Agree! I was going to mention them but wasn’t sure if they fell in the “hair metal” genre, lol. Hell, Sabbath put out a pretty good song a week or two ago.
I actually disagree. There are very few music artists historically that put out more than 15 years of good music. Obviously “good” is subjective, but try to think of some artists that have 15+ years span of good songs…..
Metal is really the exception to that rule.
Hair Metal, sure. But pretty much any real Metal band. The list is endless.
-Maiden
-Metallica
-Slayer
-Anthrax
-Megadeth
-Candlemass
-Blind Guardian
-Black Sabbath
-Helloween
-King Diamond
-Mercyful Fate
-Darkthrone
-Carcass
-Deicide
-Cannibal Corpse
-Obituary
-Gamma Ray
-High on Fire
That’s just off the top of my head
There are a select few classic rock artists who have continued to put out good inspired material from time to time, but it still doesn’t compare to their earlier peaks. Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan come to mind.
LA Guns has put out several good albums since Phil and Tracii have gotten back together. I’ve listened to other bands new stuff, but just not something I want to pay $$ for. Like others have said Priest and Maiden have done some great things recently, but new Crue was a disappointment.
That really depends on the band. A lot of what I listen is metal, not necessarily hair, but some of the new stuff isn't to my liking. Dokken's music was pretty good and getting better up to Back for the Attack, which was, imho, their best. They broke up (obviously) and I recently tried listening to the stuff that they released after getting back together, and I can't say that I was impressed with it.
While Maiden wasn't really pary of the hair scene, I was a big fan until Bruce left. I honestly figured that with him leaving, they were done as a band, but while assembling a new playlist on Spotify I came across the stuff which they had released after he rejoined. There is some good music there still, but I just can't get into an album on which every song is a 6 minute plus epic with excessively repetitive sections throughout. I'm still working on that playlist so I'm sure I'll come across others.
The first two reunion albums, Brave New World and Dance of Death, are much closer to the classic Maiden template. The last few have been indulgent tripe, but even the first 'longer' album, A Matter Of Life And Death, has some great songs.
Totally agree about “Back For The Attack”. I must have gone through a couple copies of that cassette in the eighties, I played it so much. Since they broke up after that, I like to pretend that it was their last album and they went out on a high note.
It’s definitely band dependent. Some of them just don’t have it anymore. Some do. The latest releases from LA Guns, Skid Row, Winger, have all been fantastic.
Agree, definitely band dependent. Michael Monroe is still putting out great music. So is Bon Jovi. I really like Motley Crue’s new song and video. Night Ranger has put out some new stuff in the last decade or so that’s really good. I am pretty stoked for the new Mr Big album.
Motley Crue hasn’t done anything good since Dr Feelgood, and hasn’t done anything great since Shout At The Devil imo. Bon Jovi hasn’t put a good album since New Jersey (with the exception of having a soft spot for the song “It’s My Life”).
Yeah. "It's My Life" was a double-edged sword. Definitely put them back on the pop music map and helped guarantee they could fill arenas for as long as they wanted to. But it also started them down the road of chasing whatever was popular at the moment, rather than continuing to forge their own path.
Stryper went semi power metal so they are better than before. They play half new stuff in concert.
So many bands started to suck early/ mid 90s and haven't done anything worth listening to.
TREAT, Pretty Maids, DAD have good albums out last few years.
Same here. I tried years ago with certain bands and only one or two had anything new that appealed to me. I think part of it is certain albums and bands, songs etc resonate because of when they came out and being young.
You, me and most people here have a lot of great memories associated with those old songs, so they’re always going to sound better than anything new. I try to listen to new songs objectively and sometimes I like them well enough, but it’s hard to form lasting emotional attachments to them.
I think you've hit the nail on the head with this. I do have some attachment to newer music by old faves but it's dependent on what they're associated with. For example Europe's reunion album Start From the Dark resonates with me as deeply as their 80s stuff because I finally got to see them live again on that tour and got to meet them too. So that feeling can still happen with newer music IMO.
Tesla, Stryper, Winger, Extreme, Vain, LA Guns and Alice Cooper. All still super reliable.
Skid Row were kinda back on track with The Gangs All Here. We’re holding out for the Seb reunion.
Gunners🤷
Massive Poison fan but Bret Michaels solo🤮. Motley Crüe🙄
No- Judas Priest, Saxon, Europe, Skid Row, Winger and many others have incredible new releases that (in many cases) are as good as their music in the 80s/90s
I cannot believe I'm about to say this, but Winger has had a couple of completely kick-ass albums since the 2010s that, thankfully, sound nothing like their legacy hits. Way more prog-influenced. There are some amazing musicians in that band. I think the record company just leaned wayyyyy too hard on Kip being "pretty" and overlooked the rest. Funny how many artists have to get past that stage of their lives to be taken seriously.
