Hey all. I’ve always listened to metal while lifting (Slayer, Helmet, Sepultura, etc.), but recently I’ve been hankerin’ to mix it up a bit. It seems like there ought to be some hard/heavy/whatever-you-wanna-call-it techno or house something that would fit the bill. Basically, I’m looking for something with a metal aesthetic (fast, heavy beats, etc.) that isn’t metal. Does anyone have any suggestions? On the recommendation of a dude at Tower Records I bought a compilation by DJ Dieselboy, and it does nothing for me. Thanks for any input!
RENEGADES OF FUNK- RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
Zev: The “problem” with Metal is that it’s still relatively “pure” music. Despite a lot of innovations in electronics and recording, guys still basically get in a recording studio with a bass, guitar(s), REAL drums…maybe an organ (but rare) and jam. (And I think that that’s the way it SHOULD be).
However, it’s tough to do all the remixes, percussion overlays and looping that makes “Techno” or “House” music seem almost endless, and lends itself to that never ending “thump”. Probably someday there will be an artist to come up with some innovative “House Metal”, but until then, we’re ALL stuck in the nightmare of European Night Clubs and Raves.
Some would say "The Matrix" soundtrack is a start, but I think the best songs on it are actually Metal.
And even though this may get me thrown out of the T-Mag Fraternity for life, Madonna’s Extended Version “Vogue” House Remix has probably been the most induring and “Hardcore?” (and I HATE house music!) I think its going on 10 or more years, and going strong, am I right?
So…in between sets, you can “Strike a Pose…” It’s funny…it can get me as pumped up NOW as when I first heard it…
Zev: You actually may be ON to something here, bro…perhaps even the creation of a new genre, where there is a Metal esthetic with some of the looping, overdubbing and overlays of Techno…interesting thought…
I have been exploring different kinds of metal for a while. I like a bunch of the Metal from the Scandanavian scene. For something from this scene check out Children Of Bodom. Or go for Amorphis, which has evolved from old school black metal to a quite progressive metal band. If you like bands like Slayer, check out Fear Factory or Cathedral. Personally I’ve been looking into old school, underground metal. Bands like Exodus, Overkill, Kreator, Exciter, Annihilator, Celtic Frost and Nuclear Assault are prime examples. For something that is reminscent of power metal and old school metallica, look at Iced Earth, Opeth and some Blind Guardian. And lastly, my two favorite metal bands of all time are Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.
Zev,
To mix things up, I burn my own lifting-specific minidisc mixes, some new stuff like Staind, but several “old school” discs from the late 80’s/early 90’s. Nothing helps me slam out heavy bicep curls like Slash’s badass guitar on “Welcome to the Jungle” or “Paradise City.” Also, a buddy of mine put me on to the soundtrack music from the computer game ‘Command & Conquer.’ Damn fine stuff for lifting. Makes any T-man want to go out and conquer another country…or have a killer workout.
try Fear Factory…sounds like what you’re describing.
Zev: This REALLY has the makings of a great post, so I don’t want to miss the point here. My understanding is you wanted something that had the “feel, raunch and rawness” of Metal (Metal Esthetic), but was NOT Metal. It seems like guys are giving you recomendations going into almost “pure” Metal, and in some cases, its roots. Again, I think that what you’re looking for is going to be TOUGH! A good example would be “Slayer”. Could you IMAGINE some “horned-rimmed-glass-wearing, chic-talking, leather-wearing” European type telling those guys "Let’s loop and overdubb that last song with THIS guys; this will REALLY make it “hip” in the Paris scene, okay?
What about industrial music? No, not techno–please!–real Industrial! Like you said, it’s aggressive, raw, urgent,and dangerous, but not typical “metal.” Stuff like Frontline Assembly (try Hardwired or Milennium), Circle of Dust, Celldweller (check mp3.com for that one), etc.
Tool sort of fits that description. Also maybe check out LTJ Bukem AKA Dark Matter. It’s drum and bass (primarily) but alot of fast beats, very ‘heavy’ sounding. Based on my (limited) knowledge of electronica, Dark Matter closest fits the description of what you are looking for.
