MABB v6.6.6

it's probably cool for the bands to get to have these grandiose backing ensembles and i don't blame them for jumping at the opportunity, but it always feels very gimmicky and underutilized to me. they're not actually taking advantage of having access to an orchestra in a meaningful way, just a big full accompaniment to regular album arrangements. which i guess isn't a big surprise, it's not like any of these bands have members that can actually compose/arrange for large ensembles

in less charitable formulations, it reminds me a lot of videogames that desperately try to ape hollywood movies, it always strikes me as a sad and unnecessary form of begging for legitimacy and recognition

Okay but what about bands that have it incorporated into their music already? There are a lot bands that record with orchestras (septic flesh, rhapsody, fleshgod apocalypse, blind guardian, etc) but are just used as a backing track when they play live.

Mesarthim wrote: ↑

28 Mar 2024, 00:29

Okay but what about bands that have it incorporated into their music already? There are a lot bands that record with orchestras (septic flesh, rhapsody, fleshgod apocalypse, blind guardian, etc) but are just used as a backing track when they play live.

gimmicky and underutilized. and for what it's worth it's not a criticism exclusive to metal bands that do this, but to basically every genre artist that does it. rhapsody is the one that i remember best out of those, and the album where they hire christopher lee and an orchestra is the inflection point where they really fall off a cliff for me. it's just like older rhapsody except they swapped their keyboardist for a movie trailer soundtrack, it lends an air of self-seriousness to the whole affair that i just can't get over. old rhapsody is just ridiculous, over-the-top good fun, orchestra rhapsody is the exact same thing except played with a straight face like we're supposed to consider this a serious dramatic work. come on now

like you've got a whole ass fucking orchestra at your disposal, let's see a little imagination! these people have actual chops, why not take advantage of it? but instead it's just generic hollywood film score/we replaced our one keyboard player with 60 people and they're all playing the same thing the one hard-on bearer would've been playing

i am sure it's no surprise to learn that i have not been to the pops and have no intention of doing so either