Metallica (1 Viewer)

[JoshuaML]

What does everyone think of metallica? I have been a fan since 1988 (when i was 7 years old) when i first heard puppets and have been enjoying their music ever since. After seeing the new music video and enjoying 2 full bootlegged songs from their show at the fillmore on 5-22-03, I think the boys are back and kicking ass harder than ever. What do you all think? You like metallica? Ever been to show (if you have ask me, i might have a copy of the show in mp3 format (FULL SHOW) or even vcd). What are your thoughts?

 

[Josh Simpson]

I used to love them, and still think they are great musicians, but I don't enjoy their newer stuff quite as much, and I will be interested to see how their next album does, since it's their first album of all new stuff since the Napster incident. They also have that new bass player. I sorta lost inerest after Napster because on the Garage Inc album they talk about taping off old records and stuff of old bands, which sorta is hypocritical of them. I also heard they hit it really big (black album) when their contract ended, so they had more bargaining power, and in return get more money per cd than most bands do, thus making them obviouly more against Napster than some. Sorry I ranted so long. Back to topic, I used to love them, and think their older stuff is great, but their newer stuff is just good in my opinion.

 

[Clinton McClure]

I like a few of their songs (the best being their remake of Whiskey In The Jar).

 

[Jack Briggs]

Remember now, we have a Music section here, which is where you bring up music-related topics. Thanks.

 

[Scott Van Dyke]

I expressed my views on Metallica in other threads before. Let me recap once again:

Metallica has four good albums: Kill -Em All, Ride the Lightening, Master of Puppets, and ...And Justice For All. Everything else is crap IMHO.

I am interested in listening to St. Anger, however. I've heard it's a return to form. The only two bummers about it, however are: 1. Nothing from the new basist yet. 2. No lengthy guitar solos. WTF?

 

[MickeS]

I'm sorta in Scott's camp, though I would add "Metallica" to that list of good albums. I did not like anything they did after that, and actually sold the Load and Reload albums. I did like that one song "I disappear" though.

I love their first 4 albums to death, and listen to at least one of them on a monthly if not weekly basis. They were just so far ahead of the competition back then in terms of taking metal to the next level, managing to be heave, fast and melodic at the same time. There were other great bands that had some of the same qualities, but not all of them at once, and not as consistently.

/Mike

 

[Philip Hamm]

I got into Metallica when a buddy of mine turned me on to his record "Ride The Lightning" which was on small independant label "MEGAFORCE" records. That album got them their big contract and I bought "Master of Puppets" the day it came out. So I guess you could call me an old skoool Metallica fan. Lately I've lost interest. Load and ReLoad are great IMO, with mature songwriting, great guitar tones, and fantastic production.

The "Garage" 2-CD set I find extremely boring (plus it killed the collector's value of my "Re-Revisited" 12" EP). I've never heard "S+M", as I thought the concept was extremely bizare. I'll probably give the new album a chance.

Oh, and one more thing.. "Kill 'Em All" is absolutely awful.

 

[MickeS]

I really disagree with your first statement.... there's no doubt that they are more "mature" on Load and Reload, but the guitar sounds and the production feel very safe and rather dull. There's no real edge to it, and it's kind of muddled, IMO. The "St Anger" track I've heard has a more unusual drum sound for example, so I hope they're back on track there trying to create a more distinct sound for themselves (even if it does sound a bit retro to me... in a good way ).

As for "Kill em all", the production value may be low, but there are some absolutely fantastic songs with extremely catchy and powerful riffs there. "The Four Horsemen", "Jump in the fire", "Seek & Destroy" and "Motorbreath" come to mind immediately.

/Mike

 

[Michael Martin]

Looks like I'm in the distinct minority here...I appreciate their later stuff (black album and onwards) FAR more than their earlier stuff. But I've always been drawn more by melody/rhythm than speed. I've been a fan of heavy metal and hard rock since I was a kid, but just don't "get" or really dig rapidfire riffs and drumming. Maybe for a song or two here or there - maybe! - but definitely not for a whole album.

From what I have read here and in Amazon reviews, it seems like a lot of fans think that the band "sold out" when they slowed things down. I suppose that's possible, but maybe they just grew tired of doing the same thing over and over? I challenge any Led Zeppelin fan to listen to Zeppelin II (or even IV) and then listen to In Through The Outdoor. It's almost like two entirely different bands. Isn't artistic growth and experimentation a good thing, long term?

I'm not trying to be difficult or argumentative - just presenting a little-heard perspective in the Metallica conversation.

 

[Brian E]

Metallica has four good albums: Kill -Em All, Ride the Lightening, Master of Puppets, and ...And Justice For All. Everything else is crap IMHO.

Yeah, what he said.


The buzz on the new album, that it's a return to the old Metallica, has me interested.

 

[StevenW]

Oh, and one more thing.. "Kill 'Em All" is absolutely awful

The thing about that album for me that makes it unlistenable is James 14 year old sounding vocals. Its like nails on a chalkboard. The actual music is pretty damn awesome though.

 

[Carlo_M]

I liked/loved everything up to and including the Black Album. Did not like Load/Reloaded. Am a little disappointed in the bits I've heard from St. Anger.

