I will do my best not to make this a novel...
I am an 'old school' Metallica fan. Been with them from the very get-go. As proof and bragging rights, I submit the following image...
I just saw the 'MTV Icon' extravaganza (I know, re-run), and have a few observations and comments I'd like to get off my chest...
I saw them before anyone could pronounce their name. Shook Cliff Burton's hand, met everyone at Monsters of Rock due to winning (total fluke) a radio contest (also met Van Halen and won a custom Kramer Baretta Guitar!) and have basically breathed, eaten, slept and lived Metallica until the post-Black Album era. I began to feel some distance being created by them with their true and loyal fans and they were riding the mainstream wave a little too comfortibly for my tastes. When you see them play in a theater that holds 300 people topps ripping through Ride the Lightning and not turning it into a 'medley', that tends to happen. They had always been the unspoken 'best' band for me, seemed too obvious a choice to come out and admit. It also goaded others to say, 'What about Metallica?' to which I would respond, 'Who?' and then go into my broad, obscure knowledge and pull out a 'Spastic Children' reference... I mourn the loss of Cliff and embraced Jason and his former band (Flotsam & Jetsam - still staying true to their metal calling btw).
side note: Jason worked with a guy I went to college with at a music (instrument) shop in Arizona. The guy said that Jason found out about the audition right before he played a gig with Flotsam and he smashed his base into toothpicks at the end of the show. The next day my buddy went to work and his boss was fired up. Jason had taken the best bass in the shop and was headed to try out for Metallica. All he left was a note with an IOU. The boss stated that Jason would never amount to anything and he was out several hundred dollars for the bass he had taken. Several months passed and again my buddy went to work and his boss was happy beyond words. A certified check from Electra records had arrived in the amount of the cost of the bass Jason had taken. The boss simply stated that he knew all along Jason had what it took!
So they initiate Jason from the start and never let up. No real creative input and him being forbidden from doing side projects laid pavement for his way out. I will miss him as a Metallica member. He was there endless source of youthful energy. I will embrace Voi-Vod openly in support of his ability and ultimate coolness.
Now I am a little confused and torn and do not know what to think. I really like Robert Trujillo as a choice for the new bassist. Most know him from Ozzy, but those of us with some years in the pit know he tore it up with Suicidal Tendencies long before that.
Metallica opens with 'Hit the Lights' and I am blown away they are revisiting that and starting to get impressed and excited again about them until... 'Medley'. I'm watching all these audience members trying to grove and as soon as they are on track, it's another song visited briefly. I cannot stomach that at all. Give it all to us, or shut up!!! I am very disappointed when they begin to play something new. It actually sounds like they are playing something that relates to their roots and has that modern, catchy edge and flavor to it. They are doing what I have been imploring them to do as a fan and silently waiting, uncritical and observant for it to happen. I do not bash them ever. I have been silent for a long time about them. This is the first I have spoken of my views and opinions about them since the post-Black Album era. I was not impressed, but just waiting because my faith they would come around and pay tribute to where they began and mix that in with their new ideas and talent and egos.
Do I get excited? Or am I setting myself up for disappointment? Torn. I want to believe, but cannot until I hear it with my own ears.
Just needed to do that. thanks for listening and respond if you will.
Also want to let the world know that Anthrax has a new CD and it rips! The wait was worth it. They are back with a vengence and I think it is going to pave the way for that 'old school' thrash and heavy mentality to make it back into the mix of the modern sound. Scott Ian is again the wizard of the riff. Charlie Benante tears the wall out with his 'is that really possible' drumming, and John Bush is a scathing and hardcore as ever! Been his fan since I saw Armored Saint with Metallica (see above stub).
Anyway, if you like heavy and 1980's thrash/death, then I like you. I have a long list of great and obscure music you should hear if you haven't that I will post sometime soon. I saw it come and blow the hair off the poser bands. I have been an underground fan and listened to it still kick my head in without any publicity or airplay when everyone thought it had died, and now I am hear to say, it never went away. Some bands died out, some lost sight of their identity for awhile and others kept gritting their teeth and filling smalls clubs while they waited for it to rear it's head again. Respect is what these blue collar, anti-hairspray and true-core metal musicians have earned from me and I hope soem of you as well...
