Can you answer these questions about Metallica?

Question

1) Why did they go off course in 95-96 with "Load" and "Re-Load"? Hell, why not include "The Black Album" in that question? After AFJA, things went to hell IMHO ("Death Magnetic" is a step up!!)
2) Why did they cut their hair when "Load" came out? Was it an "image" thing? I can see one member of the band deciding to do it, but all four did it at that time. Ridiculous!
3) So why did Kirk wear eyeliner, and piercings on every part of his face back in the "Load" era? Why is he allowing his hair to grow long again? Maybe the rest of the band will follow suit?
4) Did they need to hit a home run with this album to get the Metallica train going, or was it still off course?
5) What's your favorite song off of "Death Magnetic"?
6) Why is Lars' drum kit still sounding crappy? It's a step up compared to how it sounded when "St. Anger" came out, but the snare still doesn't sound like a snare..
7) Why can't they go back with producer Flemming Rasmussen, who did "Ride" , "Master", and "AFJA"? I think those albums are the best sounding out of all of their albums. Bob Rock did ok with the Black Album, but struck out with the others, especially "St. Anger".
8) Do most people you know believe that Metallica are back after "Death Magnetic" came out? Do we need to hear their next album in few years to decide if they really are back?
9) Do you think this band will ever lose their appeal again? Can they still go on many more years?
10) Since there are some songs on "St. Anger" that i liked, but hated them production wise, do you think they would ever remaster the album and re-release it? Maybe they could find out a way to digitally reduce the "trash can lid" sound of Lars' snare drum, and maybe make it sound like a real snare drum.

Thanks all!

Answer 1

1.) Bob Rock

2.) Bob Rock decided it. He always told them what he thought would sell. Like his failed idea of St. Anger.

3.) Because Rick Rubin lets them be themselves.

4.) YES, and I think they did!

5.) The End of the Line, or Suicide and Redemption

6.) I don't even know that one...

7.) Flemming was removed because of too many complaints over him mixing out the bass guitar.

8.)I think that they are definately back. They sound the best that they have in years. I hope they keep making many more albums after DM. They are finally back on track!

9.)After the R&R hall of fam, I think they'll always hold onto it. Even through Load, ReLoad, and St. Anger, people stayed with them. Metallica is way too big of a name to ever forget.

10.) I don't really know that one (and I totally agree with you on it.). I've noticed that they are really trying to stay away from the Bob Rock past songs though...

Answer 2

I blame most of it on Bob Rock. He seemed to have been pushing the band towards an image change. Maybe after the some what acceptance of the Black album they thought maybe he ws right and got totally on board with him. Also, i think at that time, after the four year break, they were all doing some soul searching and going through life changes. So that combined with the fact that some had explored other types of music during the break and Bob Rocks timing made for a perfect storm that sent them down a new road. And lets not forget that the great thing about Metallica is that they do what the hell they want, not what they are told. The fans may not always like it, but that's the way it is.



I agree that the drums are too dry these days. I remember reading that Lars liked the dry sound they had on AJFA, so maybe he's pushed it too far. I doubt that Lars would want anything remastered. Ive always got the feeling that he is a perfectionist prick. Just because i love the band doesn't mean i have to like the members...



Just in case anyone brings up Napster... Don't you think musicians get a raw enough deal without getting paid their percentage on CD sales?

Answer 3

All of St. Anger has no solo's. But it is tuned bizarre. Personally in the event you do not have time for solo's, simply be trained the rhythm facet beneath the solo. People will become aware of lack-o-solo however some thing. I'm studying All nightmare lengthy correct now, deffinately has a solo, however the non-solo components are sooo so much a laugh

Answer 4

For question 6 - Lars uses his own signature snare which is ****. Laos, his whole set is made of maple TAMA set. They are expensive, because maple drumsets are rare, but in my opinion they really suck. Before St. Anger, he used a birch set and another set, which right now I forgot, but he used it for YEARS and it worked well.



For question 8 - I can see how they've tried to come back to their roots, but it isn't fully there and probably won't. No Cliff - no roots. \



For question 10 - Excellent idea and I completely agree. i don't know if they will thinik if it themselves, but lets hope :)