This is an awesome song. However, what you're picking up on is the lack of bass. This album is notorious for the fact that they cut the bass track down to almost nothing, which took the punch out of the sound. There's a whole story behind it, and it's always bothered me too. However, the song is still great. Shortest Straw and Harvester of Sorrow off this album are also excellent.
A lot of added bass versions out there. Even in the remasters the f it up! Sad! Not Jasons fault Cliff died! If they didn't want a bassist, the should have left him in Flotsam!
@@jesse41793 oh cut the crap! Cliff was great, we all know. Jason didn't have to be better....it was never a competition when it comes to hearing the bass in music. Oh, and btw Steve Harris was better and made Cliff sound like an amateur. Take away his distortion, the wah, and flanger and Cliff was an average bassist with incredible strength in his left fingers to stretch the bass strings as his biggest asset....Facts
Nah that’s Ride. Justice may have some of their most technical riffs but it’s booged down by a lot of simple, repetitive, riffs that go on for way too long along with a poorly mixed production. Great album but not their best.
That's a controversial opinion...but I think...from beginning to end...I have to agree with you. For me, all their other albums have many songs that I just don't listen to.
@@overkillforever1, I agree about Justice. Justice has some great ideas but some of the rhythm parts go on for too long without variations or solos, and the lack of bass hurts. I love Hetfield on guitar but I'm also a huge bass fan.
This is the epitome of true thrash metal. The off timing. Pure RAWNESS. The true "elements" as you put it, is PURE metal in all its definitions. Metal has soooo many aspects, so many uncharted territories. Many people get stuck in the beliefs that metal has structure. Yet metal, true metal breaks ALL the rules and that's why true metal heads LOVE Heavy Metal. We love it ALL!!
You had me til you said raw- so not raw! Their most OVER produced material they ever did! So many months to record. 128 layred guitar tracks & spiteful games make it all NOT RAW!
@@hmpz36911 Fight Fire with Fire from two albums previous was an all around better song with pretty much the same meaning - nuclear holocaust. Listening to this is like I'm riding a Fight Fire with Fire bicycle on training wheels.
@@usnva5638 RTL is my fav album from them! Had the pre release & original pressing from Megaforce! Same with KEA! Best albums! Never shoulda dicked overJonny (or Dave) & moved moving back to CA messed them up!
@@jesse41793 A great way to treat your new bass player and fucking childish. It's a pity And Justice... doesn't sound anywhere near as good as The $5.98 E.P. , which is the last decent thing Metallica recorded.
Weirdly enough… That sound goes well with the whole album concept and artwork. (Don’t know if it was intentional) but it’s genius imo . It’s my favorite album from them .
It was intentional from Lars and James. Not from Jason and Flemming (Rasmussen, producer). The latter of which even asked them if they were F-ing serious, and he wouldn't put his name on that mix. This was Jason's first recording with Metallica after the passing of Cliff Burton, from which he took over after the fatal bus crash on tour in Sweden in September '86. He wasn't yet used to the Metallica way of doing things in the studio, so came in, did his thing, and basically Lars and James finished it up with (or without) Flemming. Whether they , Lars and James, didn't think Jason was up to snuff, good enough to replace Cliff on the album or other is unclear, as is the reason for the absence of bass in the mix, but Jason was definitely at the receiving end of a lot of hazing, and mourning Cliff goes on to this day, although the symptoms were likely very much more severe and erratic back then, as they were all young and ill equipped emotionally to deal with that kind of loss, James taking a double whammy as he lost his mother at a very young age to cancer.
I agree. There's lot of remixes by people with more bass and other tunings, but the original version is much better as is. The sounds are like that on purpose.
First studio album after Cliff died, (aside from the cover album they put out.) I think it's the bass and Lars change on the drum sound. I still like this song and the album, but there is a noticeable difference from their old sound with Cliff.
My last Metallica album, I bought, was the Metallica (Black...5th) album. So I guess it's safe to say I was an early (first five albums) Metallica fan. That one there, their fourth, is a really good album. Yeah, "the sound" might be for the bass tracks nearly fully muted. There were just issues surrounding the producing and mixing on this one.
