I can't believe nobody has started this. So I am. Surely one of the most popular and discussed genres on this board, it seems only right that it should have its own club. So anyone who wants to join post here and you're in. Now I have to bring you down with some rules. Yeah I know...
1. Like the membership of my other club, the Prog Rock Album Club, this will offer a three-tier system:
A. Core Membership. A Core Member is someone who may or may not be a founder (though the founders are definitely Core Members) but who is asked to put a lot into this club. They are expected to review all albums, no excuses (dispensation will of course be given for illness, holidays, family emergencies etc), have their reviews in on time and generally do what they can to help the club, either by bringing in new members or just policing the thread.
B. Standard Membership. This is the level most people will enter at, where you like to take part but may have time or other constraints. You are still asked to review all albums (unless you can provide a compelling reason why you should not --- and Eddie ate my baby is not an acceptable excuse!) but may be granted a time extension if you want it.
C. Associate Membership. This is for those people who say "count me in!" and then never do any reviews. Or for those who want to participate but find they don't have the time, or that something else stops them. Or those who think it's a good idea at first but quickly lose interest. And also for those who flit in and out, checking back every so often and maybe reviewing the odd album.
Here's how it works currently in the PRAC, and how I intend it to work here, assuming anyone's interested:
1. I choose an album from a list as yet to be decided
2. Everyone listens to the album
3. You have a week (starting off, we'll see how that goes) to listen and form your opinion on it. Generally recommended you listen to the album at least three times, though of course if you know it then that's not necessary. You don't have to listen to it three times obviously: I just find that often my opinion can change radically after a few listens.
4. Everyone posts their reviews into a matrix which I have prepared. There is a comments section there, where you can write as much or as little about the album as you like. It's entirely up to you.
5. Every album is given a rating by each member, chosen from a list I will provide
6. After all reviews are in, I total up the scores and give each album an overall rating. The difference in membership comes into play here. Ratings from Core and Standard Members will be taken into account, ratings from Associate Members will not. After we have reviewed a few albums I will begin a chart or table, shoeing the most and least popular albums.
Albums will be posted every Monday with reviews due the following Sunday latest, after which a new one will be chosen.
There will be no death, speed, thrash, grind or black metal.
Just kidding!
Any album from the list we use is eligible and I will determine the choice through a random number generator. Please allow everyone their opinion and don't put that of anyone else down. Be friendly. Debate and discussion is welcomed of course but not fights or flaming, and this is primarily a reviewing thread so please don't derail it too much with off-topic subjects. Posture and rant on some other thread, not here. Well, not much.
Whether you love, live and breathe metal or only know it in passing, or even if you're unsure about it but would like to try it, this could be a good place to start. I'm assuming there will be people much more knowledgeable than me on the subject and I'm sure they'll give you their opinion on any album or band you want. Newbs will not be hazed and lack of knowledge of metal will not be laughed at. Much.
Anyone can apply to go up or down in membership, eg from Core to Standard or Associate to Standard etc.
If you want to join post here. Please do NOT send me PMs as my inbox is almost full. It's now Monday so depending on the response we could start tomorrow but it really will depend on how many people are interested, so if you are, post here and let me know.
Also post any questions you may have and I'll do my best to answer them.
Trollheart
