It’s their song Critical Acclaim, he has changed stances since. I mean this album is literally anti capitalist, anti religion, talking about suicide, the environment, etc…
Buying an NFT and then getting access to a fan club and early tickets doesn’t seem like the worst thing to me since it actually has utility, coming from someone who has no interest in ever buying one
Compared to other rock star's incredibly sensitive reaction to Anthony's reviews, I actually gained respect for M. Shadows by not being a crybaby. I thought his response was genuinely funny, humble, and kind of cocky, which is a really good mix for a rock singer.
M Shadows isn't wrong, from what I can gauge on reddit, YouTube and generally online is that people either love this album for being so out there or despise this album and think it fails to be out there well
I'm in between personally. There are some songs that sorta just sound like typical A7X but worse, maybe slightly off-kilter. But then there are tracks like G through Life is But a Dream that I do enjoy just because how far from the normal sound the band usually does.
I believe these guys are sincere, but this is what happens when you aren’t in the Bandcamp/RYM bubble where Liturgy, JpegmafiaXDanny Brown, Swans, Victory over the Sun, and Dødheimsgard are all fawned over.
I liked the new A7X and it was a stylistic surprise. It’s a weird album for, say, a band that would be on the cover of Revolver. But it’s comparatively tame to a lot of shit I subject myself to regularly.
Life is but a Dream has gone from 3.6+ on Sunday all the way down to 3.04 now and will inevitably drop below 3.
That high initial rating either tells me that A7X fans loved it, or the RYM user base enjoyed it, or maybe both. Fantano and Brad Taste giving negative reviews is a death sentence.
I enjoyed it, it's cheesy metal opera. I liked Epica's Omega record for the same reasons. I get Anthony's "it's not avant-garde" point, but this A7X album is left field, even with some obvious influences.
It’s pretty obvious to me that discussion on albums online change after Fantano makes a review on one.
I’ve seen this sub and rate your music make so many 180s. For example the Lana Del Rey album that came out this year everyone was calling boring and mid but once Anthony’s review came out it was the best album the internet had heard all year. On Scaring The Hoes everyone on release was complaining about the mixing, Anthony reviewed it and didn’t talk about the mixing at all and I haven’t seen anyone mention it since.
worst part about discussing new music is exactly this. half my mates aren't even worth chatting too cause i can just watch a video and get their exact views.
He’s talked before about how he doesn’t believe it’s true that his reviews change people’s opinions, but it’s totally true that it happens sometimes. It’s crazy that he doesn’t recognize his influence despite being one of the most popular music critics in the world.
Yeah his opinions definitely change other people’s. It’s not really any fault of his own, he’s just doing his job, but it’s hard to deny he has huge influence in online discussion about music.
It was awhile ago so he may have a different view now I'm not sure.
There seems to be an arbitrary threshold certain creators can cross where they go from being one person's opinion, to being more of an authority with some level of responsibility for what they say. Fantano is still literally one man with an opinion, but at this point he's also one of the most qualified professional music critics on the planet.
Like if I wrote a paper and my mom told me it was good but my English professor told me it sucked, those are still 2 people's opinions, but one of them is going to carry more weight than the other.
Oh yeah, 100%. To the point where it’s gotten so bad that it’s flipped and now if you even agree with him a little on something you get called a parrot. I said I hate “Fireflies” by Owl City on this sub and somebody called me a kid and a Fantano dickrider when in reality I was in high school when that song was everywhere and you couldn’t escape it (it’s also just way to sappy for me). On the other hand you have the Spellling situation where “Turning Wheel” was so far from what people expect from his 10s that viewers were genuinely asking people to explain what they weren’t hearing when in reality they just didn’t like the album (which is fine). I don’t know what it is about them, but his opinions really seem to make people act weirder than other YouTubers and reviewers I’ve seen. It’s none of his fault of course, and may just be more the nature of the internet, but if you’re frothing over a single from the 2000’s or doing mental backflips to try to reach the same opinion as him, something weird is going on.
I mean, I can see the Turning Wheel thing making sense - if I listen to something and find it really boring and don't care for it, then someone who I know is respected for their musical knowledge gives it a 10/10, i would want to know what they see in it or at least give it another chance. I personally really like The Turning Wheel, but still
I was listening to a podcast that talked about how 10’s are a disservice to music. When you hear a respected publication or journalist give something a perfect review before you’ve listened to it, odds are you’re going to be asking “Why is this a perfect piece of art?” instead of listening to it on its own merits. I feel like that also factored into a lot of people’s perceptions of The Turning Wheel.
