Gatekeepers Revealed
When I first heard the “gate keeping” term in metal, my initial response was that this didn’t really exist. But since then, have realized that several bands (and groups of bands) have suffered from this over the years. Here are a few. |
| 1 |  | Coal Chamber
Coal Chamber
Branded a Korn clone. True, they came from the same scene, but had a much more gothic feel. |
| 2 |  | Mushroomhead
XX
Branded a Slipknot copycat, even though they came out of the gate (and were possibly wearing masks) prior. |
| 3 |  | Kittie
Spit
All female bands have never gotten a fair shake. But this band was further blighted by critics for poor songwriting ability. The fact that they are still around is a big middle finger in the air to gatekeepers. Same can't be said for some all female bands, which faded into obscurity (e.g., Cherri Bomb). |
| 4 |  | Prophets of Rage
Prophets of Rage
Branded as too political and riled by the critics. But this combination of RATM, PE, and Cypress Hill was fire. And some of their songs (on this album) were hard to hear - because it was the truth. Recent Otep has also been gatekept similarly. |
| 5 |  | Black Veil Brides
We Stitch These Wounds
Labeled “Hot Topic”, along with several other bands (e.g., New Years Day, September Mourning, Dommin, etc.). But actually have some great gothcore albums. |
| 6 |  | The Agonist
Eye of Providence
Alissa won the battle (and retained the glory) - and anything after her departure is considered sub par. Listen again - Vicky is a beast and the band only got tighter before the end. |
| 7 |  | Guns N' Roses
Chinese Democracy
Shunned for losing key band members (Slash, Duff, about everybody) and for expanding their classic sound - this album was heavily gatekept. Besides Use Your Illusion I, this is one of my fav albums by GNR. |
| 8 |  | Fear Factory
Archetype
Similarly shunned for loss of Dino, with Christian Olde Wolbers taking on guitar. But this album was destroyer. |
| 9 |  | Hellyeah
Hellyeah
Gatekept for pretending to be a southern/Texas metal band, when 3 out of 5 members were from Balitmore or Peoria. Not always sincere (and sometimes disingenuous), but they had a few great tracks. And Vinnie Paul was still a beast. |
| 10 |  | Down
Down IV - Part II
Gatekept for perhaps being too southern, especially the antics of Phil Anselmo at the time. The PC police really nailed (and shut down) Down after that - but happy to see Pantera touring (and some of the animosity falling to the wayside). |
| 11 |  | We Are The Fallen
Tear The World Down
Apparently you can't copy Evanescence, even if you were responsible for their breakout album (Fallen). A great album that doesn't get the credit that it (or Ben Moody) deserves. |
| 12 |  | Wolfmother
Wolfmother
Branded a Led Zeppelin clone, similar to Greta Van Fleet a decade or so later But this band had some stoner rock chops, best evidenced on Cosmic Egg and Vicarious. |
| 13 |  | Vista Chino
Peace
The band Kyuss Lives - gatekept by two other former members of Kyuss (Josh Homme and Scott Reeder). God forbid John Garcia and Brant Bjork attempt to revive an incredible band. I'm sure this album didn't sell near as much as it would had it been "Kyuss Lives", but still some high quality stoner! |
| 14 |  | Wayne Static
Pighammer
This album, as well as any Static-X album after Wisconsin Death Trip, was shunned for - not being Wisconsin Death Trip. Really? Love some later day Static-X. |
| 15 |  | Sepultura
Nation
Shunned for parting ways with Max Cavalera, who hit it big with Soutfly. Sepultura was gatekept real hard - it took almost a decade or so before they received the respect that they deserved for post Max albums (with Derrik Green as the vocalist). |
| 16 |  | Vanilla Ice
Hard to Swallow
Vanilla Ice was so embarrassing - that even the rap metal genre gatekept him. As if Limp Bizkit, Crazy Town, etc. weren't embarrassing enough. One try to break in - and that was it. |
| 17 |  | Trivium
The Crusade
As great as Trivium is, they made some blunders early on. Don't claim to be the next Metallica - case and point. |
| 18 |  | Megadeth
Countdown to Extinction
Dave Mustaine was gatekept hard by Metallica's success, the media (historically and currently always asking about his outing from Metallica), and Metallica's fans in general. Unfortunately, he never seems to rise above this. Still love some Megadeth though! |
| 19 |  | Wicked Wisdom
Wicked Wisdom
Listening to this album now, its some good (not groundbreaking) rapcore. But was this band gatekept for being all African American? Similarly, was Living Colour gatekept? Interested to hear thoughts on this. |
| 20 |  | Opeth
Heritage
Gatekept by the death metal community - for totally abandoning death metal vocals. Understood - but all Opeth post Watershed is not a throwaway. There are still some great tracks/albums. |
|
