Metallica

Unknown Soldier · 08-05-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojopinuk

Load was a pretty decent record, but it picked up where the Black Album left off in terms of veering away from the more thrash orientated sound they had adopted previously. That has a lot to do with why it's criticised. It's a departure just like the Black Album but without any really big anthems and singles.

It's a decent record, but it's just not up to the standard of their first 3 or 4 records in my opinion.

I don`t think any comparison can be made to their thrash stuff of which I think Master of Puppets to be their best but it was certainly an improvement over the polished Black Album.

Mojo · 08-05-2009, 05:28 PM

I prefer the Black Album to be honest. It had some strong singles on it, very radio-friendly, commercially driven stuff that in a way became kind of instant classics for Metallica. It at least served a purpose. I think Loads a decent enough record but it just seems to lack purpose for me, it sounds all a little too middle of the road. Easily forgettable.

5-Track · 08-05-2009, 06:00 PM

First couple albums do it for me ... pretty much with Cliff and right after ... I'm not into thrash especially, just thought they did better work at the time ... When I want bluesy hard rock I look in other places ... anyone see Some Kind Of Monster? Holy Spinal Tap, Batman!

Unknown Soldier · 08-05-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojopinuk

I prefer the Black Album to be honest. It had some strong singles on it, very radio-friendly, commercially driven stuff that in a way became kind of instant classics for Metallica. It at least served a purpose. I think Loads a decent enough record but it just seems to lack purpose for me, it sounds all a little too middle of the road. Easily forgettable.

Agree with the fact, that the Black Album set out to do what it wanted and that was to bring Metallica to the masses. Don`t agree about Load though, I thought this was the group doing something different and they did it well. Admittedly I can`t imagine their hardcore fans being impressed though.

When you compare Load to the mundane metal that rivals Megadeth were dishing out at the same time "Cryptic Writings" and "Risk" Load seems a relative masterpiece and I`m actually more of Megadteh fan than a Metallica.

scottsy · 08-05-2009, 11:00 PM

I'd actually like to hear Load in itsw entirety... I've only heard songs here and there... I actually think I'd like Load quite a bit... I have always been a fan of bands trying something a bit different and the albums that result from it...

mr dave · 08-06-2009, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottsy

I'd actually like to hear Load in itsw entirety... I've only heard songs here and there... I actually think I'd like Load quite a bit... I have always been a fan of bands trying something a bit different and the albums that result from it...

in that case you're probably looking for the black album, load wasn't an attempt at making something 'a bit' different. it was their attempt at retaining the popularity they enjoyed with the 'slight' changes that were made with the black album in a post-grunge market.

basically, the black album is metallica trying something a bit different than their old stuff.

load/re-load is metallica trying to be the heaviest alt-rock band of the mid 90s. a time when worthwhile alt-rock was already dead and paving a way for crap like creed and its ilk.

Mojo · 08-06-2009, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Agree with the fact, that the Black Album set out to do what it wanted and that was to bring Metallica to the masses. Don`t agree about Load though, I thought this was the group doing something different and they did it well. Admittedly I can`t imagine their hardcore fans being impressed though.

When you compare Load to the mundane metal that rivals Megadeth were dishing out at the same time "Cryptic Writings" and "Risk" Load seems a relative masterpiece and I`m actually more of Megadteh fan than a Metallica.

What were they doing differently with Load though? They evolved their sound more with ...Justice For All and then definitely with the Black Album. Load for me just continues on where the Black Album left off but the difference being there are no real stand out tracks on Load, no significant alternation in sound from the previous record, no potentially massive commercial hits the size of Nothing Else Matters and Sandman and then you're just left with something that will shift a few units, make the band a little more money and then fade away into insignifance.

Don't get me wrong, I LIKE Load, it's a fairly accessible, enjoyable record that does nothing to really get any kind of a negative reaction from me like St. Anger would do a few years down the line but it's just...average.

Unknown Soldier · 08-06-2009, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

load/re-load is metallica trying to be the heaviest alt-rock band of the mid 90s. a time when worthwhile alt-rock was already dead and paving a way for crap like creed and its ilk.

