Disposable Hero?
For almost 15 years, many longtime Metallica fans have held out hope that the undisputed kings of the Bay Area thrash scene would make a triumphant return to the heavy, relentless and technically flawless sound that defined them, the sound that is, for lack of a better explanation, Metallica. Listening to “The Day That Never Comes”, the first single off their upcoming release Death Magnetic that the grandfathers of thrash premiered last week, I’m beginning to think that wait is finally over.
To be clear, in my estimation there are two types of Metallica fans: those that grew up listening to albums like Ride The Lightning and Master of Puppets, and those whose main Metallica memories revolve around the band’s post-“Enter Sandman” career. Admittedly, as an aging late thirty-something, my feet stand firmly planted in the former camp.
That said, when I initially heard that Guitar Hero World Tour would feature the entire new Metallica album, I was less than enthused. In fact, I think I muttered something that rhymes with, “Poo pucking pares.” After all, in my opinion, St. Anger, the band’s last album, sucked swollen bison balls from start to finish, and the several albums preceding that weren’t much better. Now, I’m aware I probably just pissed off half of you, but face it, if you grew up playing Halo, and Halo 3 came out and was a Viva Pinata game with the name Halo slapped on the case, you’d be pissed too, and that’s the context that I and many longtime Metallicats largely view the band’s 90’s-2000’s career in.
Here’s the good news: I’m here to tell you that the days of Metalli-disappointment may be coming to a close; if the rest of Death Magnetic delivers the kind of creativity, punch and all around ballsiness as this first single, I’ll be the first to shovel a mouthful of crow down the hatch, dust off my old Damage Inc. tour shirt and take up the Metalli-flag once again.
In my opinion, “The Day That Never Comes” is the best song, and the most Metallica-sounding track the band has released in 20 years, really since …And Justice For All. In fact, the almost eight-minute song is very reminiscent (and nearly guilty of recycling parts) of the band’s huge single from Justice, “One”. “Day” opens with four minutes of catchy half-time grooves filled with placid clean guitar parts playing off of crashing choruses pulled straight from the “Fade To Black”, “One” and “Unforgiven” playbook, though “Day” has a live-ness, ferociousness in performance and production that even the classics all but lack given a good re-listen. By the five minute mark, the song explodes into territory nary explored by the band since Cliff Burton was slinging bass with the quartet in the mid-eighties, complete with multiple time changes, crazy modulations, and oodles and oodles of Hammet shredding over mad Hetfield grinding.
Right about now you might be wondering why we’re going on and on about a new Metallica song – this is a gaming website after all. It makes sense though when you consider that how good or bad the new Metallica album is will play largely into how well the Death Magnetic DLC does. Think about it: any time we hear about songs or albums announced for either Guitar Hero or Rock Band, we’ve at least heard them before. This is new territory for us. And considering that NPD data and other studies have concluded that the average gamer is 35 year old male, I’m thinking all you vintage Metallica lovers should have a wake up call and think about giving this a chance. I for one can’t wait to hear the new album in its entirety now, and I’m stoked about playing it on Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 2 (Harmonix reps have stated that the band’s first single, which is “The Day That Never Comes,” would be available on RB2).
My prediction: This song, and hopefully the rest of the album (the band performed another new song, “Cyanide”, recently at a concert in Dallas, and it is equally good) will be fun and very challenging to play on either game, especially on Expert; there’s plenty of parts that will test vocalists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers alike.
But don’t take my word for it, go check out the song on the band's MySpace (both “Cyanide” and “Day” can be heard here), and see what you think. Then come back and tell me if the direction of the new CD will make a difference whether or not you want to play it on said games, or if you just want to cook my goose for saying that Metallica have spent most of the 90’s and 2000’s sucking Bob Rock-style. In my opinion it’s about time we hear some Metallica that sounds like Metallica. Sound off people!
