lack of metal knowledge in some reviews

How do you draw a line between dismissing and dissing an album ? Trashing an album may just indicate the level of dislike the reviewer felt for the music.
I've seen some very dismissive comments re " Split Enz eventual inclusion at PA. Klaatu. to me, is poorly represented by the Proggy pop they are often portrayed as. Ange is still a group for which I cannot understand why it is not included in the pantheon of prog greats.
But I have posted reviews on groups such as Nektar, VDGG, Eloy, where I stated simply that I didn't see what the big deal was. And if you can bear going through all my reviews and posts (even just the short ones), there have been a few times where I've voiced very strong negative opinions in regards to a band or even a genre. But these are all subjective. And they in no way should be regarded by any one as the last word. I like Sean Trane's reviews. But for the most part, I've found after a few disappointing purchases, that a lot of his recommendations don't bring as much satisfaction as his review would have left me to expect. And Vice-versa. But they are his view, again, subjective in nature, and subject to rebutal, debate discussion and if you want , dismissal.

GoldenSpiral wrote: but there are also a few folks who detest anything remotely related to metal.  you just have to know who to trust.

true

I think its silly for people who really dislike metal to review prog metal albums just so they can trash it, and its equally as silly for the prog metalheads or RIO avante garde people, if they hate symphonic prog or dislike groups like Yes and Genesis etc, to review their albums so they can trash them or make insipid comments. And you know it happens.

The T wrote: Exactly. But I think is even sillier to hate any genre. If you don't like it, just don't listen to it. There's no genre I really hate for example, and even post-rock I've tried to force myself to enjoy... (with just moderate success...)

totally generic unremarkable black metal??  now who has the lack of metal knowledge here?

oh wait, you gave Psychotic Waltz, Arcturus, Dodheimsgard, Enslaved, Solefald, and Martyr 5 stars...  forgiven. :)

see, everyone has different opinions, and I see nothing wrong with the collective opinion maybe being a bit "off" for metal albums on a prog site cause what do you really expect... most here like prog rock the most and metal not as much.   its no surprsie that some great albums are a bit deflated, but just go to metal archives and they'll probably get more what they deserve over there

GoldenSpiral wrote: Good grief!  This thread took a left turn at stupidtown!   Seriously, PA is where I come to get a good bit of my recommendations for metal.  I'd much rather read about metal from a progressive fan's perspective than from a metalhead's perspective.  That way, I'm more likely to find stuff that I'm into.  There are a good number of folks on this board who are very knowledgeable, and willing to point the way.... but there are also a few folks who detest anything remotely related to metal.  you just have to know who to trust.

^^^ in post numbers, Böthy?
(btw, I can't believe I found the keyboard shortcut for your damned "o"!)

CCVP wrote: ClassicRocker wrote: ^^^ in post numbers, Böthy? (btw, I can't believe I found the keyboard shortcut for your damned "o"!) i have a keyboard hotkey for that

Im special

avalanchemaster wrote: I am rather bothered by the fact that this site collectively does not seem to know much about metal at large.  I do not think that Protest The Hero sound anything like System of a Down.... if people knew more about metal than what they are exposed to (by radio or other pop outlets) maybe they would know more about it and be able to make better assertions about metal.  I am not trying to say I know everything about metal, but I am rather insulted by a lot of the opinions of the genre and its subsequent sub-genres.  It seems that many people are content to listen to tip of the iceburg bands in any genre, and then they will claim they know a lot about said genre.  Now I don't claim to know everything about prog, but I know a fair shake, although I am sure a lot of you older more seasoned folks could school me with your expertise.  I guess I am just a little (perhaps neurotically) offended by the lack of knowledge that seems apparent on here.  When I go to the tech metal section/list of bands, I see a lot of one star reviews for bands that are known in the subgenre of metal for being exemplary.  It seems that a lot of old school prog heads or people who DO NOT NORMALLY listen to metal are flexing their prog muscles and sh*tting on certain metal bands because they find no merit in (the music...which is most likely not their "prefered genre)  I find it sad that people are turned off by nuances such as growl vocals or rapid fire playing.  It is all just music and perhaps should be explored at length like any other musical style before severe knee-jerk responses (ad hominem attacks and one star reviews????  get a life.) are put up.  If a band is deemed good enough by the collective to be included in the prog archives, why are we even allowing one star reviews?  I think it unjustly skews any decent reviewing. I am not a vindictive, angry person by nature, so I do not find it necessary to "backlash" against a newly popular band and attack relentlessly with senseless reviews and one star-isms. thank you. Rant over.

"Oh, you @s..oles, do not review my favourite fan-boy metal bands with 1 star reviews; as long as I like it they're automatically 5 star bands and you should recognize that".

And his final sentence is particularly politically-correct: "If a band is deemed good enough by the collective to be included in the prog archives, why are we even allowing one star reviews?  I think it unjustly skews any decent reviewing". this is ridiculous and, to be honest, not so unexpected coming from a generic metal fan (I'm a metal fan too, but never will use Manowar-like slogans on being "true" or about  heavy metal "superiority" over any other musical form).

As there is no perfect objectivity in an subjective thing as music is, reviews of any album ranging from 1 to 5 stars are acceptable, just use good arguments. And the genre is by no means an argument to give 1 star, as this is really a hard rating.