James Hetfield

[skoora]

I think Het's awesome. Just wish he could find a singing style and stick with it

He's actually pretty self effacing in the footage I've seen and I see more insecurities (pre-sober) than I would say being a dick. He admitted to overblowing the ultimatum with Newsted because he didn't want anyone to need (not want) anything more than Metallica. I actually respect him for laying down the law on what the band would do while he was in recovery and getting his life back together. He knew if he didn't get it together there wouldn't be a Metallica so just for that moment he was selfish in the right ways. Sure, I haven't cared for their recorded music in decades and live is too painful with that Danish, metronomic horror show behind him, but I'll always be down for the Hettster.

 

[Tone Monster]

Hetfield had the most powerful voice in music, period. Plus the song writing and that right hand. He's older and more mellow now and that's ok. I liked the pissed off version from the late '80s early 90's myself. He was a bad mother.

 

[RaceU4her]

sebastain bach had the most presence of anyone i met. i had a working pass to an ozzfest years ago in NJ and was backstage at the miller light tent that had tubs of free beer which is where of course all the bands and crew were hanging out. this was the first of two nights in NJ so everyone was there because no one was leaving and everyone was getting completely trashed. sebastain bach shows up and the party went to a whole new level, that guy had other rock stars surrounding him like a bunch of little girls pumped to get their picture with him. must be nice lol

 

[baron55]

I thought Metallica is who they are because of Hamett's unforgettable guitar solos and perfect vibrato and pitch?

You can't hear that unless the wah is turned off.......

 

[steve_k]

I thought Metallica is who they are because of Hamett's unforgettable guitar solos and perfect vibrato and pitch?

You can't hear that unless the wah is turned off.......

 

[shadowdevourer]

Too much presence never hurts unless it's on an amp

Every now and then when I feel like remembering why Metallica is Metallica, I put on and watch Live Shit 1989 Seattle, and I recommend you do the same.

 

[garey77]

James is awesome because he exists.

 

[GRANKOR]

james 'meh'tfield

 

[PhloridaMan]

I love Metallica, every album including St. Anger (it was different and interesting). That being said... I met James in Orlando in something like 2004 on the Summer Sanitarium tour when they played with Mudvayne... I kept waiting for him to include AHAAAHHHH or YEAAAAAAHHHHH at the end of every word he said to me... I almost couldn't keep a straight face...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEZhIcL-BJY Listening to him without music backing him is almost one of the most painful experiences anyone could ever endure...

 

[Heritage Softail]

I love Metallica, every album including St. Anger (it was different and interesting). That being said... I met James in Orlando in something like 2004 on the Summer Sanitarium tour when they played with Mudvayne... I kept waiting for him to include AHAAAHHHH or YEAAAAAAHHHHH at the end of every word he said to me... I almost couldn't keep a straight face...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEZhIcL-BJY Listening to him without music backing him is almost one of the most painful experiences anyone could ever endure...

All iso tracks sound way different. But, I buy finished CD's not iso tracks!



He does stay in character. If he didn't it would be like an Iron Maiden song without the gallop.

 

[Badronald]

Hetfield

 

[rocknrolla]

The guy has earned a net worth of almost $200 million fronting the world's most successful metal band in the history of the human race and people are arguing if he sucks or not.

 

[cnote]

It is rarely fair how today's generation judges the last generation.

 

[PhloridaMan]

The guy has earned a net worth of almost $200 million fronting the world's most successful metal band in the history of the human race and people are arguing if he sucks or not.

There is no question at all Metallica is/was/are (whatever you think) the BIGGEST and one of the best metal bands of all time. Without James, Metallica is nothing... He can't be replaced as easily as Kirk or Lars could be if needed...

 

[Deleted member 16554]

The guy has earned a net worth of almost $200 million fronting the world's most successful metal band in the history of the human race and people are arguing if he sucks or not.

There is no question at all Metallica is/was/are (whatever you think) the BIGGEST and one of the best metal bands of all time. Without James, Metallica is nothing... He can't be replaced as easily as Kirk or Lars could be if needed...

