I find it quite interesting that at this time in our world history that the Canadian Rock band Nickleback has released a single such as "Edge of a Revolution." Why, you ask; because they are correct. We are standing on the edge of a revolution, and one that if any of us want change needs to have it's day in the sunlight. There are far too many examples of how North American society has left the paths of a democracy. The American dream is dead, it is now a Vegas Casino reality, rigged to eliminate the chances of the middle class or poor from having any chance to attain escape from debt slavery.
But enough preaching from me... Is this the next path for Rock and Roll /Metal today? It is not a new foray for Rock and Roll, in fact it already has a great linage of bands that have railed against the status quo of society. Bands such as Rage Against The Machine have been calling for a change in governance and social acceptance for a long time. If you know there music you can attest that while other heavy bands were boasting about how cool or tough they were and pop groups kept singing about how sex equals love, these guys were attacking injustices of our society in their lyrics.
Rage Against the Machine
Other amazing bands such as Megadeth and Disturbed have also endeavored to urge their listeners to reach beyond the music and embrace notions of change. Songs such as Disturbed's "Another Way To Die" rage against the way we ignore the state of the very world we live in, while Megadeth's whole album "The System Has Failed" was a treatise on the fall of the American Empire.
The problem that we deal with here in North America with Revolutionary ideas is apathy: we hear the song; buy it on iTunes; and rock along to it until the next new hit comes along. The intent of these songs is lost. They were not intended to be chart toppers they were meant to be anthems, and torches to ignite real change. Their popularity shows that there is a thirst for a better way of life but many times it does not go any further than bringing fans to a show and selling records. A Rock and Roll revolution becomes a consumerism trend, just like the fashion designer Jeremy Scott took the idea of the Arab Spring and changed it from a peoples call for change to a haute couture clothing line.
So, is the popularity of "Edge of a Revolution" glimpses of a North American Spring, or just another advertising masterpiece that will make some people who are already rich richer? The answer to that question ultimately lies with us listeners. In the meantime I have to say that even if this becomes no more than a passing fad. I whole heartedly embrace the idea of Rock and Roll returning to it's revolutionary roots. It has always been and should always be the music of the people.
If you want to hear more examples of Rock and Roll revolutionaries research the following:
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