That off feeling you’re getting is the fact that Cliff died and they were Hazing their new Bassist. They purposely turned Jason’s Bass down in protest or in grief of Cliffs death. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this track because of this and the fact that it’s the first track off the album. Lastly the song is sooooo much better live because they mitigated all the stuff they did when they recorded the song. I challenge you to not only listen to the rest of this album but watch the live in Seattle 89. You won’t be disappointed!
What you're missing is the bass. Jason Newstead's 1st album with the band and someone made a call to turn the bass track way down on the entire record.
I was in high school from 86-90 and got into Metallica in 84. RTL was one of my first albums ever purchased. When I was in high school, Metallica was a bunch of nobody’s, and only myself and about four others in my High School even knew who these guys were. I was the only one who wore a Metallica patched up Jean jacket every day. I used to collect rare Metallica albums back then. I still have my collection stored away somewhere... it’s composed of Different colored vinyl albums of Creeping Death & Jump in the Fire as well as picture discs of the first three albums and whiplash, bootleg concert recordings (including Cliff’s last show), interview picture discs, double LP’s, etc... all purchased back in the late 80s. I remember When AJFA came out, we had about 10-15 more students in the school that suddenly became fans. I knew things would never be the same from that point on. Once they hit the mainstream and became popular (pretty much from 1990 and on), I pretty much lost interest, as the nostalgia of being in that small exclusive club of fans was gone. But I still like to reminisce once in a while.
I'm convinced this is 95% of the reason alot of old Metallica fans walked away more so than the music itself. Because they aren't "their" Metallica anymore and they're (ewww icky) dare I say it....POPULAR now? Omg no we can't have that I'm done no more Metallica for me lol. That is basically what it is and it's kind of stupid honestly. You should be happy the rest of the world got to experience their awesomeness. Don't be selfish with it.
@midnight347 People can have their opinions but I do agree it is a bit harsh. But it's a common thing. I read and hear this exact same thing how they stopped being fans once they became popular. I think it is a bit of an over reaction. But maybe it's because Metallica were the first band to do that to people and then change like they did. So that was the first reaction to a band changing like that
My brother and I bought this song for "Rockband" back in the day. We played the hell out of it! Yes, the mix is a train wreck. It absolutely deserves a proper remix and Jason's bass. Thanks Lars...
Lars and james turned the Bass right down on this album... you should check out And Justice ForJason where someone put the Bass mix up. YOU NEED TO CHECK IT OUT MAN.
I love this band and have seen them live 4 times going back to 88 monsters of rock tour. After the black album it was hard for me. Im an early Jason Newsted Flotsam and Jetsam fan. I just wish he could have been used more on this album.
2:44 - THE best hook known to man. There is NO better. “to begin, whipping dance of the DEAD ….. “ Hands down, the BEST song the boys ever wrote and performed.
I'm surprised by your reaction. I used to feel the same way about this song... I slowly liked more and more of Metallica's song as I've acquired a taste for that type of music now they've creeped their way up my list to one of my favorite bands, and blackened is in my top 5 Metallica songs for sure... ps i agree with you though its missing a little bass guitar
This is the album where you just hit play from the beginning take a long road trip and let it play all the way through! It might take you a couple of days, but well worth it, and you’ll have all of these drunk deeds in your head for the rest of your life!
I saw Metallica in '89 and this one sounded great live but you're not alone in your critique of the studio version. Great reaction. I like it when reactors give their honest opinions instead of trying to please everybody.
I really appreciate your honestly. For me this is one of my favorite Metallica album. Battery has fancy elements like its great solo for example but is not the best song imo. I suggest you react to "To Live is to Die" to taste Cliff Burton genius and have a beautiful trip.
This is an amazing album, they mixed it like that on purpose but the solution is simple. Just listen to all the songs from this album LIVE, specifically the Seattle '89 concert. It sounds wayyyy richer and heavier.
I heard that back during that time California was going through a phase where everything had that crunchy sound with little bass. Something about everyone was doing coke and high pitched crunchy songs sounded better. Fun fact, the guitar intro was actually played backwards. Some better songs are Whiskey In The Jar and No Leaf Clover.