Pretty much my thoughts, love him or hate him, the man's got a tremendous amount of talent and he has forged his way to the top from the bottom

 

[borninwinter]

The guy has earned a net worth of almost $200 million fronting the world's most successful metal band in the history of the human race and people are arguing if he sucks or not.

There is no question at all Metallica is/was/are (whatever you think) the BIGGEST and one of the best metal bands of all time. Without James, Metallica is nothing... He can't be replaced as easily as Kirk or Lars could be if needed...

Back in 2000, I was at one of the Summer Sanitarium shows where James got hurt and was out for the shows. I recall that Serj and Daron from System of a Down filled in ably on a couple songs. Aside from that it was a pretty amusing to watch the other three try to do it without James. It seemed like they really couldn't even get through some of the songs without him.

 

[thiswaythatway]

sebastain bach had the most presence of anyone i met. i had a working pass to an ozzfest years ago in NJ and was backstage at the miller light tent that had tubs of free beer which is where of course all the bands and crew were hanging out. this was the first of two nights in NJ so everyone was there because no one was leaving and everyone was getting completely trashed. sebastain bach shows up and the party went to a whole new level, that guy had other rock stars surrounding him like a bunch of little girls pumped to get their picture with him. must be nice lol

Not to mention that on the Howard Stern show he apparently tied his dick into a knot. He could have career with the Bang Bus crew if he wanted.

 

[skoora]

The guy has earned a net worth of almost $200 million fronting the world's most successful metal band in the history of the human race and people are arguing if he sucks or not.

There is no question at all Metallica is/was/are (whatever you think) the BIGGEST and one of the best metal bands of all time. Without James, Metallica is nothing... He can't be replaced as easily as Kirk or Lars could be if needed...

Back in 2000, I was at one of the Summer Sanitarium shows where James got hurt and was out for the shows. I recall that Serj and Daron from System of a Down filled in ably on a couple songs. Aside from that it was a pretty amusing to watch the other three try to do it without James. It seemed like they really couldn't even get through some of the songs without him.

Actually when Lars is on form (well as on form as he can be) he's not replaceable either. I rag on him a lot but when he's actually playing well he's a huge part of the Metallica sound. When I watched the vids where Lombardo and Joey Jordison filled in him for him the band didn't sound nearly as good I thought. Metallica doesn't need a flashy drummer. It needs a pounder. I reckon Phil Rudd if he was 20 years younger would be a better choice than Lombardo. Lars knows how to lay down the big beat but unfortunately he's rarely in form. He needs to put down the paint brush and investment portfolio and pick up some damn drumsticks.

There's a certain chemistry that James, Lars and Kirk have built up over the years and so I don't think any of them are replaceable. I also don't think that James would necessarily be great outside of Metallica either. I've always wanted to see what he might do on a side project with some killer players but I wouldn't be surprised if it actually wasn't any better than Metallica. I would still love to see/hear it though.

Hetfield
Gene Hoglan
John Paul Jones or Billy Gould (Faith No More)
Hank Sherman

 

[Schaf]

When I grew up my dad was very critical of the "modern" music that I loved and said a lot of terrible things about the people writing and performing that music. I decided very early on that I would not be the same way and I'm happy to say, I'm not, but one poor assumption I made was that artistic types (musicians, etc.) were more like me.

After many years of listening to the hyper-critical, closed minded opinions of my artistic peers I've now come to the conclusion that I'm wrong.

I never got big into Metallica but Hetfield a joke? That makes me laugh, out loud. Kirk is not a joke either and yes, I realize he's addicted to the wah.

<burp>

Great post!!

 

[borninwinter]

From the behind the scenes videos I've watched, Lars' most valuable contribution look like in the songwriting process/arranging. Anyway, I think Lombardo or Jordison would have sounded better given some actual time to rehearse with the band, instead of just a one off fill in for Lars. Really, I don't think any of them need to be replaced, and I agree that both Lars and Kirk's playing, which not all that interesting in itself, is right for Metallica. But, I do think if you had to replace one of them, you could and still call it Metallica. Replace James and it would be a different band no question.