Best Metal Performance
Anthrax - “T.N.T.” (AC/DC cover)
This song doesn’t deserve to be nominated--plain and simple.
I have no idea what the Grammy committee was thinking with this choice. Anthrax
is a legendary band, no doubt, and they covered a legendary song. However, the
cover is nothing special at all. The band did nothing to make it sound unique
or fresh. It just sounds like the band recording an easy song that all the
members knew how to play. There are much better songs on Anthrax’s
Anthems EP that are more worthy of being nominated. The only bright side to
all of this is that Rob Caggiano was able to receive one last recognition for his
work with the band. But this song really deserves to lose, and there will be
a lot of unhappy metalheads if it wins.
Black Sabbath - “God Is Dead?”
Surprise, surprise. Black Sabbath's first new single with Ozzy
Osbourne since 1998 is nominated for a Grammy award. In all honesty, the
most obvious choice on the list wouldn’t make a bad winner. No one in the heavy
metal community would be unhappy if Black Sabbath took home the award this
year. “God Is Dead?” is a pretty great song, and even though Rick Rubin’s
production isn’t the best, the performance by the band itself is awesome. Black
Sabbath’s members are old now, but they still really know how to rock. “God Is
Dead?” is my personal second favorite nominee this year and is the song I think
will win the award.
Dream Theater - “The Enemy Inside”
This song was not the best off Dream Theater’s new self-titled
record, but it made a very good impression as a first single. A Dramatic Turn
of Events was a stale album to say the least, and “The Enemy Inside” brought
the band’s fans a huge sigh of relief. The song had more energy than anything
off A Dramatic Turn of Events. More than that, it brought back
memories of the band’s highly acclaimed album, Train of Thought. It was this
reminder of how good Dream Theater could be that got fans really pumped for the
band’s self-titled record. The album ended up being a slightly uneven product,
but it was an overall good showing for the band, and a fine debut for Mike
Mangini as a fully integrated band member. “The Enemy Inside” could easily take
home the Grammy award this year, but I personally don’t think it should. The
song is good, but not nearly as good as some of the other nominees.
Killswitch Engage - “In Due Time”
I was really happy to see this song nominated for a Grammy
this year. I don’t think it should win, but it deserves the honor of just
receiving a nomination. This song was a great single, and the best tune
Killswitch Engage had released in years. Jesse Leach’s return was a needed dose
of energy to the declining band. Killswitch Engage is back at the top of its
game, and this song put the band there. It’s a damn good metal song, and I’m
thrilled to see it honored.
Volbeat - “Room 24” (feat. King Diamond)
This is the song I desperately want to take home the Grammy
award this year, even though I doubt it will. Volbeat is an amazing band that
is just finally starting to receive the recognition it deserves. This song
comes off the band’s newest record, Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies, which
isn’t the group's best offering, but is still really freaking good. This song is
notable for featuring King Diamond, who hasn’t been around for quite some time.
King Diamond sounds great on this track and his voice compliments Volbeat’s
musical vision very well. The band’s performance on this track is similarly
great and Rob Caggiano’s production helps accentuate it. I really hope Volbeat
wins this year, and I’m sure I’m not the only metalhead who hopes so too.
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