The first time I saw MetallicA live they opened with this song after the iconic Ecstasy of Gold song with the scene from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Blackened live sent chills down my body and the roar of the audience and being among them was amazing.
9:38 - That is called BASS GUITAR! lol People always like to rag on bassists and the bass guitar as not needed - well, this is the result! This is Blackened with bass in it - feel that wholeness!!! ---->> ua-cam.com/video/h85k0VcFB8c/v-deo.html Try listening to a fan mix on YT of this song or ANY song from this album where they boosted the bass guitar a bit, it has that punch you were describing as being absent!!
I can tell exactly what is missing: BASS GUITAR. Sad part is; it was intentional. The producer actually had a proper mix ready to go; and Lars made him change it. Lars made him lower the bass to almost nothing, and he specifically wanted this sound.
Lars is the reason I can no longer like Metallica. Add in how he cried about the Napster thing while simultaneously stealing riffs from Dave and there you have it. I still enjoy the music from the time before I have come to realize I don't like them much. Great reaction.
This album followed the death of Cliff Burton, their original bassist. As a joke on Jason(now a former bass member), because he was hazed harshly while the other members were overcoming the loss of Cliff; Lars went to the mixer and turned Jason's bass down so much that it's damn near non existent. And what makes it worse, is that Jason actually wrote the riff for this song and some others on the record.
I saw them last month! 15th and 16th live Metallica shows for me. They didn’t play this but they played Orion and Whiskey in the Jar. It was live in theaters. They’re making a cd and a live movie from those shows. Pantera opened. I’m still hurting.
Metallica is a band that has done things on their terms❤ they have earned the right to be different and their albums are some of the all time best and proved why they are in the rock hall of fame❤. They have gone through triumphs tragedies and have faced so much adversity other weaker bands would have crumbled years ago and they are strong
It's supposed to sound that, he's singing about the end of the plant, mass destruction, hell fire and brimstone. Pretty sure it would be a very pleasant experience.That's what the distortion conveys! Chaios terror, pandamonium
Like how you let it play through. Every one of the first 4 albums are works of art in their own way. Every one is a cover to cover no-skip. Edit: For example, this is the opening track.
I remember I was twelve years old, and a friend of my school let me his walkman with that song. It was the very first one I listened and I was shocked. He copied me (yes sorry James) the whole album and after 33 years, it is still my favorite one. Esteban, thanks a lot for that
The guitars aren't muddy, they're scooped. The mids are scooped out, and it's intentional. The whole album is like that, and I love it. It sounds like the air is being sucked from the room. Also, you're likely noticing the absence of Bass, which is a valid issue, but it does work IMO
In later years they admitted that their "ears" were "shot" at that point from all the live shows & that They Should've Gotten Some Fresh Ears' Perspective. but They Were Young & stubborn....... They Were METALLICA!!!
There’s a “Covid” version by Metallica called Blackened 2020. Good video to watch if you have a few mins to kill. Nothing like the beast this song is, you’ll understand when you see it.
Black album they went commercial to get played on the radio and get paid $$$$……. Still like it , Load and forward they slipped for my liking ! 🔥❤️🎸 seen them 8 times from the beginning and only once after Load 🙁 Cliff was the soul of there sound R.I.P. 🥲
Have you listened to the song (and watched the video, which by the way, there are two versions of this video) for the song "One" from this album? Also, this was the first album to feature Jason Newstead on bass. Jason joined the band after the death of Cliff Burton. For everyone album, Metallica, among almost every rock and metal band, aim for a specific sound. This is the sound they aimed for in this album. Most of the tracks are solid.
Way to go Joe! 😋 hey I’m a patron, wanted to request the full album stream lol. I’ll request something via d cord, is that your preferred method? TnT⚡️ This was my first thrash show btw
Not a very popular opinion, but this is my favorite album from them. Like lots of people have mentioned though, it’s basically missing the bass. It might’ve been so much better.
