March 9, 2017
This A list band has been around for quite a while and their fame and recognition in particular have increased over the past decade. Back in the day, these guys were just like every other wannabe band. Relegated to a garage in a not so safe neighborhood that was so dangerous they had to lock the garage even while they were playing for fear someone would break in and rob them while they were playing.
These guys were much like other bands just starting out who go on and on about their craft and not interested in making money. The whole usual thing about just wanting to make music for the people. Trying to light a spark among the few loyal fans who came to see them perform at a steady stream of the worst clubs in earth, they encouraged fans to record the shows and spread the tapes around to other potential fans.
These guys were great and very underground. One of the members of this band, who I will call Mr. S, was, quite simply, a musical genius. It was his creative vision, talent and refusal to compromise that was responsible for the band's early breakthroughs. Unfortunately, though, there was another band member who was very jealous of Mr. S and his creativity. I'll call this guy Mr. M. He was (and is) a monumental jerk- and contrary to the underground reputation of the band, was hungry for fame and wealth from day one. He did a good job at hiding it though, and played along with the band's narrative, but greed and power were always primary his mind.
Part of Mr. M's jealousy towards Mr. S was also centered around Mr. S's girlfriend. She was also an extremely talented artist and was well liked by pretty much everyone in their early scene. The story that has circulated around for years is that Mr. M also had feelings for this woman. Very strong feelings --you know-- it's the classic story. When Mr. M confessed his feelings to this woman, she basically told him to f**k off. She hated him and had no idea why he would even feel that way about her since she made her hatred of him pretty plain to him as often as possible.
This rejection lead to even more issues between Mr. S and Mr. M. Mr. M demanded a bigger piece of the pie for things he only minimally contributed to and also tried to sabotage a lot of Mr. S's creative process. And the problem is that Mr. S., being the sensitive and creative personality type, just was not good at fighting back against Mr. M. Not a good situation. Anyway, right around the time that this band had one of it's first commercial successes, something bad happened to Mr. S. The official story floating around about the incident has been consistent for years, but there have always been questions about what actually happened. The questions mostly center around Mr. M and his actions at the time of this incident, but since the situation took place such a long time ago, we'll probably never really know the whole story.
People in the band's circle generally believe Mr. M was responsible. After this incident with Mr. S, the band became even more commercially and financially successful which became the primary motivating factor for the band. The band has completely discarded their prior ideals and have also stopped caring about their fans. Sadly, their fans have no idea how much the band members really loathe them. Some of the band's early fans, though, have figured out how disingenuous these guys have become and no longer support them.
Many other fans though continue to believe the band will remain true to their roots. That myth could very well be shattered very soon. Mr. M has demanded a lot of money for a tour that is being planned, which will translate into some seriously astronomical ticket prices for fans. Even more interesting, is that rumors are flying that the band will be using backing tracks for the first time on this tour as well. With many pop stars these days, this is the norm-- but with this band, it would have to be hidden from fans and promoters at all costs. So not only would concert-goers be paying a huge price to see these guys live, but some of the stuff they perform might very well be canned tracks. What Mr. M doesn't know though is that some of the band's crew are getting sick and tired of the crappy treatment they've received as a result of the band's greed, and in particular, hate Mr. M. So it would not surprise me if there was an on-purpose "glitch" at a large show with one of the backing tracks. Since everyone has a smart phone to record audio and video of concerts these days, this will spell disaster for this band and their fan base when this is exposed. The other problem is that some of the crew are also rumored to have Mr. M on tape saying some very politically incorrect things. If this also gets released, it will also expose the fact that the band's narrative is nowhere near what they want people to think it is either. Public relations disaster.
"Metallica"
Mr. S: Cliff Burton
Girlfriend: Audrey Kimball
Mr. M: Lars Ulrich
This A list band has been around for quite a while and their fame and recognition in particular have increased over the past decade. Back in the day, these guys were just like every other wannabe band. Relegated to a garage in a not so safe neighborhood that was so dangerous they had to lock the garage even while they were playing for fear someone would break in and rob them while they were playing.
These guys were much like other bands just starting out who go on and on about their craft and not interested in making money. The whole usual thing about just wanting to make music for the people. Trying to light a spark among the few loyal fans who came to see them perform at a steady stream of the worst clubs in earth, they encouraged fans to record the shows and spread the tapes around to other potential fans.
These guys were great and very underground. One of the members of this band, who I will call Mr. S, was, quite simply, a musical genius. It was his creative vision, talent and refusal to compromise that was responsible for the band's early breakthroughs. Unfortunately, though, there was another band member who was very jealous of Mr. S and his creativity. I'll call this guy Mr. M. He was (and is) a monumental jerk- and contrary to the underground reputation of the band, was hungry for fame and wealth from day one. He did a good job at hiding it though, and played along with the band's narrative, but greed and power were always primary his mind.