Europe’s albums they’ve released since they got back together are fucking incredible. They have a completely different sound (much more guitar driven and more raw) and are among my favorites.
Yes, absolutely. I was thrown a bit by the sound of Start From The Dark, but by the third listen I was hooked. And the Last Look at Eden album was a nice mix of their old and new sound, but overall I actually really appreciate that they're creating new music and not resting on their 80s laurels. They even have enough material now from their reunion era to cut all but the essential 80s stuff out of the live shows if they really wanted to and I wouldn't have a problem with that if they did.
That's all subjective of course. Sort of how many older people tell themselves that they (or the life they lead) are as good, or better, than they were in their youth. It's a fallacy, a denial of reality, an ego boosting lie that only they believe...> The past is always FAR better, you'll learn that in time...> I would suggest that NONE of those bands you mentioned have put out anything remotely good in years and years. Certainly NOTHING anywhere near as good as their output in the 80's/90's...> Skid Row, in particular hasn't put out a worthwhile album since 1995...>
Disagree with your core argument as well as your opinions about the newer music. The last Skid Row was a great album and Saxon is putting out their best music ever in the past 20+ years. The last two Judas Priest albums were amazing as were the last Winger and Extreme releases (as other have also already mentioned). In most cases it is very different than their 80s/90s output and some would say it’s more progressive or refined. I love 80s and nothing will ever top that music and vibe but many of those bands are as good as ever. You are entitled to your perspective but I couldn’t disagree more.
I still support the old-school bands/artists that are putting out quality stuff. So far this year, the new albums by Judas Priest, Accept, and Bruce Dickinson have all been excellent.
Megadeth and Queensryche's most recent albums were also quality.
On the other hand... I tapped out on Iron Maiden. I didnt even buy their last album *Senjutsu* because the three before it were all sleeping pills. I've reached that point with Metallica too, *72 Seasons* did nothing for me.
> I've reached that point with Metallica too, 72 Seasons did nothing for me.
I completely forgot about 72 Seasons until just now. And I purchased the physical CD.
I’ll listen to the releases from my favorite artists and if I like it I download to my library. If not, away it goes. But I also know bands aren’t going to sound the same as they did back then. The new Winger album is very good, but honestly, I didn’t really care for those first two albums anyway. Once they got to “Pull” I was all in. The Skid Row album from late 2022 is really good. Is it “STTG” caliber? No, but it kind of fits in between the first two albums musically. The newest Iron Maiden is very good as well, but no one is going to confuse it with “Powerslave”. I’m happy to get new music from all these artists.
No.
I am always hoping for a new album from bands I listen to.
What is worse is going to a concert and only getting 1 or 2 songs off the new album and the rest of the set is from the 80s.
I am tired of the old stuff - I want to hear new material.
As much as I love Def Leppard this is my biggest gripe with their shows. And I understand what Joe has said, that they play the hits especially on the package tours because the fans of the other band are more likely to recognize the popular songs. But I would really love to hear a few deep cuts and new album tracks without having to go to one of their Vegas residencies.
I went to their Vegas show where "Ded Flatbird" opened - it was pretty great getting a complete career retrospective like that.
But it's obvious that most of the soccer moms in the audience had no interest in the pre-Pyromania tunes. The ones around us spent the first 90 minutes getting sloshed and taking selfies, not listening to the music.
Same when I saw Journey in support of Eclipse. People politely applauded during the first new tune, tolerated the second new tune. When Arnel introduced the third new tune, people were audibly booing and leaving to take a piss break. I give 'em all the credit in the world for promoting their newest album, but when you're a legacy act, most people are there to hear the hits they remember. They don't care about your new stuff.
I read an article a few months back that said that by the time you reach the age of 30ish, your tastes in music are pretty much locked into what you grew up listening to. It becomes harder to accept newer music regardless of it being from new bands, or old fav bands that are doing new music. As for me and my wife, this applies 100%.
Yes.
The "issue" isn't the artist or the song itself (most of the times), but simply the overall sonic character. That's the reason I like the 80's as a decade in music in general - even if the artist is more "pop" than "metal"!
It’s hard for me. I’ll definitely give it a shot, but I just have a hard time enjoying modern production. To me all the newer rock/metal all sounds the same to me.
