When did Iron Maiden recapture the magic? Their 1st three albums are still their best and they lost it completey after Seventh Son. I think alot of people forget that Metallica was the biggest underground band in the world before the Black album. And Justice For All went double platinum and their other albums could be found in just about every hard rock fan's tape (this was before CDs were big) collection. Despite this popularity, the radio ignored Metallica for one simple reason - most girls hated them. They were ugly, dressed bad and wrote loud, distorted, aggressive and convoluted music about death and corruption. Consequently, the girls stayed away, which meant that any radio station who played them would be alienating about 50% of the population. And we all know how radio loves to play bands with such polarizing reputations. So when people ask why so many people only like the pre-Black albums, here are the answers: 1) There were already alot of pre-Black fans who 2) found Metallica's change from a Rush/Motorhead musical hybrid to a AC/DC vibe boring, and 3) were already getting bored of Metallica's signature elements (Hetfield's voice, distorted, muted and down picked guitar riffs in the key of E, the drumming and personality of Lars Ulrich). Most bands stay fresh sounding only so long, and in 1991, Metallica's signture elements no longer seemed as revolutionary as they did in 1988. In fact, And Justice For All already sounded somewhat forced, and I think their next album would have sounded stale to Metallica's older fans no matter what course they took. Of course, the fact that they abandoned some of their most exciting musical characteristics (quick and unpredictable changes, fast tempos) didn't help. The addition of Jason Newsted was another problem. Cliff Burton had realized that he couldn't compete with the monster low end of the guitar and so he essentially became a 2nd soloist (I might add a much better one than Kirk Hammett, who even admitted to stealing ideas from Cliff for his 'Sanitarium" solos). Jason never seemed to figure out where he fit in the mix. So while he definitely was the most energetic and fan-friendly of the band, he was also useless musically. I don't blame him for leaving the band - he really wasn't allowed to contribute to the songs and couldn't figure out how to really contribute to James' songs. As for the new album, I imagine this is the "midlife crisis" album where Metallica attempts to prove they can still rock hard. More than likely, they will attempt to cover a lack of new ideas with volume, speed and aggressiveness. Personally, I'm glad that Kirk isn't playing solos, as I think he's one of the lamest soloists in rock (Alex Lifeson of Rush is probably the worst). His best solos are on Kill 'Em All and alot of those were actually composed by Dave Mustain. I don't like Robert Trujillo very much (another bass player who has his treble knob cranked - blech) but he certainly is better than Newsted. Who know thought - maybe I'll be surprised. Then again, I'm not 15 anymore and haven't really been a diehard fan of Metallica since then, so I probably just won't care.
I just saw them live one week ago. Crazy dudes. They are faking to be gay all dressed in dark-denim and having songs with titles like: "Rendez-vous avec Anus"........ really crazy guys. And their music, ahh I really love it. I think their 98 Album "Apocalyptic dudes" is their outstanding output so far. Nice to have some TN fans overthere. cheers
Man, I aint sure about that. I (as you should know by now) am truely old-skool when it comes to metal...and I meant every word I ever said about my history of listening to Metal-claw.. and wasnt Moby gone to Atlanta before justice? or if he was still here, he was on 97 Rock.. anyway...the reason they werent mainstream back then was because no heavy metal bands were mainstream...only "pop-metal"..ie, hairbands.. Just like with Maiden and Priest...everyone I knew listened to them and eagerly awaited each new album...but it never got them into the mainstream..Metallica was the same way...from the first time we heard Kill Em All...we bought every album and went to see them when they came around on tour...but almost to a man, after the Black album, most of us quit caring..we liked em much better when they were more of an "underground" act, and they started taking themselves too seriously.
Same here and I agree. I think the "critics" are overhyping this album, which I feel draws from all of their work. They seem to strain to reproduce the hard edged sound from their first 3 releases, but fail to do so. The music simply does not have that rough, yet hypnotic feel that made up through and including "Black". Also, IMO have taken a huge step backwards lyrically from lesser appreciated albums such as "Load" and "Reload"
Do you have any of their earlier stuff? I've heard a few songs from "Ass Cobra". I'll probably get it eventually, but I don't like it as much as their more recent stuff. What about "Never Say Forever"? Heard anything off that one? I wouldn't mind having their tribute album...lots of good bands on there. Supersuckers, Backyard Babies, Gluecifer...even Queens of the Stone Age. And of course their live album. Btw....you into the Wildhearts by any chance? Great band from the UK. On the new Turbo album, the song "Drenched in Blood" is a bit of a tribute to the Wildhearts' song "Just in Lust". It's pretty sweet! TN pays homage to tons of bands in their songs...I've heard plenty of Cheap Trick in there ("Clock Strikes Ten"), a little AC/DC, Aerosmith...probably some others I didn't recognize. But they're always clever about it.
I think the sound of Ass Cobra is different from the new one. Its dirtier and less polished (not to say the new one is polished). Ive never heard Never Say Forever. Among my friends we still believe the "apocaliptic dudes" album is the best - followed by the new one. I once owned the live album but sold it. Not because of the quality but I do not like live-albums in general. Hey the Wildhearts!!!! Wow, cool dude!!! I loved them really bad some years ago but I only have one record from them. (the one with TV Tan, She's a head****, etc.) Damn they rocked. Are they still active? cheers
actually, I thought UTWeez was referring to IM's Brave New World.. but in any case, I agree with you about St Anger being overhyped...it only vagely reminds me of their earlier stuff.. Ill still reserve further judgement till I hear more(I have only heard 3 songs so far)
Here is the St. Anger video on Metallica's site: St Anger I don't care much for that track. Maybe it will grow on me. It sorely needs a guitar solo.
Garage band Metallica is back, but that isn't necessarily a good thing. A couple albums ago they tried to take their sound alternative and now it seems they are trying to take it back towards their roots, however I don't think they know what their roots are anymore. Overall I would give that track a 6.5-7 simply because of the drum work and some of the guitar riffs. I've a feeling they still have some good albums to put out, this just won't be one of them.
Yes, they have reformed. Check out one of their new singles, "Vanilla Radio", off of the new album "Riff after Riff after Mother****ing Riff". Great stuff! All of their stuff is import-only here in the US, except the Earth Vs. album you mentioned, so I download quite a bit of their songs. Damn, they are so good. Such killer hooks. But seriously, check out the song "Just in Lust", then listen to "Drenched in Blood" by TN.