I don`t think of Load/ReLoad as being Alt Rock in way shape or form but then again again REM, Smashing Pumpkins and Radiohead have all been classified as Alt Rock and none of them sound remotely like each other, so the term is so general and fails to recognize the true genre of the band.

With the exception of some bands out there, when I hear the phrase Alt Rock or even worse post grunge, its enough to put me off listening to band straight away.

Unknown Soldier · 08-06-2009, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojopinuk

What were they doing differently with Load though? They evolved their sound more with ...Justice For All and then definitely with the Black Album. Load for me just continues on where the Black Album left off but the difference being there are no real stand out tracks on Load, no significant alternation in sound from the previous record, no potentially massive commercial hits the size of Nothing Else Matters and Sandman and then you're just left with something that will shift a few units, make the band a little more money and then fade away into insignifance.

Don't get me wrong, I LIKE Load, it's a fairly accessible, enjoyable record that does nothing to really get any kind of a negative reaction from me like St. Anger would do a few years down the line but it's just...average.

My opinion of Metallica is basically this, the first 2 albums are simply thrash metal, whereas Puppets and Justice are the group bringing in a more complex and progressive sound, this was then followed up by the Black Album which as stated above was designed to make the group the biggest act on the planet, despite not being a fan of the album it does contain singles, big riffs but most importantly from a commercial aspect a big clean easy to listen to sound, the heaviness is still there but its just all been polished up, which is why so many people everywhere say they love Metallica, despite not being metal fans. I think from their first album to Black is just the natural process of a group seeking world dominance.

Whereas Load is a completely different thing, a hard rock denser sound with a strong blues element and even Lynyrd Skynyrd sound on some songs, no real singles etc. The group were not looking to build on Black but trying something totally different.

I actually liken Load to Led Zeppelin`s Houses of the Holy, Zeps experimental album (not sound wise though) and after the success of Led Zeppelin IV the group just wanted a change of direction and experiment and I think Metallica were seeking to do the same with Load

pizza pie · 08-06-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

My opinion of Metallica is basically this, the first 2 albums are simply thrash metal, whereas Puppets and Justice are the group bringing in a more complex and progressive sound, this was then followed up by the Black Album which as stated above was designed to make the group the biggest act on the planet, despite not being a fan of the album it does contain singles, big riffs but most importantly from a commercial aspect a big clean easy to listen to sound, the heaviness is still there but its just all been polished up, which is why so many people everywhere say they love Metallica, despite not being metal fans. I think from their first album to Black is just the natural process of a group seeking world dominance.

Whereas Load is a completely different thing, a hard rock denser sound with a strong blues element and even Lynyrd Skynyrd sound on some songs, no real singles etc. The group were not looking to build on Black but trying something totally different.

I actually liken Load to Led Zeppelin`s Houses of the Holy, Zeps experimental album (not sound wise though) and after the success of Led Zeppelin IV the group just wanted a change of direction and experiment and I think Metallica were seeking to do the same with Load

08-05-2009, 05:28 PM	#232 (permalink)
Mojo Melancholia Eternally Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 5,018	I prefer the Black Album to be honest. It had some strong singles on it, very radio-friendly, commercially driven stuff that in a way became kind of instant classics for Metallica. It at least served a purpose. I think Loads a decent enough record but it just seems to lack purpose for me, it sounds all a little too middle of the road. Easily forgettable. __________________ Last.FM \| Echoes and Dust

08-05-2009, 06:00 PM	#233 (permalink)
5-Track Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Echo Park, Earth Posts: 197	First couple albums do it for me ... pretty much with Cliff and right after ... I'm not into thrash especially, just thought they did better work at the time ... When I want bluesy hard rock I look in other places ... anyone see Some Kind Of Monster? Holy Spinal Tap, Batman! __________________ music for your life: http://www.5-Track.com/NeptuneResearch

08-05-2009, 11:00 PM	#235 (permalink)
scottsy Untalented Drummer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sussex, Wisconsin Posts: 2,900	I'd actually like to hear Load in itsw entirety... I've only heard songs here and there... I actually think I'd like Load quite a bit... I have always been a fan of bands trying something a bit different and the albums that result from it... __________________ "If you're like me, then it's possible you're a clone generated from my stolen DNA. I suggest you turn yourself in for destruction immediately" - Shaun Micallef.