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METALLICA's JAMES HETFIELD On New Album: 'The Direction Is Embracing Our Past In The Now'
- May 15, 2008
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RollingStone.com conducted an interview with METALLICA frontman James Hetfield on Wedneday (May 14), a few hours before the band's performance at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow. RollingStone.com: Does the new METALLICA album have a title yet? Hetfield: It's got a title and we're still playing with it to see if we like it. But I guess the album's done. It's still got to be mixed. All the singing, all the recording is pretty much done. And we're pleased with it. RollingStone.com: What brought you to Rick Rubin? Hetfield: It was time to get a fresh set of ears. Bob Rock has done amazing stuff with us. It got a little comfortable. Maybe the fire wasn't there as much, in our viewpoint. Bob is a great person, a great friend. I feel extremely safe and comfortable with him, and maybe that wasn't what we needed to feel on this. We needed to argue a bit. We needed to get shaken up a little bit. That's what the mission was. RollingStone.com: Did you always agree with what Rubin had to say? Hetfield: Definitely not. But I was very willing to look at it and try it. If he's suggesting it, there's a reason behind it. And most times it was better, sometimes it was not. We like to be open, but there are times when we just know we're right and it's as simple as that. It wasn't head-butting like in the past, but there was some negotiating going on. RollingStone.com: What was the idea behind making this album? Hetfield: The direction is embracing our past in the now. We know what we know. It's hard to erase that. But to strip it down again, and get back to why we're doing this? Why did we write songs that way? The template was "Master of Puppets" and the strength of that record. How can we do that now? RollingStone.com: You still see that album as a high mark for the band? Hetfield: Oh definitely, no doubt about that. Hopefully this will be another one. We feel this record is really good, especially after "St. Anger". It was very one-dimensional and abusive to the listener. That was the anger coming out. And if you weren't feeling that, it didn't feel so good. But this one is a lot more moody. We a lot of things I think make a diverse and interesting record. Read the entire interview at RollingStone.com.
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COMMENT | Can't wait.
posted by : THE_SPACE_ACE
5/15/2008 8:35:45 PM
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To fucken have a 40oz and fucken drink up outside in the parking lot of a metallica concert. the New album is gonna kick ASS!.
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COMMENT | first post... what what
posted by :
5/15/2008 8:36:44 PM
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this is gonna bite hard..... thank god for p2p.... lol
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COMMENT | This album should be a good one
posted by :
5/15/2008 8:38:36 PM
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I'm looking forward to this new one...
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COMMENT |
posted by : Biki
5/15/2008 8:43:09 PM
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Stadium tour goddammit stadium tour!!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Brutal Judgement
5/15/2008 8:46:16 PM
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Thats the most honest interview ive seen with any of them in a long time.
Maybe Rubin whipped them into shape. Doubtful,but who knows,they might make something at least worth listening to,which has been a very long time.
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COMMENT | hhmmm?
posted by : Ricroc
5/15/2008 8:46:31 PM
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By what he's saying it seems to be better than the past couple of albums. God I hope so!!!!!!!!!
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COMMENT | no no no
posted by : Aggroculture
5/15/2008 8:47:27 PM
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It's going to sound like Load meets Nickelback
This is the Rubin way
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COMMENT | not sure
posted by :
5/15/2008 8:49:32 PM
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a lot rests on james for me. it just seems like his voice has changed over the years and it's hard to go back to the "glory" days unless his vocals are there.
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COMMENT | rick rubin...
posted by : themakeadeathwishfoundation
5/15/2008 8:53:47 PM
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...is a god damn genius.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
5/15/2008 9:04:04 PM
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s.t. anger was abusive alright. they better not pull that again! and no they can't do what they want!
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COMMENT |
posted by :
5/15/2008 9:07:32 PM
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master of puppets is definately their best album. then in my opinion, ride the lightning followed by justice, kill em all, and then black. after that i dont really consider much of it metallica. its more 'tallica (metallica without the metal).
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COMMENT | 40 oz. sincerity
posted by : tlizzy
5/15/2008 9:09:37 PM
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I didn't know they still made 40 oz. bottles? I thought the world went double deuce. Pretty sincere assessment of Metallica after 40. Forget 1986 kids; you can only hope they make an honest & enjoyable album with a little bit o heart, a little bit a fire, a little bit of heavy hitting grooves. For where tere are in life in 2008, the angst is gone baby. Just give us some good old fashioned metal with no tricks.
