Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt. 12)

Lulu and tenth studio album (2011–present)

On June 15, 2011, Metallica announced that recording sessions with singer-songwriter Lou Reed had concluded. The album, titled Lulu was recorded over several months, and resulted in ten songs based on Frank Wedekind’s “Lulu” plays, Earth Spirit and Pandora’s Box. The album was released on October 31, 2011.

On October 16, 2011, Robert Trujillo confirmed that the band was back in the studio and writing new material, stating “The writing process for the new Metallica album has begun. We’ve been in the studio with Rick Rubin, working on a couple of things, and we’re going to be recording during the most of next year.”

Metallica were due to make their first appearance in India at the “India Rocks” concert, supporting the 2011 Indian Grand Prix. However, the concert was cancelled when the venue was proven unsafe. Fans raided the stage during the event and the organizers were later arrested for fraud. Metallica later made their Indian debut in Bangalore on October 30, 2011. On November 10, it was announced that Metallica would play at the Download Festival at Donington Park, England, headlining the main stage on Saturday June 9, 2012, and that they would be playing the The Black Album in its entirety.

From December 2011, Metallica began releasing songs online that were written for Death Magnetic, but were not present on the final album. On December 13, 2011 they were released on Beyond Magnetic, a digital EP release only on iTunes.

Also in December Metallica celebrated its 30 year anniversary by playing 4 shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco. The shows were exclusive only to Met Club members and tickets were only being charged at $6 (or 19.81 for all 4 nights). The shows consisted of songs spanning their entire career and guest appearances by multiple artist that either helped or influenced Metallica. These shows were notable for having Dave Mustaine, Jason Newsted, Glenn Danzig, Ozzy Osbourne, Apocalyptica, members of Diamond Head, King Diamond among others join Metallica on stage for all appropriate songs.

On February 7th 2012, Metallica announced that they were going to start a new music festival call “Orion Music + More”, which will take place on June 23rd and 24th 2012 in Atlantic City.Metallica also confirmed that they will also headline the festival on both days and will perform two of their most critically acclaimed albums in their entirety: their 1991 eponymous fifth release (“The Black Album”) on one night and 1984′s Ride the Lightning the other.So far 16 metal and rock bands are slated to perform at Orion which includes Avenged Sevenfold, Arctic Monkeys, Fucked Up, The Sword and others.

Style and lyrical themes

Metallica is influenced by early heavy metal and hard rock bands such as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, and Scorpions, New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands such as Venom, Motörhead, Diamond Head, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden, as well as early punk rock bands such as the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, and the Misfits. Early Metallica releases contained fast tempos, harmonized leads, and nine-minute instrumentals. Steve Huey of Allmusic said that Ride the Lightning featured “extended, progressive epics; tight, concise groove-rockers”. Huey felt Metallica expanded its compositional technique and range of expression to take on a more aggressive approach in following releases, and lyrics dealt with more personal and socially conscious issues. Lyrical themes explored on Master of Puppets included religious and military leaders, rage, insanity, monsters, and drugs.

In 1991, with new producer Bob Rock, Huey felt Metallica simplified and streamlined its music for a more commercial approach to appeal to the mainstream audience. The band abandoned its aggressive, fast tempos to expand its music and expressive range, said Robert Palmer of Rolling Stone. The change in direction proved commercially successful as Metallica was the band’s first album to peak at number one on the Billboard 200. Metallica noticed changes to the rock scene created by the grunge movement of the early 1990s. In Load (an album that has been described as “an almost alternative rock” approach), the band focused on non-metal influences and changed musical direction. Moving away from lyrical themes dealing with drugs and monsters, Metallica’s new lyrical approach focused on anger, loss, and retribution. Some fans and critics were not pleased with this change, which included haircuts, the cover of Load, and headlining the alternative rock concert Lollapalooza. David Fricke of Rolling Stone described the move as “goodbye to the moldy stricture and dead-end Puritanism of no-frills thrash” and called Load the heaviest record of 1996. With the release of ReLoad in 1997, the band displayed more blues and early hard rock influences, incorporating more rhythm and harmony in song structures.

St. Anger marked another large change in the band’s sound. Guitar solos were excluded from the album, leaving a “raw and unpolished sound”. The band used drop C tuning, and Ulrich’s snare drum received particular criticism. New York Magazine’s Ethan Brown noted it “reverberates with a thwong”. Lyrics on the album dealt with Hetfield’s stint in rehab, including references to the devil, anti-drug themes, claustrophobia, impending doom, and religious hypocrisy. At the advice of producer Rick Rubin, for its ninth studio album, Death Magnetic, the band returned to E tuning (though all songs were tuned half step down live) and guitar solos, and adapted Middle Eastern influences.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt. 11)

On November 26, 2010, Metallica released another live EP, titled Live at Grimey’s, which was recorded in June 2008 at Grimey’s Record Store, just prior to its appearance at Bonnaroo that year.

In a June 2009 interview with Italy’s Rock TV, Ulrich stated that Metallica was planning to continue touring through August 2010, stating there were no plans for a tenth album, but was sure that they would collaborate with producer Rick Rubin again. According to Blabbermouth.net, the band may start thinking about recording their next album in the second half of 2011. In a November 2010 interview with The Pulse of Radio, Ulrich stated that Metallica wants to get back to writing again for 2011. Ulrich stated: “There’s a bunch of balls in the air for 2011, but I think the main one is we really want to get back to writing again. We haven’t really written since, what, ’06, ’07, and we want to get back to kind of just being creative again. Right now we are going to just chill out and then probably start up again in, I’d say, March or April, and start probably putting the creative cap back on and start writing some songs.” In an interview at the April 2011 Big Four concert, bassist Robert Trujillo said that Metallica will work with Rick Rubin again as the producer for the new album and were “really excited to write some new music. There’s no shortage of riffage in Metallica world right now.” He also added, “The first album with Rick was also the first album for me, so in a lot of ways, you’re kind of testing the water. Now that we’re comfortable with Rick and his incredible engineer, Greg Fidelman, who worked with Slayer, actually, on this last record – it’s my hero – it’s a great team. And it’s only gonna better; I really believe that. So I’m super-excited.” As of June 2011, according to Rubin, Metallica has begun writing their new album.

On November 9, 2010, Metallica announced that it would be headlining the Rock in Rio, in Rio de Janeiro, on September 25, 2011. On December 13, 2010, the band announced that it would once again play as part of the “big four” during the Sonisphere Festival U.K., on July 8, 2011. It was the first time all of the “big four” members played on the same stage in the United Kingdom. The performance took place at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire. On December 17, 2010, Another “big four” Sonisphere performance was announced that would take place in France on July 9. On January 25, 2011, another “big four” performance was announced in the United States. It took place on April 23, 2011 in Indio, California at the Empire Polo Club. It was the only scheduled concert in the United States, it was also the first time all of the “big four” members played on the same stage in the United States. On February 17, 2011, another show was announced in Europe. The performance took place in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on July 2, 2011. On February 22, another “big four” show was announced, also in Europe. It took place in Milan, Italy on July 6, 2011. On March 2, 2011, again another “big four” concert was announced, which took place in Gothenburg, Sweden on July 3, 2011 at the Ullevi Stadion.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt. 10)

Death Magnetic debuted at number one in the United States selling 490,000 units with Metallica becoming the first band to have five consecutive studio albums debut at number one in the history of the Billboard 200. After a week of its release, Death Magnetic remained at number one on the Billboard 200, the European album chart, and became the fastest selling album in Australia for 2008.

Death Magnetic remained at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart for three consecutive weeks. Metallica was one of two artists, along with Jack Johnson with the release of the album Sleep Through the Static, to remain on the Billboard 200 for three consecutive weeks at number one in 2008. Death Magnetic had also remained at number one on Billboard’s Hard Rock, Modern Rock/Alternative and Rock album charts for five consecutive weeks. Internationally, the album reached number one in 32 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

In November 2008, Metallica came to the end of its record deal with Warner Bros., and the band is now considering its options for the future and, according to Ulrich, one of the band’s options is to release its next album through the internet.

On January 14, 2009, it was announced that Metallica would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009, and that former bassist Jason Newsted (who left the band in 2001), would perform with the band at the ceremony. Initially, it was announced that the matter had been discussed, and that bassist Trujillo had agreed not to play, as he “wanted to see the Black Album band”. However, during the band’s set of “Master of Puppets” and “Enter Sandman”, both Trujillo and Newsted were on stage. Ray Burton, father of the late Cliff Burton, accepted the honor on his behalf. Although he was not to be inducted with them, Metallica also invited Dave Mustaine to take part in the induction ceremony. Mustaine declined however, citing his touring commitments in Europe.

Metallica, along with Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax, performed on the same bill for the first time on June 16, 2010 at Bemowo Airport (Warsaw, Poland). It was the first performance of that bands played as a part of Sonisphere Festival series, one of the following (Sofia, Bulgaria, June 22, 2010) was sent via satellite in HD to cinemas. They also went on to play in Bucharest, Romania (June 26, 2010) and then in Istanbul, Turkey (June 27, 2010) also as part of the Sonisphere Festival. On June 28, 2010, Death Magnetic was certified 2X platinum by the RIAA.