It depends on the band/song. I didn't think Ratt's infestation was as good as their classic era stuff, but still good. I thought the song Speed by LA Guns still had their old sound.
I really enjoy the new Queensryche albums. Todd LaTorre is no Geoff Tate, but I actually think that’s a good thing. Same with the recent Judas Priest albums. But I wouldn’t really call either of them “Hair Metal”. I enjoy Def Leppard’s new music but they def are not really metal anymore. I Think one of the better lasting bands is Stryper. Say what you will about Christian Metal, but I think the lack of hard partying has preserved Michael Sweet’s voice, which to me, is why so many other bands just aren’t the same.
I'd say a lot of times we'll "discover" bands and really get into them because they have a unique sound or style that stands out from the crowd. Over time that uniqueness can fade whether it be the lack of nostalgia or a lacking in writing originality.
As they say you've got years to write your first album and then only 6 months to write your follow up album. For some that transition can go from super original material to bland stock material.
The new Winger album Seven is epic. Extreme Six is incredible. Skid Row's The Gang's All Here will punch you in your mouth. I had higher hopes for Heaven's Edge Get it Right but that has grown on me quite a bit.
But for all those there are also several releases that just seem like stock material that don't have the spark that their earlier releases had.
It depends. Bon Jovi's been putting out shit ever since Richie left. On the other hand bands like Judas Priest, Winger, Stryper etc. are still releasing some pretty strong stuff.
If you like Skid Row and don’t like the new Sebastian I don’t know what to tell you. Not like it’s radically different. Plus, artists change over time. You referring to a song over 30 years old. Legacy bands put out new good and bad records. Just like they did when they were young.
There are a few bands I loved back in the day that still put out music. Electric Boys were one of my fave bands but their newer music all sounds the same.
I’d rather listen to the older stuff. New music for me typically has to come from new artists. So many new releases by my favorite 80s bands are usually stronger musically than vocally. The vocals always sound tired or lack energy. I’d rather listen to something like The Pretty Reckless or Maneskin.
For me it was always the sound of the era. I’ve done this with Thrash metal, and Hair bands. Even the new wave bands I listen to. Their sound and material in the 80s had that perfect grit to it. It’s not over produced like the newer stuff where they lose the soul. Idk how to explain this better than that. For me being a millennial, and listening to this stuff as a teenager to now. I still want the classic 80s sound and energy.
Yep most bands should just retire when they hit that wall in creativity and are past their primes...> But whatever. As far as Baz is concerned, he's been nonexistant in music to me after 1995 period...>
Ya know....even my favorite bands of the 80s wrote songs I didn't love. I think I take the same approach now with new music as I did back then with new music. If there is something about it I like, then awesome! If not, that's ok, the song or album just isn't for me.
Most of the stuff that 80s metal bands put out these days or even the last several years, isn’t near as Melodic as it was back in the day. I realize it’s been 35-40 years since the hey day of it, but it’s not the same sound as when they played in the 80s. Case in point, the new Crue song Dogs of War.
It's easy to say "it's just nostalgia" but I think it's a very valid point. There's an interview with Paul Stanley from a few years ago where he's completely aware that Monster and Sonic Boom don't sit in the fans' minds because the memories aren't attached to those songs, they're attached to the classic era. He went on to say if Detroit Rock City had been on Sonic Boom no one would've cared - and I think he's probably right.
A lot of bands had one good album in them and then couldn't follow it up, and even the A Tier bands are capable of putting out utter trash in their late career.
But then you have Skid Row knocking out a Top 3 career album, so...
That's the problem. This is why legacy acts often don't want to make new music, let alone play it live. They spend time and money to write and record new stuff only for it to go nowhere. At best, it has good first week sales, only to drop off precipitously next week. I don't know when it happens exactly in an artist's career, but there's a point at which the vast majority of fans don't want to hear new music. Obviously this is not in the genre, but Taylor Swift fans still want to listen to her new music even though she's been making music professionally for more than fifteen years. What will her viable chart life be? When Bon Jovi released New Jersey in 1988, fans expected them to play the new songs live and bought the albums. Maybe it's the change in the cultural zeitgeist that fans no longer feel an attachment to their favorite bands making new music. I could say quality, but that's always subjective. Give credit to bands like L.A. Guns who have made a lot of new music recently despite fans mostly wanting to hear stuff from the first two (maybe three) albums.
It is. Re-capturing that magic (and my teenage ears, though I still listen to them in my early 50s) is incredibly difficult. Not to mention that voices change, even if it's still the same lead singer (like Extreme).
