The Collectors Guide to Heavy Metal Vol 4: The 00's.

The Collectors Guide to Heavy Metal Vol 4: The 00's
by Martin Popoff & Devid Perri

Anyone get this book yet? I have the first three Collector's Guides, as well as the all-inclusive Guide circa 1995 and quite enjoy them all, even if I don't always agree with Popoff's reviews. What I liked about the 70's and 80's books was the amount of obscure bands included and enough of a review to get an idea what said bands might sound like.

The 90's book was good too and had a fair share of mainstream and underground metal. Ultimatum even made the cut, even if he did cut us down to a garage band in a low rent district.

With the 00's book, I'm very disappointed. First of all, half the reviews are written by some guy named David Perri. I had gotten use to Popoff's tastes and could read between the lines on some reviews, especially when it comes to thrash, a style of metal Popoff generally dismisses. As well, Perri seems to be the "young guy" that dismisses all the classic bands as "irrelevant". Not an opinion shared by Popoff, who gives high scores to '00 releases from UFO, Ted Nugent, Rush, Deep Purple, ZZ Top etc. (Popoff even has ZZ Top's "Mescalaro" at the #2 spot in his Top 100 of the 00's list) As might be expected, the two don't even agree, which makes for a confusing read at times. For example, Popoff lists Metallica's "Death Magnetic" in his Top 100 albums of the decade, while Perri reviews the album, giving it a 5/10 and asking the band to "turn off the amps for good." Perri does the same with the last couple W.A.S.P. albums and ends the last review stating, "Blackie, for the love of God, just stop". Frankly, I though the last couple W.A.S.P. albums were very good.

Another contradiction shows up in the reviews of 80's band who are attempting to update their sound. While Martin praises Night Rangers' "Hole in the Sun" (8/10) saying, "they have found a way to write their best songs ever, without trying to recreate the past", Perri criticizes Tesla's "Forever More" (5/10) saying "80's bands sounding current does not bring new fans...the key to continuation is to cater to the fans by giving them what they want". I don't disagree with Perri, but the fact that Martin is one of those old fans and Perri isn't makes for a bit of a contradiction in terms of reviewing perspectives. I sort of wish that Perri just wouldn't have reviewed any of the old-school stuff and just stuck to the extreme metal. (Being one of the old-school guys myself, in my own review of Tesla's '08 album, I stated, "Tesla have managed to maintain their identity without sounding stale...I can't imagine that Tesla fans would be disappointed with "Forever More".)

It also seems to me that this new book really panders to the big labels and mainstream releases. I mean, we get the complete LImp Bizkit, Kid Rock and Saliva catalogs but classic thrash releases like HIrax - The New Age of Terror aren't even reviewed. (Though the newer "El Rostro De La Muerta" is included.) Extol's Century Media releases are reviewed, but "Undeceived" and "Paralysis" (both Tooth & Nail Records releases) aren't included or mentioned. Not even one Mortification, Saint, October 31, Rob Rock or Meliah Rage release made the cut. Believer's Metal Blade release "Gabriel" is absent.

The whole new wave of thrash is practically missing. You'll get a review of the VH-1 Records released Night Ranger and .38 Special "Drivetrain", but there is no Evile, Hyades, Avenger of Blood, Havok, Vektor, Merciless Death, Hatchet, Violator, Gama Bomb, Hexen, Lich King, Vindicator, Ravage, Ultimatum, etc. Even German thrash legends Sodom only see one entry in this book. (M-16 and the '06 self titled are no where to be found.) However, Toxik Holocaust, Skeletonwitch, Warbringer & Bonded by Blood are included.

While it may be a bit personal, I was disappointed that Ultimatum's "Mechanics of Perilous Times" and "Into the Pit" were left out, especially since Ulitmatum were included in the 90's book. As a matter of fact, I didn't find even one release from Retroactive Records, Stormspell Records or Heavy Artillery Records. Granted these are small indie labels, but as I stated, the first few Collector's Guides were good about including a lot of these more obscure bands and label rosters. After all, the reason I buy and read these books is to discover new music, not read glowing reviews of "St. Anger". (Yes, it's rated an 8/10 by Martin.) Also, these are the labels that are keeping real heavy metal alive in the underground.

