Cliff 'Em All

[exiledarchangel]

I agree with PBG, without Cliff Metallica would be "just another thrash metal band", they would probably have recorded 1-2 "ok" records and then disbanded. Even if Hetfield is one of the best heavy metal rhythm guitarists.

[uwe]

I'm no RT expert, but what I've heard and seen sounds more variable than jis band buddies. But each Metallica instrumentalist has an easily discernable style and that's something too.

[ack1961]

LBO is great!
I love being able to sit back and read an intelligent thread about a band (whose music I detest) where any discussion (especially about Cliff Burton) has historically ignited arguments amongst fans, gear-heads, gear-snobs and detractors.  Usually these threads go south quickly, and it's a real testament to the caliber of folks on this board and the management of the site that this can keep rolling with a tongue-in-cheek demeanor about a (needlessly) sensitive topic.

Not an easy thing to maintain in this day of keyboard bullies.
Steve

[Basvarken]

+1.

(Has everything to do with age, I think)

[lowend1]

Please tell me you're not serious. I wouldn't call anything he's done in either Infectious Grooves, Suicidal Tendencies, or Metallicunt "gifted."

I don't know about that. I would certainly consider the $1m signing bonus "gifted".

[Chaser001]

I agree with PBG, without Cliff Metallica would be "just another thrash metal band", they would probably have recorded 1-2 "ok" records and then disbanded. Even if Hetfield is one of the best heavy metal rhythm guitarists.

+1

[patman]

I have a son who has listened to a lot of Metallica over the years. I have really tried with Metallica, but I just don't get it.  Really don't like cookie monster vocals.

Maybe I'm too old, but it's not anything I want to hear...not enough melody and harmonic content to recognize as music...Most metal is like that for me...don't want to ignite anything, because I am older, and my tastes are affected by my location in OHIO etc, but...

I can't do metal and rap...there I said it...I know I am small minded and provincial...but it's like Popeye...I am what I am.

[Chaser001]

I have a son who has listened to a lot of Metallica over the years. I have really tried with Metallica, but I just don't get it.  Really don't like cookie monster vocals.

Maybe I'm too old, but it's not anything I want to hear...not enough melody and harmonic content to recognize as music...Most metal is like that for me...don't want to ignite anything, because I am older, and my tastes are affected by my location in OHIO etc, but...

I can't do metal and rap...there I said it...I know I am small minded and provincial...but it's like Popeye...I am what I am.

What has always bothered me about Metallica is Hetfield's vocals.  His singing just doesn't cut it for me.  However, "Whiskey in the Jar" is the exception to the rule.  He seems born to have sung that song.  It's even better than the Thin Lizzy version. 

[ack1961]

It's a strange band - I don't really care for overly crunchy rhythm guitar and I hate his vocals.
The rest of em are OK, and they do have a huge fan base.
Unfortunately, there's a large (and vocal) portion of their fans that are into the look and badassedness of the band.
Any band that needs to explain to their fans why they cut their hair has got an uphill battle to fight.

Also, the more I learned about the chemistry of these guys (via documentaries and such), the more I stayed away from them.
I will give James Hetfield some credit for not pounding Lars to death by now. 

[uwe]

Hetfield had no idea what singing was on the first albums, he understood glimpses of it on the third and fourth and went full (Eric) Bloom on the Black Album. He is still not a great singer, but no cookie monster either anymore. His voice does remind me of a caricature of Eric Bloom's (of BÖC), bigger but less elastic.

I must say I admire Metallica for St. Anger. That is not an album I like, but I thought they had enormous guts uncommercially defying expectations like that. The follow-up album was treading safe water in comparison even though it is of course far more accessible.

[Highlander]

St. Anger is nice to listen to... it was quite nice to release it with the rough-n-ready dvd version, too

We have some very popular Cliff's (Williams is a Brit, after all)

Cliff Richards has been quite popular...

The German's liked the White Cliff's of Dover so much they kept coming over on sight-seeing tours (not sure why they did it at night, though...)

[Chaser001]

I like St. Anger, but I've encountered hardcore Metallica fans who certainly do not. 

[exiledarchangel]

St. Anger is nice to listen to...

I like St. Anger

HOW CAN YOU STAND THAT SNAREDRUM??? 

[uwe]

Easy. It sounds like most snare drum sound in not very soundproof rehearsal rooms! It sure was honest.

[Highlander]

I am not a fan of the drum sound on Justice...