After our launch I was talking to Daz and the guys about what the problem was, why we didn't get the 350 through the door that we had hoped for. As usual Daz offered intelligent answers and as usual Big Mac just gibbered a bunch of nonsense. But something he said stuck with me. He said:
"Look at the scene recently, man. Nobody much is coming to local gigs at the moment. 12 Months ago there was a thriving scene, but the bigger bands, the exciting ones to watch have gone into recession a bit. Voyager have gone quiet, Malignant Monster have had months of silence while Cain was away, Grotesque has had to rebuild after Taz, WE have been quieter than usual while prepping for the CD launch, Wardaemonic have been awol, Psychonaut have gonna underground to record.... " he had a longer list but I forget the details. He went on:
"With these bands silent or close to, and no new band emerging to grab the scene and shake it out of its como, the second tier bands are doing more gigs and though they are trying, they just don't know how to put on a really great show. So people aren't showing up because they don't care enough."
Maybe there is some truth in what he is saying. In amongst the bands stepping up, there are those who are ready to be bigger bands. Claim the Throne and Lacrymae are two such bands and good on them, but their sounds are unusual and are targetted at rather obsure musical demographics, even within the already obscure metal scene. Music like Viking-inspired Ale drinkin' music and opera metal are going to be an acquired taste no matter what, no offence intended of course. It is like we are spoiled for choice in this state and fighting for the same circle of punters. But I have a another theory. The state of world music is undergoing a metamorphisis, as record companies are no longer making millions off CD sales and so are sending their labelled bands in a constant touring loop around the world. Bands who would never tour Perth have been here, and the more that come chasing our bucks, the more WILL come. So the local gigs are up against the international gigs in the same venues, and the polished professionalism of these bands is making the gap between the bands that much wider.
I would like to hear some other opinions on this.
I have seen the scene rise and fall over the years, there have been times when the local metal scene has been largely ignored and times when it is busy as hell, but right now I believe we are at a crossroads. If local bands are going to compete in this new metal environment they are going to have to step up on a massive scale, or they will fall by the wayside.
I have ideas as to what we can do to revitalise our beloved Metal scene, but nothing concrete. That is a job for higher mammals than me. I would like to hear the thought of some of them.