What Makes This Song Great? Ep.11 METALLICA

Hi Rick: I love this entire video series. Your song structure evaluations are so intricate and interesting that I feel guilty for not having learned to play instruments and studied music theory, in my youth (I know, it’s never too late – ha).
You may already know this, but want to point out that the base riff to this song was inspired from Kirk Hammett mimicking Soundgarden’s song, GUN, off the Louder Than Love album. While I love that song and everything about that album, most non-SG fans would be quite surprised to learn that song was the part of the impetus to this mega international hit coming into fruition.
I know you appreciate Soundgarden and Chris Cornell, so you’d probably appreciate that history /fun fact.

All-The-Best – Michael

What a treasure you are, guy! Thanks for sharing all this.

Rick,
I love this discussion, especially the comparison of Enter the Sandman to AC/DC’s style – what makes the drums tick. You also discussed the simple pocket and the accents on the off beat with the snare and crash.
Yes, for this one album, Metallica captured the essence of a big groove. (Sad But True had it too).

AC/DC also used dotted quarter note phrasing – Angus Young and the drummer caught the accents with the snare and crash but kept the bass drum going. It got that “forward momentum” you talk about.

AC/DC’s Phil Rudd always had that big laid back pocket drumming with the big heart and effortless million dollar lope and groove. (When other drummers sat in they had the technique but not the groove). Grand Funk’s Don Brewer always had it – check out “Black Licorice”, “Footstomping Music”, and “Flight of the Phoenix”. And Metallica’s Black Album captured it and was their best seller as a result.

One thing for sure. You can’t produce or generate heart. You can help it stand out but it comes from the players. Grand Funk sold out Shea Stadium without a lot of fancy equipment.

Thank you for this great discussion Rick, I enjoyed it immensely. You are a great player and educator.
Kim Martin
www.kimgmartin.com