Writing Lab 102
Mrs. Arsenault3
February 26th, 20054
Metallica: The Best I Ever Heard5
I have acquired a great deal of knowledge about music in my life. I started out by listening to the old-fashioned Christian music my mom used to listen to. As I got older, I trashed the stuff, realizing that I didn’t really care for it anymore, if I ever did.6
I decided to explore different genres of music, which included rap, pop, and classic rock. In fact, I can remember sitting in my old room, where sound is pretty much blocked from the outside world, and blaring this stuff I had never heard before, which was rock music.7
My older brother, whose musical taste has differed from mine, opened my door, at lightning-speed (because, apparently, he could hear it,) bearing an angry look on his face. He shouted, very loudly at that: “Turn that crap off!”8
I shut it off, but the mere fact that I was “restricted” from what I wanted to listen to, made me crave it more. Actually, this might’ve sparked my love for rock music.9
However, there was a point in my life (around fifth grade or so,) where I pretended to like rap. All my friends were into it, and they always used to “sing” its explicit lyrics, to the point where I knew just about every Eminem song, along with a few rock/rap hybrid bands’ songs, like Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff.”10
I felt a feeling of emptiness, however, because I could never really “connect” with these songs, no matter how much I went over them in my head. Every song sounded the same to me; Every voice and every lyric. I once wrote the following in my daybook about rap, after coming to the conclusion that I disliked the genre: “All [rap] is, is gibberish spoken so fast is sounds like it rhymes, which even if it did, takes no talent anyways.11
“Yesterday,” I continued to write, “I was at my friend’s house, and as I stood up to take care of my dishes, (for I was at the dinner table,) I said, ‘That was really good pork. By the way, where shall I put my fork?’ to which his responded profanely, but that is getting off the subject.”12
Once again, I was on my search for music that fit my style, which was another thing I hadn’t discovered yet.13
One day, I was talking to my cousin, and somehow we got onto the topic of what my former step-uncle liked as far as music went. Finally, after a few minutes, I flat out asked him who my “uncle’s” favorite bands were.14
“Well,” he said after some thought, “He has some Deep Purple and Metallica tapes lying around, so I’d have to say those.”15
A few weeks later, I found myself sitting in my friend’s computer chair while he and my other friend played on his Gamecube, leaving me rampant on his computer. With this new-found freedom, I began clicking on icons on his computer screen, to find out what each one was. One particular icon was labeled “Kazaa.”16
“What’s this?” I asked.17
Glancing over his shoulder, my friend replied, “Oh, it’s some downloading thing... You know, for mp3s and stuff.” Then he added: “You can download some stuff if you want.”18
Thinking back to me and my cousin’s conversation, I remembered Metallica. Soon, after a brief search, and a quick click or two, Metallica’s most played single, “Enter Sandman” was finished and blaring on his computer. (It’s a good thing his parents weren’t home.)19
I just leaned back in the chair and screamed to my friend, “This is awesome!” to which there came no audible reply, and no movement from either of my two friends.20
Needless to say, I gradually obtained each and every album of theirs (not including singles and imports and such.) I was, along with my hesitant, but surely grateful friends, an avid Metallica fan.21
But this does not really explain my obsession with them. In order for you to really understand why I am really obsessed with them, or indeed to become interested in them yourself, I think you need to learn about them, so that you can understand them, and the inspiration behind their songs and stuff like that. (Also, in my opinion, it makes it more interesting.)22
The name was conceived by a friend of Lars Ulrich’s (the drummer), named “Mr. Metal” Ron Quintana, according to Metallicaworld.co.uk. (www.metallicaworld.co.uk/a-z.htm)Rich was searching for a name for his heavy metal magazine. So, when Rich asked his good friend Lars about the name Metallica, Lars quickly suggested that he choose another name, and kept it for himself, in case he should ever start a band.23
Then, somehow, in a bizarre string of coincidences, Lars landed himself a spot on a to-be released metal underground compilation cd , after being a roadie for several months with his idols, Diamond Head. The amazing part was, Lars was the only person in his “band” at the time.24
Lars placed an add in “The Recycler,” a local newspaper, saying something along the lines of “Lone drummer seeking likewise head-bangers,” to which the young James Hetfield responded. 25