The band’s World Magnetic Tour ended on November 21, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. The band had been touring for over two years in support of Death Magnetic. To go with its final tour dates in Australia and New Zealand, a live limited edition EP of past performances in Australia was released called Six Feet Down Under. The EP was also followed by Six Feet Down Under (Part II), which was released on November 12, 2010. Part 2 contains a further 8 songs recorded during the first two Oceanic Legs of the World Magnetic Tour.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt. 9)

In June 2003, Metallica’s eighth studio album, St. Anger, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and drew mixed reactions from critics. Ulrich’s “steely” sounding snare drum, and the absence of guitar solos received particular criticism. Kevin Forest Moreau of Shakingthrough.net commented that “the guitars stumble in a monotone of mid-level, processed rattle; the drums don’t propel as much as struggle to disguise an all-too-turgid pace; and the rage is both unfocused and leavened with too much narcissistic navel-gazing”, and Brent DiCrescenzo of Pitchfork Media described it as “an utter mess”. However, Blender magazine called it the “grimiest and grimmest of the band’s Bob Rock productions”, and New York Magazine called it “utterly raw and rocking”. The title track, “St. Anger”, won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2004, and was used as the official theme song for WWE’s SummerSlam 2003.[65]

Before the band’s set at the 2004 Download Festival in England, Ulrich was rushed to the hospital after having an anxiety seizure, and was unable to perform. Hetfield searched for volunteers at the last minute to replace Ulrich. Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, and Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison volunteered. Lombardo performed the songs “Battery” and “The Four Horsemen”, Ulrich’s drum technician Flemming Larsen performed “Fade to Black”, with Jordison performing the remainder of the set. Having toured for two years in support of St. Anger on the Summer Sanitarium Tour 2003 and the Madly in Anger with the World Tour, with multi-platinum rockers Godsmack in support, Metallica took a break from performing and spent most of 2005 with friends and family. However, for two shows on November 13, 2005, and November 15, 2005, Metallica opened for The Rolling Stones at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Death Magnetic (2006–2011)

In December 2006, Metallica released a DVD containing all the music videos from 1989 to 2004. The DVD, titled The Videos 1989–2004, sold 28,000 copies in its first week, and entered the Billboard Top Videos chart at number three. Metallica recorded a cover of Ennio Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold” for a tribute album titled We All Love Ennio Morricone, released in February 2007. The cover received a Grammy nomination at the 50th Grammy Awards for the category “Best Rock Instrumental Performance”. A recording of “The Ecstasy of Gold” has been played as the introduction for Metallica performances since the 1980s. However, this new version features the band itself performing the piece, giving a new guitar-based interpretation to the music.

In 2006, Metallica announced on its official website that after 15 years, long-time producer Bob Rock would not be producing Metallica’s next studio album. The band chose to work with producer Rick Rubin. Metallica scheduled the release date for Death Magnetic as September 12, 2008, and the band filmed a music video for the album’s first single “The Day That Never Comes”.

On September 2, 2008, a French record store began selling copies of Death Magnetic nearly two weeks ahead of its scheduled worldwide release date, which resulted in the album being made available on peer-to-peer clients. This prompted the band’s United Kingdom distributor, Vertigo Records, to officially release the album two days ahead of schedule, on September 10, 2008. Rumors of Metallica or Warner Bros. taking any legal action against the retailer were unconfirmed, though drummer Lars Ulrich made such responses to the leak as, “…We’re ten days from release. I mean, from here, we’re golden. If this thing leaks all over the world today or tomorrow, happy days. Happy days. Trust me,” and, “By 2008 standards, that’s a victory. If you’d told me six months ago that our record wouldn’t leak until 10 days out, I would have signed up for that.”

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt. 8)

Newsted’s departure and St. Anger (2001–2005)

As plans were being made to enter the recording studio, Newsted left the band on January 17, 2001. His statement revealed his departure was based on “private and personal reasons, and the physical damage I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love.” During a Playboy interview with Metallica, Newsted revealed intentions he wanted to release an album with his side project, Echobrain. Hetfield was against the idea and said, “When someone does a side project, it takes away from the strength of Metallica” and a side project is “like cheating on your wife in a way”. Newsted countered his statement by saying Hetfield recorded vocals for a song in the film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, and appears on two Corrosion of Conformity albums. Hetfield replied, “My name isn’t on those records. And I’m not out trying to sell them”, and pondered questions such as, “Where would it end? Does he start touring with it? Does he sell shirts? Is it his band?”

Robert Trujillo was announced as Metallica’s new bassist on February 24, 2003

In April 2001, filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky began following Metallica to document the recording process of the next studio album. Over two years, more than 1,000 hours of footage was recorded. On July 19, 2001, before preparations to enter the recording studio, Hetfield entered rehab due to “alcoholism and other addictions”. All recording plans were put on hiatus and the band’s future was in doubt. Hetfield left rehab on December 4, 2001, and the band returned to the recording studio on April 12, 2002, though Hetfield was required to limit his work to four hours a day, noon to 4 pm, and spend the rest of his time with his family. The footage recorded by Berlinger and Sinofsky was compiled into the documentary, Some Kind of Monster, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, 2004. In the documentary, Newsted described his former bandmates’ decision to hire a therapist to help solve their problems which he felt they could have solved on their own as “really fucking lame and weak”.

For the duration of the recording period, producer Bob Rock played bass, both on the album and for the few live shows at which Metallica performed during that time frame. Once the record was completed, in early 2003, the band started to hold auditions for Newsted’s permanent replacement. Bassists that auditioned included Pepper Keenan, Jeordie White, Scott Reeder, Eric Avery, Danny Lohner, and Chris Wyse. Following three months of auditions, Robert Trujillo, formerly of Suicidal Tendencies and Ozzy Osbourne’s band, was chosen as the new bassist. As Metallica moved on, Newsted joined Canadian thrash metal band Voivod in 2002, and was Trujillo’s replacement in Osbourne’s band during the 2003 Ozzfest tour, which included Voivod as part of the touring bill.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt. 7)

Napster controversy (2000–2001)

In 2000, Metallica discovered that a demo of its song “I Disappear”, which was supposed to be released in combination with the Mission: Impossible II soundtrack, was receiving radio airplay. Tracing the source of the leak, the band found the file on the Napster peer-to-peer file-sharing network, and also found that the band’s entire catalogue was freely available.[49] Legal action was initiated against Napster with Metallica filing a lawsuit at the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, alleging that Napster violated three areas of the law: copyright infringement, unlawful use of digital audio interface device, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

Though the lawsuit named three universities for copyright infringement, the University of Southern California, Yale University, and Indiana University, no individuals were named. Yale and Indiana complied and blocked the service from its campuses, and Metallica withdrew the universities’ inclusion in the lawsuit. USC, however, had a meeting with students to decide what was going to happen with Napster. School administrators wanted it banned as its usage accounted for 40% of the bandwidth not being used for educational purposes.

Metallica hired online consulting firm NetPD to monitor the Napster service for a weekend. A list of 335,435 Napster users who were believed to be sharing Metallica’s music was compiled, and the 60,000 page document was delivered to Napster’s office as Metallica requested the users be banned from the service. The users were banned, and rap artist Dr. Dre joined the lawsuit against Napster, which resulted in an additional 230,142 Napster users banned.

Ulrich provided a statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding copyright infringement on July 11, 2000. Federal Judge Marilyn Hall Patel ordered the site place a filter on the program in 72 hours or be shut down. A settlement was reached between Metallica and Napster when German media conglomerate Bertelsmann BMG showed interest to purchase the rights to Napster for $94 million. Under the terms of settlement, Napster agreed to block users who shared music by artists who do not want their music shared. However, on June 3, 2002 Napster filed for Chapter 11 protection under U.S. bankruptcy laws. On September 3, 2002, an American bankruptcy judge blocked the sale to Bertelsmann and forced Napster to liquidate its assets according to Chapter 7 of the U.S. bankruptcy laws.

At the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, Ulrich appeared in a skit with host Marlon Wayans that blasted the idea of using Napster to share music. Marlon played a college student sitting in his dorm room listening to Metallica’s “I Disappear”. Ulrich walked in and asked for an explanation. On receiving Wayans’ excuse that using Napster was just “sharing”, Ulrich retorted that Marlon’s idea of sharing was “borrowing things that were not yours without asking.” He called in the Metallica road crew, who proceeded to confiscate all of Wayans’ belongings, leaving him almost nude in an empty room. Napster creator Shawn Fanning responded later in the ceremony by presenting an award wearing a Metallica shirt, saying, “I borrowed this shirt from a friend. Maybe, if I like it, I’ll buy one of my own.”

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt. 6)

Load, ReLoad, Garage Inc., and S&M (1994–1999)

After almost three years of touring to support Metallica, including a headlining performance at Woodstock ’94, Metallica returned to the studio to write and record its sixth studio album. The band went on a brief hiatus in the summer of 1994 and played three outdoor shows which included headlining Donington Park in the United Kingdom, supported by Slayer, Skid Row, Slash’s Snakepit, Therapy?, and Corrosion of Conformity. The short tour was titled Escape from the Studio ’95. The band spent roughly one year writing and recording new songs, resulting in the release of Load in 1996, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and ARIA Charts, marking the band’s second number one. The cover of Load was created by Andres Serrano, and was called Blood and Semen III. Serrano pressed a mixture of his own semen and bovine blood between sheets of plexiglass. The release marked a change in musical direction for the band and a new image with band members receiving haircuts. Metallica headlined the alternative rock festival Lollapalooza in the summer of 1996.

