X Deathcore > It’s Just noise Morgan Hannah Life & Style Editor Gans and grandmas across the globe unite! A youngster is finally on the same page in claiming that deathcore isn't music, nor is it art. You can’t groove, move, or dance to this incredibly generic, repetitive, and offensive “genre.” Maybe my opinion is just an overgeneralization, but after having listened to a good sampling of deathcore, I can state that the inundation and constant repetition of the clichés of this genre have made any band intentionally adopting the deathcore sound an easy target for mockery. Deathcore is stagnant. Many fans and music reviewers feel that the songs must stay within the same specific standards, a bubble if you will, in order to be considered a part of the genre. This leaves little room for growth or innovation. Let’s dive into the reasons why this genre doesn't deserve its certification as a musical genre: Damaged larynxes Deathcore requires performers to pull off challenging effects—such as growling and pig squeals. When these tricks are done wrong, this can cause the singer to Ox isnt art have irreversible effects to their larynx. When a singer damages their larynx, it is consequential to their career and their everyday life. They can no longer talk, let alone sing. Deathcore also breeds a culture that is often paired with bad habits— such as smoking, heavy drinking, a lack of sleep, and hard drugs. All of which are damaging to vocal cords and counter effective to a healthy singing career. Lyrics It’s a well-known fact that metal music delivers offensive and aggressive lyrics, but deathcore, while providing said offensive aggression apparently has a “we will overcome this lifestyle” message in a surprisingly high number of songs. Thus, the lyrics to many deathcore songs seem to be contradictory to their tone. On the one hand, deathcore promotes violence and obscenity bordering on pornogrind (if you don’t know what that is—good, maintain your innocence). On the other hand, deathcore suggests escapism from its own culture, which seems rather odd and unproductive of a genre. Wouldn't you want to promote viewership rather than telling fans to get Have an idea for a story? M opinions@theotherpress.ca the fuck out? That’s like a cult telling its members to try to escape from the cult; a food company telling their customers to fast. This lack of promotion makes it difficult to consider deathcore as art, because artists are well-known for self-promotion. It’s part of the package. Clichés Most of deathcore is shockingly generic. Bands use the same sweeps, notes, and breakdowns. When you're not listening to competent deathcore, the experience is painfully bland and repetitive. In most cases, the vocals are death growls and pig squeals in lieu of lyrics. A breakdown is the part of a song when it goes from one rhythm to the next by transitioning the tempo slowly. It is meant to get the pain going. Deathcore often over-relies on breakdowns— admittedly, they are good for a live show to hype the crowd. But, when it comes to studio time, it can be rather distracting and annoying. Why the 2020 Summer Olympic Games should be delayed » This move was necessary and historic Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist ince the coronavirus has been upgraded from an outbreak to a pandemic, many stores have been closed. The streets are almost empty, community gatherings, as well as arts and culture performances are either cancelled, delayed, or shown online. Even major sporting events are cancelled or delayed to next year. One of the major sporting events that was at risk of being delayed is the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games. It got a lot of attention due to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) and the Japanese government's handling of the uncertain future for the games. During the early stages of the pandemic—when news spread that the virus could be contained— there was optimism that Tokyo 2020 would go ahead as scheduled. After passengers in the Diamond Princess left the cruise ship at a port in Yokohama, COVID-19 cases jumped in Japan, matching the surge around the world. This caused Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to recommend suspending major events for two weeks—and this recommendation was extended as the coronavirus was reclassified as a pandemic. As more of the major sporting events were either cancelled or delayed due to the coronavirus, the IOC stated that the games would go ahead—and even lit the Olympic Torch without a public viewing. The decision led to an outpouring of calls from the Global Athlete union, as well as from individuals, including former Canadian gold medal hockey player and IOC member Hayley Wickenheiser calling their decision to move forward with the games “insensitive and irresponsible.’ Even if the coronavirus pandemic ended before the 2020 games begin, the athletes stated that there would not be enough time to train. Indeed, it is difficult to prepare for an Olympic gold medal performance if the pandemic had ended just two months before the games began, the athletes may not perform at their best. Also, many training facilities are closed to make sure that the virus does not spread, and it would not be a great idea to have them open with a lot of people in the same building. Because many Olympic qualifying events were cancelled, many countries were unable to properly assemble a team for the games. In addition, a risk factor persists for the world community if anyone in Tokyo transmits the virus and a spectator or athlete were to bring it home with them. After pressure from the athletes the IOC called for an emergency meeting to decide the future of the 2020 Olympics. The criticism was so heavy that it led to IOC member Richard Pound leaking to USA Today that the games would be postponed. A day later, IOC President Thomas Bach confirmed it. This is the first time that an Olympic Games has been postponed. He said that the Olympic ¢ |ll-informed partygoers during COVID-19 ¢ Quarantine leading to state information gathering ¢ Deathcore isn’t art ..and more Illustration by Morgan Hannah Lack of innovation Music genres in general are self- limiting. When bands hit a certain threshold, their advancement beyond previously defined boundaries carries them into a whole new genre. They can only reinvigorate or add a limited number of elements before their sound becomes an entirely new one. For deathcore, the limitation bar is easier to hit due to the muddy and over-used sounds the “genre” displays. The genre certainly has no longevity. Illustration by Athena Little flame represents hope and when the games happen on the new date of July 23, 2021, it will ideally offer “a light at the end of the tunnel.” Tokyo 2020 being delayed allows the athletes to train for it longer at least. And it will be safer for us to go to the Tokyo games next summer. I support this decision made by the IOC and believe we should all support them in this decision.