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COMMENT |
posted by : black_art
5/15/2008 9:11:35 PM
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lets hope for a killer cd :)=
at least similar to the black album or justice for all
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COMMENT | 'lica
posted by : redrumloa
5/15/2008 9:15:14 PM
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I will believe it when I see it. Besides, you have sucked for so long "embracing our past" probably means Black Album and Load.
Of course I could be wrong, this band has been trying to follow trends for the last 20 years.
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COMMENT |
posted by : kingross
5/15/2008 9:29:48 PM
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the obvious solution is what die_metal says... Flemming Rassmussen. There are 4 good Metallica albums and they were all produced by that man. Cooincedence? I think not.
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COMMENT | Bring it on
posted by : RiotAct666
5/15/2008 9:36:17 PM
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The new album will kick a** all over the place.
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COMMENT | dragon_slayer65
posted by :
5/15/2008 9:38:12 PM
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< s.t. anger was abusive alright. they better not pull that again! and no they can't do what they want! >
Uhhhhhhhhh, Yes, I believe they can do what they want. Now, run along, junior
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COMMENT | He's been involved with some of the best metal ever
posted by :
5/15/2008 9:42:43 PM
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Including Imaginations from the Other Side and Nightfall from the best band ever, Blind Guardian! (Fleming that is)..
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COMMENT |
posted by : platinum maze
5/15/2008 9:48:50 PM
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blind guardian is awful
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COMMENT |
posted by : Meshuggah44
5/15/2008 10:02:43 PM
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"It got a little comfortable."
remember what happened the last time they didn't "want to be comfortable" ?
they rented an old house to record in and made a movie about the piece of shit album they recorded there.
and then they release a piece of shit album.
deja vu?
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COMMENT | yea hea
posted by :
5/15/2008 10:14:13 PM
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see you in the pit jaymz... wait this isn't 1991
BRING BACK THE SNAKE PIT!!!!!
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COMMENT | platinum maze
posted by :
5/15/2008 10:19:55 PM
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Wrong..you're awful.
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COMMENT | I remember
posted by : Dogface
5/15/2008 10:26:05 PM
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When Metallica started up the promotional trail before St Anger came out, and how excited everyone got, saying "This is gonna be awesone" "Cant wait for the new album its going to slay everything" blah blah blah.....
Then St Anger was released, and we all wanted to throw it in the toilet.
Dont get too excited kiddies, I hope this album is the return to form we are all hoping for too, but on past history its no point getting excited yet...your only as good as your last album, and the last Metallica album was a fucking disgrace and an insult to Metal fans the world over.
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COMMENT | I like it when...
posted by : HQNC
5/15/2008 10:26:41 PM
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...first post is actually second post.
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COMMENT | "The direction is embracing our past in the now"
posted by :
5/15/2008 10:37:36 PM
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In other words, lets talk about how this is a return to our roots, trick all the sheep, and then release more crap.
Just name the album Re-Reload-ed Again.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Paradosis
5/15/2008 10:40:34 PM
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"we all wanted to throw it in the toilet."
Actually I like St. Anger. Not a ton, but more than Load/Reload, and more than 95% of the metal being put out.
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COMMENT | here we go again
posted by :
5/15/2008 10:51:02 PM
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Will everyone relax please- we have to wait til its released/available for streaming-whatever. I love some of you who seem to "know" what its gonna sound like. I hope it kicks ass, I hope there's an instrumental or "instrumetal" as I like to call it, and I hpe the old formula is back-becuase it f***in works- nice acoustic intro into a blistering gallop, 2nd song title track, 3rd song a heavy as balls crusher and so on-ending song a freight train. God, Please bring back those goosebumps I used to get when I first heard Lightning, Master, and Justice...please! The time is right and the metal community needs the mighty Metallica to roar again. Metal up your asses!
Riffer out
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COMMENT |
posted by : pigchop
5/15/2008 10:54:21 PM
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Blabbertards: are they God's 'special' children?
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8966/blabbermouthmetallicagb0.jpg
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COMMENT | from what i've heard so far..
posted by :
5/15/2008 11:07:44 PM
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I got really annoyed with those Trujillo ebonics and rapping during that short clip on Mission Metallica. It irked me quite a bit. That said, as far as the riffs, and progressions go, I thought what I heard kind of reminded me of some of the heavier parts of the Load albums, but with more of the black album type riffing with maybe a touch of Justice thrown in for good measure. This is all conjecture and just coming from that short film (I didnt register or anything), but I think it'll be more like the heavy Load songs (just the attitude, tone, and production) meets Black Album type stuff. Dissapointing to many, sure, but I don't think they can go back to 1986 even if they wanted to. Being a fan of theirs though for almost 20 years myself, I will definitely check the new one out and know it'll have at least some stuff I like.
