Whether we want it to or not, metal has broken into the mainstream over the years. Arch Enemy guitarist Michael Amott wishes it wouldn't have.
In an interview with Silver Tiger Media, Amott said he feels metal belongs in the underground as a permanent alternative to "all that very premeditated, cynical" radio music. Amott said he also doesn't spend much time thinking about how heavy metal could be more relevant in popular culture, and is more focused on making metal.
"I don't spend any time at all thinking about [heavy metal in popular culture]. For me, it's all just about the metal, the community, really, and the writing of the songs, the recording, the producing and playing the shows and playing the guitar. I don't really think about the marketing aspect of it at all, really.
"It seems to change all the time now, how to get music into the ears and hearts of the fans. And we have good people working with us on that as well.
"I'm one of the lucky ones; I'm not doing it all by myself anymore. For many years I was, but now I'm not. We're at a point now where it's more just saying yes or no to ideas that come in. So I don't really have a lot of input about [metal in the mainstream]… And in a way, I don't think it's that important.
"I think metal should be underground. I don't want it in the mainstream, really — not too much. This is an alternative to the mainstream; it's an alternative to all that very premeditated, cynical approach to music. I mean, this is something that's from the heart and soul, and I want it to stay that way."