Now although I love their early stuff, I do not wish for them to go back to that style. Being a musician myself, I fully understand the need for artists to branch out and grow. Hell I myself don't play the same stuff I did five years ago, let alone 20 years ago for Metallica.

I want the band to find something they are passionate about playing and to play it. I'll decide on my own if I like it based on its own merits and my tastes. I'll give St. Anger a listen to when it's out. But I think I will be anticipating the next album even more, if Trujillo is involved from beginning to end. He seems to really infuse life into the band on their live sets, and I love his playing style. Sometimes bands just need an injection of new blood, and he might be the one to provide it!

 

[Scott Van Dyke]

one more thing.. "Kill 'Em All" is absolutely awful.

This is just propostruous.

Each of us in the "4-good-album-camp" has our favorite. I'm probably in the minority by saying mine is AJFA. Although I love the other three as well, for different reasons. AJFA just has a crisp sound to it.

And I'm ashamed to admit that the video for "One" is what got me into Metallica. I missed a few good years. I thoroughly enjoyed the video "Cliff 'em All", as well as the many covers they were releasing at the time on various singles. I was a fan hardcore, but I still to this day make time for my Mandatory Metallica sessions in the car.

 

[Joshua Moran]

I watched the video of St Anger last night and thought that it was the worst thing I've heard from them. I don't know how anyone could think of it being heavy.

 

[Neil M]

I pretty much like everything they've done. I guess that if I had grown up listening to them in the 80's, I might not appreciate their newer stuff as much. There is no question in my mind that they are great musicians. They have range. Each album really has a distinct sound. I think the biggest reason I like them is because they do something different each time and they put their heart and soul into it. They are a great act to catch live, probably one of the best in my opinion. I always appreciate people's opinions about their music but I have to always disagree when someone says their new stuff sucks and acts as if it were the truth. I always correct them by saying, "It doesn't suck. You just don't like it."

 

[Joshua Moran]

hey if you like it, more power to you. However its not for me.

 

[Philip Hamm]

The thing about that album for me that makes it unlistenable is James 14 year old sounding vocals. Its like nails on a chalkboard.

I would not be as complimentary as you. And the songwriting on that record sounds like it's from a 14 year old as well. :p) It's amazing how much more mature "Master Of Puppets" is in every way even though it's only a few years later. "Kill Em All" does have a certain kind of innocent charm to it though, I will admit.

 

[Greg Rowe]

I am pretty much with Scott on this thread. I got into it when I was in 6th grade and my brother bought ...And Justice For All. That is still my favorite CD of all time. I was there opening day to buy "the black album". I was VERY disappointed by it.

After Justice Metallica was a completely different band. I think of them as two different bands. I don't particulary care for the new metallica.

When I heard that the new St Anger CD was supposed to be heavy like the old metallica I was optimistic. However, after seeing the video this morning I was disappointed. I like it less than anything from the black album, load, or reload. It might sound "heavy" because it sounds like they have drop tuned their guitars significantly. The stupid sound effects they do during the "heavy" part of the song annoys me. The riffs when James sings are horrible. To be honset it sounds like all of the other radio metal that is out there - Godsmack, Stone Sour, etc.

This thread has inspired me to load up Justice!

Greg

 

[John-Miles]

I have to agree with Philip, Load and reload are two very good albums, they arent heavy metal, especially when compared to lighting justice and MOP, but theya re still very very good albums. my only complaint about load and reload were that the lyrical content got more complex, not that that is a bad thing, but with ride, MOP and justice the message in the lyrics was obvious, you have to think allot more for load and reload, and it is much more ambigious. Again thats not a bad thing, but i do miss the in your face bluntness of RTL, MOP, and AJFA.

I also agree with Philip, Kill em all is their absolute worst album. Its fast, has lots of energy, but it displayed a distinct lack of maturity, IMO it was loud for the sake of being loud, and fast for the sake of being fast. everything after that was so much more complex and seemed to ahve feeling behind it.

If you will notice, nothing from Kill em all was done on S&M it just wasent as good. Nostalgia can only take you so far.

I havent yet heard anything from St Anger, but I will be buying it as soon as it comes out

Did metallica sell out, I say hell no, like other people have pointed out artists need to change over time, otherwise everyone here would complain that metallica is boring, and never changes all their songs are the same.

As far as Napster goes, fighting Napster proves they never sold out. every idiot and their dog knows that to support napster would be the popular thing to do. AFAIK Metallica makes most of their money from touring anyway, so record sales dont matter a whole lot all things considered. They stood up for what is right, and thats what was necesary, and if the band is to be believed their legal fees were astronomical for that fight, hardly something thats going to help them.

P.S I absolutely love I Disappear, No Leaf Clover and -Human, if thats the direction St Anger has taken then yippie

 

[oscar_merkx]

I am also in the camp that liked everything up to the Black Album and saw them live at Monsters of Rock 90 in the Netherlands. They were not headlining, AC/DC were, and Metallica just rocked so much better than AC/DC.

Favorite songs and/or video One, Damage INC, Master of Puppets.

Favorite cover So What

I will buy the new cd/dvd to see if it is a return to form

and I agree with the previous poster that standing up to Napster was the right thing to do for them