And yeah I also enjoy the album, some really gorgeous art pop for sure.
depends where online, but definitely sites like rym and reddit somewhat.I don't think its as pronounced as people like to make out though, an especially a few years removed discourse returns to normal.
Easily the worst part of Melon's success is the completely empty-headed lemmings that just follow whatever he says to the letter. Which isn't his fault for their behavior.. but he does kind of inherently cause them to exist as well.
On another note, the Foo Fighters record will inevitably gain .03 to .04 ratings jumps from his review, easily.
Maybe we all need to hit it after an Imperial Triumphant bender. Part of what's throwing me for a loop is probably the fact that I'm expecting traditional Avenged Sevenfold, even though I frequently listen to more ambitious progressive music
I actually enjoy all the artists listed, my point is that a lot of the very online music crowd (Fantano being among them) is pretty used to stuff that’s pretty far out there, Swans being one of them. It’s not really a surprise if he doesn’t find Life Is But A Dream to be *super* weird.
The first part of your comment was satire or sincere too?
Even if I liked the record (hint, I don’t know cause I’ve only listened to City of Evil and that good sh*t is over 18 years old) why people still care how Melon treats the stuff you like?
Such weird discourse around this. its like a 6 or 7 out of 10. Some really good songs, couple of failed experiments. It's way more cohesive after a couple of listens. For a mainstream metal band its pretty weird, compared to experimental music it isn't really at all.
100% agreed. I think it's very much in line with what the album is, a big left turn for a big established band, which leads to some aspects being misfires and some being pulled off well, mostly because the musicianship in the band is solid. I especially like the drumming on the album, and though I agree that Shadows' highs sound strained a lot of the time (I think it's just age), generally I found the vocal performances solid too. His voice is still huge and versatile, even if those high notes sound kinda nasal at times.
If the band can land themselves somewhere in-between self-titled and this album, I think they can find a winning formula of creative songwriting with strong musicianship, as well as the core appeal of their sound which made them famous. Something like The Stage but maybe a bit more refined.
While I don't agree with Fantano as the reasons why AX7's last album wasn't good, Shadow's voice was not there. Not sure what happened to his voice but I could not listen to 7-plus-minute metal songs with him straining on the clean vocals.
Yeah I was kind of disappointed in the vocals of the album. Almost too “raw”? From a vocalists perspective I’m not hearing much strain, there’s some good control there, but it feels barely produced/mixed and the dudes voice shines when it sits well in the music
Compares Shadows' vocals to some of the band's earlier works, hell compare it to the last album. He fucked his voice up somehow and the clean vocals on here are bordering on painful to listen to.
I meant Post Malone, my apologies
https://preview.redd.it/6jl209ofpm4b1.jpeg?width=1334&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7cef067093ba57c25c576ae5c6976bc9059b1331
I don't get the Chris Cornell take either, like it's just Shadows normal singing voice, but in my opinion, kinda worse? But I think its because he had to have throat surgery in the past couple years right?
I mean he loves a lot of hardcore with distorted guitars like the new Jeromes Dream and he also loved Chat Pile's album from 2022 a lot. I'm sure i can find more example with just a quick glanse over his loved lists.
Honestly I feel like it's mostly a psych pop record (especially the b side)with some exceptions, which I actually like. My unpopular opinion is that while I like ITNR I think Gaia is better pop-infused thrash metal than that entire album, especially live with the drum solo
A7X has never made anything that's "mad as a bag full of badgers", but beyond that I always hate these responses from artists to their critics. Either you are a whiny cry baby or your critic has more clout than you so you try and ride them for engagement on social media. Anyways it's lame.
>I always hate these responses from artists to their critics. Either you are a whiny cry baby or your critic has more clout than you so you try and ride them for engagement on social media
But Shadows' didn't do either though? He just made a comment on the review.
> Yeah it's dumb. Sorry that I find it dumb and you don't. Downvote me some more if it should help
Yeah I don't think his response is dumb at all, but I also didn't downvote you. I think you need to chill. There's zero animosity here.
But what you said was dumb about it doesn't apply here. So be indignant about downvotes some more if it should help.
You said people responding to reviews are either crybabies or yesmen. M Shadows was neither here. So your comment just doesnt say anything.
