I'm actually surprised at how few albums Metallica have. For a band that have been around as long as they have been I thought they'd be up in the 20s. According to wikipedia there are 9 albums (though an eager 'fan' has added an entry for an 'Untitled tenth album (2016)', bless).
I'm also impressed by how loyal people are to those earlier albums, despite what Metallica 'became' later on. I've been into bands before that disappeared up their own holes, as Metallica did, and have been completely put off the stuff I liked before because of it.
Incidentally, out of curiousity, when did they start to lose the plot? Was it as early as the black album? It always seemed to me that album was a bit too 'accessible' to your average punter (such as 16-year old me) to sit well with an ardent metaller. I loved that album when I was a kid. I find it unlistenable now. I don't know if thats because I listened to death back then, or whether its because its just shit.
Other than that I only really knew 'And Justice For All', so I never invested that much of myself into Metallica and so, wasn't too upset when they lost the plot. My next door neighbour (and best mate) as a kid, loved them. I remember him going on about it. He also wanted to call his dog Lars though, but his ma wouldn't let him.
According to wikipedia, Master of Puppets was their first album on a 'major' label. Can someone set a bit of context on this, please. Like, was this the album that saw them hit the 'big time', or were they already massive by then? From the wiki entry it would seem like it was something a lot of people might have missed first time around, but came back to (it 'was eventually certified 6 x platinum' in loads of places - cha-ching Metallica).
I've listened about 10 or so times since friday. There were 2 initial things that I struggled to get past. The first was James Hetfield. I had to stop myself being reminded of the black album stuff when listening to him. Not a big deal though. Once the songs started getting some traction, I forgot about those other songs. The second thing I had a problem with was those high-pitched squealey guitar solos. I think it sounds awful (reminds me of the fucking Darkness - see, thats the problem when you come to an album like this late, as I have - its fucking destroyed by all these poodle rockers who've pilfered and plagarised bits and pieces, and have used them to serve their own horrendous needs - pricks).
But, thats now become less of an issue too. In fact, cycling home from work yesterday one of those tunes was buzzing around my head.
Of the songs themselves, 'Welcome Home' is the standout track. Its pretty flawless really. Reading @pete's piece on this;
see, thats my advantage in not having a clue. I don't know those other songs, so no doubt, if/when I do get around to them I'll be annoyed that they're pulling bits from this song.
I don't get the hate for 'The Thing That Should Not Be'. Its grand, like. It's opening few bars are CLEARLY ripped off from 'The Lady Don't Mind' by Talking Heads though.
'Leper Messiah' reminds me of a time when I started discovering what little punk and metal music I know, in my mid to late teens. One of the few songs not 'ruined' by one of those guitar solos. This song just rocks.
'Orion', it was going so well until around 7 mins in. Then that guitar solo. Just, NO. Sorry, not for me.
The one thing that suprised me was the description of this album as 'thrash metal'. I always envisaged 'thrash' to be something a lot heavier, with grunting and chainsaws, rather than coherent singing and melodies. So, if nothing else, this past week has been an education.
4/5 Metallica, 4 OUT OF 5.
I'm also impressed by how loyal people are to those earlier albums, despite what Metallica 'became' later on. I've been into bands before that disappeared up their own holes, as Metallica did, and have been completely put off the stuff I liked before because of it.
Incidentally, out of curiousity, when did they start to lose the plot? Was it as early as the black album? It always seemed to me that album was a bit too 'accessible' to your average punter (such as 16-year old me) to sit well with an ardent metaller. I loved that album when I was a kid. I find it unlistenable now. I don't know if thats because I listened to death back then, or whether its because its just shit.
Other than that I only really knew 'And Justice For All', so I never invested that much of myself into Metallica and so, wasn't too upset when they lost the plot. My next door neighbour (and best mate) as a kid, loved them. I remember him going on about it. He also wanted to call his dog Lars though, but his ma wouldn't let him.
According to wikipedia, Master of Puppets was their first album on a 'major' label. Can someone set a bit of context on this, please. Like, was this the album that saw them hit the 'big time', or were they already massive by then? From the wiki entry it would seem like it was something a lot of people might have missed first time around, but came back to (it 'was eventually certified 6 x platinum' in loads of places - cha-ching Metallica).
I've listened about 10 or so times since friday. There were 2 initial things that I struggled to get past. The first was James Hetfield. I had to stop myself being reminded of the black album stuff when listening to him. Not a big deal though. Once the songs started getting some traction, I forgot about those other songs. The second thing I had a problem with was those high-pitched squealey guitar solos. I think it sounds awful (reminds me of the fucking Darkness - see, thats the problem when you come to an album like this late, as I have - its fucking destroyed by all these poodle rockers who've pilfered and plagarised bits and pieces, and have used them to serve their own horrendous needs - pricks).
But, thats now become less of an issue too. In fact, cycling home from work yesterday one of those tunes was buzzing around my head.
Of the songs themselves, 'Welcome Home' is the standout track. Its pretty flawless really. Reading @pete's piece on this;
pete said:A classic that's only slightly diminished by the fact that it sounds a bit too much like what came before (Ride The Lightning's Fade To Black) and after (...And Justice For All's One)
see, thats my advantage in not having a clue. I don't know those other songs, so no doubt, if/when I do get around to them I'll be annoyed that they're pulling bits from this song.
I don't get the hate for 'The Thing That Should Not Be'. Its grand, like. It's opening few bars are CLEARLY ripped off from 'The Lady Don't Mind' by Talking Heads though.
'Leper Messiah' reminds me of a time when I started discovering what little punk and metal music I know, in my mid to late teens. One of the few songs not 'ruined' by one of those guitar solos. This song just rocks.
'Orion', it was going so well until around 7 mins in. Then that guitar solo. Just, NO. Sorry, not for me.
The one thing that suprised me was the description of this album as 'thrash metal'. I always envisaged 'thrash' to be something a lot heavier, with grunting and chainsaws, rather than coherent singing and melodies. So, if nothing else, this past week has been an education.
4/5 Metallica, 4 OUT OF 5.