There is a lot of quality hard rock left out as well. While the Rough Cutt - Anthology, Aerosmith - Young Lust: Aerosmith Anothology and many other non-essential "best of" collections are included, there is not a single Dirty Looks album reviewed. Broken Teeth are given one review, though they released several records in the 00's. No Rhino Bucket, Stryper, Crashdiet, Hardline or even Def Leppard for cying out loud? Granted some of those bands would barely qualify as "hard rock" no less "heavy metal", but if Night Ranger, .38 Special and Aerosmith's Just Push Play are acceptable... (and I am one that actually likes Night Ranger and Aerosmith's Just Push Play!)

I know it is impossible to include every band in a book such as this, but in a book titled "The Heavy Metal Collector's Guide" you would expect more real heavy metal and less trendy pop, rap and non-metal stuff. Overall, there is still a lot of meat and potatoes in this book to digest. I've only briefly gone through the book, so I am sure I will discover some new bands yet. I also enjoy reading this book as it gets me listening to music I hadn't played in a while.

I have not read that book yet but Martin Popoff in his email he sent out on his website stated he wanted a younger guy to write the book with him, because he does not know alot of the newer bands that came out post 2000 and wanted another voice added to the volumes, also he is currently working with Sam Nunn on a documentary for VH1 on the history of metal.

Ugh.

That guy who did "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey" gets it a lot more than Popoff.

not a fan of Popoff or his opinions. he largely ignores or belittles the more extreme varieties of metal, sticking to mostly classic rock & traditional metal. having to read another guy do the same thing, but in the opposite direction doesn't make me want to read his opinions either.

Popoff really knew his stuff up to about 1995 or so. But for music after that I get much better information on what to buy or avoid from other sources, this thread being one of the formost. I'll probably buy the book eventually, but I don't expect to use it much. I didn't use his 90's book much either.
HOM is a much better resource because we have a wide range of interests and age groups, which cover a much broader spectrum than one (or two) authors possibly could.

Has anyone ever read the Rockdetector books by Gary Sharpe-Young? I think Scott would really like them as they're similar in style to Popoff's books, except there's one book for every type of metal-Death Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Black Metal, Thrash Metal, Doom, Gothic and Stoner Metal, 80s Rock, and The New Wave Of American Heavy Metal, Gary also wrote two biographies of Sabbath and one of Ozzy, and "amended" versions of Thrash Metal and Death Metal were later released, they're really fascinating reads, too bad Gary passed away last year.

Vexer6 wrote:

too bad Gary passed away last year.

i didn't know that. i have a few of his books & they are entertaining.

I never read any of Gary Sharpe-Young's books, but those all sound like all great books.

No Rob Rock either. Only one of the four 00' Impelliterri releases was reviewed.

I'm really sort of stunned at the amount of stuff NOT included. With each of the past guides, I guess I looked up my favorite bands/albums and read those reviews before starting to go through the whole book. Did the same with this one, which is why I'm discovering so much missing. Apparently most of the metal I loved in the 00's is either too obscure or irrelevant. Go figure.

I'm a bit puzzled by both the top picks of this era from these authors as well. They list a Top 100, but I'll just list the Top 10.

Martin Poppoff's Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums of the 00's.
1. Fozzy - All that Remains
2. ZZ Top - Mescalero
3. Pantera - Reinventing the Steel
4. Dictators - D.F.F.D.
5. Stuck Mojo - Declaration of a Headhunter
6. Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet
7. The Tea Party - The Interzone Mantras
8. Cheap Trick - Rockford
9. King's X - XV
10. Masters of Reality - Deep in the Hole

David Perri's Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums of the 00's.
1. The Hellacopters - By the Grace of God
2. Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Words
3. Behemoth - Demigod
4. Katatonia - Viva Emptiness
5. Dillinger Escape Plan - Miss Machine
6. Bloodbath - Resurection Through Carnage
7. Nacthmystium - Instinct: Decay
8. Entombed - Morning Star
9. Municiple Waste - Hazardous Mutation
10. Annal Nathrakh - In the Constellation of the Black Widow

I don't own a single CD from either one of those lists. If those are indicative of the authors' general tastes, then I think I'll pass on this book.

ultmetal wrote:

Ultimatum even made the cut, even if he did cut us down to a garage band in a low rent district.

