Saxon frontman Biff Byford thinks Amon Amarth and Ghost are not metal.
In a recent interview with Metal Pilgrim, the Saxon frontman discussed the resurgence of interest in the heavy metal genre over the last few decades. The rocker also went on to discuss the possibility for metal bands to achieve success today. Apparently, Ghost and Amon Amarth are some of them, but they are ‘not really metal’:
“There’s been some bands. Amon Amarth are doing really well. Ghost have gone stratospheric. They’re not really metal, but they’ve got metal roots. So it definitely can happen if you’ve got the right songs. You just have to have a lot of luck — a lot of talent and a lot of luck.”
The Resurgence of Metal Music
In the last few years, metal music has been getting more and more recognition, and Byford is aware of that as well. In the same interview, the frontman shared his thoughts on the increasing prominence of heavy metal in the media:
“Yeah, I think there’s been a massive resurgence in metal, and especially that New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, the British metal thing. So, yeah, I think we’re all riding a wave at the moment that’s looking good for bands.”
Though advertisement and streaming are all about online platforms now, the rocker thinks it is still a way of promotion. He continued:
“Back in the day, it was all about getting a record deal. These days it’s all about getting a million views on Instagram, which is the same thing. It’s still promotion.”
Is Ghost Really Metal?
If we were asked to describe Ghost with one sentence, it would be ‘looks can be deceiving.’
Due to their looks, Ghost has been called satanic, and the non Ghost listeners thought they made heavier music than they currently do. Despite opening for bands like Iron Maiden, and even receiving a Grammy for Best Metal Performance, the criticism did not stop.
Ghost has received a great amount of criticism for having a place in the metal industry due to ‘not’ being a metal band. In addition to their own music, the band has done a few covers, including Iron Maiden’s ‘Phantom Of The Opera.’ The former Iron Maiden singer was one of the people who stated their ideas about the cover. As it turns out, he did not like it:
“Everyone asking my opinion on the Ghost cover of [‘Phantom Of The Opera’] well not that it matters but it f*cking sucks.”
You can watch the interview below.