During early production of the album, the band had produced enough material for a double album. It was decided that half of the songs were to be released, and the band would continue to work on the remaining songs and release them the following year. This resulted in the follow-up album, ReLoad. The cover was created by Serrano, this time using a mixture of blood and urine. ReLoad debuted number one on the Billboard 200, and reached number two on the Top Canadian Album chart. Hetfield noted in the 2004 documentary film Some Kind of Monster that some of the songs on these albums were initially thought by the band to be of average quality, and were “polished and reworked” until judged to be releasable. To promote ReLoad, Metallica performed on NBC’s Saturday Night Live in December 1997, performing “Fuel” and “The Memory Remains” with Marianne Faithfull.

In 1998, Metallica compiled a double album of cover songs titled Garage Inc. The first disc contained newly recorded covers of songs by bands such as Diamond Head, Killing Joke, The Misfits, Thin Lizzy, Mercyful Fate, and Black Sabbath. The second disc featured the original The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited, which had become a scarce collectors’ item. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number two.

On April 21 and April 22, 1999, Metallica recorded two performances with the San Francisco Symphony orchestra conducted by Michael Kamen. Kamen, who had previously worked with producer Rock on “Nothing Else Matters”, approached the band in 1991 with the idea of pairing Metallica’s music with a symphony orchestra. Kamen and his staff of over 100 composed additional orchestral material for Metallica songs. Metallica wrote two new Kamen-scored songs for the event, “No Leaf Clover” and “-Human”. The audio recording and concert footage were released in 1999 as the album and concert film S&M. It entered the Billboard 200 at number two, and the Australian ARIA charts and Top Internet Albums chart at number one.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt. 5)

In 1989, Metallica received its first Grammy Award nomination for …And Justice for All, in the new Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrument category. Metallica was the favorite to win; however, the award was given to Jethro Tull for the album Crest of a Knave. The result generated controversy among fans and the press, as Metallica was standing off-stage waiting to receive the award after performing the song “One”. Jethro Tull had been advised by its manager not to attend the ceremony as he was expecting Metallica to win. The award was named in Entertainment Weekly’s “Grammy’s 10 Biggest Upsets”.

Following the release of …And Justice for All, Metallica released its debut music video for the song “One”. The band performed the song in an abandoned warehouse, and footage was remixed with the film, Johnny Got His Gun. Rather than organize an ongoing licensing deal, Metallica purchased the rights to the film. The remixed video was submitted to MTV, with the alternate performance-only version held back in the event that MTV banned the remix version. MTV accepted the remix version, and the video was viewers’ first exposure to Metallica. It was voted number 38 in 1999 when MTV aired its “Top 100 Videos of All Time” countdown, and was featured in the network’s 25th Anniversary edition of ADD Video, which showcased the most popular videos on MTV in the last 25 years.

Metallica (1990–1993)

In October 1990, Metallica entered One on One studio in North Hollywood to record its next album. Bob Rock, who had worked with the bands such as Aerosmith, The Cult, Bon Jovi, and Mötley Crüe, was hired as the producer. Metallica (also known as The Black Album) was remixed three times, cost US$1 million, and ended three marriages. Although the release was stalled until 1991, Metallica debuted at number one in ten countries, selling 650,000 units in the United States during its first week. The album was responsible for bringing Metallica to the attention of the mainstream and has been certified 15 times platinum in the United States, which makes it the 25th best-selling album in the country. The making of Metallica and the following tour was documented in A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica. Dubbed the Wherever We May Roam Tour, it lasted 14 months and included dates in the United States, Japan, and the UK. In April 1992, Metallica appeared at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, performing a three-song set. Hetfield later performed “Stone Cold Crazy” with the remaining members of Queen and Tony Iommi.

On August 8, 1992, during the co-headlining Guns N’ Roses/Metallica Stadium Tour with Guns N’ Roses, Hetfield suffered second and third degree burns to his arms, face, hands, and legs. There was confusion with the new pyrotechnics setup, which resulted with Hetfield walking into a 12-foot (3.7 m) flame during “Fade to Black”. Newsted recalls that Hetfield’s skin was “bubbling like on The Toxic Avenger”. Guitar technician John Marshall, who had previously filled in on rhythm guitar and was now playing in Metal Church, replaced Hetfield for the remainder of the tour as Hetfield was unable to play guitar, although he was able to sing. Later in 1993, Metallica went on the Nowhere Else to Roam Tour, playing five shows in Mexico City. The band’s first box set was released in November 1993 called Live Shit: Binge & Purge. The collection contained three live CDs, three home videos, and a book filled with riders and letters.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt. 4)

Burton’s death and Garage Days Re-Revisited (1986–1987)

On September 27, 1986, during the European leg of Metallica’s Damage, Inc. Tour, members drew cards to see which bunk of the tour bus they would sleep in. Burton won and chose to sleep in Hammett’s bunk. Around dawn near Dörarp, Sweden, the bus driver lost control and skidded, which caused the bus to flip several times. Ulrich, Hammett, and Hetfield sustained no serious injuries; however, bassist Burton was pinned under the bus and was killed. Hetfield recalls, “I saw the bus lying right on him. I saw his legs sticking out. I freaked. The bus driver, I recall, was trying to yank the blanket out from under him to use for other people. I just went, ‘Don’t fucking do that!’ I already wanted to kill the [bus driver]. I don’t know if he was drunk or if he hit some ice. All I knew was, he was driving and Cliff wasn’t alive anymore.” Burton’s death left Metallica’s future in doubt. The three remaining members decided that Burton would want them to carry on, and with the Burton family’s blessings, the band sought a replacement.

Roughly 40 people tried out for auditions including Hammett’s childhood friend, Les Claypool of Primus, Troy Gregory of Prong, and Jason Newsted, formerly of Flotsam and Jetsam. Newsted learned Metallica’s entire setlist, and after the audition Metallica invited him to Tommy’s Joynt in San Francisco. Hetfield, Ulrich, and Hammett decided that Newsted was the one to replace Burton, and Newsted’s first live performance with Metallica was at the Country Club in Reseda, California. The members took it on themselves to “initiate” Newsted by tricking him into eating a ball of wasabi.

After Newsted joined Metallica, the band left its El Cerrito practice space (dubbed “the Metalli-mansion”, a suburban house formerly rented by sound engineer Mark Whitaker) and relocated to the adjacent cities of Berkeley and Albany before eventually settling in the Marin County city of San Rafael, North of San Francisco.

Metallica finished its tour in the early months of 1987. In March 1987, Hetfield broke his wrist a second time skateboarding, forcing the band to cancel a Saturday Night Live appearance. In August 1987 an all-covers extended play titled The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited was released. The extended play was recorded in an effort to utilize the band’s newly constructed recording studio, test out the talents of Newsted, and to relieve grief and stress following the death of Burton. A video titled Cliff ‘Em All was released in 1987 commemorating Burton’s three years in Metallica. Footage included bass solos, home videos, and pictures.

…And Justice for All (1988–1990)

…And Justice for All, the band’s first studio album since Burton’s death, was released in 1988. The album was a commercial success, reaching number six on the Billboard 200, the band’s first album to enter the top 10. The album was certified platinum nine weeks after its release. Newsted’s bass was purposely turned down on the album as a part of the continuous “hazing” he received, and his musical ideas were ignored (however, he did receive writing credit on the track “Blackened”). There were complaints with the production; namely, Steve Huey of Allmusic noted Ulrich’s drums were clicking more than thudding, and the guitars “buzz thinly”. The Damaged Justice tour followed to promote the album.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt. 3)

The band’s debut studio album was initially going to be titled Metal Up Your Ass. Due to conflicts with its record label and the distributors’ refusal to release an album with that name, it was renamed Kill ‘Em All. Released on Megaforce Records in the United States and Music for Nations in Europe, the album peaked at number 120 on the Billboard 200 in 1988, and although the album was not initially a financial success, it earned Metallica a growing fan base in the underground metal scene. The band embarked on the Kill ‘Em All for One tour with Raven to support the release. In February 1984, Metallica supported Venom on the Seven Dates of Hell tour, where the band performed in front of 7,000 people at the Aardschok Festival in Zwolle, Netherlands.

Metallica recorded its second studio album, Ride the Lightning, at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. Released in August 1984, the album reached number 100 on the Billboard 200. A French printing press mistakenly printed green covers for the album, which are now considered collectors’ items. Other songs on the album include “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, “Fade to Black”, “Creeping Death” (which tells the biblical story of the Hebrews’ exodus from slavery in Egypt, focusing on the final plague that was visited on the Egyptians), and the instrumental “The Call of Ktulu”. Mustaine received writing credit for “Ride the Lightning” and “The Call of Ktulu”.

Master of Puppets (1984–1986)

Elektra Records A&R director Michael Alago, and co-founder of Q-Prime Management Cliff Burnstein, attended a September 1984 Metallica concert. Impressed with what they saw, they signed Metallica to Elektra Records and made the band a client of Q-Prime Management. Metallica’s burgeoning success was such that the band’s British label Music for Nations released a limited edition “Creeping Death” single, which sold 40,000 copies as an import in the United States. Two of the three songs on the record (cover versions of Diamond Head’s “Am I Evil?”, and Blitzkrieg’s “Blitzkrieg”) appeared on the 1989 Elektra reissue of Kill ‘Em All. Metallica embarked on its first major European tour with Tank to an average crowd of 1,300. Returning to the U.S. marked a tour co-headlining with W.A.S.P. and Armored Saint supporting. Metallica played its largest show at the Monsters of Rock festival on August 17, 1985, with Bon Jovi and Ratt at Donington Park in England, playing in front of 70,000 people. A show in Oakland, California, at the Day on the Green festival saw the band play in front of a crowd of 60,000.

