American Bands Have Become Boring

I was having a conversation with a friend earlier today, and he stated that Metallica's Death Magnetic is "the greatest album of the decade." Needless to say, I laughed at him and told him otherwise, and mentioned two examples of music that I think are far better: Pain of Salvation's BE, and Tool's 10K Days. "Do you really think Tool's 10K Days was that good?" Yes, I was moved. I proceeded to justify BE with the track Iter Impius, about the last man on Earth awakening immediately after its annihilation. My friend tried to derail me by asserting that maybe I don't like American bands generally simply because they are American. Umm... no. I replied, "No, its because for many of these bands the subject matter is much darker on a psychological level than most American bands are willing to go. American bands are more about shock-and-awe and disgust (Cannibal Corpse, Slipknot) than trying to anything truly intelligent or meaningful." Of course, I mentioned Tool, so there are exceptions, but such acts are few and far between, and those varying greatly in quality.

The chief question when considering any Best Album/Song/Artist is: Am I moved?

I admit it: I listen to a lot of dark and occasionally morbid music. But the meaning behind such songs is so incredibly deep and meaningful that I listen in wonder more than I end up feeling depressed, with certain exception, which I will touch on later.

Here is one of the most beautiful choruses I've ever heard, and happens to deal specifically with death:

"Into the orchard I walk peering way past the gate
Wilted scenes for us who couldn't wait
Drained by the coldest caress, stalking shadows ahead
Halo of death, all I see is departure
Mourner's lament but it's me who's the martyr" -- Harvest by Opeth

I'm not sure what is the "correct" interpretation of the song, but the chorus leads me to believe the song is talking about suicide with "those who couldn't wait" amidst the other imagery. The orchard seems to be a kind of punishment for suicide; a Purgatory, if you will. But I will admit that I'm thrown by the final line. Maybe someone will help me out.

The rest of the song talks about someone else, possibly a lover:

First stanza:

"Stay with me awhile
Rise above the vile
Name my final rest
Poured into my chest"

The second stanza after the chorus is:

"Pledge yourself to me
Never leave me be
Sweat breaks on my brow
Given time ends now"

I would surmise that the speaker is deliberately killing himself even after he seems to have something to hold on to, but the final stanza is the kicker:

"Spirit painted sin
Embers neath my skin
Veiled in pale embrace
Reached and touched my face"

I would claim that the "pale embrace" is death taking him, and the Other in the song, the one s/he is talking to--is Death himself.

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The second song I would cite as evidence for beauty in darkness is Pain of Salvation's Iter Impius, roughly translated to "Wicked Journey." I will deal with this song as a whole, for it tells a fairly straightforward tale.

"[Mr. Money:]
I woke up today
Expecting to find all that I sought
And climb the mountains of the life I bought
Finally I'm at the top of every hierarchy
Unfortunately there is no one left
But me

I woke up today
To a world that's ground to dust, dirt and stone
I'm the king upon this withering throne
I ruled every forest, every mountain, every sea
Now there're but ruins left to rule for me
And... you see, it beckons me;
Life turned its back on us
How could you just agree?
...how? I just don't see...

I woke up today
To a world devoid of forests and trees
Drained of every ocean, every sea
Just like a useless brick upon the shore
The morning after the storm
That swept the bridge away
Relentless tide
No anger
Just this relentless time
That calls us all on
But...

I'm never crossing that line
Leaving this world behind
I will stay on my own
On this bloodstained throne
I rule the ruins and wrecks
And the dust, dirt and stone
I rule rage rod and rattling of bones

I am on my own
I am all alone
Everything is gone
Stuck forever here
Already cold

I'm never crossing that line
Leaving this world behind
I will stay on my own
On this bloodstained throne...