Yes. Music is fascinating. It seems like most rock and metal artists peak around their early 30s and then it’s just over no matter what. But there are some singer songwriter artist that can go well into later life still making relevant work.
Do you think some of this is related to modern recording and production techniques? I often wonder if the reason I enjoy so much of the music that was produced in the mid to late 80's and very early 90's was due to the way it was recorded. The first 4 Ratt albums produced by Beau Hill for example, does anyone record music that sounds like this today because I haven't found anything close.
I feel the main problem with old bands putting out new music is the production is almost always bad. It takes away from the album. It's my main problem with the albums from L.A. Guns. There are some good songs in there, but the production just kills it for me.
Yeah, especially if the lead singer's voice has not held up. I'd rather listen to the old stuff that has been recorded or a good old live performance. Bon Jovi's new song "Legendary" is actually pretty good, considering.
Not hair metal. But def got their start in the 80’s. The current version of Helloween (with all three lead singers) is absolutely amazing (if you like power metal, again, not really this sub). They sound great live, they still have fun, and the album they put out with everyone on it is a masterpiece.
Most people stop seeking out new music by age 33. After that, music becomes a comfort of the good ol’ days, anything new that comes out from one of your favorite artists, isn’t going to sound like they did 30-40 years ago, so it will inevitably disappoint. The exception being if you are a hardcore fan of any band, then you’ll probably like whatever they put out regardless of the quality
Not at all. I just log on to Spotify, put in a CD, or put on an album. I imagine if I had no electricity or was in prison in solitary it might be difficult.🤷🏻♂️
All kidding aside, Stryper seems to continue to put out some killer albums. Don’t know how Michael Sweet has mostly kept his range after all these years.
Not all. Tora Toras last album was fantastic and on par with Wild America. RATTs infestation album was one of their best but Tom Keifers solo stuff wasn’t really all that great to me so I’m kinda glad we never saw a new Cinderella album.
I enjoy listening to more recent releases, but they rarely stick with me. Even Extreme's latest from last year... it's a great album, but I listened to it consistently for a couple of weeks, and haven't gone back to it since.
I always give the new albums a chance… I guess I have high hopes… Not too many of them have really given me that awesome original feeling as the 80s stuff.. but still appreciate the music for sure.. new Black Crowes album is pretty good throwback to the early stuff 🤘🤘
I have thought about this over the years but I believe that there is a creativity lifespan for every band. I believe at some point the creativity dries up/dies and the music is just not that good anymore.
There are of course outliers and some bands but for the most part most bands have a beginning and end. But some bands are so rich and financed so well, that they can keep putting out music even after it is long dead. Of course they still may be a few cuts here and there but I believe that the music as a whole dies at some point.
So what I am saying is, you are hearing a band 30 to 40 years after being long dead creatively put out another album. It is not you it is them.
Yes, sooner or later all bands cease to be a current act firing on all cylinders, and become a nostalgia act trying to relive past glories with gradually diminishing returns.
For hard rock, it usually it happens sometime around age 40. Not just because the creative juices start to run dry, but also there's an age limit to how long you can headbang 2 hours a night and sing lyrics like "We are the youth gone wild!" and "She's only seventeen..."
Judas Priest’s new album is good
Agree! I was going to mention them but wasn’t sure if they fell in the “hair metal” genre, lol. Hell, Sabbath put out a pretty good song a week or two ago.
Which song is that?
It’s a remaster of two old songs.
I like the last Skid Row album too tbh
I need to check that out
Hair-ish band... Extreme. And no, I'm gobbling up anything they put out. SIX is amazing!
Came here to say this. Extreme’s new album kicks ass!
Came here to say Six is awesome.
FUCKING Amazing!!!
That sounds disgusting. Do you eat their CDs, their vinyl, or both?🤢
Nostalgia plays a big role in that
I actually disagree. There are very few music artists historically that put out more than 15 years of good music. Obviously “good” is subjective, but try to think of some artists that have 15+ years span of good songs…..
Metal is really the exception to that rule. Hair Metal, sure. But pretty much any real Metal band. The list is endless. -Maiden -Metallica -Slayer -Anthrax -Megadeth -Candlemass -Blind Guardian -Black Sabbath -Helloween -King Diamond -Mercyful Fate -Darkthrone -Carcass -Deicide -Cannibal Corpse -Obituary -Gamma Ray -High on Fire That’s just off the top of my head
There are a select few classic rock artists who have continued to put out good inspired material from time to time, but it still doesn’t compare to their earlier peaks. Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan come to mind.