Metallica’s third studio album, Master of Puppets, was recorded at Sweet Silence Studios and was released in March 1986. The album reached number 29 on the Billboard 200, and spent 72 weeks on the chart. The album was the band’s first to be certified gold on November 4, 1986, and was certified six times platinum in 2003. Steve Huey of Allmusic considered the album “the band’s greatest achievement”. Following the release of the album, Metallica supported Ozzy Osbourne for a United States tour. Hetfield broke his wrist skateboarding down a hill and continued the tour performing vocals, with guitar technician John Marshall playing rhythm guitar.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt. 2)

Ulrich talked to his friend Ron Quintana, who was brainstorming names for a fanzine. Quintana had proposed the names MetalMania and Metallica. Ulrich used Metallica for the name of his band. A second advertisement was placed in The Recycler for a position as lead guitarist. Dave Mustaine answered, and after seeing his expensive guitar equipment, Ulrich and Hetfield recruited him. In early 1982, Metallica recorded its first original song “Hit the Lights” for the Metal Massacre I compilation. Hetfield played bass on the song and Lloyd Grant was credited with a guitar solo. Released on June 14, 1982, early pressings of Metal Massacre I listed the band incorrectly as “Mettallica”. Although angered by the error, Metallica managed to create enough “buzz” with the song and the band played its first live performance on March 14, 1982 at Radio City in Anaheim, California with newly recruited bassist Ron McGovney. Metallica recorded its first demo, Power Metal, a name inspired by Quintana’s early business cards in early 1982. In the fall of 1982, Ulrich and Hetfield attended a show at the West Hollywood nightclub Whisky a Go Go which featured bassist Cliff Burton in a band called Trauma. The two were “blown away” by Burton’s use of a wah-wah pedal and asked him to join Metallica. Hetfield and Mustaine wanted McGovney out as they thought that he “didn’t contribute anything, he just followed.” Although Burton initially declined the offer, by the end of the year he accepted on the condition the band move to El Cerrito in the San Francisco Bay Area. Metallica’s first live performance with Burton was at the nightclub The Stone in March 1983, and the first recording to feature Burton was the Megaforce demo (1983).

Metallica was ready to record its debut album, but when Metal Blade was unable to cover the additional cost, the band began looking for other options. Concert promoter Johny “Z” Zazula, who had heard the demo No Life ’til Leather (1982), offered to broker a record deal with Metallica and New York City-based record labels. After receiving no interest from various record labels, Zazula borrowed the money to cover the record’s recording budget and signed Metallica to his own label, Megaforce Records.

Kill ‘Em All and Ride the Lightning (1983–1984)

In May 1983, Metallica traveled to Rochester, New York to record its debut album, Metal Up Your Ass, with production duties handled by Paul Curcio. Band members decided to kick Mustaine out of the band due to drug and alcohol abuse and violent behavior just prior to the sessions on April 11, 1983. Exodus guitarist Kirk Hammett flew in to replace Mustaine the same afternoon.

Mustaine, who went on to found Megadeth, has expressed his dislike for Hammett in interviews. He said Hammett “stole my job.” Mustaine was “pissed off” because he believes Hammett became popular by playing the guitar leads that Mustaine wrote. In a 1985 interview with Metal Forces, Mustaine slammed Hammett saying, “it’s real funny how Kirk Hammett ripped off every lead break I’d played on that No Life ’til Leather tape and got voted No. 1 guitarist in your magazine.” On Megadeth’s debut album Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good! (1985), Mustaine included the song “Mechanix”, which Metallica reworked and retitled “The Four Horsemen” on Kill ‘Em All. Mustaine said he did this to “straighten Metallica up”, as Metallica referred to Mustaine as a drunk and said he could not play guitar. Metallica’s first live performance with Hammett was on April 16, 1983 at the nightclub The Showplace in Dover, New Jersey.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Metallica (pt.1)

Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California whose early releases included fast tempos, instrumentals, and aggressive musicianship that placed them as one of the founding “big four” of thrash metal alongside Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax. They formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. As of 2003, the line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett (who joined the band in 1983) and bassist Robert Trujillo (a member since 2003) alongside Hetfield and Ulrich. Previous members of the band are lead guitarist Dave Mustaine (who went on to found the band Megadeth), and bassists Ron McGovney, Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted. The band also had a long collaboration with producer Bob Rock, who produced all of its albums from 1990 to 2003 and served as a temporary bassist between the departure of Newsted and the hiring of Trujillo.

The band earned a growing fan-base in the underground music community and critical acclaim with its third album Master of Puppets (1986), described as one of the most influential and “heavy” thrash metal albums. Metallica achieved substantial commercial success with their eponymous fifth album (also known as The Black Album), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. With this release the band expanded its musical direction resulting in an album that appealed to a more mainstream audience.

In 2000, Metallica was among a number of artists who filed a lawsuit against Napster for sharing the band’s copyright-protected material for free without any band member’s consent. A settlement was reached, and Napster became a pay-to-use service. Despite reaching number one on the Billboard 200, the release of St. Anger (2003) alienated many fans with the exclusion of guitar solos and the “steel-sounding” snare drum. A film titled Some Kind of Monster documented the recording process of St. Anger and the tensions within the band during that time.

Metallica has released nine studio albums, three live albums, five extended plays, 24 music videos, and 45 singles. The band has won nine Grammy Awards, and has had five consecutive albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200, making Metallica the first band to do so; this record was later matched by the Dave Matthews Band. The band’s 1991 album, Metallica, has sold over 15 million copies in the United States, and 22 million copies worldwide, which makes it the 25th-best-selling album in the country. In December 2009, it became the best-selling album of the SoundScan era, surpassing 1997′s Come on Over by country artist Shania Twain.[6] The band has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide as of the release of their latest album, Death Magnetic (2008). As of December 2009, Metallica is the fourth best-selling music artist since the SoundScan era began tracking sales on May 25, 1991, selling a total of 52,672,000 albums in the United States alone. As of 2011, Metallica is working on a new album. On October 31, 2011, a collaborative album with Lou Reed, titled Lulu, was released.

Early years (1981–1983)

Metallica was formed in Los Angeles, California, in late 1981 when drummer Lars Ulrich placed an advertisement in a Los Angeles newspaper—The Recycler—which read “Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden.” Guitarists James Hetfield and Hugh Tanner of Leather Charm answered the advertisement. Although he had not formed a band, Ulrich asked Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel if he could record a song for the label’s upcoming compilation album Metal Massacre. Slagel accepted, and Ulrich recruited Hetfield to sing and play rhythm guitar. The band was officially formed in October 1981, five months after Ulrich and Hetfield first met.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Slayer (pt. 9)

Writing and style

Hanneman, Araya and King are the main contributors for the band’s lyrics

Early works were praised for their “breakneck speed and instrumental prowess,” combining the structure of hardcore tempos and speed metal the band released fast, aggressive material. The album Reign in Blood is the band’s fastest, performed at an average of 220 beats per minute. The album Diabolus in Musica was the band’s first with drop D tuning, God Hates Us All the first with C# tuning. Allmusic cited the album as “abandoning the extravagances and accessibility of their late-’80s/early-’90s work and returning to perfect the raw approach,” with some fans labeling it nu metal.

Hanneman and King’s dual guitar solos have been called “wildly chaotic,” and “twisted genius.” Drummer Lombardo uses two bass drums, instead of the double kick which is used on a single bass drum. Lombardo’s speed and aggression earned him the title of the “godfather of double bass” by Drummerworld. Lombardo states his reasons for using two bass drums: “When you hit the bass drum the head is still resonating. When you hit it in the same place right after that you kinda get a ‘slapback’ from the bass drum head hitting the other pedal. You’re not letting them breathe.” When playing the double bass Lombardo uses the “heel-up” technique.

Hanneman, King and Araya contribute to the band’s lyrics, and King and Hanneman create and arrange the music with additional arrangement from Lombardo and sometimes Araya. Final Six (from Christ Illusion) is the only song by Slayer which Araya co-wrote the music for, whereas Lombardo has not received any writing credits in Slayer’s history at all. Araya has formed a lyric writing partnership with Hanneman, which can overshadow the creative input of King. Hanneman states writing lyrics and music is a “free for all”; “It’s all just whoever comes up with what. Sometimes I’ll be more on a roll and I’ll have more stuff, same with Kerry— it’s whoever’s hot, really. Anybody can write anything; if it’s good we use it, if not we don’t.”

When writing new material, the band writes the music before incorporating lyrics. King or Hanneman will use a 24-track and drum machine to show band members the riff they have created, and to get their opinion. Either King, Hanneman or Lombardo will mention if any alterations can be made. The band will play the riff to get the basic song structure, and figure out where the lyrics and solos will be placed. Hanneman, King and Araya tend to have different lyrical influences. Hanneman’s lyrics deal with Nazis, religion, warfare and similar topics. King’s lyrics are generally just very anti-religious. Araya’s lyrics usually deal with less controversial topics than Hanneman’s and King’s, such as serial killers and warfare.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Slayer (pt. 8)

In early 2011, Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis. According to the band, doctors say that it likely originated from a spider bite. In light of this situation and Slayer’s participation in the Australian Soundwave Festival tour set to kick off on February 26, the band made the tough decision to play the dates without Hanneman. Gary Holt of Exodus was announced as Jeff’s temporary replacement. Metal website Metal Underground used this to their advantage when they posted a joke article on April 1, 2011 that suggested Hanneman had actually left the band. The article was picked up and distributed by other sites and social media, leading to initial dismay from fans.

