Jump to content

The Thread of Essential Metal-Head Gear

robmoore675

By robmoore675
in General Chat

 Share

Recommended Posts

robmoore675 Newbie

robmoore675

Posted
Posted

This thread is dedicated for anyone and everyone to post any type of gear that they like that they believe will improve the metal experience. Whether you like them because they are affordable and good quality, or because they are the best of the best, post it here. 

Examples of things to recommend:
*Headphones
*Speakers
*Sound Systems
*CD/Vinyl Players/Turntables
*Accessories (Vinyl Cleaners, Lossless CD rippers, etc.)

Post whatever you want as long as you believe it will improve the listening experience for people. 

As far as what I suggest, I'd have to go with JVC HASR100XB Elation XX if folk metal is a genre you frequent, and/or if money is a factor. These headphones are designed to cover a wide-range of genres, but typically genres that use real instruments (so if you like pop or hip-hop on the side, don't use these.) They give a very warm glow to acoustic/wind/brass/etc. instruments, make them clear and stand out. Many other headphones out there are fantastic for metal specifically (I've heard good and bad about Sennheiser), but those headphones often fail when it comes to my favorite genre of folk metal. Here, however, you get great, but not the best, quality across all metal genres.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
FatherAlabaster Grand Master

FatherAlabaster

Posted
Posted

Generally I prefer cuffs or bracers with studs to those with spikes, as I consider them more practical. Spikes do help when listening to black metal, though. Since I was a teenager in the 90s, I feel like wallet chains are pretty much indispensable, but I understand that fans of 70s heavy metal might not agree. While boots are an obvious choice, I've learned to listen to metal in any sort of footwear, from flip flops to sneakers - even barefoot. I typically avoid white t-shirts, but I'd never criticize someone if that was their choice. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GorboGorboze Newbie

GorboGorboze

Posted
Posted

I've always wanted to wear head scarves, but when I try it makes me feel like a poser. Also like I'm trying to hide from my baldness. I've taken to listening to metal in my underwear  in bed, but it's not to improve the metal listening experience, just to stretch it out a bit. The ultimate bit of gear though is a hookah pipe, nothing makes the types of metal I listen to (doom, sludge, stoner) sound better than smoking cloyingly sweet berry flavored tobacco through a bubbling pipe. I have really great speakers, but mostly listen to youtube for metal, as embarrassing as it is to admit it. so lets review on my back in my underwhear listening to youtube through shitty $12 headphones smoking candied chemical crap tobacco through the chincy hookah I cobbled together.

I AM SO FUCKING METAL!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RelentlessOblivion Grand Master

RelentlessOblivion

Posted
Posted

Gorbo putting me to shame there. Here I was thinking that rocking black jeans, an Iron Maiden t-shirt, and a leather jacket doing air guitar and stage dives was metal...

 

Actually I don't have my leather jacket anymore since my brother's friend stole it a couple years ago. Keep meaning to buy a new one but never do and it's basically summer now. (for clarity in Australia summer is basically the middle of October to the end of March).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Join Metal Forum

    joinus-home.jpg

  • Our picks

    • Sacred Reich "Awakening"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      Whichever tier of thrash metal you consigned Sacred Reich back in the 80's/90's they still had their moments.  "Ignorance" & "Surf Nicaragura" did a great job of establishing the band, whereas "The American Way" just got a little to comfortable and accessible (the title track grates nowadays) for my ears.  A couple more records better left forgotten about and then nothing for twenty three years.  2019 alone has now seen three releases from Phil Rind and co.  A live EP, a split EP with Iron Reagan and now a full length.

      Notable addition to the ranks for the current throng of releases is former Machine Head sticksman, Dave McClean.  Love or hate Machine Head, McClean is a more than capable drummer and his presence here is felt from the off with the opening and title track kicking things off with some real gusto.  'Divide & Conquer' and 'Salvation' muddle along nicely, never quite reaching any quality that would make my balls tingle but comfortable enough.  The looming build to 'Manifest Reality' delivers a real punch when the song starts proper.  Frenzied riffs and drums with shots of lead work to hold the interest.


      There's a problem already though (I know, I am such a fucking mood hoover).  I don't like Phil's vocals.  I never had if I am being honest.  The aggression to them seems a little forced even when they are at their best on tracks like 'Manifest Reality'.  When he tries to sing it just feels weak though ('Salvation') and tracks lose real punch.  Give him a riffy number such as 'Killing Machine' and he is fine with the Reich engine (probably a poor choice of phrase) up in sixth gear.  For every thrashy riff there's a fair share of rock edged, local bar act rhythm aplenty too.

      Let's not poo-poo proceedings though, because overall I actually enjoy "Awakening".  It is stacked full of catchy riffs that are sticky on the old ears.  Whilst not as raw as perhaps the - brilliant - artwork suggests with its black and white, tattoo flash sheet style design it is enjoyable enough.  Yes, 'Death Valley' & 'Something to Believe' have no place here, saved only by Arnett and Radziwill's lead work but 'Revolution' is a fucking 80's thrash heyday throwback to the extent that if you turn the TV on during it you might catch a new episode of Cheers!

      3/5
      • 5

        Reputation Points

      • 10 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Immortal Bird "Thrive on Neglect"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      I
      • 1

        Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Vltimas 'Something Wicked Marches In'

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/52-vltimas-something-wicked-marches-in/
      • 3

        Reputation Points

      • 3 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Candlemass "The Door to Doom"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,


      https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/48-candlemass-the-door-to-doom/
      • 3

        Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Overkill "The Wings of War"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      Full length number 19 from overkill certainly makes a splash in the energy stakes, I mean there's some modern thrash bands that are a good two decades younger than Overkill who can only hope to achieve the levels of spunk that New Jersey's finest produce here.  That in itself is an achievement, for a band of Overkill's stature and reputation to be able to still sound relevant four decades into their career is no mean feat.  Even in the albums weaker moments it never gets redundant and the energy levels remain high.  There's a real sense of a band in a state of some renewed vigour, helped in no small part by the addition of Jason Bittner on drums.  The former Flotsam & Jetsam skinsman is nothing short of superb throughout "The Wings of War" and seems to have squeezed a little extra out of the rest of his peers.

      The album kicks of with a great build to opening track "Last Man Standing" and for the first 4 tracks of the album the Overkill crew stomp, bash and groove their way to a solid level of consistency.  The lead work is of particular note and Blitz sounds as sneery and scathing as ever.  The album is well produced and mixed too with all parts of the thrash machine audible as the five piece hammer away at your skull with the usual blend of chugging riffs and infectious anthems.  


      There are weak moments as mentioned but they are more a victim of how good the strong tracks are.  In it's own right "Distortion" is a solid enough - if not slightly varied a journey from the last offering - but it just doesn't stand up well against a "Bat Shit Crazy" or a "Head of a Pin".  As the album draws to a close you get the increasing impression that the last few tracks are rescued really by some great solos and stomping skin work which is a shame because trimming of a couple of tracks may have made this less obvious. 

      4/5
      • 0

        Reputation Points

      • 4 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,
    View All
×
×
  • Create New...