Fortunately for Lars, James was sympathetic to Lars’ situation, rounding up fellow guitarist Dave Mustaine and roommate Ron McGovney, whom James taught how to play bass. 26
That, in itself, should be a revelation that these guys are good. James taught Ron how to play in a matter of months, and it apparently was good enough to make the record. Soon, the band started a demo, and finished that, too. But McGovney, seeking a “real job,” stupidly quit the band in hopes of raking in more profit.27
The three remaining members soon embarked on their quest for a new bassist, finally spying Cliff Burton with his band Trauma, playing at a local pub, somewhere in California. Lars said in an interview on the “Live Sh*t: Binge and Purge” DVD that he thought Cliff’s bewilderingly fast finger-picking was actually an electric guitar. Then he saw Cliff, red hair flailing about, and fingers moving at speeds at which he and James could not comprehend. Lars and James immediately decided that they wanted Cliff in the band.28
After the show, Cliff must’ve felt strange, being confronted by two long haired freaks, asking him to join their band, knowing he was already in one. Cliff, not taking them seriously, said he would gladly quit Trauma and join Metallica, if Metallica moved to the San-Francisco Bay Area. To Cliff’s suprise, the two metal heads agreed, without checking with their fellow band-mate, Dave Mustaine.29
When they finally moved, Cliff, being a man of his word, honorably quit Trauma to be with Metallica. They soon started re-recording their demo, and turning it into a record which would be called “Kill ‘Em All.”30
However, more trouble with the band occurred, as Dave Mustaine’s alcoholic violence escalated, even, some say, going so far as kicking and injuring James’ dog multiple times over an argument he had with James.31
Dave awoke one morning to the band shaking him and telling him he was being kicked out.32
“No second chances?” Dave recalls saying on the band’s documentary entitled “Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster” (SKOM). 33
But the band was ruthless, probably thinking it would take to long for Dave to go to AA, or perhaps even thinking that Dave Mustaine, the biggest drunk they knew of, could not commit himself to such a strenuous process. So, ultimately, Dave was booted from the line-up, and took revenge by starting rival, yet far inferior band, Megadeth.34
Kirk Hammett, former Exodus guitarist, fortunately enough, was already on his way to meet Metallica in San Francisco. As far as everyone else was concerned, Kirk was already part of the band.35
Kirk is a vital reason in why I think Metallica is the best band ever. According to Rolling Stone Magazine, Kirk Hammett is the 11th best guitarist ever. (www.philtur.com/blogs/august03/82803rollingstone.aspx and www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/5937559?rnd=1109637270828&has-player=true
Now, by this time, a man named Jon Zazula had gotten a hold of Metallica’s EP, which was red-hot in the underground metal scene, and thought it was so good, he decided to turn it into an album. He contacted the brand-new Metallica (which contained Kirk Hammett,) and signed them to one of the biggest names in the music business back then, Elektra.37
Metallica soon embarked on their first record, which was, as I’ve said, would be called “Kill ‘Em All.” It did a lot better than the demo version, coming in at number 120 on the charts. (www.metallica.com/Media/Albums/albums.asp?album_id=1) But still, it obviously did bad.38
Metallica then went on to record “Ride the Lightning,” which reached twenty chart positions better than its predecessor, coming in at exactly 100. (www.metallica.com/Media/Albums/albums.asp?album_id=2) But that is not to say they weren’t famous. To the contrary. They were on fire in the metal underground, having their demos and EP’s being traded illegally like wildfire, which probably explains their low chart positions.39
Now we come to yet another thing that I think attributes to my obsession about them. Their feats and accomplishments. Their next, and probably first great feat, would be coming in at number 29 on the charts with their third album, and Cliff Burton’s last album, “Master of Puppets.” (Frequently referred to by the acronym MOP.) 40
This is amazing because prior to the release of “Master of Puppets,” they only released two singles, “Jump in the Fire,” and “Creeping Death.” What makes this seemingly low chart position even more incredible is the fact that they released absolutely no singles off of Master of Puppets. Cliff Burton, however, could not enjoy this new fame for too long, it seemed.41
