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3/5 Head Bangs

GET THRASHED is a journey that begins in the early 80s, where Metallica and several other bands laid the groundwork for what would become a lasting impression on the face of heavy metal music. I came across this DVD at my local blockbuster and was excited to watch it. I do not consider myself a huge metal fan. However, I have enjoyed my fair share of thrash metal songs and thrash metal influenced songs.

The documentary does a great job capturing the rise of the thrash metal scene in LA, San Francisco, New York and Germany respectively. It was very interesting to learn more about the thrash metal culture. We have all seen the guy with the jean vest jacket over the black shirt with his favorite bands etched in the jacket. This guy has long hair and refers to 99% of music as “pussy music”. The exploration of this culture revealed a certain surprising intimacy level that all these people share.

I also enjoyed learning about the serious commitment many of these bands had to their music. With the exception of Metallica, no other trash metal band really had the kind of success that allowed them to retire in their mansions. These are true touring “road warriors” that really loved their fans and vice versa. Some pretty cool stuff. I would recommend this documentary to just about any guy and even a couple of tough girls.

I’m very curious about the new Metallica album Death Magnetic. I mean it has been 17 years by my count since they let out a solid album (can you believe the black album is 17 years old!). They are working with Rick Rubin who knows a thing or two about making not just a good metal album but a classic metal album (see Slayer’s Reign in Blood). Rubin just seems to have a knack for reviving artist careers.

This is the first bit that has “leaked” from the new album. This was obviously done strategically to build interest. They knew this thing would run all over the internet when they played it live.

I’m not in love with the song but there is some promise here. The first half of the song has some nice riffs and jams pretty good. They are going with the old school formula a nice long song with some time and pace changes in it (see master of puppets & ride the lightening). For me the problem comes in during the second half of the song. Their time changes to me just don’t seem to mesh well. Especially in the shadow of other metal bands that have mastered the art of quick and sharp changes without having to slow down their tempo. I’m not a metal master by any stretch of the means but Meshuggah and Mastodon both could teach them a thing or two about making those changes a little cleaner and making them feel less forced. The old Metallica songs were capable of moving without that forced feeling.

That said maybe this album has a little hope. Maybe the once great ‘Tallica can make a come back. I’m interested to hear the album but i doubt i’ll pay money for it. Suck my balls Lars… Two Times!!

So everyone knows the New Metallica album is coming out and it is being produced by none other then the Rick Rubin AKA Rick “I will recreate your career” Rubin. The above is the new album cover for their forthcoming album  Death Magnetic. Not to be confused by the Eternal Decision album that was leaked as the new album on the internet back in January, but that is another post all in itself!

Seriously though take a look and tell me what you think it looks like. I know what came to my mind when i saw it but perhaps my mind was just in the wrong spot. I’ll hold off on what my orginal thought was when i first saw it until a couple others have a chance to chime in.

Of course all of this is inspired by my love for the Watchmen character Rorschach!