Cannibal Corpse guitarist Pat O’Brien filled in for Exodus’ Gary Holt when Holt left the Slayer European tour to play with his own band Exodus at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile on April 10. Holt’s last show with Slayer was April 4 in Padova, Italy, O’Brien joined the band for the April 6 show in Croatia, and finished the European dates with Slayer that wrapped up on April 14 in the Netherlands.

Gary Holt rejoined Slayer on April 23, 2011, at the Big 4 show, in the United States. Jeff Hanneman replaced Holt during the final two songs, “South of Heaven” and “Angel of Death”.

Next album and current events (2011–present)

In a May 2011 interview with Geeks of Doom, Dave Lombardo was asked if Slayer was going to make another album. He replied: “Yes absolutely; Although there’s nothing written but there is definitely plans. Of course. We have to. Why not? I’m not retiring and I don’t think Kerry [King] is retiring either so… I like longevity and a true musician never abandons his art.”However, according to Tom Araya, Slayer will not begin writing a new album until Jeff Hanneman’s condition improves. When asked about Hanneman’s condition in July 2011, Araya told Linnéa Olsson of Sveriges Television (SVT): “Jeff was seriously ill. Jeff ended up contracting a bacteria that ate away his flesh on his arm, so they cut open his arm, from his wrist to his shoulder, and they did a skin graft on him, they cleaned up… It was a flesh-eating virus, so he was really, really bad. So we’ll wait for him to get better, and when he’s a hundred percent, he’s gonna come out and join us.” On November 21, 2011, Guitar World posted an announcement that Dave Lombardo tweeted that the band had started to write new music. The tweet read: “SLAYER is writing a new record and PHILM is about to start mixing their debut record. Looking forward to touring again with new music.” This means that Jeff Hanneman has improved on his condition dealing with his health and is ready to enter studio again.”

October 7, 2011 marked the 25th anniversary for Slayer’s third studio album Reign In Blood. To celebrate the anniversary, the band will be performing Reign In Blood at the All Tomorrow’s Parties “I’ll Be Your Mirror” festival at Alexandra Palace, London. Slayer will be joining the sludge metal band Melvins on May 25, 2012. Slayer has been announced to be coheadlining Mayhem Festival 2012 alongside Slipknot.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Slayer (pt. 7)

The band released a special edition of Christ Illusion, which featured new cover art and bonus track, “Final Six”, which was given a Grammy Award for “Best Metal Performance”. This is the band’s second consecutive award in that category.

World Painted Blood (2009–2011)

In interviews with Thrash Hits and Worcester magazine, Araya states uncertainty with the future of the band, and that he could not see himself continuing the career at a later age. Once the band finished World Painted Blood, which was the final record in their contract, the band would sit down and discuss its future. King was optimistic that the band would produce at least another two records before considering a split: “We’re talking of going in the studio next February [2009] and getting the next record out so if we do things in a timely manner I don’t see there’s any reason why we can’t have more than one album out… I think the time’s gonna come when somebody just says: ‘I’m done. I don’t wanna do this any more.’ But I’m having a blast.”

Slayer, along with Trivium, Mastodon, and Amon Amarth teamed up for a European tour titled ‘The Unholy Alliance: Chapter III’, throughout October and November 2008. On January 27, it was confirmed that Slayer will be headlining the second Mayhem Festival in the summer of 2009. Slayer along with Megadeth also co-headlined Canadian Carnage, the first time they performed together in more than 15 years when they co-headlined four shows in Canada in late June 2009 with openers Machine Head and Suicide Silence. This was followed by further dates in Canada and also in the US during the Summer and Fall of 2010 with openers Testament and Anthrax.

The band’s tenth studio album World Painted Blood has been released on American Recordings. It was available on November 3 in North America and November 2 for the rest of the world. The band has stated that the Painted Blood takes parts of all their previous works including Seasons…, South of Heaven, and Reign in Blood.

Slayer, along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax performed on the same bill for the first time on June 16, 2010 at Bemowo Airport (Warsaw, Poland). It was the first performance of that bands played as a part of Sonisphere Festival series, one of the following (Sofia, Bulgaria, June 22, 2010) was sent via satellite in HD to cinemas. They also went on to play in Switzerland (June 18, 2010), Milovice, Czech Republic (June 19, 2010), Bucharest, Romania (June 26, 2010) and then in Istanbul, Turkey (June 27, 2010) also as part of the Sonisphere Festival. On December 18, 2010, it was announced that Megadeth and Slayer will join forces once again for European Carnage Tour in March and April. Also the “Big Four” will play couple of dates again at Sonisphere in England and France for the first time ever. Slayer returned to Australia in February and March 2011 as part of the Soundwave Festival and also played in California with the other members of the “Big Four”.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Slayer (pt. 6)

From 2002 to 2004 the band performed over 250 tour dates, headlining major music festivals including H82k2, Summer tour, Ozzfest 2004 and a European tour with Slipknot. While preparing for the Download Festival in England, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich was rushed to hospital with a mysterious illness, and was unable to perform. Metallica vocalist James Hetfield searched for volunteers at the last minute to replace Ulrich; Lombardo and Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison volunteered, with Lombardo performing the songs “Battery” and “The Four Horsemen”.

The album Christ Illusion was originally scheduled for release on June 6, 2006, and would be the first album with original drummer Lombardo since 1990′s Seasons in the Abyss. However, the band decided to delay the release of the record as they did not want to be among the many, according to King, “half-ass, stupid fucking loser bands” releasing records on June 6, although USA Today reported the idea was thwarted because the band failed to secure sufficient studio recording time. Instead, Slayer released Eternal Pyre on June 6 as a limited-edition EP. Eternal Pyre featured the song “Cult”, a live performance of “War Ensemble” in Germany and video footage of the band recording “Cult”. Five thousand copies were released and sold exclusively through Hot Topic chain stores, and sold out within hours of release. On June 30, Nuclear Blast Records released a 7″ vinyl picture disc version limited to a thousand copies.

Christ Illusion was released on August 8, 2006, and debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200, selling over 62,000 copies in its first week. The album became Slayer’s highest charting, improving on its previous highest charting album, Divine Intervention, which had debuted at #8. However, despite its high positioning, the album dropped to #44 in the following week. Three weeks after the album’s release Slayer were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame for their influence to the heavy metal scene.

A worldwide tour dubbed The Unholy Alliance Tour, was undertaken to support the new record. The tour was originally set to launch on June 6, but was postponed to June 10, as Araya had to undergo gall bladder surgery. In Flames, Mastodon, Children of Bodom, Lamb of God, and Thine Eyes Bleed (featuring Araya’s brother, Johnny) and Ted Maul (London Hammersmith Apollo) were supporting Slayer. The tour made its way through America and Europe and the bands who participated, apart from Thine Eyes Bleed, reunited to perform at Japan’s Loudpark Festival on October 15, 2006.

The video for the album’s first single, “Eyes of the Insane”, was released on October 30, 2006. The track was featured on the Saw III soundtrack, and won a Grammy-award for “Best Metal Performance” at the 49th Grammy Awards, although the band were unable to attend due to touring obligations. A week later, the band visited the 52nd Services Squadron located on the Spangdahlem U.S. Air Force Base in Germany to meet and play a show. This was the first visit ever to a military base for the band. The band made its first network TV appearance on the show Jimmy Kimmel Live! on January 19, playing the song “Eyes of the Insane”, and four additional songs for fans after the show (although footage from “Jihad” was cut due to its controversial lyrical themes). Slayer toured Australia and New Zealand in April with Mastodon, and appeared at the Download Festival, Rock Am Ring, and a Summer tour with Marilyn Manson and Bleeding Through.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Slayer (pt. 5)

Diabolus in Musica (1998–2000)

Diabolus in Musica (Latin for “The Devil in Music”) was released in 1998, and debuted at #31 on the Billboard 200, selling over 46,000 copies. The album received a mixed critical reception and was criticized for adopting characteristics of nu metal music such as tuned down guitars, murky chord structures, and churning beats. Blabbermouth.net reviewer Borijov Krgin described the album as “a feeble attempt at incorporating updated elements into the group’s sound, the presence of which elevated the band’s efforts somewhat and offered hope that Slayer could refrain from endlessly rehashing their previous material for their future output”, while New York Times’ Ben Ratliff had similar sentiments by saying: “Eight of the 11 songs on Diabolus in Musica, a few of which were played at the show, are in the same gray key, and the band’s rhythmic ideas have a wearying sameness too.”

The album was the band’s first to primarily feature dropped tuning, as featured on the lead track, “Bitter Peace” (About this sound sample (help·info)), making use of the tritone interval referred to in the Middle Ages as the Devil’s interval. Slayer teamed up with digital hardcore group Atari Teenage Riot to record a song for the Spawn soundtrack titled “No Remorse (I Wanna Die)”. The band later paid tribute to Black Sabbath by recording a cover of “Hand of Doom” for the second of two tribute albums, entitled Nativity in Black II. A world tour followed to support the new album, with Slayer making an appearance at the United Kingdom Ozzfest 1998 alongside Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Foo Fighters, Pantera, Soulfly, Fear Factory, and Therapy?.