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COMMENT |
posted by : pigchop
5/15/2008 11:29:53 PM
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who knows...if the band has been caught up in way good moods
sorta' like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gGJ_bjn6QU&feature=related
we may be in for some good shit.
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COMMENT | GET THAT WAGON READY FOR MORE ROOM..............
posted by :
5/15/2008 11:46:34 PM
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all the METALLICA haters in the last 5-10 years are gonna be jumpin back on and acting like they've been LOYAL supporters since day one...they(metallica) have been sorta quite about the sound/direction of the new cd..but we've only heard snippets and their comments as to direction...It's the calm b4 the storm...they(metallica) i think kinda know..this is their last shot @ respect and claim as thee metal band of metal bands...sorry priest/maiden Taliica has always been better...and in a few short months...you'll see why.
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COMMENT | YA!!!!!!
posted by : bandkiller
5/15/2008 11:51:59 PM
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I HOPE ITS GOING TO SOUND LIKE ST ANGER!!!
THIS TIME USE A TRASH CAN FOR THE SNARE
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COMMENT | megadeth
posted by : bmas020
5/16/2008 12:25:39 AM
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the only true thrash metal band left is Megadeth. Still and will always be better than metallica. United Abomination kicks ass!
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COMMENT | Reloaded starts now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by :
5/16/2008 12:41:24 AM
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hahahahahahahahahahahahaha...
Metallica = dead since '91.
jdfu!
n/p:"push" - Sarah McLachlan
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COMMENT | In Reality
posted by :
5/16/2008 12:55:25 AM
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20 years ago (those of us that did) when you listened to Metallica did you think you'd be typing about their new album now? I mean really that in itself is kinda fucked if you really think about it......
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COMMENT | and furthermore..
posted by :
5/16/2008 12:56:35 AM
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that the bass player from Suicidal Tendencies was in Metallica??!
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COMMENT | Mrs. Gump was right..
posted by :
5/16/2008 12:58:25 AM
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"Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what your gonna get" she was talking about Metallica....
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COMMENT | started listening to them in 84
posted by : And Then There Were None
5/16/2008 1:23:16 AM
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gave up with the Black album.
maybe i'm stupid but i got a feeling Rick will pull out hte best of them since the 80s.
or i could have another drink.
n/p "Brain Dead" by who the fuck do you think.
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COMMENT | ..Interesting..
posted by :
5/16/2008 1:23:37 AM
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"Embracing our past in the now" - They're STILL using therapist jargon!
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COMMENT | megadeth?
posted by :
5/16/2008 2:06:34 AM
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pffft... i guess everyone forgot about the album "Risk". What a piece of shit. Megadeth have been dead since Menza and Friedman left.
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COMMENT | I'm interested...
posted by :
5/16/2008 2:24:13 AM
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in hearing what this album is going to sound like...not keeping my hopes up too high since I was disappointed big time with St. Anger. Sound bites sound cool so far, we'll just have to wait and see. Oh, and James is awesome, he should do all the press for Metallica, he's brutally honest and nothing that comes out of his mouth seems to be bullshit (i.e. "We feel this record is really good, especially after "St. Anger"" LOL).
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COMMENT | james should be the only one in metallica allowed to do press
posted by :
5/16/2008 3:09:10 AM
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Every time he talks he sound like he's actually talking to somebody, lars is annoying and sound like a commercial, so in his mouth every statement seems phony. here james says pretty much the same thing lars is saying since november, and it looks way more reliable, don't you think?
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COMMENT |
posted by :
5/16/2008 3:12:36 AM
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Deth forever!They always have and always will kick the metal up Metallica's ass!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Psychobolia.com
5/16/2008 3:25:59 AM
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flying v: "master of puppets is definately their best album. then in my opinion, ride the lightning followed by justice, kill em all, and then black. after that i dont really consider much of it metallica. its more 'tallica (metallica without the metal)."
My thoughts exactly...
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COMMENT | Yawn!
posted by :
5/16/2008 4:59:37 AM
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They're so irrelevant! What more with bands like Iced Earth, Nevermore, Opeth, Obituary, Nile, Dying Fetus!
