The Evolution of Bands: From Strength to Decline
In the vast landscape of the music industry, bands typically experience a journey from initial success to eventual decline. While some bands manage to maintain consistent quality, the majority of bands see a dip in their output over time. This article explores several examples of bands that started off strong but eventually saw a decline in their musical quality.
The Case of With Destruction: From Perfection to Mediocrity
One prominent example is the deathcore band With Destruction. Their debut album, From the Depths, is widely praised for its perfection. Each song and note is placed precisely where it belongs. An excellent example is the track As I Drown The Misery. However, as time passed, the band's output began to diminish.
This is not to say that With Destruction was a one-hit wonder. Their second album, Void, was still acceptable, but it marked a shift towards a more boring deathcore style. Subsequent albums, such as the ones released in 2020 and 2022, saw a clear decline in originality and creativity. By the time they released their last album, Lotus, it was evident that musical quality had deteriorated significantly. Fans and critics alike seemed less interested in revisiting their last works, and the band's downfall has been well-documented.
The Transition of The Guess Who: A Style Shift
The band The Guess Who also experienced a significant transition in their style, which led to a notable change in their sound. After the departure of Nicky Biom Bachman, the group's music took a different turn. Bachman was a fan of a heavier, more hard rock style, while Schlachter preferred a softer, more pop-oriented sound.
The departure of Bachman resulted in the formation of Bad Company of Texas (BTO). While both bands have their unique charm, the change in the Guess Who's sound became more pronounced in the early 2000s. My personal experience attending a performance with Bachman in the band in 2001 showed a stark difference compared to a previously seen 1972 performance. The 2001 version seemed to focus more on pop-oriented music, which marked a departure from the band's earlier rock sound.
From Dominance to Decline: Coldplay and OneRepublic
Another illustration of band evolution is seen in the case of Coldplay and OneRepublic. Both bands were once at the peak of their popularity, dominating the charts in the early to mid-2000s. Their music became synonymous with the soundtrack of many people's childhoods. However, a shift in the musical landscape around 2015-2016 marked a decline in their chart dominance.
While Coldplay experienced a momentum resurgence with their collaboration with K-Pop group BTS in 2020, this was an anomaly. Overall, their recent output has not matched the chart-topping success they experienced in the early 2010s with albums like Ghost Stories (2014) and A Head Full of Dreams (2015). Similarly, OneRepublic saw a decline in their chart performance with their 2013 album Native, which did not replicate the success of their earlier work.
These examples illustrate the complex journey that many bands go through as they evolve over time. While some bands manage to maintain their quality, others experience a decline in their creative output. Understanding this evolution can provide insight into the life cycle of a band and help fans and critics alike appreciate their music in its different phases.