Metallica
Haters can hate me because most of my favorite Metallica
songs are those from the ‘90’s, and many people say that is when Metallica sold
out. Maybe. As I wasn’t one of those legit Metallica fans
of the ‘80’s (though a friend played me “One” and I loved it), I don’t have a
right to say. All I know is that I fell
in love with them in the ‘90’s. I loved
how even though they rocked hard, they were melodic at the same time. I think no one can dispute the perfection of
both “Nothing Else Matters,” a superb song which has probably converted more
people to Metallica in the ‘90’s than any other, and my favorite Metallica song
from the ‘80’s – “Fade to Black.”
(Speaking of “Fade to Black,” I had
heard that in the ‘80’s some kids either committed suicide or wanted to because
of that song or that parents blamed Metallica for instigating suicidal thoughts
or actual suicides with that song. I,
however, think the song is beautiful and an eloquent portrait of what goes
through your mind when you lose all hope.
Many of us have been suicidal at one time or another – when art can
capture that darkness, creating something good out of despair, isn’t that a
positive thing? The members of Metallica
didn’t kill themselves, so they shouldn’t be blamed for influencing suicide, as
their actions don’t correspond with suicide.
But I think it is important that they gave voice to suicidal thoughts
because anyone who has contemplated suicide can relate to it, and being able to
relate to the idea that other people have felt as hopeless as you have is
actually helpful. So, if anything,
Metallica should be praised for that song).
But the ‘90’s really hit me with
Metallica. I love “Ain’t My Bitch,”
“Bleeding Me,” “Mama Said,” “Low Man’s Lyric,” and the instant-classic complete
with full orchestration -- “No Leaf Clover.”
The S&M concept was
brilliant and so well-suited to their songs, and I love the S&M version of (another musical
genius) Ennio Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold.”
As for my
favorite member of Metallica, as much as I love the incredible songwriting of
James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, lifting Metallica high above other heavy metal
and hard rock bands, my favorite member is Kirk Hammett. Not only because his guitar-playing is
astonishing, absolutely mind-blowing, but he is one of the most humble and
truly decent rock stars. In every
interview I’ve read or seen with him, his down-to-earth attitude comes
startling through.
After Clinton’s impeachment, Rolling Stone interviewed several rock stars asking them their
opinion of the situation, and Kirk Hammett said something along the lines of
(and I don’t want to use quotes because I don’t remember exactly the words,
just the message): He committed adultery,
and that’s wrong, but he shouldn’t have been impeached for it. How many rock stars would say that adultery
is wrong? I almost couldn’t believe it
when I read that. Even though I don’t
completely agree with monogamy, I definitely don’t agree with cheating as I
think people should be open (although I know I helped married men commit
adultery with me when I was doing my hostess work). I absolutely love and
admire people who believe in monogamy and practice it, and for a huge rock star
to have that belief, I was overcome.
Also, in the Metallica documentary
“Some Kind of Monster,” Kirk seemed the most humble, and that’s saying quite a
bit because I was quite impressed with the decency that all the members of
Metallica seemed to have, including former members Jason Newsted and (very
brief former member) Dave Mustaine.
They all seemed so human and likable.
But Kirk rose above everyone. I
noticed his wife’s face wasn’t even shown in the documentary, and I’m sure it’s
because they’re trying to live as normal a life as possible without the
spotlight. Everytime I see any interview
with Kirk I am bowled over by his presence.
What a nice, good, decent, humble, and incredibly talented man!
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