Related
More like this:
skanlakers
October 06, 2008 at 4:26pm
The only reason I might buy RB2 or Guitar Hero is if they ever released a group of Pantera songs. You want to listen to an amazing metal guitarist, listen to Dime.
trevorUNC
October 04, 2008 at 8:17am
Brought back the guitar solo in a STRONG way and loving every slashing song on the record
CashWheel
September 13, 2008 at 7:14pm
Now that the full album is out, did it meet your expectations? Tommy, can you hear me?!
xpects the xpctd
September 01, 2008 at 4:33pm
http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/PsycodlicCowboy.png
xpects the xpctd
September 01, 2008 at 4:32pm
[url=http://profile.mygamercard.net/PsycodlicCowboy][img]http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/PsycodlicCowboy.png[/img][/url]
chukky1728
September 01, 2008 at 6:49am
blindside80 wrote: "Who the hell is Boston?" Take a listen to "any" Boston song through a pair of quality headphones and experience the first eargasm of you short life.
Casey OXM
August 29, 2008 at 9:15am
I'm a few steps behind you loco; I first caught our heroes as Ozzy's opener in 1986, but The Stone... man, I saw Exodus and Vio-lence (different shows) play there YEARS ago, good times. I would say Boston for sure over Skynard, their self-titled record is just so epic, the guitar tones are so righteous, it doesn't even sound like it was created by human hands but instead like it was delivered to Earth by some alien god of riff. Metallica vs. Megadeth is a mixed bag and era-sensitive IMO. For instance, comparing the Kill Em' All-Master era with Killing Is My Bussiness through So Far era, I would say Metallica wins hands down, though Peace Sells is still a classic. Then I would say Rust In Peace pretty much slays anything Metallica did in the last 20 years, with most of Megadeth's subsequent releases going from sucky to suckier. Lastly, I didn't touch on this in the blog but I feel bad for Jason Newkid; I imagine Death Magnetic is the record he spent 15 years waiting to make and instead was forced to suffer through the Ain't My Bitch era.
LocoGray
August 28, 2008 at 5:02pm
I can remember seeing Metallica at The Stone when Dave Mustaine was still the lead guitarist , so I think that tells you what camp I am in...yikes, I am old. Anyways, I have heard both "Day" and "My Apocalypse", and was blown away. Great music from a great band. From a gaming perspective, these are going to be a blast to play! Casey wrote a great article explaining how lucky we are to be gaming right here, right now. Kutos, and I can't wait to start banging my head against the stage! Speaking of which...wouldn't "Whiplash" be sweet to play on drums? I bet it would blow "Painkiller" away. As for the Boston vs. Metallica debate, apples and oranges man, great bands who can't be compared against each other. Now you want to have a real fight...Boston or Skynyrd...Metallica or Megadeth? Just to have some fun...
HulkHogan3843
August 27, 2008 at 1:34pm
Yes this site takes HTML, that is how I used the bold, italics and break line on my first post in this article. Oh, and xpects, use mygamercard.net if you want your GT to show. They tell you how and everything.
xpects the xpctd
August 27, 2008 at 5:47am
ok, let's see if this works http://live.xbox.com/member/PsycodlicCowboy
HulkHogan3843
August 26, 2008 at 12:22pm
Exactly, why are people trying to compare two separate bands from two separate genres. That is what I was trying to say last time. Some may say that Metallica is WAY better than Boston, but how could you compare them??? It just doesn't make sense to me.
xpects the xpctd
August 26, 2008 at 7:47am
Also, I forgot to mention, I like Boston, but my opinion is that Metallica is better. The genres are so different though that a comparrison isn't really fair to either band. I believe Boston songs are better with vocals because they get more into that while Metallica uses insane guitar solos and nightmarish drums to get you going. Since GH added vocals, Boston would be great (the guitar is sweet). But anyway, no matter what Boston wouldn't belong in this game sheerly because Metallica is more metal so bands like Slipknot and Slayer would belong more.
xpects the xpctd
August 26, 2008 at 7:41am
My friends and I love Metallica, and I won't be buying this because I can only afford Rock Band 2. I will be playing this at a friend's house, especially when I get to do vocals (I am the vocalist for almost all my bands, expert or bust). I don't care about the new album, I just want to see The Unforgiven, Nothing Else Matters, and especially Master of Puppets finally get on a rythym game.
