Over the past 23 years, I have attended shows by iconic artists like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, and Megadeth. Interestingly, I have yet to see Metallica and it is worth noting that I intentionally avoided them to some extent. Like many metal fans, I have conflicting feelings towards the genre’s most recognizable pioneers.
Metal music is deeply connected to identity, particularly for those who are marginalized. In a previous post, I argued that authenticity helps lessen the impacts of social exclusion. This is why metal fans engage in gatekeeping and elitism to help preserve an insular culture. Metal bands who evolve to greater popularity by adopting a hard rock sound are seen as compromising their integrity or “selling out.” As a result, metal fans often distance themselves from Metallica because they became commercially successful with the release of The Black Album in 1991. This isn’t my main objection to Metallica because I do like their 90s albums including Load and Reload. Metallica never triggered strong feelings of exclusivity for me, in part because most of their popular work showcases quality musicianship and helps introduce metal to a wider audience (for example, through Stranger Things).
One notable exception in their acclaimed catalog is the musical travesty that is St. Anger, released in 2003. This album seemed out of character as Metallica tried to mimic the nu-metal trends of the day, complete with a snare drum that sounded like a trash can. Watching them argue about fundamental aspects of metal music such as whether to include guitar solos in the documentary Some Kind of Monster felt like a comedic betrayal. This, combined with drummer Lars Ulrich’s crusade against Napster and MP3 file sharing, left a sour taste in my mouth that persisted for years.
Even if we judge Metallica solely on the merits of their early work, what bothers me most about the band is that they seem disconnected from the modern metal scene and the up-and-coming artists that draw inspiration from their music. These days you can tune in to Howard Stern to hear Lars Ulrich talk about playing tennis with Matthew McConaughey and rave about Deep Purple and Rush like they are new bands. In contrast, former Metallica member and Megadeth front man Dave Mustaine regularly collaborates with and tours alongside metal bands from a wide range of subgenres. This is quite different from Metallica’s recent performances with Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga.
For the general public, Metallica is synonymous with heavy metal. Within the metal community, Metallica is an afterthought. I accept that they have left us behind, even though their 1991 performance of Creeping Death in Moscow is still one of the best I have ever seen.
If you have lost track of Metallica’s new music, check out these brutally honest and witty reviews of their 2023 record, 72 Seasons.
Metalnomics 