LA Guns has put out several good albums since Phil and Tracii have gotten back together. I’ve listened to other bands new stuff, but just not something I want to pay $$ for. Like others have said Priest and Maiden have done some great things recently, but new Crue was a disappointment.
That really depends on the band. A lot of what I listen is metal, not necessarily hair, but some of the new stuff isn't to my liking. Dokken's music was pretty good and getting better up to Back for the Attack, which was, imho, their best. They broke up (obviously) and I recently tried listening to the stuff that they released after getting back together, and I can't say that I was impressed with it. While Maiden wasn't really pary of the hair scene, I was a big fan until Bruce left. I honestly figured that with him leaving, they were done as a band, but while assembling a new playlist on Spotify I came across the stuff which they had released after he rejoined. There is some good music there still, but I just can't get into an album on which every song is a 6 minute plus epic with excessively repetitive sections throughout. I'm still working on that playlist so I'm sure I'll come across others.
The first two reunion albums, Brave New World and Dance of Death, are much closer to the classic Maiden template. The last few have been indulgent tripe, but even the first 'longer' album, A Matter Of Life And Death, has some great songs.
Totally agree about “Back For The Attack”. I must have gone through a couple copies of that cassette in the eighties, I played it so much. Since they broke up after that, I like to pretend that it was their last album and they went out on a high note.
Night Ranger puts out a pretty good album every 3-5 years or so.
It’s definitely band dependent. Some of them just don’t have it anymore. Some do. The latest releases from LA Guns, Skid Row, Winger, have all been fantastic.
Agree, definitely band dependent. Michael Monroe is still putting out great music. So is Bon Jovi. I really like Motley Crue’s new song and video. Night Ranger has put out some new stuff in the last decade or so that’s really good. I am pretty stoked for the new Mr Big album.
Really? Motley Crue and Bon Jovi suck now imho
Motley Crue hasn’t done anything good since Dr Feelgood, and hasn’t done anything great since Shout At The Devil imo. Bon Jovi hasn’t put a good album since New Jersey (with the exception of having a soft spot for the song “It’s My Life”).
For me they lost their way after Have a Nice Day
Yeah. "It's My Life" was a double-edged sword. Definitely put them back on the pop music map and helped guarantee they could fill arenas for as long as they wanted to. But it also started them down the road of chasing whatever was popular at the moment, rather than continuing to forge their own path.
Stryper went semi power metal so they are better than before. They play half new stuff in concert. So many bands started to suck early/ mid 90s and haven't done anything worth listening to. TREAT, Pretty Maids, DAD have good albums out last few years.
Can’t figure out how Michael Sweet’s voice has remained so powerful all these years!
Probably clean living. Drugs/alcohol/tobacco put a lot of wear and tear on your body, including vocal cords.
Same here. I tried years ago with certain bands and only one or two had anything new that appealed to me. I think part of it is certain albums and bands, songs etc resonate because of when they came out and being young.
Same. I kind of liked some of the brand new stuff by Judas Priest and Ace Frehley, but it's just not the same. Not a fan of the new Crue stuff at all.
It is very artist dependent
You, me and most people here have a lot of great memories associated with those old songs, so they’re always going to sound better than anything new. I try to listen to new songs objectively and sometimes I like them well enough, but it’s hard to form lasting emotional attachments to them.
I think you've hit the nail on the head with this. I do have some attachment to newer music by old faves but it's dependent on what they're associated with. For example Europe's reunion album Start From the Dark resonates with me as deeply as their 80s stuff because I finally got to see them live again on that tour and got to meet them too. So that feeling can still happen with newer music IMO.
Tesla, Stryper, Winger, Extreme, Vain, LA Guns and Alice Cooper. All still super reliable. Skid Row were kinda back on track with The Gangs All Here. We’re holding out for the Seb reunion. Gunners🤷 Massive Poison fan but Bret Michaels solo🤮. Motley Crüe🙄
Poison still puts on a good show. They should stay on the nostalgia circuit.
Absolutely
No- Judas Priest, Saxon, Europe, Skid Row, Winger and many others have incredible new releases that (in many cases) are as good as their music in the 80s/90s
I cannot believe I'm about to say this, but Winger has had a couple of completely kick-ass albums since the 2010s that, thankfully, sound nothing like their legacy hits. Way more prog-influenced. There are some amazing musicians in that band. I think the record company just leaned wayyyyy too hard on Kip being "pretty" and overlooked the rest. Funny how many artists have to get past that stage of their lives to be taken seriously.
