Who else is looking forward to Metallica’s 2008 release?

Odin

For the first time in a decade, I am optimistic about an upcoming Metallica release. I get the feeling that, with their backs to the wall, they will deliver big-time. They are working with the legendary Rick Rubin on this one and have spent the past few years recording tons of songs in the studio. As Lars mentioned during an interview last year, St. Anger was more of an “experiment” album and now Metallica is going to return to their roots and give the fans what they really want. If Kirk is right and this album brings them back to where they were 15-25 years ago, watch the bandwagon begin to re-load.

For the record, I’m not some pussy that got into Metallica after hearing “Nothing Else Matters” played ad nauseam on MTV and radio. No, my one friend and his older brother introduced me to the band’s first five albums when I was only 11 or 12. And unlike Pearl Jam's fans, Metallica fans recognize the greatness of the band's earlier, heavier works.

Gorthaur

Odin wrote:

For the first time in a decade, I am optimistic about an upcoming Metallica release. I get the feeling that, with their backs to the wall, they will deliver big-time. They are working with the legendary Rick Rubin on this one and have spent the past few years recording tons of songs in the studio. As Lars mentioned during an interview last year, St. Anger was more of an “experiment” album and now Metallica is going to return to their roots and give the fans what they really want. If Kirk is right and this album brings them back to where they were 15-25 years ago, watch the bandwagon begin to re-load.

For the record, I’m not some pussy that got into Metallica after hearing “Nothing Else Matters” played ad nauseam on MTV and radio. No, my one friend and his older brother introduced me to the band’s first five albums when I was only 11 or 12. And unlike Pearl Jam's fans, Metallica fans recognize the greatness of the band's earlier, heavier works.

Believe me, if someone were to call you pussy, I doubt it'd be the gentlemen at this forum

The problem with that last thing you said is that unlike Metallica, PJ got better with age Of course, enough about talking about bands that are on opposite poles.

About being optimistic, I have nothing to look forward to from metallica. Haven't read anything about the new album...besides, way much better thrash bands out there with a TRUE thrash sound. Thrash is getting stronger every year nowadays. Metallica pretty much did what they had to do in that area already.

Of course, life can surprise you...

ii44

Why would you want Metallica to repeat the same thing they did 15-25 years ago? We've already heard it. The reason they changed their sound so dramatically when they made the Black Album was that they had made the same album three times in a row.

Odin

I prefer Metallica's sound from the 1980s to anything they've put out since. Based on interviews I have read, they are looking to return to their thrash roots, incorporate progressive and groove metal elements, and play more solos like they used to. Will it sound exactly the same as their 80s sound? Most likely not. Ideally, they will bring back the heaviness from their "metal up your ass" glory days while remaining fresh. That is what they sound like they are going to do, which leads me to be cautiously optimistic about their upcoming release.

spnkri

I hope they experiment even more on this album, with electronic and techno sounding songs and totally ditch the guitars.

Actually, I don't have my hopes up too high, but it will be interesting to see what they come up with. I'll definitely check it out at least. When is this suppossed to be coming out?

Gardenparty

I don't know about this one. If I took anything from "Some Kind of Monster" it was that their songwriting skills have been completely lost. It was sad watching them write in the studio on that film. Seems like they're just not capable anymore and almost as if they don't know where to go from here.

I'm not holding out much hope here but I am still excited to hear how it sounds. Just keep Kirk away from the mic please

And thank you for finally ditching bob %ock

MLC2006

which ones were the same album 3 times in a row? because their first 4 albums were a progession that culminated in an album (And Justice For All) that is probably going to be impossible to top. then they made a quality album that got them into the mainstream. then they made 3 shit albums. but I wouldn't say they ever repeated anything.

but yeah, I'm psyched about the album. Slayer's most recent album was one of their best and they HAVE been doing the same thing pretty much over and over. so if they can still do it, I sure as hell think Metallica can.

lucylespian

Odin wrote:

I prefer Metallica's sound from the 1980s to anything they've put out since. Based on interviews I have read, they are looking to return to their thrash roots, incorporate progressive and groove metal elements, and play more solos like they used to. Will it sound exactly the same as their 80s sound? Most likely not. Ideally, they will bring back the heaviness from their "metal up your ass" glory days while remaining fresh. That is what they sound like they are going to do, which leads me to be cautiously optimistic about their upcoming release.

Hey, I just chucked another buck in the tin like I do every time I hear," I'm an original fan, they've done nothing good since KEA/Justice/MOP blah blah", and thanks to you I now have enough to buy a brand new SUV, load it up with blondes and beer and spend the next year whooping it up.

aNiMaL

I hope you're right odin. I hope it's a good one. I miss the Matallica of old....who doesn't. I thought St. Anger sucked ass.

