video about the drums and guitar coming together for an upcoming song.  It sounds very promising.  No question Bret Michaels Kelly Schaefer and the boys will release another masterpiece.

Check out the video after you make the jump.