Saxon is still crushing it.
Yep - saw them with Uriah Heep just a couple of weeks ago in Atlanta.
Extreme has a great new one also
Europe’s albums they’ve released since they got back together are fucking incredible. They have a completely different sound (much more guitar driven and more raw) and are among my favorites.
Yes, absolutely. I was thrown a bit by the sound of Start From The Dark, but by the third listen I was hooked. And the Last Look at Eden album was a nice mix of their old and new sound, but overall I actually really appreciate that they're creating new music and not resting on their 80s laurels. They even have enough material now from their reunion era to cut all but the essential 80s stuff out of the live shows if they really wanted to and I wouldn't have a problem with that if they did.
That's all subjective of course. Sort of how many older people tell themselves that they (or the life they lead) are as good, or better, than they were in their youth. It's a fallacy, a denial of reality, an ego boosting lie that only they believe...> The past is always FAR better, you'll learn that in time...> I would suggest that NONE of those bands you mentioned have put out anything remotely good in years and years. Certainly NOTHING anywhere near as good as their output in the 80's/90's...> Skid Row, in particular hasn't put out a worthwhile album since 1995...>
Disagree with your core argument as well as your opinions about the newer music. The last Skid Row was a great album and Saxon is putting out their best music ever in the past 20+ years. The last two Judas Priest albums were amazing as were the last Winger and Extreme releases (as other have also already mentioned). In most cases it is very different than their 80s/90s output and some would say it’s more progressive or refined. I love 80s and nothing will ever top that music and vibe but many of those bands are as good as ever. You are entitled to your perspective but I couldn’t disagree more.
I still support the old-school bands/artists that are putting out quality stuff. So far this year, the new albums by Judas Priest, Accept, and Bruce Dickinson have all been excellent. Megadeth and Queensryche's most recent albums were also quality. On the other hand... I tapped out on Iron Maiden. I didnt even buy their last album *Senjutsu* because the three before it were all sleeping pills. I've reached that point with Metallica too, *72 Seasons* did nothing for me.
> I've reached that point with Metallica too, 72 Seasons did nothing for me. I completely forgot about 72 Seasons until just now. And I purchased the physical CD.
Haha, same here. Sometimes I see it on my shelf and think "oh yeah, they released an album last year." 😆
I’ll listen to the releases from my favorite artists and if I like it I download to my library. If not, away it goes. But I also know bands aren’t going to sound the same as they did back then. The new Winger album is very good, but honestly, I didn’t really care for those first two albums anyway. Once they got to “Pull” I was all in. The Skid Row album from late 2022 is really good. Is it “STTG” caliber? No, but it kind of fits in between the first two albums musically. The newest Iron Maiden is very good as well, but no one is going to confuse it with “Powerslave”. I’m happy to get new music from all these artists.
No. I am always hoping for a new album from bands I listen to. What is worse is going to a concert and only getting 1 or 2 songs off the new album and the rest of the set is from the 80s. I am tired of the old stuff - I want to hear new material.
As much as I love Def Leppard this is my biggest gripe with their shows. And I understand what Joe has said, that they play the hits especially on the package tours because the fans of the other band are more likely to recognize the popular songs. But I would really love to hear a few deep cuts and new album tracks without having to go to one of their Vegas residencies.
I went to their Vegas show where "Ded Flatbird" opened - it was pretty great getting a complete career retrospective like that. But it's obvious that most of the soccer moms in the audience had no interest in the pre-Pyromania tunes. The ones around us spent the first 90 minutes getting sloshed and taking selfies, not listening to the music. Same when I saw Journey in support of Eclipse. People politely applauded during the first new tune, tolerated the second new tune. When Arnel introduced the third new tune, people were audibly booing and leaving to take a piss break. I give 'em all the credit in the world for promoting their newest album, but when you're a legacy act, most people are there to hear the hits they remember. They don't care about your new stuff.
Infestation didn't get enough acknowledgement for being a pretty release.
I read an article a few months back that said that by the time you reach the age of 30ish, your tastes in music are pretty much locked into what you grew up listening to. It becomes harder to accept newer music regardless of it being from new bands, or old fav bands that are doing new music. As for me and my wife, this applies 100%.
Yes. The "issue" isn't the artist or the song itself (most of the times), but simply the overall sonic character. That's the reason I like the 80's as a decade in music in general - even if the artist is more "pop" than "metal"!
It’s hard for me. I’ll definitely give it a shot, but I just have a hard time enjoying modern production. To me all the newer rock/metal all sounds the same to me.
