Hardest Working People In Metal
Hello fellow metalheads, I felt like doing something a little different today. I don’t what it is, but for some reason, I was inspird to write something on metal’s great heroes. Don’t let the title fool you, this isn’t just an acknowledgment on metal’s hardest workers, but also metal’s most respected heroes. Some of you may disagree with some of my picks, some may be pissed that someone is missing, but this is the list in all its splendor…enjoy.
10. Jeff Waters
Thrash fans should know Mr. Waters. as he is one of metal’s great guitarists and leader of the thrash outfit Annihilator. Annihilator has been in existence since the late 80’s, has released album after album in a consistent timespan, and most of them have rocked. This isn’t why he’s up here though. Anyone who knows his backstory knows he came from humble beginnings. In other words, he was pretty much broke and homeless during his entire teenage life. He mainly lived in some run-down shithole and sacrificed his social life so that he could sharpen his guitar skills and write riffs. Obviously, it took strength, will and determination through those rocky times to eventually land a deal and release the debut Alice In Hell. How he never gave up, I’m not sure, but one thing I am sure of is that he deserves to be here.
9. Peter Tägtgren
This crazy bastard is a machine. He not only does vocals for his legendary death band Hypocrisy, but also produces, writes and sings for his solo band Pain. Needless to say, balancing responsibilities between two bands is no easy task, not to mention having a heart-attack and remaining dead on the table for 5 minutes. It takes balls to walk away from something like that and continuing on, and for that Peter earns #9 on “the list”.
8. Overkill
Fuckin Overkill…if you’ve never heard of Overkill you can just go and die somewhere right now. Overkill are not only one of the founders of the thrash movement, but have been in existence since the early 80’s and are somehow still around today. For over 20 years the Overkill boys have been playing what they love for little money or recognition. They have fourteen solid albums under their belt and a few of them are considered legendary. Somehow, the band hasn’t broken up and have barely had any lineup changes so keep on truckin’ you crazy diamonds. I salute you!
7. Chuck Schuldiner
Chuck Schuldiner is best known for being the founder/singer/rhythm lead guitar player/main songwriter of the legendary outfit Death. He’s not only a pioneer of the death metal genre, but also an innovator and one of the first to implement jazz structure in death metal. At 16 his older brother had been killed in an accident so his folks bought him a guitar to help him cope. Chuck taught himself in a surprisingly quick amount of time and started performing. In the 90’s, he formed the highly progressive tech band Control Denied and took his stab at producing as well. However, this is nothing compared to the fight with cancer he would later have to face. In May 1999 Chuck was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer that was necessary to have operated on immediately, but the Schuldiner family could not afford the $70,000 surgery fee. After fundraisers, press releases, and charity concerts, the metal community finally opened their hearts to a true idol and the money poured in. The cancer, however, returned, yet Chuck fought on and continued to work on his music. He died December 13, 2001. You are one of the greatest musical innovators of all time. You are legendary in the metal field and you leave a legacy behind you.
6. Blaze Bayley
Most metalheads know Blaze Bayley simply as the monstrosity that cursed Iron Maiden for two albums, but I’d like him to be known as something different. Blaze Bayley was originally vocalist for the metal outfit Wolfsbane which completely owned. He also had to struggle and conquer his alcoholism and drug problems before moving on, not to mention that it took balls to continue making music after the beating he took from metal fans, and still continues to take, during his stint with Iron Maiden. You can currently see Blaze in his solo act.
5. Daniel Gildenlow
Daniel is one of the greatest vocalists of all time. He is best known as the founder/singer for the incredible prog outfit Pain Of Salvation. Not many people know that he is also the secondary guitarist and songwriter, not to mention he’s responsible for creating each album’s concept. Did you know he formed his first band at age 11 and is also a multi-instrumentalist as well? He also had a brief stint with The Flower Kings but left due to personal reasons. His writing proves to be some of the most intelligent, thought-provoking and deepest lyrics of any band, but it doesn’t end there. Their latest album, BE, required him to do some massive studying of history and philosophy to come up with the story…have you heard it? If so, you know the amount of effort that went into just that one album. Keep on rockin’ dude.
4. Paul Andrews
Paul Andrews aka Paul Dianno was the former vocalist for Iron Maiden. Anyone who didn’t know that is a fuckin douche. Maiden’s first two albums with him are legendary and are regarded as two of their best. After being replaced by Bruce Dickinson, Dianno basically went drug binging and broke. Throughout the years he has joined several bands such as Battlezone, Praying Mantis and the incredibly pathetic Maiden cover band Killers. He just recently went solo and released The Living Dead. He was imprisoned for manslaughter, but bounced right back from that and opened up his own hotel/restaurant, which he currently oversees. Well done Mr. Andrews, well done.
3. Dave Mustaine
Come on dude, if you don’t think Dave Mustaine should be on here you’re fucking crazy. Mustaine has the whole thing – battles with drugs, producing, guest stints, a giant discography, and not to mention the fact that he started his own tour, the “Gigantour”. It’s also noted that he’s a born-again Christian and when he goes on tour he brings a spiritual counselor with him to protect him from demons.
2. Dan Swanö
Whoa…this guy is inhuman. The man pretty much lives and breathes music on a daily basis. Maybe you’re familiar with his former band Edge of Sanity. If not, then you’ve more than likely heard something that he has sang for, played an instrument for (he plays everything), produced, written or formed. Dan Swano has about a hundred billion bands and albums that give him credit for doing SOMETHING with them and this isn’t necessarily an exaggeration. Currently, he can be found doing…something….too much. Take a rest dude. He may be an arrogant, cocky prick but I’ll be damned if I don’t respect him.
1. Jon Oliva
The man. Jon Oliva is pretty much a Dan Swanö, just a bit less of a prick. He recently won a lifetime achievement award from the hard rock association. He’s released countless side projects and continues to do behind-the-scenes work for his former band Savatage. Singer, writer, producer, piano player and musical God. Jon Oliva takes the cake, hands down.
Brent C. | 08/28/2006