After completing their “Master of Puppets Tour” in America with veteran rocker Ozzy Osbourne, they headed to Europe. “On September 26th, Metallica played in Stockholm, Sweden,” says Metallica.bizhat.com. (www.metallica.bizhat.com/bios/cliff_burton_biography.php) “It was an especially great night for the band. It was the first time James resumed his guitar duties in months,” the article continues. (By “resuming his guitar duties,” it means that James had been unable to play guitar due to breaking his arm skateboarding.) “That night, along with a great bass solo, Cliff delivered a very melodic, and stirring version of The Star Spangled Banner. It seemed nothing could stop the mighty Metallica machine.42
“Metallica was en route on a route between Stockholm and Copenhagen, to their next gig that was scheduled for September 27th, 1986. Earlier that night the band drew cards for assignment of the bunks on the tour bus. As fate would have it, Cliff drew the ace of spades and chose Kirk Hammett’s bunk.” (This, I think, is especially erry, considering the ace of spades is often considered the card of death.)43
To sum things up, the driver lost control around dawn, claiming he hit a patch of black ice, even though the temperature was 37 degrees outside. James Hetfield has insinuated in the past, that the driver was most likely drunk. 44
Cliff was ejected and the bus rolled on top of him. In the aftermath, Cliff’s head could be seen sticking out from underneath the bus, though no one knew at that point, whether he was alive or not. The bus driver tried to pull Cliff’s recognizable denim jacket out from under him, to “give it to the people who might be cold,” that were also aboard the bus, at which point, James had to be restrained from assaulting him.45
Later, a crane was lifting the bus up, off of Cliff, when a cord must’ve snapped, letting the massive bus fall upon Cliff once again, crushing him, and almost certainly killing him, if he was not already dead. 46
Much sorrow would arise from this fateful day. Dave Mustaine wrote a ballad, “In My Darkest Hour,” for his revenge band, Megadeth, upon hearing Cliff was killed. Metallica’s front-man, James Hetfield, went back to his hotel room and smashed all of the windows in, also consuming more beers than was for his own good.47
This is another reason why I so love Metallica. They have emotion. They feel pain, and get pissed, just like the rest of us. Who would not get upset when their best friend perished because of someone else’s carelessness? It shows that the band is human, that they are just like the rest of us, only famous...48
The day after Cliff’s funeral, James, Lars, and Kirk, refusing to be called a band, started looking for a new bassist. This may sound odd to you, but after hearing Kirk’s explanation, it seems the best decision to me. In an interview, which is shown at Metallica.bizhat.com (metallica.bizhat.com/bios/cliff_burton_biography.php) Kirk explains: “The worst thing we could do is just sit in our room and sulk over the matter and wallow in our pity. The more you think about it, the deeper you sink. We each thought individually, we have to keep on going, we have to work because it wouldn't be fair to Cliff to just stop. Also if he were alive for some reason or another and like you know he couldn't play bass, he wouldn't tell us to stop. That’s the way he would've felt. He would’ve wanted us to go on.” This statement not only proves their ability to be human, once again, but also proves their wisdom, which is another element about them that earns my respect and dedication.49
So, the three remaining members recruited Jason Newsted, of Flotsam and Jetsam, and in no time, had recorded “Garage Days Re-Revisited,”consisting of five cover songs and reaching number 28 in the charts. Also, in no time, they had recorded Jason’s first true album, “...And Justice For All,” which included Cliff’s poem-turned-song/instrumental-hybrid, “To Live is to Die.” ‘...And Justice’ reached number six on the charts, and also included their first reluctant video release, “One” which included clips from the song’s inspiration, a movie called “Johnny Got His Gun,” which was a very political and controversial movie based on a book in which a young boy fighting in World War I gets all his limbs blown off by a landmine, and his senses, too, are stripped from him, including the ability to speak. (endeavor.med.nyu.edu/lit-med/lit-med-db/webdocs/webdescrips/trumbo752-des-.htm
Then, three years later, the mighty “Four Horsemen,” ( a nickname given to Metallica because of their song “The Four Horsemen,” ) released a new record with their new producer Bob Rock, which went diamond (10 million+ records sold nation wide,) selling, according to one site, 14 million records nation-wide. (www.angelfire.com/music/diamondawards/main.html) It stayed there, at number one in the nation’s top 40, for an unbelievably long time. This is a feat that only a handful of artists can claim, and thus gives me more reason to appreciate their genius. The “Black Album,” as Metallica’s self-titled CD came to be called, is around the thirtieth highest selling record in existence. This, I would say, is their claim to fame, and the first of three number one records in a row, including “The Black Album,” “Load,” and “Re-Load.”51
