Death Magnetic

jackhammer · 09-21-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeltingPot

"Barely listenable" is pathetic, and totally unjust, even if you choose to put it in the category of simply "Thrash metal". However, I would ask you, for what other bands do you do that? Meaning, when I listen to a new disk from Bruce Springsteen, am I comparing it to all other Arena Rock/Folk/Classic Rock/Singer Songwriter CD's or am I simply grading it based on what I think of Bruce S. and his overall talent? I would say, as I think many would, the latter is true.

With Iron Maiden's last release (which was great), do I have to compare it against all other British Metal bands, or Power Metal bands or NWOBHM bands or whatever category you want to put them in or can I just say that it's a great f**king CD for Iron Maiden? See I think a lot of these so called "Metallica Fans" are probably not really real fans in the sense that if they were, they would judge DM based on what Metallica has been able to pull off with this vs. past recordings and not lumping it into all current/modern Thrash Metal, which obviously Metallica are not fairly categorized as this point as they are more than just that style alone. I also would venture a guess that 90% of those bashing Death Magnetic are under the age of 30, or even 25, are are much more likely biased towards more modern metal bands like Shadows Fall, COB, Soulfly, Lamb of God, Arch Enemy etc etc. Therefore, Metallica is going to be unjustly judged simply by being "old". Deny this if you like but I have already heard them be dissed for that reason in these forums and by other younger musicians I hang with from time to time. Simply being older guys does not in any way diminish the quality of the band and/or this most recent CD and to suggest so is just purely retarded.

Of course 'Barely Listenable' is not pathetic. Whether I personally agree or not, opinions are valid for everyone. I am in my mid 30's and have seen Metallica many times too but if a release is shit, I will say it is.

Using the criteria of a bands longevity is a weak argument. My favourite band is Pink Floyd but 'The Wall' sucks for me and I have no compunction saying otherwise. If people don't like 'Death Magnetic' then so be it. Trying to change an already made up mind is usually a fruitless excersise.

15Steps · 09-21-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeltingPot

After reading your posts I have to say I think it's you that may be crazy bud...

I have been a fan of Metallica since I first was given a copy of the "No Life Till Leather" demo way back when, and saw them live in support of RTL before anyone in the mainstream really knew or cared about them. I also got to interview them in 1986 (Lars and James) for a Fanzine I wrote called "Soldiers of Metal" and they were great, very forthcoming and cool, especially considering I was a 16 year old kid at the time. Anyway, I have seen them live countless times, listened to their albums through and through, played some of their music in my band, etc, etc. My point is I feel that I am fairly qualified to speak about them.

Now, just like many hardcore fans from the Megaforce days,I was saddened by the direction they took with Bob Rock and felt they were overproduced and certainly with Load/Reload they just became uninspired and almost a parody of themselves (as played by some lunatic 60 year old pseudo country band or something!). However, I didn't "hate" the band, I just chose not to follow them in the direction they were going. However, when St. Anger came out, like all the previous albums, I gave it an honest couple listens and at least appreciated the raw nature of the CD, though overall it was not great. So, when I heard Rick Rubin would be working with them, and that they had commented on making some attempts to "recapture some of the old magic", I was pretty psyched and looked forward to the finished product.

So now I have listened to DM 5-6 times all the way through, and the verdict is in: It's a GREAT CD from one of the top thrash/speed/power metal bands. I would personally give it an A-/B+ for the following reasons:

- Metallica are NOT going to write/record Kill Em All 2 or another RTL, it's just not going to happen at this stage in their career. They are older, more mature, less influenced/immersed in metal music day to day and quite simply I am sure their tastes are just far more broad than they were in their early 20's. That being said, this CD is an exceptional attempt by guys 18 years past their last A rated CD(in my opinion).
-The songs are well crafted, riff heavy, interesting (for the most part), the solos are brisk and well peppered throughout the disk.
- This is by far the best writing the band has done since AJFA, though not perfect, but come on and be fair here, it's an album MANY of you, and other Metallica fans worldwide never thought they'd pull off at this point in their career.
-The band has endured many struggles and challenges and this has certainly not made it easy to remain friends and writing partners but amidst all this they still managed to put out a kick ass CD 25+ years deep into their career. I know of very few bands who are still writing good new material that far along in their history (Iron Maiden, Bruce Springsteen are some others).

The Internet makes it easy for people to "bash" and act like they have all the answers and know the real deal on everything but I would bet my left nut that 99.99999% of those ripping on this new CD are either too stubborn to admit that the band put out a really good product or simply just enjoy bashing people/bands with the security of the internet in front of them. Meaning, if Lars/James showed up at their house for a listening party I am sure these same haters would be sucking their a** hard!

Listen to the CD a few times, compare it to last 15+ years of material and tell me honestly it's not a great effort by these legends of metal. If you were ever a real fan of Metallica it's virtually impossible to not like this CD unless you're just being a chump.

greatest troll ever.

MeltingPot · 09-21-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

Of course 'Barely Listenable' is not pathetic. Whether I personally agree or not, opinions are valid for everyone. I am in my mid 30's and have seen Metallica many times too but if a release is shit, I will say it is.

Using the criteria of a bands longevity is a weak argument.

Well yes it is actually pathetic and I'll be glad to explain why...

"Barely Listenable" is something that say a woman in her 70 who enjoys Classical might say about Metallica, but when a supposed Metallica fan says the same about DM it's just plain odd is what it is. You don't like it, you don't think it's that strong, not as good as expected, not heavy enough, OK gotcha and those are all valid. Barely listenable is just unjust and unfair honestly, considering how much better DM is than anything they have done in close to 20 years. Saying it's s**t means you either haven't really listened to it or just currently subscribe to the "all things Metallica suck" school of thought; there is a difference between not liking something and saying it's worthless, crap, etc. I am not a fan of Figure Skating, it bores the f**k out of me, but it's not "crap".