God Hates Us All and Christ Illusion (2001–2008)

After delays regarding remixing and artwork, including slip covers created to cover the original artwork as it was deemed “too graphic”, God Hates Us All was released on September 11, 2001. The band received its first Grammy nomination for the lead track “Disciple”, although the Grammy was awarded to Tool, for “Schism”. The September 11th attack on America jeopardized the 2001 European tour Tattoo the Planet originally set to feature Pantera, Static X, Biohazard and Vision of Disorder. Dates were canceled or postponed due to flight restrictions, with a majority of bands deciding to withdraw, leaving Slayer and Static X remaining for the European leg of the tour. Pantera, Vision of Disorder and Biohazard were replaced by Cradle of Filth and other bands dependent on location; Amorphis, In Flames, Moonspell, Children of Bodom, and Necrodeath. The Birmingham, England date on the tour though only featured Slayer, Biohazard, Cradle of Filth and Raging Speedhorn due to Static X pulling out over previous commitments, instead playing their scheduled dates in Germany. Drummer Bostaph left Slayer before Christmas in 2001, due to a chronic elbow injury which would hinder his ability to play. Slayer’s “God Hates Us All” tour was unfinished so King contacted original drummer Lombardo, and asked if he would like to finish the remainder of the tour. Lombardo accepted the offer, and stayed as a permanent member.

Slayer toured playing Reign in Blood in its entirety throughout the fall of 2003, under the tour banner “Still Reigning”. Their playing of the final song “Raining Blood” culminated with the band drenched in a rain of stage blood. Live footage of this was recorded at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Maine, on July 11, 2004 and released on the 2004 DVD Still Reigning. The band also released War at the Warfield and a box set, Soundtrack to the Apocalypse featuring rarities, live CD and DVD performances and various Slayer paraphernalia.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Slayer (pt. 4)

In May 1992, Lombardo quit the band due to conflicts with other members, as well as arguments over his wish to bring his wife on tour. Lombardo formed his own band Grip Inc, with Voodoocult guitarist Waldemar Sorychta, and Slayer recruited former Forbidden drummer Paul Bostaph to fill his place. Slayer made its debut appearance with Bostaph at the 1992 Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington. Bostaph’s first studio effort was a medley of three Exploited songs, “War”, “UK ’82″, and “Disorder”, with rapper Ice T, for the Judgment Night movie soundtrack in 1993.

Divine Intervention and Undisputed Attitude (1994–1997)

In 1994, Slayer released Divine Intervention, the band’s first record with drummer Bostaph. The record became the band’s highest charting at that time, peaking at #8 on the Billboard 200. Divine Intervention was certified gold. The album featured songs about Reinhard Heydrich, an architect of the Holocaust, and Jeffrey Dahmer, of apartment number “213″, where he murdered, raped, and tortured eleven victims. Other themes included murder, the evils of church, and the lengths to which governments will go to wield power, Araya’s interest in serial killers inspired much of the content of the lyrics.

Slayer geared up for a world tour in 1995, with openers Biohazard and Machine Head. A video of concert footage, Live Intrusion was released, featuring a joint cover of Venom’s “Witching Hour” with Machine Head. Relations between Slayer and Machine Head have since badly deteriorated. Following the tour, Slayer were billed third at the 1995 Monsters of Rock festival, headlined by Metallica.

In 1996, Undisputed Attitude, an album of punk covers, was released. The band covered songs by Minor Threat, T.S.O.L., D.R.I., D.I., Verbal Abuse, Dr. Know and The Stooges. The album featured three original tracks, “Gemini”, “Can’t Stand You”, “Ddamm”; the latter two were written by Hanneman in 1984–1985 for a side project entitled Pap Smear. Bostaph left Slayer shortly after the album’s release to work on his own project, The Truth About Seafood. With Bostaph’s departure, Slayer recruited Testament drummer Jon Dette, and headlined the 1996 Ozzfest alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Danzig, Biohazard, Sepultura, and Fear Factory. Dette was fired after a year, due to a fallout with band members; Bostaph returned to continue the tour.

A lawsuit was brought against the band in 1996, by the parents of Elyse Pahler, who accused the band of encouraging their daughter’s murderers through their lyrics. Elyse was drugged, strangled, stabbed, trampled on, and raped as a sacrifice to the devil by three fans of the band. The case was unsealed by the court on May 19, 2000, stating Slayer and related business markets distribute harmful products to teens, encouraging violent acts through their lyrics, and “none of the vicious crimes committed against Elyse Marie Pahler would have occurred without the intentional marketing strategy of the death-metal band Slayer”. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2001, for multiple reasons including “principles of free speech, lack of a duty and lack of foreseeability”. A second lawsuit was filed by the parents, an amended complaint for damages against Slayer, their label, and other industry and label entities. The lawsuit was dismissed; Judge E. Jeffrey Burke stated, “I do not consider Slayer’s music obscene, indecent or harmful to minors.”

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Slayer (pt. 3)

In October 1986, Slayer embarked on the Reign in Pain world tour, with Overkill in the US, and Malice in Europe. The band was added as the opening act on W.A.S.P.’s US tour, but just one month in, drummer Lombardo left the band: “I wasn’t making any money. I figured if we were gonna be doing this professionally, on a major label, I wanted my rent and utilities paid.” To continue with the tour, Slayer enlisted Tony Scaglione of Whiplash. However, Lombardo’s wife convinced Dave to return in 1987. At the insistence of Rubin, Slayer recorded a cover version of Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” for the film Less Than Zero. Although the band was not happy with the final product, Hanneman deeming it “a poor representation of Slayer” and King labeling it “a hunk of shit”, it was one of their first songs to garner radio airplay.

South of Heaven and Seasons in the Abyss (1988–1993)

Slayer returned to the studio to record their fourth studio album. To contrast the speed of Reign in Blood, the band consciously decided to slow down the tempos, and incorporate more melodic singing. According to Hanneman, “We knew we couldn’t top Reign in Blood, so we had to slow down. We knew whatever we did was gonna be compared to that album, and I remember we actually discussed slowing down. It was weird—we’ve never done that on an album, before or since.”

1988′s South of Heaven received mixed responses from both fans and critics, although it was Slayer’s most commercially successful release at the time, debuting at #57 on the Billboard 200, and the second album to receive gold certification in the United States. Press response to the album was mixed, with Allmusic citing the album as “disturbing and powerful”, and Kim Nelly of Rolling Stone calling it “genuinely offensive satanic drivel”. King said “that album was my most lackluster performance”, although Araya called it a “late bloomer” which eventually grew on people.

Slayer returned to the studio with co-producer Andy Wallace in 1989, to record their fifth studio album. Following the backlash created by South of Heaven, Slayer returned to the “pounding speed of Reign in Blood, while retaining their newfound melodic sense”. Seasons in the Abyss, released on October 25, 1990, was the first Slayer album to be released under Rubin’s new Def American label, as he parted ways with Def Jam owner Russell Simmons over creative differences. The album debuted at #44 on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold in 1992. The title track spawned Slayer’s first music video, which was filmed in front of the Giza pyramids in Egypt prior to the Gulf War.

Slayer returned as a live act in September 1990 to co-headline the European Clash of the Titans tour with Megadeth, Suicidal Tendencies, and Testament. During the sold out European leg of this tour tickets fetched up to 1,000 Deutschmark ($680 USD) on the black market. With the popularity of American thrash at its peak, the tour was extended to the US beginning in May 1991, with Megadeth, Anthrax and opening act Alice in Chains. The band released a double live album, Decade of Aggression in 1991, to celebrate ten years. The compilation debuted at #55 on the Billboard 200.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Slayer (pt. 2)

In August 1984, Slayer released a three song EP titled Haunting the Chapel. The EP featured a darker, more thrash-oriented style than its predecessor, and laid the groundwork for the future direction of the band. The opening track, “Chemical Warfare”, has become a live staple, played at nearly every show since 1984. After the release of Haunting the Chapel, Slayer made its live European debut at the Heavy Sound Festival in Belgium opening for UFO, returning to the US to begin the Haunting The West Coast tour.

Following the tour, King joined Dave Mustaine’s new band Megadeth. Hanneman was worried about King’s decision, stating in an interview, “I guess we’re gonna get a new guitar player.” While Mustaine wanted King to stay on a permanent basis, King left after five shows, stating Mustaine’s band was “taking too much of my time”. The split caused a rift between King and Mustaine, which evolved into a long running feud between the two bands. Following King’s return, the band embarked on the 1984 Combat Tour, with Venom and Exodus, and released a live album titled Live Undead in November.

“Hell Awaits” (1985)

Slayer released its first live home video in 1985, dubbed Combat Tour: The Ultimate Revenge. The video featured live footage filmed at New York’s Studio 54 club, on the band’s 1984 tour with Venom and Exodus. By early 1985, Show No Mercy had sold over 40,000 copies, which led to the band returning to the studio to record a second full length album. Metal Blade financed a recording budget, which allowed the band to hire producer Ron Fair.

Released in September 1985, Slayer’s second full length release Hell Awaits expanded on the darkness of Haunting the Chapel, with hell and Satan as common song subjects. The album was the band’s most progressive offering, featuring longer and more complex song structures. The intro of the title track is a backwards recording of a demonic-sounding voice repeating “Join us”, ending with “Welcome back” before the track begins. The album was a hit, with fans choosing Slayer for best band, best live band, Hell Awaits as 1985′s best album, and Dave Lombardo as best drummer in the British magazine Metal Forces’ 1985 Readers Poll.

Reign in Blood (1986–1987)

Following the success of Hell Awaits, Slayer was offered a recording contract with Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin’s newly founded Def Jam Records, a largely hip hop-based label. The band accepted and with an experienced producer and major label recording budget, the band underwent a sonic makeover resulting in shorter, faster songs with clearer production. Gone were the complex arrangements and long songs featured on Hell Awaits, ditched in favor of stripped down, thrash metal influenced song structures.