Ouch!

Fat Freddy wrote:

I don't own a single CD from either one of those lists. If those are indicative of the authors' general tastes, then I think I'll pass on this book.

ultmetal wrote:

Ultimatum even made the cut, even if he did cut us down to a garage band in a low rent district.

Ouch!

Yes, he only reviewed "Symphonic Extremities" and basically said it was like a garage-band level Death Angel, or something like that. He loved the vocals though. He mentioned in that review that we also recorded "Puppet of Destruction" in 1998 and added that there was no improvement as the band moved on. I found that to be ridiculous. Since I know Martin has the Ulitmatum releases, (I personally spoke with him and sent him a couple CDs) I had hoped he would mention AT LEAST the improvement in production and musicianship, but alas, no such luck.

ultmetal wrote:

Martin Poppoff's Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums of the 00's.
1. Fozzy - All that Remains
2. ZZ Top - Mescalero
3. Pantera - Reinventing the Steel
4. Dictators - D.F.F.D.
5. Stuck Mojo - Declaration of a Headhunter
6. Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet
7. The Tea Party - The Interzone Mantras
8. Cheap Trick - Rockford
9. King's X - XV
10. Masters of Reality - Deep in the Hole

David Perri's Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums of the 00's.
1. The Hellacopters - By the Grace of God
2. Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Words
3. Behemoth - Demigod
4. Katatonia - Viva Emptiness
5. Dillinger Escape Plan - Miss Machine
6. Bloodbath - Resurection Through Carnage
7. Nacthmystium - Instinct: Decay
8. Entombed - Morning Star
9. Municiple Waste - Hazardous Mutation
10. Annal Nathrakh - In the Constellation of the Black Widow

Those are TERRIBLE lists.

Temple of Blood wrote:

ultmetal wrote:

Martin Poppoff's Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums of the 00's.
1. Fozzy - All that Remains
2. ZZ Top - Mescalero
3. Pantera - Reinventing the Steel
4. Dictators - D.F.F.D.
5. Stuck Mojo - Declaration of a Headhunter
6. Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet
7. The Tea Party - The Interzone Mantras
8. Cheap Trick - Rockford
9. King's X - XV
10. Masters of Reality - Deep in the Hole

David Perri's Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums of the 00's.
1. The Hellacopters - By the Grace of God
2. Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Words
3. Behemoth - Demigod
4. Katatonia - Viva Emptiness
5. Dillinger Escape Plan - Miss Machine
6. Bloodbath - Resurection Through Carnage
7. Nacthmystium - Instinct: Decay
8. Entombed - Morning Star
9. Municiple Waste - Hazardous Mutation
10. Annal Nathrakh - In the Constellation of the Black Widow

Those are TERRIBLE lists.

I'm not the biggest extreme metal fan, so Perri's list is just not my thing for the most part. However, Popoff's list is puzzling. FOZZY at #1? REAAALLLLLY? I mean, it is his opinion, but damn!

Not to start the what's metal fight but ZZ Top?

ultmetal wrote:

Temple of Blood wrote:

ultmetal wrote:

Martin Poppoff's Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums of the 00's.
1. Fozzy - All that Remains
2. ZZ Top - Mescalero
3. Pantera - Reinventing the Steel
4. Dictators - D.F.F.D.
5. Stuck Mojo - Declaration of a Headhunter
6. Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet
7. The Tea Party - The Interzone Mantras
8. Cheap Trick - Rockford
9. King's X - XV
10. Masters of Reality - Deep in the Hole

David Perri's Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums of the 00's.
1. The Hellacopters - By the Grace of God
2. Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Words
3. Behemoth - Demigod
4. Katatonia - Viva Emptiness
5. Dillinger Escape Plan - Miss Machine
6. Bloodbath - Resurection Through Carnage
7. Nacthmystium - Instinct: Decay
8. Entombed - Morning Star
9. Municiple Waste - Hazardous Mutation
10. Annal Nathrakh - In the Constellation of the Black Widow

Those are TERRIBLE lists.