Like Akicita said, give industrial a try, it fits the discription you’re looking for. I recommend Circle of Dust, Sister Machine Gun (older stuff), Stabbing Westward, Slaveunit, Orange 9mm.
Cro-mags, agnostic front, Biohazard, Sick of it all, Madball, Judge, Bad brains,
Prodigy, anything by the Prodigy. MP3 “Smack my bitch up” and i guarantee you will be hooked.
I fuckin hate metal and I’m not too keen on dance music either yet have to admit that the best music to train to is by the Prodigy. Crank up Firestarter, Smack My Bitch Up, etc and squeeze out those extra reps. Top stuff!
You said you got DJ Dieselboy and it did nothing, which one did you get? I’d say get Dieselboy - A Soldier’s Story that is a really good cd. I’d workout to it, anyway.
Hey guys. Thanks for all the input! Here’s what I’m thinkin’ relative to what you all suggested:
Popasquat: Sorry, but I HATE R.A.T.M.
Mufasa: I’m tickled that you’re really getting into the whole aesthetic question in my post. You seem quite interested in the notion of genre-identification and the possibility of genre-crossing. I do think that there are house/techno/whatever bands out there that understand what metal is about and want to import “that special metal quality” into their music. I’m not sure all techno is a bunch of Eurotrash guys sitting around in turtlenecks remixing other people’s tunes. In fact, I think really interesting stuff can be done using only synthesizers and drum machines, since they render human performance capabilities a non-factor. In other words, someone could program a drum machine to play 350 beats per minute, whereas a human probably couldn’t keep that up, and the result could be really intense. My gut feeling is that there MUST be someone out there who’s done it; someone who’s taken electronic media to the absolute extreme. I just gotta find them. As for your Vogue fetish, I won’t even comment on it. 
Beannog: I’m well familiar with the Scandinavian metal stuff you’re talking about. While I find some of it interesting, and some of those guys are fantastic musicians (Meshuggah is the coolest!), it’s not the sound I prefer when working out. I’ve tried Fear Factory and it doesn’t do much for me either.
IronSlammer61: Again, rock may be cool (tho if I ever met that singer guy from Staind I’d punch him in the brain), but I’m looking to branch out into unexplored electronic territory. What is the “Command and Conquer” soundtrack like?
SCBA: I’m not into Fear Factory.
Akicita: I’m well versed in real industrial and like some of it quite a bit. Have you listened to early Pitch Shifter? Man, that’s some heavy shit. If you’re interested, check out their albums “Industrial” and “Submit”.
Peach Man: I don’t think Tool is workout music at all! However, I’ll definitely check out Dark Matter. Thanks for the suggestion.
Mike Mahler: You’re into the whole NYC hardcore thing, eh? Can’t say it does much for me. I love Candiria, though - have you heard them? - but they’re too rhythmically wacky to train to.
Mikey B and Large: Prodigy, at least a couple of their songs, are sort of along the lines of what I’m thinking of. I think Firestarter is a pretty cool workout song. Smack My Bitch Up is slightly less cool IMHO, but not bad. I’m looking for something like Prodigy, but even heavier.
Steve Filak: The DJ Dieselboy album I bought is called “The Sixth Session.” I was kinda disappointed. Have you heard it? If so, is “Soldier’s Story” much better?
Hey guys, I really appreciate all your input! Let's keep it going! -Zev
yes like said before i think you need to try the “industrial” genre. try “funker vogt -maschine zeit”. combat-disco at its best.
Slipknot is probably not exactly what you are lookin for, but they mo-definly incorporate some turntable mixes into their music. Toss in 2 double-bass drummers and that makes for some badass beats. Nothing brings out the anger in me like slipknot. Mudvayne aint bad either, but the music in not as full.
Dude, seriously. Check out StaticX and System of a Down, first. The Spawn soundtrack is pretty cool. Also check out Mortal Combat: Annhilation. First Mortal Combat album is ok too. I like Prodigy, but “Smack my bitch up”? Please.
You might try out something more on the progressive end of metal. You could check out Evolution at their evolutionmetal site. They’re a little green around the edges, but still good.