Metallica SUCKS!

[Sen. Volstead]

hijinks at UTARLG.UTA.EDU wrote:

> Metallica's music is mostly just uninteresting to me. But it should
> be noted that these "dreadfully uncommercial moves" are nothing less than
> a duplication of what all those 70s superstars did on their "solo"
> projects. You know, in the name of 'artistic growth.' Since Metallica
> predicated itself, at least early on, as being a reaction against 70s
> excesses, it only stands to reason that, like a child who reacts against
> his mother or father too much and then as an adult becomes just like them,
> Metallica has turned into one of the purest examples of egotistical,
> excessive 70s-ness. Much more so than all those other 70s influenced
> bands, like on the MansRuin label, who mix their 70s with a 90s edge and a
> new millennial ironic-but-serious sensibility. So, maybe its not quite
> 'selling out,' but it certainly seems to lack much aesthetic credibility.
>
> just an observation,
> thomas
>
> On Tue, 25 Apr 2000, Andy Gilham wrote:
>
> >  I hardly think they've sold out, when they've been guilty of some
> > dreadfully uncommercial moves (wearing makeup, ditching their logo, an album
> > of covers by 70s acts, Hetfield's alt-country tendencies, a fucking
> > *orchestral* album!, etc).  Lars is given to pretension, but he always has
> > been.  Heavy metal drummer in articulacy shock.
> >

    Another fact is the sudden rise in their popularity following their image
change, which was intentionally suited for a pop/alternative audience. I knew very
few Metallica fans back when I was really into them from, say, 1991-95. It's my
impression at least that most of their fans now are unfamiliar with anyththing
before Load (and Enter Sandman), and had never heard of the band itself until
their publicity crusade several years ago.
    Exactly what pisses me off, I think, is that Metallica now belongs to a
larger, more vaccuous consumer population whose tastes are only the whim of the
higher forces of commerce.
    Thinking about it now I guess it isn't even selling out, since they've never
been above teen-angst/aggression in the first place. They've simply swithced to an
easier audience.