Sl8ter13
August 26, 2008 at 6:09am
Boston doesn't suck. Metallica is good but they arent close to the greatest band ever. They are great at their niche of music but thats all.
Mitch OXM
August 25, 2008 at 11:37pm
As a 20 year old, I'm proud to say that I only like Metallica's good stuff... i.e. the first (MAYBE) five records... this sounds a bit older, and I dig it. I'd be down with jammin' to it.
Allanon6666
August 25, 2008 at 7:14pm
First off, Boston doesn't suck (and you should know them, "Foreplay Long Time" was in RB, along with the majority of there first album as DLC, and "More than a Feeling" was in GH1) and you really can't compare Metallica to Boston, the genres maybe, but not the bands. Second, after hearing the recording of "Cyanide" from Ozzfest (that was the concert in Dallas Casey was refering to), I was stoked for the new album. I'll admit that the first Metallica song I heard was "Enter Sandman" (I'm 17, btw), but I was in love with them from then on. I fall squarely into the group of fans that likes everything up to Balck Album, especially ...And Justice For All and S&M. If Death Magnetic is as good as "Cyanide" and "The Day That Never Comes", I'll gladly buy both the CD and any DLC that they put in RB.
Led_Zeppelin129
August 25, 2008 at 6:53pm
no. Metallica is amazing. Boston is good, but nowhere near as good as Metallica. Its nice that you have an opinion, but fail.
blindside80
August 25, 2008 at 6:05pm
Who the hell is Boston? Either I'm too young or they suck so bad I've never heard of them. They just better pick a lot of old songs of Metallica and not too many from the past ten years or so.
BIGJosher
August 25, 2008 at 4:37pm
Boston sucks balls to start out with and second is Metallica is the best band ever. They have delivered for many different rock fans and I personally like all of their music. Ride the Lighting and S&M are my favorite albums, but I can't wait to fail Battery horribly.
HulkHogan3843
August 25, 2008 at 4:29pm
Mon, 08/25/2008 - 18:59 Posted by PaperLantern Boston is better.
Are you kidding me??? You are actually trying to compare Boston to Metallica. That is like trying to compare a banana to meatloaf. They are entirely two separate things, genres in this case. Boston is rock where "Metal"lica is the original "Metal". You need to think about things before you post my friend. BTW, I can't wait for Metallica's new album DM!!!
Jimmy Jaymz
August 25, 2008 at 2:58pm
Damn right!!!! I'm of the first class of Tallica fans (don't get me wrong, I liked the 90's era, but they weren't what Tallica was in the 80's) and that first single is great. It gives me hope about Death Magnetic. Completely right on the fact that is does remind you of one from the Justice album and if the rest of the album is that good then I will be spending my hard earned cash on both the CD and DLC for Guitar Hero.
Connect with OXM Online
Featured Content
Skyrim is a fantastic game, but this RPG newcomer shows the venerable series how to...
The future is yours to make in this engrossing new RPG. Get our verdict right here!
This month's issue
Features
Ninja Gaiden 3!
Reviews
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Battlefield 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Previews
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, I Am Alive, Asura's Wrath
OXM Twitter Feed
- OXM: With The Simpsons Arcade Game re-igniting our passion for old-school coin-ops, some OXM editors name their most-wanted: http://t.co/6paiRylC4 hours 32 min ago
- OXM: Take a look at the next map coming to Modern Warfare 3, debuting exclusively for Xbox 360 COD Elite members: http://t.co/kxgw3Vlj7 hours 17 min ago
- OXM: Kinect Star Wars is due in less than two months. Sounds like the perfect time to deliver a barrage of screens and info: http://t.co/99ytFfrW7 hours 34 min ago
