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Saturday, January 07, 2006
What will Metallica do?
Metallica were in the news recently as rumors were spreading that Rick Rubin would produce their next album. Lars Ulrich said that is not true and that Bob Rock is the only producer they are planning on using in the future. They are planning on releasing a new studio album in late 06/early 07. That's a long ways off, but not too early to speculate on what it will sound like. Let's face it, no matter your personal views are on St. Anger the response was overwhelmingly negative towards it. There are fans who like say the first three albums and didn't like And justice for all or the black album then there were fans who loved the black album and hated the Load albums. Yet St. Anger seemed to have received more criticism than other prominent metal/hard rock album in recent memory even though I know the band stands by it. So where do Metallica go next? It's hard to say because they haven't always followed the trends or been predictable. And justice for all was a huge succes, but then they went to much more stripped down sound for the black album. The black album was huge, but then they went for a heavier more rock album for load. Any ideas, speculations, hopes or concerns for the next Metallica album?
I dunno....I think on St. Anger, they tried too hard to get back to the earlier sound. As far as the new release, w/e they decide to do, you know James and Lars are gonna exert their power over everyone else. Also, I'm wondering if Trujillo will last through the whole recording process. Playing bass in Metallica is akin to being the drummer in Spinal Tap, IMO.
ReplyDeletebruce- That's a good point about Trujillo. I wonder if he is working on any other projects because he was used to constantly working before Metallica. Now it's going to be like four years between albums.
ReplyDeleteBen- Rick Rubin has produced for a lot of different people. A lot of heavy bands like Slayer and Slipknot, but he has produced for AC/DC before as well. Yes, the whole Napster-Lars thing did hurt them as well. A lot of music fans were angry at them over that. I think the big gap between albums is due to them really thinking about their next move.
Although St. Anger did not receive the same praise as some of their earlier releases, It still had it's moments. Hopefully there are more of these moments in the next release. Metallica has always been primarily a touring band geared towards live performances and The St. Anger Tour was awesome. I saw it in a venue that discouraged moshing by releasing very few floor tickets and sticking in a lot of security. Standing in the front row three feet from the stage with no crowding was an amazing thing if a little eery.
ReplyDeleteWell I hope its a hell of a lot better then St Anger!!!
ReplyDeleteBut Metallica sold out IMO :)
Saw them in '86 before Cliff died. Thought Justice was just okay, The Black Album tolerable, and everything else just crap. I've lost all respect for Metallica. Stopped following them completely. It's sad, because they used to be one of my fav bands. Ride and Master are two of my all time fav albums.
ReplyDeleteI gave up on Metallica when And Justice for All came out. They became a commercial rock band that posed as an underground band. They won me back over with the Load albums, because they were finally honest about being commercial. No phoneiness, just solid rock radio fare. I could stomache that much easier than the Justice and Black Album charade. I couldn't even finish listening to St Anger though. After they showed their true money-grubbing selves with the Napster thing, they turn around and record a record that tries to sound like they have some kinda street cred. They tried to be something they're not and it was completely transparent. Instead of sticking to writing good commercial songs, they tried to fake it and ended up with an album full of substandard fare.
ReplyDeleteBen - Rick Rubin is probably the best producer out there and maybe the only person who could save Metallica. Unlike other producers who like to put their stamp on the albums they produce, Rubin finds the true artist and helps them bring that out on the album.
I think the black album was where Metallica really began to change. The load albums were good, but I think everything since the black album has very planned out as to what they think will sell. I thought St. Anger was alright, but they really tried to sell this idea that is was a back to basics album and it wasn't. There is not much left of the band that did those first three albums. That doesn't mean they can't still make a good album. It's just that now everything they do has an agenda behind it and that wasn't always true.
ReplyDelete