The Metallica Thread v. Reloaded

[Train of Naught]

New song is kinda meh. Pales in comparison to Moth Into Flame and I agree that it offers way too little for its runtime.

Still interested in hearing the album though.

[Kotowboy]

I like Atlas Rise more with each listen. Sounds better in headphones imo.

[NotePad]

What does Kirk play on the albums besides the solo's? What does he play live besides solo's? Adds to James' rhythm guitar playing?

[seasonsinthesky]

What does Kirk play on the albums besides the solo's? What does he play live besides solo's? Adds to James' rhythm guitar playing?

Seems to be just solos on the studio recordings, although they seemed to be more democratic on the recording of St. Anger, and he has contributed rhythm ideas in the writing stages (i.e. "Enter Sandman"), so don't assume recording = contributions solely.

Live, yeah, he doubles the rhythms in between solos, and obviously does the harmony parts. Hilariously, because his rhythm playing is so sloppy, he tends to get mixed lower when playing rhythm – listen to S&M and you'll hear what I mean when his guitar (right channel) ducks significantly lower when he plays rhythm.

[Dream Team]

Just watched the new video. Are they ever going to let Rob be heard? It's ridiculous.

Notepad: you've never seen footage of Metallica live? Kirk does what EVERY lead player does, plays rhythm when not soloing.

[Adami]

What does Kirk play on the albums besides the solo's? What does he play live besides solo's? Adds to James' rhythm guitar playing?

Seems to be just solos on the studio recordings, although they seemed to be more democratic on the recording of St. Anger, and he has contributed rhythm ideas in the writing stages (i.e. "Enter Sandman"), so don't assume recording = contributions solely.

Live, yeah, he doubles the rhythms in between solos, and obviously does the harmony parts. Hilariously, because his rhythm playing is so sloppy, he tends to get mixed lower when playing rhythm – listen to S&M and you'll hear what I mean when his guitar (right channel) ducks significantly lower when he plays rhythm.

Really? I can't say for S&M since the guitars are so low anyway, but I've heard a lot of live recordings where he is the loudest and is usually right on with James.

[Progmetty]

Adami and Dream Team are correct, I know this from 20 years of geeky fandom and a shit ton of So What interviews and fan club videos.
After a few listens to Atlas Rise I'm realizing I have 3 problems with this otherwise great song:
1- The first minute or so is a deformed mess of nothingness.
2- No vocal harmonies, Moth Into Flame gave me hope that James is back recording back vocal harmonies which was sorely missed on DM but apparently it's not on all songs of the new album.
3- I know I've reached the conclusion earlier that the chorus closely resembles Hallowed By Thy Name but something is still not right, it sounds like a song Metallica has covered and they've never covered Hallowed By Thy Name, sounds like something from Garage Inc. but I still can't figure it out. Either way the rip off removes me from the mood of "the new Metallica" song.

[JayOctavarium]

There's a new Green Day album out?

Oh and I enjoyed Atlas. Cant' wait for the album to drop

[Progmetty]

Yeah Jay, it's called Revolution Radio.

[Kotowboy]

2 weeks to Hardwired...To Self Destruct.


They played Atlas,Rise! last night in Bogota and there's a *decent* crowd video of it. Sounds like they nailed it. I also like Lars new Purple Sparkle kit with the black resonant tom heads.

[MirrorMask]

So they get people to watch the new song on YouTube and capitalize on the interest by playing it live. Very simple obviously, but still a smart move.

[Kotowboy]

Lars said they wouldn't debut any songs live without releasing them first.

Because your first opinion would be of a phone quality recording.

[cramx3]

So they get people to watch the new song on YouTube and capitalize on the interest by playing it live. Very simple obviously, but still a smart move.

Yea, it's interesting to see the different approaches two of the biggest metal bands have taken to releasing their new music.  (Avenged Sevenfold being the other band).   Metallica is definitely capitalizing on releasing a new music video and then immediately performing the new song at some huge concert. 

[mikeyd23]

2- No vocal harmonies, Moth Into Flame gave me hope that James is back recording back vocal harmonies which was sorely missed on DM but apparently it's not on all songs of the new album.

Umm, there are a couple harmonies here and there, not many, not mixed loud, but there are a couple. Your point still stands, at least with me, because I wish there were more and that they were more predominant.

[Stadler]

So they get people to watch the new song on YouTube and capitalize on the interest by playing it live. Very simple obviously, but still a smart move.

Yea, it's interesting to see the different approaches two of the biggest metal bands have taken to releasing their new music.  (Avenged Sevenfold being the other band).   Metallica is definitely capitalizing on releasing a new music video and then immediately performing the new song at some huge concert.

Is it me, my bias or my age, or is A7X not at the level of 'tallica? 

[mikeyd23]

Is it me, my bias or my age, or is A7X not at the level of 'tallica?

Nope, they aren't.

[NotePad]

I really liked DM, but it wasn't until recently that I realized that I realized It was missing vocal harmonies. I'm really hoping they include that element on this album.

[Kotowboy]

Is it me, my bias or my age, or is A7X not at the level of 'tallica?

Nope, they aren't.

I think they're awful. Massively generic. I'd put Trivium way above them.

[MirrorMask]

Lars said they wouldn't debut any songs live without releasing them first.

Because your first opinion would be of a phone quality recording.

Another smart move, I remember also Portnoy was keen on this. I believe it was during the pre- Train of Thought days that bad sounding samples were leaked and he was angry over that.

