Due to the furore over Tim McTague’s (Underoath) comments about Avenged Sevenfold, we asked the metal media whether they thought hypocrisy was rife in the metal world? Fans can viciously slag off bands, but the bands get slammed for airing opinions…

Click here to read Hammer’s interview with Tim McTague as he talks about Avenged Sevenfold.

Great question. Metal Sludge is a reality in the rock world, entertainment world, and in bowling leagues across the fly over states of America. Everyone talks shit. Girls are catty and never like the prettier, skinnier or bigger breasted girl who suddenly shows up backstage. And the same for guys. Most are jealous of others who are taller, have more money or the dreaded (alleged) bigger dick –  that their new girlfriend sucked years ago. So this holds true with rock bands as well. Most have a beef with someone who plays better, sold more, or gets the bigger prize – be it a model wife, platinum record or sold out tour. My take is, if you can’t piss with the big dogs then stay on the porch. 
Stevie Rachelle / Tuff, Metal Sludge

Welcome to the Internet – a place where the haters hate and the others, well, they hate even more.

Paul Savage, www.punktastic.com
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I don’t agree that it is accepted that personal attacks against musicians is acceptable. It’s one thing to complain and think that something sucks, it’s another to resort to personal attacks and pointless name calling. I became VERY sick of this attitude in the online metal scene on forums and on Blabbermouth. For every topic, for every band, some know-it-all more metal than thou fuck has to ruin it with brilliant comments like ‘this band is gay’. People need to learn the difference between constructive criticism and outright bashing someone in a vain effort to make themselves look better in the eyes of the other online goons. Someone in a band should definitely be held to a higher standard as they have their fans who look up to them. So when a band member goes on the record saying something about a metal band selling out, running out of ideas, or that they just plain don’t like them, that’s OK. But if they resort to the pettiness of some of the fans, then they should most definitely be vilified to some degree.
(Note: I don’t feel so hard-nosed about this if the person/band member decides to tear a new one for some bubble gum pop or even non-metal shite that is pretending to be metal… but that’s another topic.)
EvilG, www.metal-rules.com

Everyone is welcome to their opinion, but unlike the average Joe, people in bands have a much higher profile – especially a band like Underoath who are fairly popular. That said, bands slagging other bands is nothing new (the bashing of the glam scene, hardcore vs metal, etc), and if you are going to do it, be prepared to deal with the fallout from the fans of the ‘rival’ group. But what the shit do metal musicians give a fuck what keyboard critics have to say anyway? Oh wait… shit?
Cody Plucker, www.AllMetalResource.com

Anytime anyone states an opinion they are criticized. Whether it be a writer in a review, a band in an interview or a fan on a message board, there’s always going to be positive and negative responses. When a band states a negative opinion about another artist it probably generates more interest since they’re slagging a peer. Fans and writers who criticize bands also face the wrath of those who disagree. When you give your opinion in a public forum, you’ve got to expect a reaction. It’s human nature to argue, discuss, criticize and flame mercilessly.
Chad Bowar, About.com Heavy Metal

As far as I’m concerned, if you have enough time to slag on other people (i.e. lacking constructive criticism) within your line of work, you either have a legitimate beef that should be handled privately out of common professional courtesy or you have too much time spent on non-productive matters. Looks like the gentlemen’s gloves that had been on the collective hands of this revival scene are slowly coming off and that’s disgraceful. It’s music, folks, not a political fence ready for the mucking.
Ray Van Horn, Jr. The Metal Minute