Tag Archives: Metallica

Metallica are calling the shots now

Charlie Benante of Anthrax recently revealed in an interview that Metallica are responsible for their getting their shit together and releasing their album this fall.

“I’ve got to say, Metallica and the whole Big 4 thing really gave us a kick up the ass. It was like ‘Right, get your shit together, let’s go’ and that gave us a deadline for the record.“

Watch interview here.

Anything Metallica says, goes, huh? That’s wonderful. Wait until they make you record an album with Lou Reed or something.

Big Four jam pro-shot footage

Professionally filmed video footage of the July 2 “Big Four” jam at Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany can be viewed above.

Towards the end of Metallica‘s set, Members of Anthrax and Megadeth joined Metallica on stage for a cover of Diamond Head‘s ‘Helpless’. Slayer weren’t available to take part because Dave was having another tattoo, Kerry was having a wank the band had to travel for their concert on the following night.

[insert prefunctory rant about The Big Four]

Yep, Diamond Head joined the jam

Okay so maybe not all of Diamond Head, just guitarist Brian Tatler.

Now, I have updated the original post about this but hey, Metallica.com has some awesome photos up so I stole got a couple of them to post here.

Make the jump to see a few and a link to the full gallery.

And yes, I realize most of the news is now Big Four-related somehow but hey, what can you do? Would you rather read about whom Bret Michaels is singing with? I thought so.

Friday Top 10: Greatest Metallica solos

Last week, for the first time ever, we missed the chance to write a Top 10 because we were lazy busy. Instead of publishing a ‘Friday Top 10’ on a Saturday, we’ve decided to simply work on a bigger Top 10 for ‘next Friday’ — which is this Friday cause this happened last week. Confused? So am I.

Anyway, this is more than just a Top 10. I will also talk about 5 runner-ups and will make it a Top 15.

Now, let’s get back to business. I talk a lot about how James is THE guitarist of Metallica, and people give Kirk a lot of shit for his playing. But truth to be told, Kirk wrote some of the best metal solos of all time. His 80s lead work is legendary and has probably influenced countless lead guitarists.

You can get the most technically proficient lead guitarist in Metallica, it won’t guarantee better songs. Kirk’s soloing just gels with James’ riffs, in my opinion, and this Top 10 will take a look at some of his best work.

Arranging the solos by ‘quality’ is very hard. You tend to ‘root’ for your favorite songs. So I tried to be as objective as I could and simply judge the solo itself, regardless of how much I like the rest of the song.

Disclaimer: This article will not talk about speed, length or other technical aspects. It is simply about what I think are Metallica‘s greatest solos, judged on how good they sound on their own and how well they fit the song itself. So all you guitar dorks out there, watch out.

Now that we got out of the way, we can carry on with the top itself. Make the jump.

Will Diamond Head join The Big Four jam?

I actually wanted to go to Knebworth for Sonisphere, but couldn’t. Man, am I going to regret this…

Diamond Head (whose ‘Am I Evil’ song is usually played when the four bands jam) will play on the same stage as Anthrax, Slayer, Megadeth and Metallica. So will they join the jam at the end?

The video above with David Ellefson and Shawn Drover of Megadeth seems to hint towards that idea. It would be pretty epic indeed, and I don’t see why they wouldn’t.

I hope it will be pro shot so we don’t have to witness it via godawful cellphone footage.

UPDATE: Metallica.com confirms that Brian Tatler of Diamond Head joined the jam.

Speaking of Sonisphere, other musicians playing that festival were asked to pick their favorite Big Four band. Their quotes, after the jump.