[cramx3]

So they get people to watch the new song on YouTube and capitalize on the interest by playing it live. Very simple obviously, but still a smart move.

Yea, it's interesting to see the different approaches two of the biggest metal bands have taken to releasing their new music.  (Avenged Sevenfold being the other band).   Metallica is definitely capitalizing on releasing a new music video and then immediately performing the new song at some huge concert.

Is it me, my bias or my age, or is A7X not at the level of 'tallica?

No one is, but I'd argue they are the second biggest current American metal band out there behind Metallica.

[Kotowboy]

Is it me, my bias or my age, or is A7X not at the level of 'tallica?

Nope, they aren't.

I think they're awful. Massively generic. I'd put Trivium way above them.

I mean in that style of modern metal. Mastodon are easily 2nd for me. Easy. It's not even close.

I just checked Wikipedia and had no idea AX7 sold so many records.

[Train of Naught]

Avenged Sevenfold might not be as big as Metallica or Iron Maiden, but if my knowledge serves well they are top 5 for sure and maybe even #3 as far as overall popularity goes.

Whether you like their music is something different entirely

[Kotowboy]

Indeed. I find them incredibly bland and generic.

[Kotowboy]

Reviews for the new Metallica album suggest that overall the album isn't all like Hardwired or even Moth. It has a lot more slower, groovy Sad But True style songs and Reload style

experiments.

FINE. BY. ME.

The fast songs should feel natural and a lot of Death Magnetic did not.

[ariich]

I definitely don't find them bland or generic even remotely, but I totally get why people wouldn't dig them.

[Mosh]

Avenged Sevenfold might not be as big as Metallica or Iron Maiden, but if my knowledge serves well they are top 5 for sure and maybe even #3 as far as overall popularity goes.

Whether you like their music is something different entirely

A7X might be the only current Metal band that can fill up some of the larger venues Maiden and Metallica play in the USA. Since at least the Nightmare tour, they've played the same venue here in Denver that Maiden were playing from 2003 to 2012. I assume they are nowhere near as popular in Europe.

[twosuitsluke]

Well it's agreed that A7X aren't (and probably never will be) at the same level as Metallica. I can't see any metal band reaching that status nowadays. The music industry has changed too much. Well that's a conversation we've all had a million times.

There is no denying that A7X are a big name in metal though. I think it's fair to compare their latest releases and the way they have been marketed. I love both bands but A7X's new album is great and I'll be highly (and pleasantly) surprised if Metallica release a better album. To be clear, Metallica have been my #1 band for most of my life. I pray they do release an incredible album this time around though.

[Train of Naught]

Avenged Sevenfold might not be as big as Metallica or Iron Maiden, but if my knowledge serves well they are top 5 for sure and maybe even #3 as far as overall popularity goes.

Whether you like their music is something different entirely

A7X might be the only current Metal band that can fill up some of the larger venues Maiden and Metallica play in the USA. Since at least the Nightmare tour, they've played the same venue here in Denver that Maiden were playing from 2003 to 2012. I assume they are nowhere near as popular in Europe.

I can't say for sure because it might have to deal with booking agencies wanting Avenged Sevenfold to play in Amsterdam really badly or something. As far as I can tell the fanbase in Europe is pretty big, but they're not filling arenas. When I saw them it was in Ziggo Dome which has a capacity of 17k. The show was sold out, but they would probably not be able to play arenas.

I love both bands but A7X's new album is great and I'll be highly (and pleasantly) surprised if Metallica release a better album.

Same here. I really like Moth and Hardwired is a solid rocker, and I still believe that they'll put out a great album, but The Stage is on a different level man.

[Dream Team]

Reviews for the new Metallica album suggest that overall the album isn't all like Hardwired or even Moth. It has a lot more slower, groovy Sad But True style songs and Reload style

experiments.

FINE. BY. ME.

The fast songs should feel natural and a lot of Death Magnetic did not.

I'm aware of only 2 fast songs on DM: Nightmare and Apocalypse. Are those the 2 you are referring to? The only 2 with double-time drumming.

[Kotowboy]

That Was Just Your Life is pretty fast too.

But the arrangements on DM were not the best.

[TAC]

Other than how it sounds, I really don't have any issue with DM. Not a fan of the instrumental.

[Kotowboy]

LETS DO THIS

Rate The Instrumentals you !!!

1. Orion - no question

2. Ktulu

3. Suicide & Redemption

4. To Live Is To Die

5. Anaesthesia

[PixelDream]

I've never liked A7X that much, but that new album has definitely won me over. Nothing generic about it really.

[Kotowboy]

I've never liked A7X that much, but that new album has definitely won me over. Nothing generic about it really.

I tried Hail To The King and it just made me laugh mostly at how similar Shepherd of Fire is to Enter Sandman and how much This Means War wants to be Sad But True.

I think I tried a few other songs but they did pretty much nothing for me.

I really don't like the intro to The Stage. Super fast drumming with lightning tom fills doesn't automatically make a song good.

[twosuitsluke]

I've never liked A7X that much, but that new album has definitely won me over. Nothing generic about it really.

I tried Hail To The King and it just made me laugh mostly at how similar Shepherd of Fire is to Enter Sandman and how much This Means War wants to be Sad But True.

I think I tried a few other songs but they did pretty much nothing for me.

I really don't like the intro to The Stage. Super fast drumming with lightning tom fills doesn't automatically make a song good.

To this day I've only listened to HTTK once  definitely don't judge the band based on that album.