I'm not the biggest extreme metal fan, so Perri's list is just not my thing for the most part. However, Popoff's list is puzzling. FOZZY at #1? REAAALLLLLY? I mean, it is his opinion, but damn!

Well let me just say, as a fan of some extreme metal, Perri's list isn't that great either. I mean Municipal Waste's HAZARDOUS MUTATION in the top 10??? It wouldn't even make my top 100 of the 00's.

TheNazgul wrote:

Not to start the what's metal fight but ZZ Top?

Good band but I agree, maybe an influence on some metal artist (none that I can think of) but metal?

manny wrote:

TheNazgul wrote:

Not to start the what's metal fight but ZZ Top?

Good band but I agree, maybe an influence on some metal artist (none that I can think of) but metal?

Billy Gibbons was definitely a big influence on a lot of metal artists. Lemmy, for one, lists Gibbons as an influence.

ultmetal wrote:

David Perri's Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums of the 00's.

3. Behemoth - Demigod

6. Bloodbath - Resurection Through Carnage
7. Nacthmystium - Instinct: Decay
8. Entombed - Morning Star

10. Annal Nathrakh - In the Constellation of the Black Widow

great albums!

I don't have this but I have all the other popoff review books. I like them but his concept of what is metal is very broad. Also, I did not like that he went back and changed rating numbers when he split up his original book in the "decades" books. I think he should have maintained the original ratings based on the review at the time not how he feels now. Popoff definitely has favorite bands that he likes and also he has blind spots for whole genres. He is merciless on mid 80's metal bands like Laaz Rockit, Wild Dogs etc... At some point I'll get the new one but I am assuming this will be the last review book he does.

Fozzy at #1? Theyre an ok band (preferred their earlier releases) but the best band/album of the 2000s? Did Chris Jericho threaten to break Popoff's legs or something?

Quote :

Dillinger Escape Plan - Miss Machine

I hate to sound like an old crank, but what is the big whoop-de-doo about this band? I keep reading about how they're "visionaries" and so forth, and every time they release a new CD the music critics of the world achieve simultaneous geek orgasm. I've heard 'em and they just sound like a truckload of musical equipment falling down a flight of stairs to me.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Quote :

Dillinger Escape Plan - Miss Machine

I hate to sound like an old crank, but what is the big whoop-de-doo about this band? I keep reading about how they're "visionaries" and so forth, and every time they release a new CD the music critics of the world achieve simultaneous geek orgasm. I've heard 'em and they just sound like a truckload of musical equipment falling down a flight of stairs to me.

Same here.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Quote :

Dillinger Escape Plan - Miss Machine

I hate to sound like an old crank, but what is the big whoop-de-doo about this band? I keep reading about how they're "visionaries" and so forth, and every time they release a new CD the music critics of the world achieve simultaneous geek orgasm. I've heard 'em and they just sound like a truckload of musical equipment falling down a flight of stairs to me.

if you don't care for technical progressive metalcore, then you're not gonna get what these guys are about. they're actually quite good, but it's not really for the Rob Rock crowd.

mc666 wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

Quote :

Dillinger Escape Plan - Miss Machine

I hate to sound like an old crank, but what is the big whoop-de-doo about this band? I keep reading about how they're "visionaries" and so forth, and every time they release a new CD the music critics of the world achieve simultaneous geek orgasm. I've heard 'em and they just sound like a truckload of musical equipment falling down a flight of stairs to me.

if you don't care for technical progressive metalcore, then you're not gonna get what these guys are about. they're actually quite good, but it's not really for the Rob Rock crowd.

Guilty as charged (though I'm not particularly a Rob Rock fan...hahaha). So I guess I'm just an old crank.

I use to dig Dillinger Escape Plan. There was another band that really tripped my trigger that had a similar sound at the same time, but didn't get the notoriety. Can't remember their name for the life of me. I'm sure it will come to me.

EDIT:
Just remembered, Training for Utopia. Would have been around 1996-97 or so.