I Like James Hetfield
Updated: 36 minutes ago
Last week, James Hetfield set the internet alight with this quote:
I kind of rolled my eyes. When I think about Metallica, I don't think about love, not at all, but, hey, James Hetfield was feelin' it.
Why is that? Back in the Kill 'Em All days, a Metal band achieving the level of success that Metallica has achieved was unthinkable. Yes, Metallica had subtle political songs, but they also had songs about Sandmen and Sea Monsters.
Metallica was never the Dead Kennedys. NEVER.
If you frame Hetfield and his band as a blue-collar heroes, instead of a Metal Gods, the quote above actually makes a lot of sense.
Editor's Note: Yes, I am that guy. Metallica was the greatest Metal Band in the history of the genre. Then, in 1991, Metallica (and Bob Rock) decided that Metallica was going to transition to a Good Rock band..... in exchange for bags and bags of cash.
Many hardcore Metal Fans consider Slayer the greatest Metal Band of all time, because they were 100 m.p.h. Metal from start to finish.
But, again, in my advanced age, there is no right or wrong answer to a band's evolution, as long as you own it. I like the way James Hetfield carries himself to this day, he a "Man's Man." He created his own path and didn't care if you followed him on his musical journey or not. If you frame the top quote as a man celebrating the fact that he reached the top of his own metaphorical mountain, well, then good for him.
On a professional level, I have been in awe of the Sphere videos of Metallica that have flooded the internet. No other Metal band could have pulled off that level of splendor, while selling out the same venue night after night.
Editor's Note II: What changed our mind about Metallica? Just like many Rock artists, they had a very uneven discography, lots of hits with album filler. (After ....And Justice For All.) But even their Rock hits out-performed many Rock bands of the 90's and 00's. They had over a dozen Top 40 hits from the Black Album forward.
I like James.
I like Robert.
I like Kirk.
A sampling from the Haters:
Or......
You claim Metallica sold out in 2026? Technically they sold out in '91.
Last week, Anthrax, Megadeth, and Kerry King (from Slayer) announced a 2027 Tour.
We never got that Big Four Tour in America.
Editor's Note III: Okay, 2 shows in 2011.
Why? James Hetfield vs. Dave Mustaine, it is that simple.
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