Metallica '96-'03

As most of you know I didn't really get into Met until Load came out. The reasons being was as a Megadeth fanboy I couldn't like Met and also b/c I found them hugely overrated especially compared to the aforementioned mighty Megadeth and other Metal bands of the day like Testament, Anthrax, Overkill, Razor, etc. which is sad in hind sight b/c I didn't give them a chance based upon their own merit, they are actually a very good band.

What makes me like this particular era of the band is that they have some Proto-Metal elements to their music ie. single-note heavy riffs and solos/riffs w/a lot of Blues elements to them. I remember when St. Anger came out I hated it beyond anything else but after watching the 'SKOM' DVD and hearing songs that didn't make the cut I really liked it and a lot of what came out of the Presidio demos (at least what I've heard anyway).

So what are your thoughts?

My opinion now is different than it was at the time.

Load has some good songs on it, Reload does basically nothing for me.

The best way to listen to St. Anger is the rehearsal DVD that came with the original CD release (snare sound less intrusive, Robert on bass instead of Bob Rock).

I refuse to listen to the S&M thing, because the arranger (was) a hack.

Weakest era of the band, some good songs lost amidst alot of uninspired drivel.

Death Magnetic was a definite improvement...and the live concert recordings they've done since show a band "re-discovering" their identity.

I was out of the loop on these guys after the Black Album. No Leaf Clover caught my attention though, I thought that they would go for a more Progmetal sound after the live album and when St. Anger came out I was heavily dissappointed! I felt that they should have explored that sound more with the better production that "Justice" didn't have(You would have been able to hear Jasons bass!), but St. Poop came out instead....



Akeldama, You have a playlist comp of this era, don't you? I'd be interested to see what you have on it.

As far as S & M, I only listen to the studio versions of the 2 "new" songs. I never owned and prolly never will buy Garage Inc. IMO, Lars' drumming was his best on St. Anger, it was more creative and not double bass reliant ad nauseum. I don't remember hearing any double bass. 'Sweet Amber' originally had a little solo that was quite kewl.

Het's vocal delivery during this time was better as well, as was his sense of melody.

When it comes to Metallica, I had pretty much checked out by the self titled. So naturally this era I'm not a fan in the least, BUT my opinion on it is somewhat different now.

Load I hated when it first came out, so much so that when we went to the record store and my buddy bought the cassette on the way home I ejected it after side one ended and threw it out the window. Recently, the Dudster turned me onto a vinyl re-release of it and on checking it out, there's actually some pretty good songs on it.

Reload still carries the value of a regurgitated turd. St. Anger is another one I initally only listened to once, I'm really in no hurry to get back around to it either.

Death Magnetic is a good album, a step in the right direction for a lost band.

As for his singing style, both Hetfield's and Mustaine's vocals during this era are my least favorite from either band. Frankly, them trying to sing the material fucks it up pretty bad in a few cases.

I think you can take the songs off of Load & Re-Load that I like and make a strong, solid album...both are nowhere near as bad as the haters will have you believe. Time has improved the view of the album with many people, but I never thought they were bad...just different.

I completely agree with that statement, with that being said here's my playlist:

Metallica-Shadows Of The Cross ('96-'03)

1. Frantic
2. King Nothing
3. I Disappear
4. Devil's Dance
5. Sweet Amber
6. - Human [Studio Version]
7. Carpe Diem Baby
8. Hero Of The Day
9. Shoot Me Again
10. Wasting My Hate
11. F*** That Smile Off Your Face
12. Fixxxer
13. The Outlaw Torn [Unencumbered By Manufacturing Restrictions Version]
14. St. Anger
15. Unforgiven II
16. No Leaf Clover [Studio Version]
17. Shadows Of The Cross [Amateur Mix]
18. Better Than You
19. Cure
20. Dirty Window

Track 11 Is a 30 second snippet from The Presidio Demos that I cut off of the 'More Than This' demo and gave it the title.

Track 17 is from The Presidio Demos but the version contained therein is an amateur version I found online that was pretty decent that I cut off at the 3:34 mark b/c the editor of the track did some stupid crap with the song afterward.

I originally had 8 songs each from Load/Reload but felt the playlist was too big.

Cool. Now upload it and send me a link.

Shawn D. wrote:

Cool. Now upload it and send me a link.

Of the whole playlist?

yep (all my shit is packed still until tomorrow).

Ok, lemme pm ya real quick...hey, I thought you hated this era?

I don't really "hate" anything anymore, just not overly thrilled with some of it. But I'm interested in listening to these tunes in the context of your playlist.

I actually like some of the tracks on St. Anger; especially Sweet Amber, Frantic, All Within My Hands (which is badass) and Shoot Me Again.

Shawn D. wrote:

Cool. Now upload it and send me a link.

Link sent! Lemme know whatchu think!

Akeldama wrote:

Shawn D. wrote:

Cool. Now upload it and send me a link.

Link sent! Lemme know whatchu think!

Can I get link?

chewie wrote:

Akeldama wrote:

Shawn D. wrote:

Cool. Now upload it and send me a link.

Link sent! Lemme know whatchu think!

Can I get link?

Sure thing mi amigo! I'll try b/c I can only log on w/my phone when I'm not @ work. Check ur pm regularly!

You can post the link in the thread, it's just a playlist, I would consider that "fair use" because we're going to critique your playlist. If anybody asks me to remove the link I will.

Already sent it and I think it went through. We'll see huh Chewie?

too bad you couldn't find demos of those St. Anger tracks, anything would sound better than the actual album. LOL

So far I'd say my opinion is about the same. Still not crazy about Reload (too much mid tempo, try to be bluesy but don't pull it off), St. Anger has some good tunes but the recording makes it unlistenable. I haven't heard some of these songs though, so I'm still hopeful.

It's not your playlist...it's the albums from this era. Too many issues.

I can understand that, and I wish I could find 'Sweet Amber' with the little solo. You can hear it on the SKOM DVD, it's nothing fancy but that's part of the appeal.there's not much to it but a lot of times I'd rather hear solos that aren't filled with a million notes per secong with all the techniques and tricks thrown in. Usually I prefer simpler solos that have more soul and complement the song.

I might try to record the song 'Shadows Of The Cross' myself, programming the drums will be hard and singing it will be to I think. Luckily I have Sonar!

Lars is really what kills those reload tracks. He's just too "white" to pull that groove shit off. You need someone like Frank Beard for that.

Hmmmm...I never thought of Reload like that but now that you point that out I have to agree. Beard would pull that off really well as would Stanton Moore.

Stanton Moore would ANNIHILATE that shit. Easily one of the best drummers on the planet.

Oh yeah, it went through.

My stance on Metallica has pretty well become public knowledge on the other forum, but just in case, here it is in a nutshell:

First three albums = Godhead

Justice = liked it a lot more when it was current than I do now

Black Album = Overrated as hell.

Load, Reload - a couple of decent tracks here and there but a whooooooole lotta filler in between.

St. Anger - Don't even get me started.