Def Jam’s distributor, Columbia Records, refused to release the album Reign in Blood due to its graphic cover art and themes. For example, “Angel of Death” detailed Holocaust concentration camps and the human experiments conducted by Nazi physician Josef Mengele. The album was distributed by Geffen Records on October 7, 1986. However, due to the controversy, Reign in Blood did not appear on Geffen Records’ release schedule. Although the album received virtually no radio airplay, it became the band’s first to enter the Billboard 200, debuting at #94, and the band’s first album certified gold in the United States.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Slayer (pt. 1)

Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the “Big Four” thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax. Their album Reign in Blood is considered to be the foundation and inspiration of death metal.

Slayer’s musical traits involve fast tremolo picking, double bass drumming, and shouted (or chanted) vocals. Hanneman, King, and bassist/lead vocalist Tom Araya, contribute to the band’s lyrics. King and Hanneman create and arrange the music with additional arrangement from drummer Dave Lombardo and sometimes Araya. The band’s lyrics and album art, which cover topics such as serial killers, Satanism, religion and warfare, have generated album bans, delays, lawsuits and strong criticism from religious groups and the public.

Since their debut album in 1983, the band has released two live albums, one box set, six videos, two extended plays, and eleven studio albums, four (Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, Seasons in the Abyss, and Divine Intervention in 1986, 1988, 1990, and 1994 respectively) of which have received gold certification in the United States. The band has received five Grammy nominations, winning two of them; one in 2007 for the song “Eyes of the Insane”, and one in 2008 for the song “Final Six” (both from 2006′s Christ Illusion). Slayer has played music festivals worldwide, including Unholy Alliance, Download, and Ozzfest. As of November 2011, Slayer has begun writing their next album.

Early days (1981)

Slayer was founded in 1981, when guitarist Kerry King met Jeff Hanneman while auditioning for a band. They recruited Chilean bassist and vocalist Tom Araya, who had played with King before in the band Quits (previously known as Tradewinds). Drummer Dave Lombardo was recruited when he met King while delivering a pizza. The band played cover versions of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest songs at clubs and parties in Southern California. Early shows relied on a Satanic image, which featured pentagrams, make-up, spikes, and inverted crosses. Rumors that the band was originally known as Dragonslayer, after the 1981 movie of the same name, were denied by King, as he stated, “We never were; it’s a myth to this day.”

The band was invited to open for Bitch at the Woodstock Club in Los Angeles, performing eight songs — six being covers. While playing Iron Maiden’s “Phantom of the Opera” the band was spotted by Brian Slagel, a former music journalist who had, at the time, recently founded the label Metal Blade Records. Impressed with Slayer’s performance, Slagel met with the band backstage and asked them to record an original song, “Aggressive Perfector” (About this sound sample (help·info)), for his upcoming Metal Massacre III compilation. The band agreed and the song created underground “buzz”, which led to Slagel offering the band a recording contract with Metal Blade.

Show No Mercy, Haunting the Chapel and Hell Awaits (1983–1986)

Without a recording budget, the band was forced to self-finance its debut album. Combining the savings of Araya, who was employed as a respiratory therapist, and money borrowed from King’s father, the band entered the studio in November 1983. The album was rushed into release, hitting shelves three weeks after tracks were completed. Show No Mercy, released in December 1983 by Metal Blade Records, generated underground popularity for the band, and the group began its first national club tour in 1984 to promote the album traveling in Dave Lombardo’s Camaro towing a U-Haul trailer. The tour gave the band additional popularity; sales of Show No Mercy reached more than 20,000 in the US and another 20,000 worldwide.

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Meliah Rage

Meliah Rage is an American power/thrash metal band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1987 by guitarist/songwriter Anthony Nichols. Meliah Rage (whose name was inspired the Meliah Indian tribe’s practice of taking opium before going into battle), was signed to Epic records in 1988. Characterized primarily by their thrash metal vibe married to more classical metal melodies, the band has released eight albums since their inception. Solitary Solitude, released in 1990, turned out to be Meliah Rage’s last Epic release; in 1992, they left the Sony-owned label. It was also in 1992 that Meliah Rage went through some lineup changes. Jesse Johnson and Stu Dowie left the band, replaced by two newcomers: bassist Keith Vogele and drummer Sully Erna, who spent 18 months in Meliah Rage before going on to become the lead singer of the well-known, Boston-based alternative metal band Godsmack. The band’s 2004 lineup united three original members—Nichols, Koury and Johnson—with drummer Barry Spillberg (ex-member of Wargasm) and new lead singer Paul Souza. Nichols had expressed interest in working with original lead singer Mike Munro again, but Munro declined the offer in order to spend more time with his family—and Souza ended up getting the gig. With that new lineup in place, Meliah Rage recorded their first album in eight years, Barely Human, which was released on Screaming Ferret Records in August 2004. The 2009 release “Masquerade,” featured the return of original singer Mike Munro. The band’s current 2011 lineup features Paul Souza back on vocals, Anthony Nichols and Jim Koury on guitars, Darren Lourie on bass, and Stu Dowie on drums.

Discography

Kill to Survive (1988, CBS/Epic Records)

Live Kill (1989, CBS/Epic Records)

Solitary Solitude (1990, CBS/Epic Records)

Death Valley Dream (1996, BSR/Locomotive Records)

Unfinished Business (2002, Screaming Ferret Wreckords; recorded 1992)

Barely Human (2004, Screaming Ferret Wreckords)

The Deep and Dreamless Sleep (2006, SFW/Universal Fontana)

Masquerade (2009, Metro Ctity Records/SFW)

Dead to the World (2011, Metal on Metal Records)

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: Xentrix

Xentrix were a British thrash metal band of the late 1980s/early 1990s hailing from Preston, Lancashire. Xentrix were one of the leading lights of the British Thrash movement. They had videos for their songs For Whose Advantage and their cover of Ray Parker, Jr’s Ghostbusters theme. They had regular air time on Headbangers Ball. Xentrix’s biggest show was at Wembley in 1991, opening for Slayer. Xentrix had never gained global notoriety, but had many underground performances with audiences of over 2000 to 5000 people, and still do to this day. In the For Whose Advantage tour they were touring with thrash metal band Sabbat. In the most of the shows they were playing as an opening band to Sabbat.

The Sweden Rock magazine said that songs like “For Whose Advantage” and “Questions” were Thrash metal classics.

Climbing the ladder and Shattered Existence

The band gained notoriety when its demo gained interest, and a 5 star rating from Kerrang magazine. Roadrunner Records then contacted the band asking them why they had not been sent a copy, and arranged an audition with the band. After the audition to band was signed to the label and recorded their first album Shattered Existence in the summer of 1989 and toured with Sabbat to support the album.

For Whose Advantage

In 1990 the band faced a small bit of controversy/publicity surrounding the release of their cover of Ray Parker, Jr.’s Ghostbusters theme, in which the original artwork for the single had an unauthorized use of the Ghostbusters logo (with the ghost flicking a V Sign). The single was subsequently re-released using a different cover. The track was originally recorded for the BBC Radio One Friday Rock Show along with several others which remain unreleased. The band also reached new heights when they opened for Bay Area Thrash metal band Testament. Later that year they recorded their second album For Whose Advantage which gained them yet more interest and their first music video for the album’s title track.

Dilute to Taste

In 1991 the band released the Dilute to Taste EP which had two new tracks from the band as well as a live album. The rest of 1991 saw Xentrix headlining a United Kingdom tour, taking out the new band Skyclad and a return to Hammersmith, this time opening for Brazilian Thrash metal band Sepultura.

Kin and decline

In 1992 the band decided to take a different direction with their album Kin, adopting a more progressive style with their music, which was considered by many to be the band’s biggest mistake. A music video was filmed for the album’s opening track “Order of Chaos” and received some airplay on MTV, the band would later release an EP of the same name. After a European tour supporting German band Tankard, the band returned to the United Kingdom to play what would be their final tour with Chris at the helm.

Astley’s departure and Scourge

Chris Astley finally left the band after recording a demo of a number of new songs, some of which ended up on Scourge, released in 1996. The band then reformed after a period of inactivity with a new vocalist, Simon Gordon, and guitarist, Andy Rudd. This line up released 1996′s Scourge only before disbanding due to lack of interest from the United Kingdom’s then dwindling metal scene.

2006 Reunion and end

The band briefly reformed with its classic line-up for a small number of dates in the UK in the early part of 2006. One of these shows included support from Onslaught and Evile. In September 2006 it was announced that the band was splitting up with no intention of reforming in the future.

Final line-up

Chris Astley – guitar/vocals, 1985–1994, 2006

Kristian Havard – guitars, 1985–1997, 2006

Paul MacKenzie – bass, 1985–1997, 2006

Dennis Gasser – drums, 1985–1997, 2006

Former members

Dacaw Hough – vocals, 1985

Sean Owens – vocals, 1985

John Brennan – drums,1985

Dave Catchpole – drums, 1986

Peter Hiller – bass, 1985

Steve Hodgson – bass, 1986–1987

Mel Gasser – bass, 1987

Simon Gordon– vocals, 1995–1997

Andy Rudd – guitars, 1995–1997

Carl Arnfield – keyboards, 1992

Discography

Shattered Existence – 1989

Ghostbusters (Single) – 1990

For Whose Advantage? – 1990

Dilute to Taste (EP) – 1991

Kin – 1992

The Order of Chaos (single) – 1992

Demo -1994

Scourge – 1996

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: PANTERA (pt. 9)

Despite being a by-the-book Glam Metal band early in their career, the band members perceive themselves to have had an uncompromising career in which they never “sold out” or gave into trends. This is most noticeably highlighted in the themes and title of The Great Southern Trendkill. On Pantera’s official website, Anselmo puts it in his own words:

We’ve survived every f**king trend—alternative metal, “grunge metal”, funk metal, rap metal—and we’re still here. We put everyone on notice that we don’t fuck around. Our fans know we’re true right down to the fucking core.