There was a period of time where I swear I saw them in concert like 12 times. But it was probably more like 5 times. But they are badass in concert when they are on their game.

Edved82

Metallica have made some great music over the years, but I cant look forward to the new one after listening to St Anger which is the biggest pile of kack ever committed to CD. Plus, Lars Ulrich really is the biggest dick in rock music. If you want to retain any respect for Metallica, avoiding Some Kind Of Monster would be a start!

Mike_Muse_Rage

Load and Reload are great albums. God forbid they would be DIFFERENT! In some ways I think people would be more sick of Metallica if they were still producing thrash stuff. I can't wait for the new album.

tybird

I'll get it a shot....I was fine everything up until that single for the Mission: Impossible II soundtrack (worst Metallica song of all time) and St. Anger. I did enjoy watching "Some Kind of Monster".

carolinabeerguy

I can listen to each Metallica album other than St. Anger and not get pissed off at what I'm hearing. I enjoy each album and think they all have their strong points. I have no problem with the direction the band went with the Black Album and beyond. I think it's a very good album with some great songs on it. Load and ReLoad are good listens for me as well. It all depends on my mood. If I'm wanting something to get me pumped up I'll listen to the great stuff from their first 4 albums which are great. If I'm just looking for something to play in the car, I will probably put on the Black Album or Load. I don't expect them to try to remake Ride the Lightning or any other album for that matter. I just hope whatever direction they choose to go in is the opposite of St. Anger...because it sucked.

holtz

Odin wrote:

If Kirk is right and this album brings them back to where they were 15-25 years ago, watch the bandwagon begin to re-load.

Before St Anger was released they said the same thing about it, that it was a return to harder, longer songs.

justam

Well, I hated St. Anger even though I tried to give it a chance. I hope their new one is more like some of their best instrumental music.

hguz73

Been waitng for something good since the Black Album...but you all know what happened...Load, Reload and St. Anger were just crappy..hope they get back in track.

Indian Summer

ii44 wrote:

Why would you want Metallica to repeat the same thing they did 15-25 years ago? We've already heard it. The reason they changed their sound so dramatically when they made the Black Album was that they had made the same album three times in a row.

I'm with you on this one. It's been done. Build on the past, and pave the road to the future.

Metallica is an okay band IMO. The only thing that bothers me about them is that they take a song, and start it off incredibly...then go absolutely nowhere with it. Examples.....ONE and FADE TO BLACK. When those to songs start off I'm blown away......but by the end I'm bored with it.

ii44

MLC2006 wrote:

which ones were the same album 3 times in a row? because their first 4 albums were a progession that culminated in an album (And Justice For All) that is probably going to be impossible to top. then they made a quality album that got them into the mainstream. then they made 3 shit albums. but I wouldn't say they ever repeated anything.

but yeah, I'm psyched about the album. Slayer's most recent album was one of their best and they HAVE been doing the same thing pretty much over and over. so if they can still do it, I sure as hell think Metallica can.

Lightning, Puppets, Justice all basically have the same blueprint: Thrasher opener, long epic second song, big ballad on the fourth song, long instrumental at the end, the only real difference is that on Puppets and Justice they closed with a thrasher too. I think the first two are great records, but I think Justice is a bit weak. It has a thin, lifeless sound, the instrumental track is terrible, and most of the songs just aren't up to par from the previous records. It's a pale imitation of their previous two records. It's easy to see why they felt they needed to dramatically alter their sound.

ii44

Indian Summer wrote:

I'm with you on this one. It's been done. Build on the past, and pave the road to the future.

Metallica is an okay band IMO. The only thing that bothers me about them is that they take a song, and start it off incredibly...then go absolutely nowhere with it. Examples.....ONE and FADE TO BLACK. When those to songs start off I'm blown away......but by the end I'm bored with it.

My complaint is that they do this on the Loads. They sound like they'd be fine by making decent heavy mainstream songs, but then they draw them out way beyond the point they should just to make them seem more... ummm... metal?

Hell, if they'd tightened some of the songs on the Loads up, deleted all the filler, then they'd would have had a pretty good record on their hands.

ii44

holtz wrote:

Before St Anger was released they said the same thing about it, that it was a return to harder, longer songs.

St. Anger was ok. They need to realize that" long" doesn't always = "good." many of the songs there would be pretty good if they tightened them up, instead of letting them meander on.

Songburst

I can't wait to hear Unforgiven III. Haha.