I'm never crossing that line
Leaving this world behind
I will stay on my own
On this bloodstained throne
I rule the ruins and wrecks
And the dirt and the dust and the stone
I'm the ruler of rage rod and rust
And the rattling of bones
Ruler of ruin..." -- Iter Impius - Pain of Salvation, BE

The story is that the richest man on the planet--this man had owned absolutely everything--had himself cryogenically frozen only to awake and find Earth completely desolate. But he is not deterred or depressed: He specifically resolves to rule the planet as it remains: "I'm never crossing that line" is obviously the line between life and death. Originally I held him personally responsible for the planet's destruction, but there is no evidence in the lyrics to suggest that. The song itself is soft in the beginning, but impassioned--like many of the songs I listen to--in the second half.

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The third song I would cite is from Opeth's greatest concept album (you can probably see why I love it so much), and I must tell the whole tale for this song to make much sense. An old man was exiled from his village fifteen years ago for his atheism, and he returns, intending to find his beloved, Melinda. This song is when our protagonist finds her:

"By the turnstile beckons a damsel fair
The face of Melinda neath blackened hair
No joy would flicker in her eyes
Brooding sadness came to a rise

Words would falter to atone
Failure had passed the stepping stone
She had sworn her vows to another
This is when no-one will bother

And conceded pain in crumbling mirth
A harlot of God upon the earth
Found where she sacrificed her ways
That hollow love in her face

Still I plotted to have her back
The contentment that would fill the crack
My soul released a fluttering sigh
This day fell, the darkness nigh

I took her by the hand to say
All faith forever has been washed away
I returned for you in great dismay
Come with me, far away to stay

Endlessly gazing in nocturnal prime
She spoke of her vices and broke the rhyme
But baffled herself with the final line
My promise is made but my heart is thine" -- Face of Melinda -- Opeth, Still Life

A few important things that are easily missed: The second stanza explains quite obviously that Melinda had been forced to marry someone else, but it was immensely painful for her, as she still loves him (3rd & final stanzas). The last line is her speaking, though Mikael Akerfeldt is still doing the vocals. In the next song, Melinda is executed, and our damned protagonist goes berserk:

"Ripped from my embrace
Melinda reflected in shafts
Red line round her neck
Met the earth in silence" -- Serenity Painted Death

Unfortunately, he himself is defeated and is hanged in the conclusion.

"They wear white for me
Seemingly jaded and lost
I forge myself into your dreams
And here I am your life

Hangman, clutching at his tools
I will come for you

The noose is tied
Murmur through the crowd
Plunging into anywhere but here" -- White Cluster

The townspeople don't realize the barbarity of their collective action, and he seeks to scar their consciousnesses forever. "I will come for you" is directed specifically at his executioner, probably in a fit of blind rage, though the line is sung calmly.

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It is worth noting that though Opeth is death metal, they never use foul language in their lyrics ever, which is a testament to Akerfeldt's songwriting ability. I haven't listened to enough of Pain of Salvation to make that same claim about them.

I've only heard one American metal band that matches the talent of these two bands, and that is Tool. My friends actually disagree with me somewhat for my respect for 10,000 Days. Though I don't share the religious belief it expresses, I am still greatly moved by the title track:

I will link the lyrics because the song is 10 minutes long: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/tool/10000dayswingspt2.html

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Which songs do I actually feel depressed after listening to? How about Isolation Years:

"There's a sense of longing in me
As I read Rosemary's letter
Her writing's honest
Can't forget the years she's lost

In isolation
She talks about her love
And as I read
"I'll die alone"
I know she was aching

There's a certain detail seen here
The pen must have slipped to the side
And left a stain
Next to his name
She knows he's gone

And isolation
Is all that would remain
"The wound in me is pouring out
To rest on a lover's shore" -- Isolation Years -- Opeth, Ghost Reveries

The song is fairly straightforward, so I won't dissect it, and it's slow and quiet, which really gets to me. It's the most depressing song Opeth has ever written; no other song by them has that same impact on my emotions.

There are many more examples of this type, but this post is already far too long. I may continue some other time.