I wish that Metallica would disappear! SWOOOSHHHH
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COMMENT | He said do whatever he wants.......
posted by :
5/16/2008 7:11:29 AM
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< s.t. anger was abusive alright. they better not pull that again! and no they can't do what they want! >
< Uhhhhhhhhh, Yes, I believe they can do what they want. Now, run along, junior >
Mr. Hetfield called. He want's some guy calling himself dragon_slayer65 to blow me. LOL
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COMMENT | I AM THE GOD OF HEAVY METAL MUSIC, AND I SAY THIS :
posted by :
5/16/2008 8:45:58 AM
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It won't be Metal until James "Frat Boy" Hetfield grows his hair
long.
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COMMENT | METALLICA FOREVER
posted by :
5/16/2008 9:30:01 AM
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CAN`T WAIT FOR THIS CD TO COME OUT FUK ALL YOU METALLICA HATERS.
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COMMENT | oh my
posted by : monstro
5/16/2008 9:33:09 AM
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i hope that they hit the mark.. 'cause it seems lke they have aimed to MOP and will hit "the black album".
god save us from that.
i liked the teaser "misson" videos, so not all hope is lost...
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COMMENT | thefinalproduct
posted by :
5/16/2008 9:51:24 AM
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Agreed. So many other bands produce fast, heavy and unrelenting metal . Its as if some people think Metallica are the only ones who can play that type of music.
20 years ago And Justice came out. That was their last relevant album. The black album had its moments, but its was clearly evident they were dying. The album after that, whatever it was called, was the final nail.
Its not totally their faults. Back in the 80's, they were young, wild and drunk. Now they're in their mid 40's with kids and no more booze. Things change, and people change, they could never produce another Kill Em All if their lives depended on it.
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COMMENT | Ummm
posted by :
5/16/2008 10:30:56 AM
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"he only true thrash metal band left is Megadeth. Still and will always be better than metallica. United Abomination kicks ass!"
I guess you never heard of Destruction,Hirax,Sodom,Sacrifice,Hallow's Eve,Exhorder,& Agent Steel.=\
Anyway I believe Metallica's new album is going to be whatever its going to be ,Be it bad or good I wont care anyway because I will buy it any how just like their last three crappy albums and just because they released bad albums does not mean I hate them for it,I have been listening to Metallica for 19 Years and I have been a loyal fan through all those years and I still am regardless of their progressions in music,I know a few people who were Metallica fans and started hating them because of their new directions of course I didnt like it either but I stayed loyal and they shown their true colors of being Bandwagon jumpers,As for you sniveling Anti-Metallica fanatics I know for a fact that most of you idiots are nothing more than bandwagon jumpers.
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COMMENT | Too much hype
posted by :
5/16/2008 10:35:53 AM
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They should just record it, mix it, and release it and let the fans decide if they like it or not.
I'm anxious to hear it.
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COMMENT | yep
posted by : fondula
5/16/2008 10:49:08 AM
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"St. Anger [...] was very one-dimensional and abusive to the listener."
DING! DING! DING!
I actually liked the stuff on that album, but James and I agree on this as the weakness of that album. Each song followed the same formula. It wasn't a bad formula, but repeated over the length of an entire album it got tiresome, and "abusive to the listener". I am hoping that on the new one, the songs don't all follow the same basic formula. Every album since Load has done that, which is why they are generally weaker. You take a song or two out of the context of the albums, and you know what, they're pretty good. (Yeah, that's right, I said I liked songs from Load and albums after it.... flame on!!!) But 79 minutes of the same formula is BORING. Songs that get quiet and loud and slow and fast are fine, but please..... don't give us 10 in a row that all do the same thing again.
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COMMENT | Veritas
posted by :
5/16/2008 3:16:19 PM
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What needs to be admitted before 'closure' is possible is that Ride, Masters and And Justice was the absolute pinnacle for Metallica.
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COMMENT | NOW THAT METALS BACK .....
posted by :
5/16/2008 4:13:49 PM
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WE CAN RESELLOUT AGAIN AND START TO SOUND LIKE A METAL BAND AGAIN!!!!
FUCK MET!!!!
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COMMENT | ^^^^^^^^
posted by :
5/17/2008 9:06:47 AM
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I agree.... bands like Maiden, Priest, Megadeth, Motorhead, DIO,etc never sold out on us and constantly touring so now that Metal is "en vogue" in the US bands like 'tallica can now try to play metal again (bring the "me" back to their name) beacause it is cool now and they will sell loads of albums here in the USA.
Well, finally at least an honest interview from James, Lars is like ya know, like cool, like fucking annoyong as fuck.....overrated drummer!
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COMMENT | I hope it's good and thrash
posted by : ThrashPunkFiend
5/17/2008 9:15:23 PM
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But the snippets I heard on Mission:Metallica aren't so good at all....
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