{"id":13722,"date":"2025-01-30T06:14:39","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T11:14:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=13722"},"modified":"2025-01-30T06:19:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T11:19:31","slug":"feature-no-dying-breed-why-we-create-in-the-face-of-criticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/30\/feature-no-dying-breed-why-we-create-in-the-face-of-criticism\/","title":{"rendered":"Feature: No Dying Breed – Why We Create in the Face of Criticism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Seth Metoyer<\/a>, Heaven’s Metal Magazine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While reading the blog post “No Dying Breed” Explanation<\/em><\/strong><\/a> by the band DIRE<\/a>, I found myself deeply resonating with their reflections on perseverance, artistic vision, and staying true to one\u2019s beliefs despite criticism. Their experiences mirror my own as an artist, particularly their thoughts on pushing forward despite naysayers and focusing on the value of creating art for its own sake rather than seeking external validation. Their candid thoughts struck a chord, as these are struggles I\u2019ve faced personally, and I\u2019m sure most artists have asked themselves at some point: Why are we doing this? What\u2019s the point? And perhaps, does there even need to be<\/em> a point?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a musician in the extreme metal realm, I\u2019ve certainly dealt with my share of negativity. From trolling about my band\u2019s name (Mangled Carpenter<\/a>) to critiques of art concepts, production choices, and even the drumming speeds in certain songs, it seems there\u2019s always something for naysayers to latch onto. Early on, I\u2019d find myself caught up in the battle of trying to justify what we were doing. For instance, when people would complain about drumming speeds, I\u2019d respond by linking them to live videos by secular bands like Cattle Decapitation, Aborted, or Infant Annihilator\u2014groups within the genre we aim to reach\u2014to show that these elements are consistent with the extreme metal style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But over time, it dawned on me: I don\u2019t need to convince anyone of anything. Art is subjective, and people who are set on being negative or trolling often aren\u2019t looking for a conversation\u2014they\u2019re just looking for a reaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DIRE captures this perfectly in their lyric, “My fate was never bound to your design,” which reflects the freedom and resilience that comes from staying true to one\u2019s artistic vision regardless of external negativity. This realization ties directly into what DIRE expressed in their blog: staying true to your artistic vision is more important than catering to external validation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating art, especially in a niche or polarizing genre, is already a sacrifice. DIRE highlights the effort and energy it takes to create music, often with little financial return. They underscore the importance of focusing on the intrinsic value of art rather than its profitability. And yet, for those of us who stick with it, it\u2019s not about the financial return or universal applause. It\u2019s about that inner passion\u2014that fire to create, express, and share what\u2019s on our hearts. Whether it\u2019s the music itself or the message within it, there\u2019s a deeper drive that keeps us moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DIRE\u2019s post, and song “Dying Breed”, highlights the challenges of staying true to one\u2019s artistic vision despite critique. Sharing a song, album, or piece of art inherently exposes us to judgment. Their lyric, “This pain will carry me home,” beautifully encapsulates how the struggles of creation and faith can lead to a deeper purpose. Both their faith in Christ and their dedication to music reflect a resilience that inspires artists to persevere, even in the face of adversity. For artists, the fulfillment comes not from the applause but from the act of creation itself. It\u2019s in staying true to who we are and what we feel called to do, regardless of who\u2019s paying attention or passing judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What stood out to me most from DIRE\u2019s explanation is how their message resonates deeply with those in the music world. Musicians in niche or extreme genres often face moments of doubt and resistance from others, and DIRE\u2019s reflections remind us that perseverance is key. Yet, it\u2019s often these challenges that shape and strengthen us as artists. DIRE\u2019s lyric, “There exists a fight in me, unbroken by your disbelief,” speaks to this resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, a significant part of this journey has also been finding encouragement in the connections art creates. Some fans genuinely understand and resonate with the message or the music, and that connection is worth every sacrifice. It\u2019s a reminder that while the negative voices may be loud, they\u2019re not the only ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve also learned that faith plays a crucial role in perseverance. DIRE\u2019s unwavering faith in Christ mirrors my own experience. They emphasize how others often judge their faith, just as they judge their music. This is a topic I\u2019ve wrestled with personally, especially in the Christian music community where many obsess over labels like ‘Is this a Christian band?’ <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve come to realize that as a believer in Christ, everything I do reflects that belief\u2014whether or not I label it explicitly. By association, identification, and salvation, every action I take is inherently tied to my faith. For instance, if I were a mechanic, I\u2019d already be a ‘Christian mechanic’ by virtue of my faith. Whether or not we choose to identify with that label is a personal choice, but it\u2019s not a requirement to validate our identity. DIRE\u2019s statement that ‘no amount of ridicule or exclusion… will change what I see and have seen in Him’ reflects this same understanding\u2014that our faith and identity in Christ transcend external judgments or labels. My belief in Christ has inspired resilience and clarity in the face of criticism, echoing the same conviction found in the lyrics of “No Dying Breed.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on DIRE\u2019s journey and their song \u201cNo Dying Breed\u201d reminds me of the unshakable purpose that drives artists forward. Whether it\u2019s creating music, sharing faith, or simply pursuing the passions that ignite our souls, the path is often riddled with challenges and critics. Yet, as the lyrics suggest, perseverance and staying true to who we are\u2014both as creators and believers\u2014are what define us. For those of us striving to create something meaningful, let\u2019s remember that the true reward is found not in external validation, but in the act of creation itself, and in the connection it fosters with others. Let your passion and purpose lead the way, even when the road feels uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lyrics to “No Dying Breed” by DIRE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Regard me a loss, a waste
A blemish upon this place
I felt it cut to my soul
Your life embraced
Was death by another name
This pain will carry me home<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My fate was never bound to your design
Don’t need you to believe
And I may be the last one of my kind
But I’m no dying breed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There exists a fight in me
Unbroken by your disbelief
No man can take it away
I know the light I’ve seen
The river that washed me clean
It will forever remain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My fate was never bound to your design
Don’t need you to believe
And I may be the last one of my kind
But I’m no dying breed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never a path unworn
Never a son to brave the storm
Never a victor born
But did the blind and the faithless scorn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My fate was never bound to your design
Don’t need you to believe
And I may be the last one of my kind
But I’m no dying breed
No dying breed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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