Similarly, the die-hard attitude of “We’ll Grind That Axe For a Long Time” (from Reinventing the Steel) is, according to Anselmo, “in a way, our motto.”

Aside from their post-glam thrash metal influences, the band members cite heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath as one of their favorite bands. As a tribute, Pantera has recorded three different covers of Black Sabbath songs (all from the Ozzy Osbourne era). The first was “Planet Caravan”, a slower, quieter song planned for the first Sabbath tribute album, Nativity in Black, that eventually became the final track on Far Beyond Driven. The band performed Sabbath’s “Electric Funeral” on the second Nativity in Black. A previously unreleased cover of Sabbath’s “Hole in the Sky” was included on the band’s 2003 compilation album, The Best of Pantera: Far Beyond the Great Southern Cowboys’ Vulgar Hits! Pantera’s affinity for Black Sabbath is also shown through the lyrics, “Your trust is in whiskey and weed and Black Sabbath”, in “Goddamn Electric”. The same song also mentions Slayer, one of the band’s thrash metal influences. Pantera’s musical style was also heavily influenced by the bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal such as Motörhead, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Venom.[6]

Pantera has come under some criticism within the fringes of the heavy metal world in relation to New Orleans thrash metal band Exhorder. Some fans[who?] have accused Pantera of stealing from Exhorder their groove metal sound. While Pantera’s style change on Cowboys from Hell was released before Exhorder’s debut, Slaughter in the Vatican, Exhorder self-released two demos in the late 1980s (around the time that Pantera was still playing glam metal) that a number of fans believe to be the real birth of the musical style Pantera invented.

Allmusic points to several elements of Exhorder’s debut that could potentially explain its lack of success in relation to Pantera. In disagreement with the opinion that Exhorder is “Pantera minus the good songs”, AMG’s review of Slaughter in the Vatican expresses that “perhaps a more accurate billing would be to call them Pantera without the major label backing.” They also point to the fact that the title of Exhorder’s debut, along with the unsubtle album cover, “certainly didn’t help [its] cause any.”[31]

However, some fans and critics dispute any notion that Pantera “stole” Exhorder’s sound. Brian Davis, a contributor to Internet radio station KNAC, addresses the issue as follows:

Exhorder’s main “claim to fame” is the common opinion that they’re the band that Pantera stole their sound from. That’s total bullshit. There are minor similarities in guitar style, and on occasion, vocalist Kyle Thomas spits out a line or scream that will bring Pantera to mind, but to go so far as to say that Pantera is an Exhorder clone is ludicrous.

Despite originally decrying Pantera as a rip-off to their sound, lead vocalist of Exhorder, Kyle Thomas, has stated that he does not care about any of the criticism and is sick of seeing Exhorder’s name tied to Pantera’s. He also stated that he and the members of Pantera were great friends who used to tour together, and that he mourns the loss of Dimebag Darrell.[33][34] Recently[when?], Thomas suggested that while it is possible Pantera may have been influenced by his band, the members of Pantera “work[ed] a … lot harder than [we] did.”

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: PANTERA (pt. 8)

On May 11, 2006, the VH1 Behind the Music episode on Pantera premiered. While focusing heavily on Darrell’s murder and burial, the episode also detailed the band’s glam metal beginnings, the band’s perceived rise in its own popularity after the change in musical direction, and the conflicts between Anselmo and the Abbott brothers in the band’s later years that would tear them apart.

When asked by Crave Music in 2006 if there was any chance of reconciling with Phil Anselmo, Vinnie Paul answered “Absolutely not. That’s it.”[25] The former Pantera drummer has since begun work on Hellyeah, a collaboration between him and members from Mudvayne and Nothingface. Both Anselmo and Brown have reunited with Down, and supported Heaven & Hell and Megadeth on their 2007 Canadian tour, as well as supporting Metallica on the first half of their World Magnetic Tour. In interviews in 2009 & 2010, both Rita Haney & Phil Anselmo have stated that after a meeting at Download 2009 they have patched up their differences and are once again on speaking terms.

On March 30, 2010, Pantera released a greatest-hits collection, titled “1990-2000: A Decade of Domination”. It was made available exclusively at Walmart stores and is made up of 10 tracks that were remastered.[26]

Legacy and influences

Pantera have been influential to the development of nu metal, metalcore, and several other movements.[27] They have also been called one of the pioneers of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal.[28] Popmatters has claimed that, “Darrell Abbott’s influence on the entire genre of heavy metal is massive; after Cowboys From Hell and Vulgar Display of Power, every notable young American metal band since has, in some way or another, copied their guitar style from those records: Tool, Korn, Deftones, Killswitch Engage, Limp Bizkit, Disturbed, White Zombie, Slipknot, Trivium, As I Lay Dying, Job for a Cowboy, Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for My Valentine, A Day to Remember, Hatebreed, Lamb of God, Shadows Fall, Mastodon, The Showdown, Evile, James Durbin, DevilDriver, Five Finger Death Punch… the list is endless.”[29]

Pantera toured on Ozzfest as main stage acts twice; the band played at the second annual Ozzfest in 1997 and the fifth Ozzfest in 2000. Over the course of their career, Pantera’s members became known for their excessive partying and debauchery, even acquiring an official drink called the “Black Tooth Grin”. The “Black Tooth Grin” (“Black Tooth”, “The Grin”, or “BTG”, alternatively), named after lyrics from Megadeth’s “Sweating Bullets”, is a mixture of Crown Royal or Seagram 7 whisky (or both) and Coca-Cola.

Pantera also adopted a self-described “take no shit” attitude, epitomized in its song “5 Minutes Alone” from the album Far Beyond Driven. According to Vinnie Paul, the song originated when, during a show in San Diego, California, Anselmo was annoyed by a heckler and encouraged the crowd to “jump [his] ass and beat the shit out of him on the spot.” Consequently, the band was sued; the man’s father took action and called Pantera’s manager, saying, “You just give me five minutes alone with that Phil Anselmo guy and I’ll show him who’s big daddy around here”, to which Anselmo responded, “You just give me five minutes alone with that cat’s dad and I’ll whoop his ass.”[5]

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks

Oldschool Thrash Metal Bands: PANTERA (pt. 7)

The Abbott brothers officially broke up Pantera in 2003, also the year when their “Best Of” compilation album was released (on September 23), when the Abbott brothers concluded that Anselmo had abandoned Pantera and would not return. The break-up of the band was not amicable and subsequently a war of words was waged between the former bandmates via the heavy metal and musical press. The Abbott brothers and Pantera crew members claimed that they tried numerous times to contact Anselmo over the phone to reorganize Pantera, but Anselmo maintains that they never called him. Caught up in the torrent was Rex Brown, who later said “It was a bunch of he said, she said nonsense that was going on, and I wasn’t going to get in the middle of it.”[3] Anselmo’s comment in a 2004 issue of Metal Hammer magazine saying that “Dimebag deserves to be beaten severely” typified Pantera’s internal conflicts; Anselmo insists that this comment was tongue-in-cheek, and he was angered his comment ended up on the cover of the “god damn” magazine.[3] This explanation was soon dismissed by Vinnie Paul, who said shortly after the 2004 murder of his brother that he had personally listened to the audio files of the interview and that Anselmo had not been misquoted or misrepresented, but said the exact words which appeared in the article.[3]

In July 2004, Vulgar Display of Power went double-platinum, and The Great Southern Trendkill went platinum the next month.[17]

Damageplan and Darrell’s murder (2004)

After Pantera’s breakup, Darrell and Vinnie formed a new band, Damageplan, with vocalist Pat Lachman and bassist Bob Zilla. The group released their first album, New Found Power, in February of 2004. The album was a commercial success; over 44,000 copies were sold in its first week alone and within a year over 100,000 copies were sold. However, some fans felt that Damageplan’s material did not measure up to that of Pantera.[3]

Tragedy struck on December 8, 2004. Damageplan was performing in support of their album at a show at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio when, less than a minute into the first song of their set, mentally unstable Nathan Gale, 25, went onstage and shot and killed Darrell. Gale also killed fan Nathan Bray, 23, club employee Erin Halk, 29, and Pantera security official Jeff “Mayhem” Thompson, 40, and injured longtime Pantera and Damageplan drum technician John “Kat” Brooks and Damageplan tour manager Chris Paluska before being shot dead by Columbus police officer James Niggemayer.[22]

Aftermath (2004-present)

When Anselmo called in the aftermath of the murders, Rita Haney, Darrell’s girlfriend, answered one of Anselmo’s calls and said she would “blow Anselmo’s head off” if he attended Darrell’s funeral.[3] Dimebag himself was interred with his guitar, acquired from Eddie Van Halen, not long after. Not long after Dimebag’s murder, Anselmo received a heated message from Vinnie, which (according to Anselmo) went along the lines that Anselmo’s day was coming. Anselmo’s rebuttal was that everybody’s day is coming and that if his day should end before Vinnie’s it would not change anything, except for Vinnie to go through ‘losing another brother’. Public comments made by Phil Anselmo following the shooting suggested that he had considered reuniting with the band prior to Darrell’s death.[23] However, one year after the murder Vinnie stated in an interview that this reunion was never going to happen.[24]

Check out my website for more cool music: Aaron Sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: Aaron Sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: Aaron Sparks