Headbangers’ Brawl is a weekly column where Metal Insider’s Bram and Zach take a moment to debate and analyze two opposing sides of a topical issue occurring in the world of metal and/or the music industry.
Van Halen’s no-show wasn’t the only disappointment from Wednesday night’s Grammy Nomination Show. We’ve always been disappointed by the Academy’s ignorance towards metal, and we knew it wouldn’t get much better when they decided this year to combine the “Best Metal Performance” and “Best Hard Rock Performance” categories. But we can’t help scratch our heads at Sum 41 getting a metal/ hard rock nod. Sure, the pop punk band may have shown off their metal fandom back in the day, but “Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance” worthy (for this song nonetheless)? Really?!
With that in mind, Bram and Zach not only make their bets as to who will take home this year’s “Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance” award, but also choose one band that came out with a song this year who they’d replace Sum 41 with if given the chance.
Zach: I really would love it if Mastodon win it for “Curl Of The Burl.” It’s probably one of my favorite songs of the year and truly deserves high acknowledgement. However, knowing how The Grammys love Dave Grohl, my money is on the Foo Fighters winning it. On the one hand that’s not such an awful thing. Even though they aren’t metal, they’re still an awesome band and “White Limo” is arguably one of their heavier songs. With that said, it’s a little disappointing that Foo Fighters will get recognition in this category while other actual metal bands are (once again) getting ignored.
So who would I replace Sum 41 with? Well, I am very tempted to say Anthrax with “The Devil You Know.” However, seeing that the only metal bands that do tend to get recognition by The Grammys are legendary elders, I’d like to give a band from the new wave of metal the spotlight. While I could name a handful of bands who have released praise worthy material this year (and they will get their recognition soon in my favorite metal albums of 2011 list soon), I’d probably give it to Machine Head’s “Locust.” “Aesthetics Of Hate” got snubbed by The Grammys in 2008, and Machine Head have proven themselves once again this year with Unto The Locust.
Bram: This barely counts as a brawl, because I agree with you on all counts. Aside from Sum 41, I’m ok with all of the other nominees. It’s great that Dream Theater picked up the first nomination of their career. Megadeth put out a good record, and Mastodon is a really deserving addition as well. While it’s good that the Foo Fighters actually got nominated for a heavy song, it’s a little disappointing to know that both them and Sum 41 would have appeared on the hard rock list otherwise if the categories.
Who would I have nominated instead of Sum 41 and/or the Foos? Anthrax would’ve been a great addition to the list of nominees, seeing that they’ve put out their first album in years, and one of their best. It might have been nice to see some new blood nominated. Would’ve been cool to see Red Fang nominated, and I think that The Human Abstract album was masterful. Machine Head, Skeletonwitch and Opeth made great records too. But as disappointed as I am about Sum 41 being nominated, I’m actually excited that the Academy didn’t fall back on the tired old trope of nominating Metallica for whatever they can. If Lulu made its way onto the list, it’d be the biggest crock ever.