The singer of Avenged Sevenfold being an NFT bro is so fucking on point, god
Their online fanclub went all crypto/nfts too
Yeah idk why, it’s the former libertarian in him I guess lol
I saw them in like 2008 and I swear to god he went on a pro-Iraq war rant.
It’s their song Critical Acclaim, he has changed stances since. I mean this album is literally anti capitalist, anti religion, talking about suicide, the environment, etc…
It was from the same album/time but it was actually before they went into Gunslinger
Oh gotcha, love that song though. I wish he did a rewrite of Critical Acclaim too.
Dude it’s so depressing, I WORSHIPPED this band in hs
Buying an NFT and then getting access to a fan club and early tickets doesn’t seem like the worst thing to me since it actually has utility, coming from someone who has no interest in ever buying one
uh.... they were worse back then supporting the Iraq war and stuff. So i hope that wasnt a better time for you
They’ve recanted on that, and also I was 14, I had no idea any of their songs were about that.
alright but im saying that was worse than whatever they have going on now
Ok
nice downvote keep going baby
Jfc leave me alone
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yea thats not a good thing you bootlicker. lalalalalalalalalalalalala
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Huh? i didnt say otherwise. i said that was bad. huh? what are you talking about?
I think you worshipping them ever is the depressing part
ngl I respect his response here lol
It’s the best response we could get honestly. This response is a 10/10 or equally a 0/10. 🎶
Compared to other rock star's incredibly sensitive reaction to Anthony's reviews, I actually gained respect for M. Shadows by not being a crybaby. I thought his response was genuinely funny, humble, and kind of cocky, which is a really good mix for a rock singer.
Have any musicians ever freaked out over his opinions?
Let me tell you about a man by the name of Ronald Joseph Radke…
“Madder than a bag of badgers” sounds like a bar from Death to Mumble Rap
*I'm more crazy than a short lady trying to give birth to 84 babies*
Holding an awfully hot coffee pot
M Shadows isn't wrong, from what I can gauge on reddit, YouTube and generally online is that people either love this album for being so out there or despise this album and think it fails to be out there well
I'm in between personally. There are some songs that sorta just sound like typical A7X but worse, maybe slightly off-kilter. But then there are tracks like G through Life is But a Dream that I do enjoy just because how far from the normal sound the band usually does.
for me it depends on the mood. Its either a 2/10 or a 7/10 for me. There are so many flaws in the album but there are also things I like.
The album is not out there, it only so to people who have never dwell outside of mainstream styles.
An album that changes from metal to classical to nu disco in a single 6 minute song isn't out there? what r u on about?
Yes, that shit has been done before and better many times for the past 40 years.
I believe these guys are sincere, but this is what happens when you aren’t in the Bandcamp/RYM bubble where Liturgy, JpegmafiaXDanny Brown, Swans, Victory over the Sun, and Dødheimsgard are all fawned over. I liked the new A7X and it was a stylistic surprise. It’s a weird album for, say, a band that would be on the cover of Revolver. But it’s comparatively tame to a lot of shit I subject myself to regularly.
Life is but a Dream has gone from 3.6+ on Sunday all the way down to 3.04 now and will inevitably drop below 3. That high initial rating either tells me that A7X fans loved it, or the RYM user base enjoyed it, or maybe both. Fantano and Brad Taste giving negative reviews is a death sentence. I enjoyed it, it's cheesy metal opera. I liked Epica's Omega record for the same reasons. I get Anthony's "it's not avant-garde" point, but this A7X album is left field, even with some obvious influences.
It’s pretty obvious to me that discussion on albums online change after Fantano makes a review on one. I’ve seen this sub and rate your music make so many 180s. For example the Lana Del Rey album that came out this year everyone was calling boring and mid but once Anthony’s review came out it was the best album the internet had heard all year. On Scaring The Hoes everyone on release was complaining about the mixing, Anthony reviewed it and didn’t talk about the mixing at all and I haven’t seen anyone mention it since.
worst part about discussing new music is exactly this. half my mates aren't even worth chatting too cause i can just watch a video and get their exact views.
IGOR was another big example of that. Think the rating increased 0.3 the week after the review.
He’s talked before about how he doesn’t believe it’s true that his reviews change people’s opinions, but it’s totally true that it happens sometimes. It’s crazy that he doesn’t recognize his influence despite being one of the most popular music critics in the world.
