Obviously there are some exceptions, and there are great performers in top 40 style music, and singers come to mind like John Farnham, Tom Jones, Muse, etc.

Some metal bands however, as you also stated, do incorporate other elements into their shows, and you cited Iron Maiden as a reference. I found this particularly interesting (and awesome) because their props and ’stage show’ actually have to do with their album covers and their music, rather than just having 20 skinny blonde women dancing something that has been choreographed by someone not involved directly with the music.

Sometimes the degree of ‘extra show elements’ can depend on the technicality of the band. As you can see, the 3 death metal bands I posted have not much more going on than some lighting effects, which is due to the fact that concentrating on playing their music is so hard, that a big show would almost make the performance ‘too much’, whereas a band like ‘Rammstein’ for example, play very simple and catchy heavy metal, and as a result, their stage show is enormous, including fireworks, fire, and many other things.

This comment is largely for the people who would read my initial blog and the comment of ‘lilen23′ and assume that metal bands don’t go to great lengths to put on a large stage show, and therefore fault metal because of it. Many metal bands do consider the intensity of their own music and musicianship to be a ‘no bullsh*t performance’ and pride themselves on going out on stage, playing their music to the best of their ability, and that being the only stage show they need, which is fair enough, considering they are still playing their music and giving the fans everything they’ve got. I would still like to provide a few links to videos of rammstein performing live, just so people can see that some metal bands do go to similar lengths of top 40 artists (and even beyond considering the band is playing the music and it isn’t a sampled recording being sung over or lip-synced over).

Behold…Rammstein live!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz4sgmmeFfA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We-d4kzGhUU&feature=related

I think the stage show of rammstein does bridge a gap between the stage shows of top 40 music and metal bands who don’t go to similar lengths.

I thought I’d pass by and leave a comment because it is very interesting to the contrast between the various clips on the post – despite both of them being live performances. Today it seems that the pop industry has taken a different path in the quality of their live performance – there is a greater emphasis on the “show” rather than the music being played onstage. This is where alternative styles and pop music clash. In metal for example, an artist is judged on their ability to perform live – it is almost evidence of the musician’s authenticity. While some bands, such as Iron Maiden, employ show tactics with their performance, the greatest emphasis is placed on musicianship and compatability.

Pop has those connotations of being false and overly produced, so it is no wonder the shows have become the essence of the pop show. How does a show with 50 half-naked dancers represent an artists originality or authenticity?

You make some good visual comparisons and some great song choices!

CAST DOWN THE HERETIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC!!!!!
Lilen
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