Quote:
Originally Posted by jlomon
While I am loathe to get into this sort of an argument, Cliff did very little writing. The Metallica sound, including guitar tone, is primarily James Hetfield. Starting with AJFA, Hetfield started putting layer upon layer of guitar tracks on top of each other - sometimes a dozen layers thick. It created a thick, almost numb sound - like the edges had been shaved off. Kill 'em All had a crisp guitar tone that was a little dirty sounding - primarily because they didn't have the money to clean stuff up and put layers down. It sounded raw. The tone from these two samples has that raw edge again.
Cliff Burton was a great part of the sound - his bass playing has yet to be equaled in the band, although they really didn't give Newstead a chance - they turned down the bass on purpose on AJFA. But he wasn't a contributer with the writing in any meaningful way. I'll give you Mustaine - his music still sounds like it was written and recorded in 1984, although his riffing has become significantly more complicated. But he only knows three solos. Hammett is a much more rounded lead guitar player.
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Yeah, it's tiresome arguing something as subjective as music. I actually agree with you though; just thought that it was Cliff who did a lot of the compositional work. He may not have been writing every riff, I don't know the history that well, but I do seem to remember reading that it was Cliff who turned the songs from crushing metal thrash songs, into crushing metal thrash epic seven minute long journeys.
AJFA was mostly written by the time Cliff passed, IIRC. That's why it sounds like the earlier albums even though Cliff wasn't there...You have to admit that no album/tunes since has that epic compositional quality that Cliff provided the band. They really haven't been able to do the seven minute epic metal rock songs well, without Cliff.
Poor Jason. Poor red headed step child. I always hoped he do something worthwhile, post Metallica.
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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
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