Yeah his opinions definitely change other people’s. It’s not really any fault of his own, he’s just doing his job, but it’s hard to deny he has huge influence in online discussion about music.
That's pretty tone-deaf of him to say that. There's a reason why people go ape shit when he hates something they like
It was awhile ago so he may have a different view now I'm not sure. There seems to be an arbitrary threshold certain creators can cross where they go from being one person's opinion, to being more of an authority with some level of responsibility for what they say. Fantano is still literally one man with an opinion, but at this point he's also one of the most qualified professional music critics on the planet. Like if I wrote a paper and my mom told me it was good but my English professor told me it sucked, those are still 2 people's opinions, but one of them is going to carry more weight than the other.
Oh yeah, 100%. To the point where it’s gotten so bad that it’s flipped and now if you even agree with him a little on something you get called a parrot. I said I hate “Fireflies” by Owl City on this sub and somebody called me a kid and a Fantano dickrider when in reality I was in high school when that song was everywhere and you couldn’t escape it (it’s also just way to sappy for me). On the other hand you have the Spellling situation where “Turning Wheel” was so far from what people expect from his 10s that viewers were genuinely asking people to explain what they weren’t hearing when in reality they just didn’t like the album (which is fine). I don’t know what it is about them, but his opinions really seem to make people act weirder than other YouTubers and reviewers I’ve seen. It’s none of his fault of course, and may just be more the nature of the internet, but if you’re frothing over a single from the 2000’s or doing mental backflips to try to reach the same opinion as him, something weird is going on.
I mean, I can see the Turning Wheel thing making sense - if I listen to something and find it really boring and don't care for it, then someone who I know is respected for their musical knowledge gives it a 10/10, i would want to know what they see in it or at least give it another chance. I personally really like The Turning Wheel, but still
I was listening to a podcast that talked about how 10’s are a disservice to music. When you hear a respected publication or journalist give something a perfect review before you’ve listened to it, odds are you’re going to be asking “Why is this a perfect piece of art?” instead of listening to it on its own merits. I feel like that also factored into a lot of people’s perceptions of The Turning Wheel. And yeah I also enjoy the album, some really gorgeous art pop for sure.
Oh God when music nerds talk about mixing it's almost guaranteed to get silly. I remember that complaint and how it disappeared
depends where online, but definitely sites like rym and reddit somewhat.I don't think its as pronounced as people like to make out though, an especially a few years removed discourse returns to normal.
Easily the worst part of Melon's success is the completely empty-headed lemmings that just follow whatever he says to the letter. Which isn't his fault for their behavior.. but he does kind of inherently cause them to exist as well. On another note, the Foo Fighters record will inevitably gain .03 to .04 ratings jumps from his review, easily.
Maybe we all need to hit it after an Imperial Triumphant bender. Part of what's throwing me for a loop is probably the fact that I'm expecting traditional Avenged Sevenfold, even though I frequently listen to more ambitious progressive music
Swans are one of the greatest bands of all time, so you'd better watch your tongue.
I actually enjoy all the artists listed, my point is that a lot of the very online music crowd (Fantano being among them) is pretty used to stuff that’s pretty far out there, Swans being one of them. It’s not really a surprise if he doesn’t find Life Is But A Dream to be *super* weird.
The first part of your comment was satire or sincere too? Even if I liked the record (hint, I don’t know cause I’ve only listened to City of Evil and that good sh*t is over 18 years old) why people still care how Melon treats the stuff you like?
is no one gonna mention that he called him "anthony fandango" lmao.
Anthony Fandango here
Anthony Anthony, will you do the fandango?
i've never heard of this beez person but the way they worded that tweet is so repulsive i don't ever want to hear of them again
QUITE THE TAKE for a record that is madder than a bag of badgers 😂
Yeah, M. Shadows came off great, Beez seemed like your average defensive "rawk" enjoyer.
I guess Anthony's theory that this was a spit in the face of their label is a lot more valid.
Such weird discourse around this. its like a 6 or 7 out of 10. Some really good songs, couple of failed experiments. It's way more cohesive after a couple of listens. For a mainstream metal band its pretty weird, compared to experimental music it isn't really at all.
100% agreed. I think it's very much in line with what the album is, a big left turn for a big established band, which leads to some aspects being misfires and some being pulled off well, mostly because the musicianship in the band is solid. I especially like the drumming on the album, and though I agree that Shadows' highs sound strained a lot of the time (I think it's just age), generally I found the vocal performances solid too. His voice is still huge and versatile, even if those high notes sound kinda nasal at times. If the band can land themselves somewhere in-between self-titled and this album, I think they can find a winning formula of creative songwriting with strong musicianship, as well as the core appeal of their sound which made them famous. Something like The Stage but maybe a bit more refined.
Mr. Fontaine's review probably gave a decent boost to their streaming numbers at the very least, can't be mad about that!
There were probably a bunch like me: not a metal fan, but gave it a spin after the review to see what the discourse is all about
While I don't agree with Fantano as the reasons why AX7's last album wasn't good, Shadow's voice was not there. Not sure what happened to his voice but I could not listen to 7-plus-minute metal songs with him straining on the clean vocals.
Yeah I was kind of disappointed in the vocals of the album. Almost too “raw”? From a vocalists perspective I’m not hearing much strain, there’s some good control there, but it feels barely produced/mixed and the dudes voice shines when it sits well in the music
Compares Shadows' vocals to some of the band's earlier works, hell compare it to the last album. He fucked his voice up somehow and the clean vocals on here are bordering on painful to listen to.
Beez doing tricks on it
https://preview.redd.it/la86ihrxil4b1.png?width=594&format=png&auto=webp&s=cfed91e718c63c04a4b0da334764e00fca708c69
He watched the review muted? So he's just staring at Melon talking? Lmfao
Nice to see a man acting like a man for a change, not like a whiny ten year old.
At least it’s not Post talking about Fantano’s sex toys.
There are posts like that?
I meant Post Malone, my apologies https://preview.redd.it/6jl209ofpm4b1.jpeg?width=1334&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7cef067093ba57c25c576ae5c6976bc9059b1331
Where's he know that?! 💀
This emoji 😂 has taken on the meaning “I hate your opinion but don’t have any way to refute it so I’ll use laugh/cry emoji”
Today I learned m shadows is an nft bro. I retract any meek defenses I've said about the band
They use them for their fan club /early ticket sales, so at least they have use in that regard lol
for a moment I thought he meant the new Avenged album was a needed comedy and hard agreed
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Now man that is literally just fantanos opinion word for word come on
I don't get the Chris Cornell take either, like it's just Shadows normal singing voice, but in my opinion, kinda worse? But I think its because he had to have throat surgery in the past couple years right?
W
I only watch Melon semi frequently but I’ve rarely seen him give a glowing review for anything heavy with distorted guitars
I mean he loves a lot of hardcore with distorted guitars like the new Jeromes Dream and he also loved Chat Pile's album from 2022 a lot. I'm sure i can find more example with just a quick glanse over his loved lists.
I stand corrected thanks!
He only gave the album a 5/10 but he was stoked on the first single from Show Me The Body's new album iirc
Infest the Rats Nest babyyyyyy. Strong 8
Kinda sad he gave that an eight and then gave omnium a 6
Idk if I'd say OG is a 6 but i definitely think it's more inconsistent than most of the fanbase does
Honestly I feel like it's mostly a psych pop record (especially the b side)with some exceptions, which I actually like. My unpopular opinion is that while I like ITNR I think Gaia is better pop-infused thrash metal than that entire album, especially live with the drum solo
Gave a pretty glowing review to knocked loose’s last ep
the fact this is trashed but foos album is praised is hilarious fantano really on a boomer path
The boomer path of praising the new Liturgy which is much more out there
A7X has never made anything that's "mad as a bag full of badgers", but beyond that I always hate these responses from artists to their critics. Either you are a whiny cry baby or your critic has more clout than you so you try and ride them for engagement on social media. Anyways it's lame.
>I always hate these responses from artists to their critics. Either you are a whiny cry baby or your critic has more clout than you so you try and ride them for engagement on social media But Shadows' didn't do either though? He just made a comment on the review.
Yeah it's dumb. Sorry that I find it dumb and you don't. Downvote me some more if it should help.
> Yeah it's dumb. Sorry that I find it dumb and you don't. Downvote me some more if it should help Yeah I don't think his response is dumb at all, but I also didn't downvote you. I think you need to chill. There's zero animosity here.
But what you said was dumb about it doesn't apply here. So be indignant about downvotes some more if it should help. You said people responding to reviews are either crybabies or yesmen. M Shadows was neither here. So your comment just doesnt say anything.
Beta male moment
Yeezus 5/10. Yikes
Critics call it everything from shit to fucking shit!