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I was going through an old thread someone resurrected. Something about "Why do bands split up?" or whatever. Somehow a discussion about the merits and flaws of Metallica got into it.

My opinion? They never recovered from Cliff Burton's death. After that the best they could muster were cover songs. The black album marked another slide downhill. Then, the Napster debacle put the final nail in their coffin. Any thoughts on this?

I had nothing for em once black came out. James Hatfield says he only wanted to be rich and famous and never did it for the music... so what else would happen except a downhill plunge once the cocaine induced head bangin subsided?
Anyone can play harder faster better, but you need substance to remain true.

I still like what they're doing.... But i've never been a big fan of Ulrich's drumming, and they are terrible at PR.

Unfortunately I never got into them, I was into punk and new wave when they came out. But from what I've heard the vocals are average and the music is boring.

Never cared fpr 'em.

Hayden King wrote:I had nothing for em once black came out. James Hatfield says he only wanted to be rich and famous and never did it for the music... so what else would happen except a downhill plunge once the cocaine induced head bangin subsided?
Anyone can play harder faster better, but you need substance to remain true.

He didn't do drugs.
But, I'd say they jumped it with the black album and the partnership with Bob Rock.

Well looky here... No more bob rock, new bass guy... Pretty decent new album.

jimmydanger wrote:Unfortunately I never got into them, I was into punk and new wave when they came out. But from what I've heard the vocals are average and the music is boring.

Get a hearing aide then listen to the first three albums.

Doubtful Zip. My hearing is still pretty good, despite 35 years of Marshall abuse, and I don't ever buy albums unless I hear something that interests me.

Not really a Metallica fan.

Maybe that's why I really liked most of the BLACK ALBUM.

Cliff kept em' in "check". I highly doubt you would have seen him cut his hair, wear eye liner, and agree to have semen on an album cover.

Most people still swear by the first three albums. Those were the ones that got them into the arenas. Had it not been for those first three, Metallica wouldn't have come this far IMO.

dizzizz wrote:I still like what they're doing.... But i've never been a big fan of Ulrich's drumming, and they are terrible at PR.

He made a decent effort when they first started, especially on Ride the Lightning. But the way he's been playing is criminal. Why is his ego so bad nowadays? Beats me (no pun intended)!

Kruliosis wrote:

dizzizz wrote:I still like what they're doing.... But i've never been a big fan of Ulrich's drumming, and they are terrible at PR.

He made a decent effort when they first started, especially on Ride the Lightning. But the way he's been playing is criminal. Why is his ego so bad nowadays? Beats me (no pun intended)!

The really funny thing is I read an interview with an engineer, years ago, who worked on some of their later albums. Constantly had to fix everything in protools.

Cliff Burton +1.


Funny, never really thought a bass player was a "make or break" until this came up.

Mike Nobody wrote:I was going through an old thread someone resurrected. Something about "Why do bands split up?" or whatever. Somehow a discussion about the merits and flaws of Metallica got into it.

My opinion? They never recovered from Cliff Burton's death. After that the best they could muster were cover songs. The black album marked another slide downhill. Then, the Napster debacle put the final nail in their coffin. Any thoughts on this?

Blah Blah Blah Blah the overall public obviously disagrees with you!

I never got Metallica, I mean the old stuff. Ive got a couple of albums, but in spite of having a hard rock side to me they just never did it for me. We still play Sad But True and Sandman cause people love these songs and request them all the time, but still I never understood the big deal with them. Then thier attitudes in interviews I dont know? Still dont get it. Maybe they are from another era but give me Iron Maiden any day of the week, even thier newer stuff still has bite to it!

Why do you guys put polls up for these kinda discusions?

Heck wheres my inhaler?

Technically, "Jump the Shark" is a reference to impending change (usually conidered NOT to be for the better). The term comes from the episode of "Happy Days" when Fonzie jumped the pool of sharks on water skis...that particular episode marking significant changes in the shows' premise.

Therefore, I don't believe that the Death of Burton was truly "Jumping the Shark"...While he was influential within the band, I don't see the addition of Jason Newstead as the reason for their change in direction.

I think the shark was officially jumped with the release of the Black Album. It was a move into more popular music-a risky move that alienated hardcore fans, but secured a whole new audience. Those intial fans will argue that it was a downhill move, but, not being a Metallica purist myself, I found their earlier work to be unlistenable and certainly view the move as positive. Just my "O".

As far as the Napster thing, I'm pretty sure they were "Nuking the Fridge" on that one.