The two albums following that, “Garage Inc.,” and “S&M,” (San Francisco Symphony and Metallica, ) reached number two, and would be Jason Newsted’s last tow albums with the band. Jason would soon leave for reasons explained in “SKOM,” (Meatllica: Some Kind of Monster,) never to record another album. He explains in SKOM that he felt smothered, unable to play in his side-project, Echobrain, because of the protests of one James Hetfield. He claims another reason for leaving was “For all the physical damage I’ve done to myself over the years while, playing the music I love.”52
I have to wonder if that’s a bad thing, however. Metallica, I assume, now enjoys playing music more, after going through therapy and hiring a new bassist that actually wants to play with them. And now they also know how to talk to each other better, and how to express their emotions better, now that therapy is finished, and James has successfully gone through rehabilitation. 53
Metallica’s latest album, “St. Anger,” also reached number one in more than 30 countries in the first week of its release. (See SKOM.) That makes their fourth number one record with two number two records, and some other lowly chart positions backing that.54
All in all, Metallica has sold over ninety million records world-wide since they started in 1981.( Again, see the band’s documentary, SKOM.) They also have received seven Grammy Awards, and multiple other awards, and may millions upon millions of fans, who, as Lars claims in the “Live Sh*t: Binge and Purge: DVD, “are probably some of the most dedicated fans in the world.” I don’t think I can agree with him more.55
And now, finally, to the point. Why do I love Metallica so much? It is all explained in this biographical essay, yet I will yet again explain myself, anyway.56
For one thing, their complexity in such songs as “Dyer’s Eve” and “Damage Inc.,” is unparalleled. So much so that they just began to play these decade-old songs live on their latest tour. ( The “Madly in Anger With the World Tour.”)57
Another thing is that they are pioneers, rediscovering the long-forgotten genre New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, (or, N.W.O.B.H.M.,) as well as inventing thrash-metal and Cliff’s lead bass technique— Both of which no one else, ever, has been able to duplicate.58
A third thing is that they are the most successful rock band alive. No biggie, there. Besides that, Kirk made the seventh best living guitarist of all time, which, for some, seems a little low, just because he isn’t as famous as the rest. In addition to that, Cliff is considered by many, the best bassist in existence, and Lars is widely regarded as one of the best drummers in existence, making almost all of the top drummer’s lists there are. Besides that, James Hetfield is arguably the best front-men there are, and also an excellent lyric-writer. (www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/junkyard/all_time_greatest_frontmen,html) Together, they make the greatest team in existence. Alone, they possess talent, but when they are in a group, that is where their strong-suit is.59
Some could say The Beatles are excellent composers, and excell at being songwriters, but Metallica has only composed, at least classical music, on one album, “S&M,” and far exceed The Beatles at songwriting. (Where The Beatles write gibberish, and fans blindly follow, Metallica has written such beautiful songs as “Low Man’s Lyric,” and have wonderfully mastered many masterpieces of instrumentals, which include “(Anesthesia)–Pulling Teeth,” “Call of the Ktulu,” (in which Cliff’s lead bass technique shines,) “Orion,” and “To Live is to Die.”) If you said The Beatles could’ve “composed” or written these songs, after listening to them, than quite simply, you would be lying. Also, I find it interesting that there is a parody band called Beatallica, mixing Beatles songs and improving them by putting them to a Metallica beat.60
I think Metallica is better than The Beatles, and every band for that metter, because of their excellent teamwork and unsurpassed complexity. Also, I have seen a lot of bands live in my life, and Metallica blows them all out of the water. They are fantastic, and I highly recommend seeing them, if anyone.61
As far as anyone who argues “they just play one genre, everything of theirs sounds the same.” I do not think these people really have listened to Metallica. They do everything form thrash-metal to rock to even some dabbling with a steel guitar and recording some southern-rock song covers, such as “Tuesday’s Gone,” originally by Lynard Skynard, and the heart-felt beauty revealed in “Mama Said,” along with ballads such as “Nothing Else Matters.”62
For all those reasons and more it is my almost cultish belief and opinion that Metallica is the best there is. Who else could inspire an obsession such as this?63
Adding your comment: