The Metallica Paradox.

William_the_Bloody · 07-07-2013, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardc77

Regarding Metallica I always heard lot of people (everywhere) saying things like :“Oh, I was so disappointed when the black album came out” or “I quit buying their records when they sold out with Bob rock” or even ”I stopped listening to them after Master of Puppets”.
So I decided to do some quick research, and I found out a few interesting things.
The first thing is that very few people bought the band’s first three albums when they came out.
When Cliff Burton died in 1986, Metallica hadn’t managed to achieve a single Gold Record …and that’s just 500 thousand copies.
Mostly they didn’t even headline tours back then but they were just a supporting act.
So how is it possible that so many people have this strong nostalgia for the good old early days of Metallica?
It just doesn’t add up.
Second thing, since we are talking about records that came out almost 30 years ago, I really doubt that most people under 40 knew about Metallica when Cliff Burton was still alive regardless of album sales.
Unless they were listening to Ride the lightning in kindergarten.
Cool but improbable.

You equate record sales with greatness. This assumes that the general public has good taste in music, which is not always true. The GP & musical mainstream are usually several years behind on what is going on in the underground, and they usually don't get turned on to a poduct until it has been watered down and made safe. The Black album is a good example of this.

Bob Rock was one of the most prominent glam rock producers of the late 80's & early 90's. It was his job to make a Metallica album that would appeal to the mass market, and he unquestionably succeeded with the Black album, which was far more digestable & poppy in comparision to their previous work.

Before that time, Metallica, and thrash metal in general was intolerable racket that appealed only to dispossessed youth & outsiders. It wasn't until several years later that Master of Puppets began to be recognized as a masterpeice by the mainstream music press, something metalheads had known all along.

So I don't see any paradox.

Ozthemonkey · 07-26-2013, 08:16 PM

i agree with the thread master , 'people' like to 'pretend' like they hated the black album and the albums after that , but the truth is , the black album's probably the first time 'people' heard of metallica
and yeah , 'people' then listen to metallica's old stuff , and love them more , but still , the first impression of metallica to 'people' is the black album

and by the way , 'people' is me

Musicfanatic · 07-31-2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozthemonkey

i agree with the thread master , 'people' like to 'pretend' like they hated the black album and the albums after that , but the truth is , the black album's probably the first time 'people' heard of metallica
and yeah , 'people' then listen to metallica's old stuff , and love them more , but still , the first impression of metallica to 'people' is the black album

and by the way , 'people' is me

I can agree that that had to be the case with some of the fans, but not likely all the fans...

IvanMC · 08-10-2013, 05:49 PM

Is it a sin or am I hugely mistaken to believe that, in my humble opinion, "Kill'em All" is -by far- their best album ever? I'd tell them to lay off recording, since I find each new album of them just an excuse to go on tour.

TheBig3 · 08-10-2013, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvanMC

Is it a sin or am I hugely mistaken to believe that, in my humble opinion, "Kill'em All" is -by far- their best album ever? I'd tell them to lay off recording, since I find each new album of them just an excuse to go on tour.

Why do you think its the best?

Capz1990 · 08-10-2013, 09:17 PM

your opinions your opinion

if you think kill em all is their best album then obviously you like a more raw straightforward style of metal

Capz1990 · 08-10-2013, 09:18 PM

overall my favorite album would have to be ride the lightning

IvanMC · 08-11-2013, 12:39 AM

You're right; Kill'em All is a straightforward style of metal, and it's totally raw. Perfect definition: succinct and to the point. Well, I certainly love its being raw, but in general I don't enjoy a straightforward style of hard rock or metal. Seriously, you've left me thinking... Kill'em All is definitely my exception to the rule: it's undoubtely my favourite Metallica album, followed by M. of Puppets and then by Ride the L. Maybe it's that I really like Mustaine's music, and "Kill'em All" is full of it.

Dr. Boo Bear · 08-14-2013, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardc77

Regarding Metallica I always heard lot of people (everywhere) saying things like :“Oh, I was so disappointed when the black album came out” or “I quit buying their records when they sold out with Bob rock” or even ”I stopped listening to them after Master of Puppets”.
So I decided to do some quick research, and I found out a few interesting things.
The first thing is that very few people bought the band’s first three albums when they came out.
When Cliff Burton died in 1986, Metallica hadn’t managed to achieve a single Gold Record …and that’s just 500 thousand copies.
Mostly they didn’t even headline tours back then but they were just a supporting act.
So how is it possible that so many people have this strong nostalgia for the good old early days of Metallica?
It just doesn’t add up.
Second thing, since we are talking about records that came out almost 30 years ago, I really doubt that most people under 40 knew about Metallica when Cliff Burton was still alive regardless of album sales.
Unless they were listening to Ride the lightning in kindergarten.
Cool but improbable.

I had heard of Metallica prior to Master of Puppets. I had Ride the Lightning on cassette. I picked it up in a music store on a whim. I enjoyed it to a degree, but I was never a huge fan. I do know that there was a huge buzz about Metallica around town prior to Burton's death. I quit listening after Justice. It wasn't so much that I thought they had sold-out. I just wasn't interested in that kind of music anymore. I had moved on to other styles. I have revisited their catalog recently and I found that they really peaked on Master, IMO. Justice is pretty bad. Too much cocaine, money, grief, and booze.

07-26-2013, 08:16 PM	#82 (permalink)
Ozthemonkey Groupie Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 21	i agree with the thread master , 'people' like to 'pretend' like they hated the black album and the albums after that , but the truth is , the black album's probably the first time 'people' heard of metallica and yeah , 'people' then listen to metallica's old stuff , and love them more , but still , the first impression of metallica to 'people' is the black album and by the way , 'people' is me

08-10-2013, 05:49 PM	#84 (permalink)
IvanMC Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 258	Is it a sin or am I hugely mistaken to believe that, in my humble opinion, "Kill'em All" is -by far- their best album ever? I'd tell them to lay off recording, since I find each new album of them just an excuse to go on tour.

08-10-2013, 09:17 PM	#86 (permalink)
Capz1990 Groupie Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 40	your opinions your opinion if you think kill em all is their best album then obviously you like a more raw straightforward style of metal

08-10-2013, 09:18 PM	#87 (permalink)
Capz1990 Groupie Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 40	overall my favorite album would have to be ride the lightning

08-11-2013, 12:39 AM	#88 (permalink)
IvanMC Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 258	You're right; Kill'em All is a straightforward style of metal, and it's totally raw. Perfect definition: succinct and to the point. Well, I certainly love its being raw, but in general I don't enjoy a straightforward style of hard rock or metal. Seriously, you've left me thinking... Kill'em All is definitely my exception to the rule: it's undoubtely my favourite Metallica album, followed by M. of Puppets and then by Ride the L. Maybe it's that I really like Mustaine's music, and "Kill'em All" is full of it.