As for The Wall, which I find almost unimaginable that a supposed fan doesn't like, that's an opinion, as I didn't hear you cal lit unlistenable or s**t. You are very likely in the minority with that opinion but hey, that's cool. Saying it's weak or not a good piece of music would be insane, however. I think Animals and The Final Cut are two of the greatest Pink Floyd, if not CD's in general, releases to come in the last 35 years but some people don't like either album and ONLY like The Wall. Those are opinions and I get it.

MeltingPot · 09-21-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 15Steps

greatest troll ever.

What are the chances that you're under 25 and live in your parent's basement?

I would also guess that you own and regularly use/play:

-Guitar Hero
-Madden 2008
-Oxy 5000
-Shamwow

~~The Unfan~~ · 09-22-2008, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeltingPot

"Barely listenable" is pathetic, and totally unjust, even if you choose to put it in the category of simply "Thrash metal". However, I would ask you, for what other bands do you do that? Meaning, when I listen to a new disk from Bruce Springsteen, am I comparing it to all other Arena Rock/Folk/Classic Rock/Singer Songwriter CD's or am I simply grading it based on what I think of Bruce S. and his overall talent? I would say, as I think many would, the latter is true.

The latter is still bad. You should compare the album with what it is trying to be and compete with. Death Magnetic is Metallica trying to go back to their roots, and thus it would be fair to judge it on that criteria. When compared to other thrash bands and heavy metal bands Death Magnetic just doesn't cut it.

Quote:

I also would venture a guess that 90% of those bashing Death Magnetic are under the age of 30, or even 25,

If it helps fellate your ego a bit I'm 21 but...

Quote:

are are much more likely biased towards more modern metal bands like Shadows Fall, COB, Soulfly, Lamb of God, Arch Enemy etc etc.

I don't agree with this at all. Of these bands Arch Enemy had some good stuff in the 90s, thats about it. Age also doesn't matter. I don't presume I'll like something or not based on era. I'd still call Cirith Ungol one of the better metal bands to ever exist. Also, not metal related, I'd still consider Chick Webb to be among my favorite drummers.

Quote:

Therefore, Metallica is going to be unjustly judged simply by being "old". Deny this if you like but I have already heard them be dissed for that reason in these forums and by other younger musicians I hang with from time to time. Simply being older guys does not in any way diminish the quality of the band and/or this most recent CD and to suggest so is just purely retarded.

I fully agree. Being older doesn't make them bad musicians. In fact, I'd say both Curse Of The Hidden Mirror and Heaven Forbid were good albums and Blue Oyster Cult were old as **** at that point.

davew18 · 09-22-2008, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace

Holy hell, Batman =|

That is impressive....
Those new riffs are off the chain.....man, now I can't wait on this album ^_^

actually ironically, those are old riffs.

squizz at xm talked to the metal militia and they said what they were doing with this album was pulling out every old recording they ever made including all the riffs and drum lines and potential songs clear back from the start of metallica that they had saved and locked away somewere.

as far as my apocalypse, i cant say a best or wersed song yet i want to listen to the album more first that in my opinion isn`t the best though.

lars and that damn snair i swear man,

kirk did good i feel especially around 2:30 but he always does good.

something i noticed about this album in comparisom to ..umm how bout the black album, something i noticed was it sounded like james is "trying" to sing in some of it versus songs like through the never or enter sandman he just did it. but hey just my 0.02$ -Dave

15Steps · 09-22-2008, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeltingPot

What are the chances that you're under 25 and live in your parent's basement?

I would also guess that you own and regularly use/play:

-Guitar Hero
-Madden 2008
-Oxy 5000
-Shamwow

what the hell are those last two.

i happen to have only one game system, that happens to be an N64.

I live with my parents yes, but only because i am not yet old enough to move out.

Exactly just how old are you gramps?

MeltingPot · 09-22-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 15Steps

what the hell are those last two.

i happen to have only one game system, that happens to be an N64.

I live with my parents yes, but only because i am not yet old enough to move out.

Exactly just how old are you gramps?

LOL...what a shocker. You are soooo qualified to be speaking about Metallica and their history/relevance. Why don't you go back to Pokemon and the Jonas brothers kid...

Piss Me Off · 09-22-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeltingPot

LOL...what a shocker. You are soooo qualified to be speaking about Metallica and their history/relevance. Why don't you go back to Pokemon and the Jonas brothers kid...

If he's listened to the album he's qualified to an opinion, you don't need to have been there 'since the old days' or whatever elitists cling on to.
And quit with the generalisations.

Shawn - Virus · 09-22-2008, 12:32 PM

I have mixed reactions from this album. A couple songs have grown on me. But they sound like they are trying to hard sometimes over the course of the album to get back to there "roots" unsuccesfully. i am a huge metallica fan. have been since 13. but i think its time to throw in the towel. And lars needs to go away and take some drum lessons. he plays the same **** over and over. he has like 3 different fills that are uninspired and uses them over and over. its like a broken record with him.

View Poll Results: What do you think of "My Apocalypse"?
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Nothing special.	36	52.94%
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09-22-2008, 12:32 PM	#120 (permalink)
Shawn - Virus Groupie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4	I have mixed reactions from this album. A couple songs have grown on me. But they sound like they are trying to hard sometimes over the course of the album to get back to there "roots" unsuccesfully. i am a huge metallica fan. have been since 13. but i think its time to throw in the towel. And lars needs to go away and take some drum lessons. he plays the same **** over and over. he has like 3 different fills that are uninspired and uses them over and over. its like a broken record with him.