Melbourne-based alternative metal/metalcore quintet Future Static made an unexpected return earlier this month with a metal cover of Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee , "Gasolina" – available now via Wild Thing Records.
The new release has brought different reactions from the public. Some like the mix of genres, pointing out that heavy metal should have no limits, while others believe the opposite, saying that such different sounds should not be mixed.
Amidst so many comments, vocalist Amariah Cook released an open letter on the subject, explaining a bit about the motivation behind the cover of "Gasolina": "Personally, I have always struggled to unite these two very opposite worlds and the people in them for many reasons beyond those mentioned above. Even after releasing our cover of 'Gasolina' as a last small attempt to blend the two genres, it seems almost impossible. Honestly, it breaks my heart that entire genres full of music, good, bad and everything in between, are avoided by a seemingly opposite social group without hesitation or reflection; simply because sociocultural differences seem so contrary to understanding."
She says her love for these genres came early: “I grew up in Barcelona. It was home to many Latinos, especially in L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, where I lived for at least half of those years. I found myself really adapting to some of their cultural trends, especially musically. I got into the physically stimulating music called 'Reggaeton' thanks to my first best friend, who was Colombian (…) I really started to fall in love with many of the songs that created the unintentional soundtrack of my life in that early adolescence, regardless of having been raised on classical musicians who also listened to artists like Def Leppard, Pink Floyd, Queen and Prince.”
However, she soon realized that merging the genres would be complicated: “I’ve always alternated between various genres and loved them equally, depending on the people I wanted to connect with at the time. That’s what music has always been and, I feel, always will be for me: a unifying agent for the complex chemical substances that make up everyone’s personality. However, there was a major problem I faced countless times in different situations: both metalheads and reggaeton fans are mortal enemies. I always found myself wondering if musical taste has anything to do with this consistent rejection, or if it’s due to an unmistakable contrast in personality types, inhibiting the birth of an interpersonal connection, and the repulsion to this specific genre was caused by extreme disparities in culture and personal perspective.”
“Many metalheads will argue that reggaeton, as a generalization, focuses its lyrical and visual themes on degrading women, which no one can dispute. However, what I would like to make clear is that, for many years, popular rock and metal songs have also used similar subjects in their creative content. Rock and metal have also been called 'sexist' due to a serious lack of women being accepted as equals in the industry, as musicians or in any other role. This seems quite hypocritical, given that the early birth of rock was induced by Rosetta Thorpe.”
“Although it takes some getting used to, most metal is incredibly emotional and penetrates deeper into the human psyche and emotional realm than many realize. The raw energy and power combined with the sheer amount of technique and mastery of the instrument itself required to play much of the music written in metal subgenres demands a level of appreciation akin to that with which a physicist views the scribbled formulas on how gravity works within the singularity of a black hole. While much of it may just be noise, and sometimes that’s exactly why we fall in love with it: pure chaos can be incredibly therapeutic for many.”
Finally, Amariah leaves this message: “Take a walk outside your comfort zone and, if you honestly don’t like the sound of those other worlds, you’re entitled to an opinion. However, I must insist: don’t skimp on someone else’s wares just because you don’t understand them.”