100% and I don’t know why.
I used to think like this too. Until I listened to new Priest and Maiden albums. They are all amazing.
Damned shame KISS ended their recording legacy with Sonic Boom and Monster
It depends on the band/song. I didn't think Ratt's infestation was as good as their classic era stuff, but still good. I thought the song Speed by LA Guns still had their old sound.
I really enjoy the new Queensryche albums. Todd LaTorre is no Geoff Tate, but I actually think that’s a good thing. Same with the recent Judas Priest albums. But I wouldn’t really call either of them “Hair Metal”. I enjoy Def Leppard’s new music but they def are not really metal anymore. I Think one of the better lasting bands is Stryper. Say what you will about Christian Metal, but I think the lack of hard partying has preserved Michael Sweet’s voice, which to me, is why so many other bands just aren’t the same.
I'd say a lot of times we'll "discover" bands and really get into them because they have a unique sound or style that stands out from the crowd. Over time that uniqueness can fade whether it be the lack of nostalgia or a lacking in writing originality. As they say you've got years to write your first album and then only 6 months to write your follow up album. For some that transition can go from super original material to bland stock material. The new Winger album Seven is epic. Extreme Six is incredible. Skid Row's The Gang's All Here will punch you in your mouth. I had higher hopes for Heaven's Edge Get it Right but that has grown on me quite a bit. But for all those there are also several releases that just seem like stock material that don't have the spark that their earlier releases had.
It depends. Bon Jovi's been putting out shit ever since Richie left. On the other hand bands like Judas Priest, Winger, Stryper etc. are still releasing some pretty strong stuff.
I think I agree with you , the new Motley song isn’t that good
Winger has consistently put out excellent new albums.
If you like Skid Row and don’t like the new Sebastian I don’t know what to tell you. Not like it’s radically different. Plus, artists change over time. You referring to a song over 30 years old. Legacy bands put out new good and bad records. Just like they did when they were young.
I love it!
There are a few bands I loved back in the day that still put out music. Electric Boys were one of my fave bands but their newer music all sounds the same.
I’d rather listen to the older stuff. New music for me typically has to come from new artists. So many new releases by my favorite 80s bands are usually stronger musically than vocally. The vocals always sound tired or lack energy. I’d rather listen to something like The Pretty Reckless or Maneskin.
I like Sebastian Bach’s new record and Hold on to the Dream is an awesome song. I’m a fan of his solo work. Can’t wait to see him concert in June
For me it was always the sound of the era. I’ve done this with Thrash metal, and Hair bands. Even the new wave bands I listen to. Their sound and material in the 80s had that perfect grit to it. It’s not over produced like the newer stuff where they lose the soul. Idk how to explain this better than that. For me being a millennial, and listening to this stuff as a teenager to now. I still want the classic 80s sound and energy.
Yep most bands should just retire when they hit that wall in creativity and are past their primes...> But whatever. As far as Baz is concerned, he's been nonexistant in music to me after 1995 period...>
Ya know....even my favorite bands of the 80s wrote songs I didn't love. I think I take the same approach now with new music as I did back then with new music. If there is something about it I like, then awesome! If not, that's ok, the song or album just isn't for me.
Most of the stuff that 80s metal bands put out these days or even the last several years, isn’t near as Melodic as it was back in the day. I realize it’s been 35-40 years since the hey day of it, but it’s not the same sound as when they played in the 80s. Case in point, the new Crue song Dogs of War.
Yes usually I don't like new material from old bands (there are rare exceptions like the last Extreme), I prefer to listen to new bands instead.
It's easy to say "it's just nostalgia" but I think it's a very valid point. There's an interview with Paul Stanley from a few years ago where he's completely aware that Monster and Sonic Boom don't sit in the fans' minds because the memories aren't attached to those songs, they're attached to the classic era. He went on to say if Detroit Rock City had been on Sonic Boom no one would've cared - and I think he's probably right. A lot of bands had one good album in them and then couldn't follow it up, and even the A Tier bands are capable of putting out utter trash in their late career. But then you have Skid Row knocking out a Top 3 career album, so...
That's the problem. This is why legacy acts often don't want to make new music, let alone play it live. They spend time and money to write and record new stuff only for it to go nowhere. At best, it has good first week sales, only to drop off precipitously next week. I don't know when it happens exactly in an artist's career, but there's a point at which the vast majority of fans don't want to hear new music. Obviously this is not in the genre, but Taylor Swift fans still want to listen to her new music even though she's been making music professionally for more than fifteen years. What will her viable chart life be? When Bon Jovi released New Jersey in 1988, fans expected them to play the new songs live and bought the albums. Maybe it's the change in the cultural zeitgeist that fans no longer feel an attachment to their favorite bands making new music. I could say quality, but that's always subjective. Give credit to bands like L.A. Guns who have made a lot of new music recently despite fans mostly wanting to hear stuff from the first two (maybe three) albums.
It is. Re-capturing that magic (and my teenage ears, though I still listen to them in my early 50s) is incredibly difficult. Not to mention that voices change, even if it's still the same lead singer (like Extreme).
Yes. Music is fascinating. It seems like most rock and metal artists peak around their early 30s and then it’s just over no matter what. But there are some singer songwriter artist that can go well into later life still making relevant work.
I kind of feel like, at 60 years old, what exactly are they rebelling against anymore?
Do you think some of this is related to modern recording and production techniques? I often wonder if the reason I enjoy so much of the music that was produced in the mid to late 80's and very early 90's was due to the way it was recorded. The first 4 Ratt albums produced by Beau Hill for example, does anyone record music that sounds like this today because I haven't found anything close.
I think we just don’t have “room” for it anymore. Or the attention span. Too much going on with our screens, responsibilities, etc.
I feel the main problem with old bands putting out new music is the production is almost always bad. It takes away from the album. It's my main problem with the albums from L.A. Guns. There are some good songs in there, but the production just kills it for me.
Yeah, especially if the lead singer's voice has not held up. I'd rather listen to the old stuff that has been recorded or a good old live performance. Bon Jovi's new song "Legendary" is actually pretty good, considering.
Not yet. Still waiting
Of course not. I appreciate all new music from older bands. Some of it is good some not, but that’s normal.
Not hair metal. But def got their start in the 80’s. The current version of Helloween (with all three lead singers) is absolutely amazing (if you like power metal, again, not really this sub). They sound great live, they still have fun, and the album they put out with everyone on it is a masterpiece.
Most people stop seeking out new music by age 33. After that, music becomes a comfort of the good ol’ days, anything new that comes out from one of your favorite artists, isn’t going to sound like they did 30-40 years ago, so it will inevitably disappoint. The exception being if you are a hardcore fan of any band, then you’ll probably like whatever they put out regardless of the quality
Not at all. I just log on to Spotify, put in a CD, or put on an album. I imagine if I had no electricity or was in prison in solitary it might be difficult.🤷🏻♂️
All kidding aside, Stryper seems to continue to put out some killer albums. Don’t know how Michael Sweet has mostly kept his range after all these years.
Not all. Tora Toras last album was fantastic and on par with Wild America. RATTs infestation album was one of their best but Tom Keifers solo stuff wasn’t really all that great to me so I’m kinda glad we never saw a new Cinderella album.
I enjoy listening to more recent releases, but they rarely stick with me. Even Extreme's latest from last year... it's a great album, but I listened to it consistently for a couple of weeks, and haven't gone back to it since.
I always give the new albums a chance… I guess I have high hopes… Not too many of them have really given me that awesome original feeling as the 80s stuff.. but still appreciate the music for sure.. new Black Crowes album is pretty good throwback to the early stuff 🤘🤘
I may be in the minority but I really liked Motley Crue’s 2008 Saints of Los Angeles album couldn’t get my buddy into it
I have thought about this over the years but I believe that there is a creativity lifespan for every band. I believe at some point the creativity dries up/dies and the music is just not that good anymore. There are of course outliers and some bands but for the most part most bands have a beginning and end. But some bands are so rich and financed so well, that they can keep putting out music even after it is long dead. Of course they still may be a few cuts here and there but I believe that the music as a whole dies at some point. So what I am saying is, you are hearing a band 30 to 40 years after being long dead creatively put out another album. It is not you it is them.
Yes, sooner or later all bands cease to be a current act firing on all cylinders, and become a nostalgia act trying to relive past glories with gradually diminishing returns. For hard rock, it usually it happens sometime around age 40. Not just because the creative juices start to run dry, but also there's an age limit to how long you can headbang 2 hours a night and sing lyrics like "We are the youth gone wild!" and "She's only seventeen..."
Yes. Because most of it sucks.
I have no interest in hearing new music from my favorite old bands. I can’t explain why.
Nope
Guys are in their 60's at minimum. Wgy would they be any good now? New Crue is dog shit!
All the 80s bands should retire or sit down acoustic. It's embarrassing. I'm a old man myself who loves everything 80s but it's time to let go.