Prog Pet Peeves

While there certainly death metal bands I would absolutely classify as "technical" (Suffocation comes to mind), I get what you're saying. I think the technicality aspect of bands like Death and Atheist was secondary to their sound i.e. they were just interested in writing really creative, well thought out riffs and parts as opposed to sitting around trying to be as tech as possible for the sake of it. Death "Human" is a perfect example of this (IMO). It's just like prog rock; it was a PROGRESSION of a musical style, not an intent to invade a super-specific sub-genre thus curbing creativity.

My main gripe would be post-rock in general. It never clicked with me and has always come across as an excuse to use lazy, un-creative guitar playing. It robs nearly all the good elements of rock, hard rock, and metal without any of the merit.  I'm not saying these bands aren't creative just because I personally don't like the sound, but anything with "post" in the title sounds like the diet or "reduced calorie" version of that genre. Add to this that it helped kick start the trend of clothing and apparel being just as if not MORE important than the actual music, and you have the decline of musical integrity in my area of the states. It was as if someone one day said "Wait a minute...we just have to look and at first listen sound like rock and get all the benefits of being rock stars?!" *Begs parents to buy expensive PRS guitar out of American Musical Catalog*

And while I genuinely support creativity in music in any form, post rock is where I draw the line. It is the prime example of the abuse of artistic subjectivity, and represents a certain decline IMHO. When progressive rock broke away from the mainstream it added MORE creativity than what it was separating itself from, not less. Droney, whiney ass PRS guitars bought by your rich parents does not make you a good musician; neither does learning how to perform blast beats, gravity blasts etc yet being unable to play something so simple as swing time. I'm not knocking down indie musicians as I am one myself, but it drives me absolutely bat sh*t when no skill or technique is actually understood yet they all claim to be breaking new ground. Rock is and has been going backwards since the early 2000's IMHO.

And before everyone makes the assumption that I just keep using the rich parent argument, come north of Boston where there are no jobs and look at all the rich whiney kids who don't understand nor appreciate what they have. I have seen rigs that would make pros jealous, all in the hands of ungrateful brats who sit around all day playing Xbox instead of utilizing their potential (or lack thereof). ESPECIALLY in New England, where post-rock and hardcore are as prominent as ever. Did I miss the memo that said we all had to trade in our musical integrity for our sisters pants and hair dye kit? When did fashion (besides 80's hair metal) dictate musical direction? THESE are the kids who are "breaking new ground" musically...?

And it wouldn't even be that bad if every friggin' band didn't glamorize the art of being a social victim. "My girlfriend dumped me; time to take on the world with my futility and ignorant understanding of life based entirely on events that I've seen in Hollywood films such as Edward Scissorhands and Donnie Darko! I truly understand the depth and veracity of human emotion!" I enjoy music that liberates, not binds. If chiming along with bitchy dudes who look like girls is creative, meaningful, and poetic then I truly am from another dimension. Bear in mind that everything where I live is considered post rock; I don't know about you guys but in New England it seems that it's either post rock, metal or hardcore.

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I think you're oversimplifying a bit.

 

Rush and ELP used a lot of atmosphere in their music too.

 

And vice versa, Porcupine Tree and Godspeed are not technically incompetent musicians by any means.