Part of Mr. M's jealousy towards Mr. S was also centered around Mr. S's girlfriend. She was also an extremely talented artist and was well liked by pretty much everyone in their early scene. The story that has circulated around for years is that Mr. M also had feelings for this woman. Very strong feelings --you know-- it's the classic story. When Mr. M confessed his feelings to this woman, she basically told him to f**k off. She hated him and had no idea why he would even feel that way about her since she made her hatred of him pretty plain to him as often as possible.
This rejection lead to even more issues between Mr. S and Mr. M. Mr. M demanded a bigger piece of the pie for things he only minimally contributed to and also tried to sabotage a lot of Mr. S's creative process. And the problem is that Mr. S., being the sensitive and creative personality type, just was not good at fighting back against Mr. M. Not a good situation. Anyway, right around the time that this band had one of it's first commercial successes, something bad happened to Mr. S. The official story floating around about the incident has been consistent for years, but there have always been questions about what actually happened. The questions mostly center around Mr. M and his actions at the time of this incident, but since the situation took place such a long time ago, we'll probably never really know the whole story.
People in the band's circle generally believe Mr. M was responsible. After this incident with Mr. S, the band became even more commercially and financially successful which became the primary motivating factor for the band. The band has completely discarded their prior ideals and have also stopped caring about their fans. Sadly, their fans have no idea how much the band members really loathe them. Some of the band's early fans, though, have figured out how disingenuous these guys have become and no longer support them.
Many other fans though continue to believe the band will remain true to their roots. That myth could very well be shattered very soon. Mr. M has demanded a lot of money for a tour that is being planned, which will translate into some seriously astronomical ticket prices for fans. Even more interesting, is that rumors are flying that the band will be using backing tracks for the first time on this tour as well. With many pop stars these days, this is the norm-- but with this band, it would have to be hidden from fans and promoters at all costs. So not only would concert-goers be paying a huge price to see these guys live, but some of the stuff they perform might very well be canned tracks. What Mr. M doesn't know though is that some of the band's crew are getting sick and tired of the crappy treatment they've received as a result of the band's greed, and in particular, hate Mr. M. So it would not surprise me if there was an on-purpose "glitch" at a large show with one of the backing tracks. Since everyone has a smart phone to record audio and video of concerts these days, this will spell disaster for this band and their fan base when this is exposed. The other problem is that some of the crew are also rumored to have Mr. M on tape saying some very politically incorrect things. If this also gets released, it will also expose the fact that the band's narrative is nowhere near what they want people to think it is either. Public relations disaster.
"Metallica"
Mr. S: Cliff Burton
Girlfriend: Audrey Kimball
Mr. M: Lars Ulrich
When was Lars ever capable of hiding he’s a fucking ass?
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading the rest, most of Metallica’s fans understand that after Master of Puppets they sold out big-time but remain their fans because the music, especially the old stuff they still do live, is good. Most of the stuff they have put out the last 10 years is absolute crap, which is why you never hear any of the new shit being played on rock radio. The fans keep praying they will go back to what they were and that’s why they stick by the band.
ReplyDeleteThanks Enty for all these cold case revelations....some of them are really heart breaking !
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know many of these guys from recent blinds.
What a sad way to find out....RIP !
um, Metallica sold out over 20 years ago, no one believes they are about the fans any more
ReplyDelete👍
DeleteWhile much of this is true there is NO way that Lars did anything what-so-ever to contribute to the bus crash that sadly took Clifford. "People in the band's circle generally believe Mr. M was responsible." Absolutely unabashed sensational nonsense! I happen to be someone who knows exactly all too well! (No, you will never ever know who I am). What do "people in the band's circle" believe? That he grabbed the wheel himself causing a horrific crash? Not likely. Regardless of that tarnish, "some seriously astronomical ticket prices for fans" was spot on!
ReplyDeleteI am not a big Megadeth fan, but Metallica went to crap when Mustaine got the boot. Kill em All is far and away the best album they put out.
ReplyDeleteThey all bought into the Q-Prime narrative. Not remotely surprising. Still, Jason contributed to some really good songs, only after he left did they become a tribute band.
ReplyDeleteIs there a more shameful time in music history than bald fat Ulrich going after Napster?
ReplyDeleteIf Lars Ulrich has the power to wreck a bus and only kill one specific person, I think we should all be very concerned, that's some Akira level sh!t right there. ;)
ReplyDeleteThey also sued Napster back in the day, that should have removed any doubt that they were all about the money.
