Vicky
From volunteering, to working with bands and record labels, all the way to writing “cool” articles, I, as a young journalist myself, have compiled a short list containing aspects that one should expect while writing in this domain.
1. Bands are not always what they first seem to be
Of course, band members can also be very kind (I feel the need to mention some of those bands at the ending of this article, so stay tuned), yet there are also bands that don’t always act in the nicest manner. You mustn’t rush the bands that you notice don’t treat you like royalty or change your behavior towards them in any way – some people have a hard time accepting others in their group, so be patient.
2. Record labels are your friends. Respect your collaborations with them
As a journalist in the Metal domain you will end up, sooner or later, working with various promoters, record labels, or even both. This means that you need to be prepared for any sort of albums they may send your way, from Ambiental stuff to extra-evil Blackened Death Metal. Express your opinions about releases in a way that is fair to the label/promoter/band, but also the readers, never forgetting however that your collaboration can end abruptly if you are unprofessional.
3. Be prepared to volunteer at first
Most journalists who don’t write for publications such as Metal Hammer, or similar mastodont publications sometimes need side-jobs. To give you a more concrete example, when I joined the crew of this magazine in my homeland (I won’t be giving names, since this isn’t a gossip article), I wasn’t paid. After almost a year, I had received a few concert invitations/tickets, and was actually asked to sponsor the publication myself…
4. Don’t overpraise mediocre artists/releases
Sorry to break it to you, kids, but not all artists release incredibly amazing and fascinating songs. On the contrary, actually, there are tons of musicians whose tracks sound a bit off, but you will get used to it eventually.
5. Some of your best friends might end up being band members or fellow writers
I just realized that this is my case, actually. I’ve become great friends with people that I have met through music, and most of them either create it or they write about it. And I can only advise you to never regret getting to know people, because they can teach you very important life lessons. In the end, what matters is that you can learn a little something from everyone.
Now, that is all for the compilation part. Yet, since I promised you guys I would also mention a few groups and artists that I’d like to thank for a brilliant work, and for the great start of a collaboration, here are some of my favorites, in no particular order: Töndra, Pilgrimage, Coincidentia Oppositorum, Váthos, Symphress, Clouds, Ossyrium, Zgripsorum, Nihil, Medusian, Endless Dark, Draconian, Wintersun, Silentium, Batushka, Old Night, The Old Dead Tree, REMINA, Maskeratt, Rhapsody of Fire, Soulfallen, Epica, The Strizzers, Orkrist, Pantheïst, Finntroll, Primal Scourge, Nocturnal Eternity, Therion, Haggard, Dirty Shirt, Evadne, Garnoo, Decemberance, Mare Infinitum, Wintersun, Theatre of Tragedy (or, best said, Liv Kristine, Tommy Lindal, Raymond Rohonyi, and Tommy Olson), VorteXistenT, NanowaR of Steel, Alterium, Punisher, Risen From Ashes, dordeduh, Awake The Demons, Hteththemeth, Imprudent, Gothic, Meteora, Majesty of Revival, CRIZE, COMA, Alternosfera, Revolter, DinUmbră, Artificial Perception, Syndr, Dissocia, Trooper, E-an-na, Winterage, SheWolf, Interitus Dei/Magica, Halcyon, Snowy Shaw, Dissocia, MaYaN, After Forever, Whispering Woods/Umbersun, and so many more.
We are done for now. Now go, dear ones, leave and stay free!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 