Why European metal bands struggle in America (IN FLAMES)

Anders Friden of In Flames talks about why European metal bands often struggle in America. In Flames interview.
Watch the full interview: • THE MASTERS OF MELODEA...
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[@scottbrockman9743]

American metal bands struggle in America.

[@JohannesKrauser]

Well said

[@Circleofdxxdcx]

Slipknot did well i remember when they used to be underground and went by a different name. Also shadowsfall and killswitch engage nothing face, korn and, skinlab my fav American traditional metal bands back then

[@CrashOutTiming718]

Lolz sliplnot is ok 🎉

[@CrashOutTiming718]

@@Circleofdxxdcx the came in the scene 84, another name idn , venom of slayer? one of them got kicked outve Metallica be4 i kno that!

[@CrashOutTiming718]

Oh my bad I thought u said slayer **^^ slipknot is ok don’t no mch

[@Trucker_Michiel]

3:45 as a European and former metal musician speaking, I think it's a different mindset. Europe has a very big and widespread metal scene and im sorry to say, Americans seem to think that there the 'centre of the world'. Over here in Europe we dont think this way. To tour with in Europe you can make enough $$ and reach enough fans to make a very well good living and for most bands that enough. Never the less is the fact that the visa requirements in the u.s. are so hard end expensive for Europeans that I can understand that most European metal musicians dodge this bullet.

[@zekeooo2]

definitely, i'm from canada. i've interacted with lots of european metalheads on forums such as facebook and reddit. Europe as a whole is more dedicated to music compared to north americans, i've spoken to europeans in chats who talked about quitting jobs and sometimes careers to attend festivals and shows. i've rarely met people from canada or the states who do that to go see a show. europe also has the short travel distance advantage as well. the american visa requirements are the same problems with canadian bands as well, which makes it shitty for the fans as well who would want to see said bands.

[@lewisb85]

As Julie Weir current head of music for nations and former boss of visible noise who discovered BMTH/Bullet for my valentine said in a seminar, the British bands that do best in the US are either uniquely British eg the oasis, arctic monkeys crowd or sound American like funeral for a friend, bring me the horizon, bullet for my valentine.

[@xVibur]

Asking alexandria was def apart of that category. But they completely moved to America.

[@Vickyeverythingelsewastaken]

As a German, Americans seem to prefer their imported music to be more 4/4 on the nose and they LOVE a local cliché. Rammstein is an obvious example when it comes to metal, but let's not forget Kraftwerk. Electronic music wouldn't be what it is today if the US audience didn't adore these cold teutonic automatons this much on their first tour.

[@andrewichigo]

Americans are steeped in pop music, which is why they like metalcore and their derivates. It's all formulaic, trend-chasing, and inidstinguishable from one band to another. I find that in Europe we have a more critical eye towards those things and value authenticity and originality far more than commerical appeal

[@metalvisionsongcontest7055]

America lacks the castles and antique buildings that you need as inspiration to write and appreciate Power Metal and Symphonic Metal. 😊

[@ishrendon6435]

Nonsense you dont need materlism much like rap the less is more motto and aggresive passion is more important

[@ishrendon6435]

I lived in mexico and young men were playing metal with such passion and aggression that is suprised and they sounded great alomst like system of a down . They were dirt poor in rural mexico which isnt full of great beautiful temples but love metal so much more than any American ivs seen

[@ericv7720]

I saw In Flames two or three times on their first big US tour back in 2001 with Nevermore, Shadow's Fall, and a few others, and I was a fan for half a decade before that. I was just floored that a European band that I had long since been into cared to play the US!

[@iqbalmuhammad2920]

The Style of European metal bands is a bit complicated to American taste, at least that's how it seemed to me, an outsider to both continents. Not just Metal, Rock bands from Europe too. And we are not even talking about the decline (from mainstream platform) of both rock & metal genre.

[@smote_his_ruin]

They "Americanized" their sound on Soundtrack and a bit lesser so on Reroute.

[@gx1tar1er]

Modern American culture overall doesn't care about metal as much as the European culture. It also depends on a metal genres though. I mostly hear more black metal, folk metal, symphonic metal bands from Europe than in America.

[@LordEarthWolf]

European Metal is certainly more rich and varied than American Metal. Europeans tend to value richer melody, and chord structures whereas American Metal values groove and a destructive heaviness in their music

[@theblah12]

I think in America hardcore, metalcore, deathcore and other -core adjacent genres are more popular over there than traditional metal music. There was the whole “Midwest Metalcore” scene and so on, very culturally American. Likewise those same bands rarely toured outside the US and in Europe the genre was not quite as popular.

[@gx1tar1er]

@@theblah12 i think the whole punk genre (including hardcore punk, emo, pop punk etc.) are more popular than the whole metal genre in America. However, the metal scene in the UK is getting less popular than the other Europe countries, too. It seems like big metal fests tend to happen over there.

[@rubaidaallen2764]

With the exception of a few bands like Meshuggah, Gorjira, Opeth etc it does seem like European bands don’t do as well in the States. It’s a real shame, ‘cause some of the European metal bands are 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@flyingnimbus369]

Man! you are a great listener. That is great.

[@bhbuzzco7719]

I loved sounds of the underground!! In flames was touring with come clarity when i saw that show, also saw Gwar, dog fashioned disco, like such a good time! Sadly only saw it come through once dont think that went on for long but it was great none the less

[@markthefuzz9321]

Miss that festival. Saw the 2007 fest with Lamb of God w/ Gwar and Hatebreed in KY at the Waverly Hills Sanatorium a long time ago. Good times!

[@GustavoHuerta-b4u]

From a latino perspective, when I hear american bands they sound more rock n roll, and they have a rocker style with a lot of feeling and swing, and european bands are more formal, with classical and folk music influences, with a cold and brutal sound. That's how a hear them, But if you ask me how it sounds south american metal I would say it sounds violent, bestial, aggressive and primitive.

[@Cryomancer21]

Totally agree with you on this one

[@joeramos4489]

saw in flames open for earth crisis in 2000

[@jeffreymoscardelli8428]

Dude I got to see Avatar twice they are awesome I would see them again over a not giving as much energy as I did back in the day korn

[@DH-hl5tc]

I think half the nwoahm ripping off in flames helped a tonne.

[@supahgualtah]

When covid hit i thought it was it for hc shows... happilly proven wrong.

[@jevinday]

I don't think most people here in the US give a shit about culture, especially European culture. It sucks. I am deep into film and my favorite filmmaker is Danish. His daughter is sexy too and makes some great europop. But anyway yeah I don't think people really give a shit and that kinda sucks in my opinion. That is a general view but there is truth to it

[@marvintimke3978]

Who is that Danish filmmaker?

[@Sheenoobie]

Your comment makes it seem like you only care about that filmmaker because of his "sexy" daughter. No wonder why it seems like americans dont give a shit culture...

[@LUCCCAS_A]

Not just European culture, Americans act like they're the only country in the world

[@danf7411]

@@LUCCCAS_A USA is isolated bordered my mexico with a language barrier and Canada up top. Need to look at things with perspective if you drive 300 400 km where would you end up? I wouldn't even leave my state. We are just isolated

[@rubaidaallen2764]

@@LUCCCAS_A Absolutely correct 👏👏👏👏

[@Petergriffinbigchillin]

Sleep Token's shows have all been sold out here in the states

[@jamesnagel6264]

Most American Metal sucks. Have for decades.

[@iqbalmuhammad2920]

The comment I'm looking for. xD To be fair, American metal bands from 80s & 90s were the flag bearers. Starting around mid 2000s, almost nothing is worthy of my attention. Their European counterparts did better until today.