@Count, I do like some of Dave Mustaine's stuff, but Kill em All is definitely below Master of Puppets and the black album. I'd say even below Ride the Lightning and And Justice For All.
ReplyDeletePutting the Black Album in there pretty much kills the credibility, for hardcore Metallica fans. I am not one of them, but cringe at the thought of someone putting Kill em All 5th. Silly talk.
DeleteI dont blame them for going after Napster. You do work, you get paid. That is America. Metallica was just one of the few artists that could absorb the PR hit by going up against the thieves.
ReplyDeleteCount I spent my College years with Metallica fans, 'Ride the Lighting' is better than 'kill 'em all'. 'Master of puppets' is better than both.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Master of Puppets >>>>>>> Kill 'em All.
DeleteI think I recall that cliff was sleeping in Lars’ bed or something similar and we all know Enty like to stretch the truth so maybe that’s how Lars’ causes the bus crash?
ReplyDeleteEither way, god I loved Metallica so much in the 90’s and their Behind the Music was one of the best
Oh please, the black album was a solid album. More mainstream less heavy sure, but there were good songs there. I don't punish groups for trying not to sound like their last album.
ReplyDeleteI agree with longtime and pretty much everyone else, Master of Puppets was their best. And Justice for All was decent but only One and Harvester of Sorrow stick in my mind.
I grew up across the street from Jimmy Hetfield. They didn't play anywhere dangerous. Virgil soundproofed the garage and locked it, but the neighborhood was fine.
ReplyDeleteThe black album was a good album, but it wasn't a GREAT album. Master and Justice were great.
ReplyDeleteAnd Lars sucks. As a person and as a drummer.
Maybe Lars contributed to Burtons death not by causing the crash but by refusing to get help in time, waiting until it was too late for the paramedics.
ReplyDeleteI like the black album, it is the last one I bought from them. It is definitely in their sold-out discography though.
ReplyDeleteAnytime we can talk smack about Lars, I'm for it. What a colossal wank. Grief and going through it 'together' is the only reason he stayed on. Now he's just an old codger with busted elbows; apparently he has been growing nicer in his old age and wanting to get back to more creative work, but when you are so far removed from the 'essence' that gave you that creative drive/simple roots that made you so revered, you'll never obtain it.
ReplyDeleteHis only redeeming quality has been he has taken a public stance against Trump and believes rock 'n roll doesn't lend itself to the oppression of others.
Burton is dead in a bus accident during a tour.How was Ulrich able to Kill him? Ulrich never hide he was ambitious and protective and it is why The band still exists.Watch their documentary
ReplyDeleteAngry misogynists.
ReplyDeleteClearly Lars had driven ahead and threw some water down to create the black ice the bus skid on. ON top of the fact he slipped some Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime tea to the driver making him fall asleep.
ReplyDeleteAlso, guys, it's Black Friday it's 30% off the Brooklyn Bridge I have for sale!
Add me to the chorus calling bullshit. Lars was asleep on the bus like the other four. Cliff was tossed out a window and the bus rolled on him. Lars was laid up with a broken foot and James and Kirk found Cliff's body. There is no way Lars could have engineered it.
ReplyDeleteThe rest, though, yeah. A few years back it was revealed that Cliff told someone, I think Scott Ian, that after the MoP tour they were gonna toss Lars out. After Cliff died that plan was scrubbed.
https://consequenceofsound.net/2014/10/metallica-planned-to-fire-drummer-lars-ulrich-prior-to-death-of-cliff-burton/
ReplyDeleteMetallica have gained their most fame and recognition in the past decade? Have we time travelled back to the 90s?? And as others have said, that insufferable little cumstain Ulrich has never successfully hidden his greed or his dickheadedness.
ReplyDeleteAs for the rumour about Cliff’s death was that the driver nodded off at the wheel or was drunk, so unless Lars had decided to lecture him, to the point where the driver passed out from boredom, it’s the one thing we can’t blame him for.
I'd say Puppet's was their peak. Lars has always been a dick, but I'm not getting how he was supposed to be responsible, unless it was something after the crash.
ReplyDeleteCliff also played cards with Kirk and won Kirk's bed on that fateful night, so Kirk's been sufering survivor's guilt since the crash because it should've been him.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, as a lifelong Metallica and and a musician inspired by Hetfield to pick up a guitar an teach myself to play, I still fucking love Metallica's recent output. You're deluding yourself if you claim it's all crap.
Confirmation of what has been suspect for such a long time. The only album I honestly enjoyed from Metallica was 'Kill 'em all.' Cliff's bass solo was phenomenal. Lars has been and always will be a talentless, spineless, goblin. Never forget that shitstorm he cause with napster. He makes me sick.
ReplyDelete+1 Karma Police, great song btw
ReplyDelete