Cliff Burton was the original bassist He died a few months before this album was recorded Jason Newstead replaced him but they Not allow him to have any sound on the albumBecause they missed cliff so much That is the reason for the unique sound of this album It's so unique and I love it and And further on further albums Jason was included
This album is the point where some fans said no thanx I'll stick to the first three albums (me). Some said ok I'll keep going with this. And some discovered Metallica for the first time because of this album being more approachable to a wider audience.
This was the album that came after the loss of bassist Cliff. What you're not hearing is the bass from newest bass player Jason Newsted. This was James,Lars and Kirk lashing out and still grieving the loss of Cliff. This is reason why majority of us who grew with Metallica from the start love this album but hate it as well.... then follows the Don't Tread On Me (Black) album and its downhill from there. That's the conflict metal heads have when it comes to Metallica.... they started off as thrash metal then sold out to become mainstream like everyone else did and became weak despite still retaining heavy riffs but lost the thrash and became commercial rock/metal ✌️🤘😎🤘
I personally never noticed anything, except it was much "crisper & clearer" than the previous 3 albums which was very "bottom heavy". I have heard so many different production styles due to listening to so many bands who go through producers as often as they go through booze and women, that after a while I just stopped fussing over the sound, unless it was REALLY bad. At any rate, if something was really off-kilter - too much treble, too much bass, too much mids - I'd run it through my editor and play with the EQs a little bit. "Something is missing" Well, it seems, according to many fans, this album suffered from the BASS being completely reduced to almost nothing. Again, I never noticed cos it was just another "production style" to me. I could barely single out any given instrument anyway back in the day this stuff was new, so that probably aided in my obliviousness. I have also noticed that many "remastered" albums are just a scam or a gimmick ; some do sound better, but many sound exactly the same or much worse. Tip : If you ever do Scorpions stuff from the 80s (1979-1990), avoid the "remastered", cos that was one catalog that turned out awful. The originals were better.
@@TheAdventuresofTNT Yep - treble up, bass down, or both. And the thing is whichever one you do the other by default happens anyway, so it's a delicate "balance"... pun sorta intended, lol. This album (and Metallica V, aka the black album) definitely got robbed of adequate bass. To paraphrase a famous Darth Vader quote : "I find your lack of bass disturbing"... and... "You are part of the treble alliance, and a traitor!"
It's funny, when this album came out in 1988 I absolutely loved the production. It jumped out from the headphones and hit you in the face like nothing else at that time. I thought it sounded much better than Puppets that was very soft and warm and filled with reverb. Metallica was already the number one metal band in the world so many bands followed Metallica's lead and jumped on the dry and reverbless production style (Pantera, Prong etc.) so it became "a thing". I only realized the bass was almost completely missing years later. To bring the bass up in the mix would require altering Hetfield's guitar tone quite a bit and it wouldn't be the same anymore. People comment on how poorly they treated their new bassist with the mix but hey, the they still let the new guy write the first riff you hear on the album. That's still cool.
Lol, welcome to my first time hearing the album! My first questions were: 1) What the fuck did Lars do to his drums??!? 2) Where the hell is the goddamn bass??!?!?!? But then i chilled out and learned to appreciate the direction they took to the point i'ts my second favorite album in Metallica's Big Five albums😄
This was the intro track on the album, one album after Cliff Burton had passed away so there was a certain type of energy into this. But they buried the bass because of Cliff’s death. Listen to And Justice for Jason . As in Jason Newstead.
This is an awesome song. However, what you're picking up on is the lack of bass. This album is notorious for the fact that they cut the bass track down to almost nothing, which took the punch out of the sound. There's a whole story behind it, and it's always bothered me too. However, the song is still great. Shortest Straw and Harvester of Sorrow off this album are also excellent.
There's a channel called the bass channel that does a bass cover for this entire album. In my opinion the bass sounds wayyyy better!!
they spent all the bass on "One", they couldnt afford any more bass for the other songs, sorry
A lot of added bass versions out there. Even in the remasters the f it up! Sad! Not Jasons fault Cliff died! If they didn't want a bassist, the should have left him in Flotsam!
@@jesse41793 That was a stupid tribute. They even admit it today that they were being juvenile and immature and Jason was the scapegoat of their grief
@@jesse41793 oh cut the crap! Cliff was great, we all know. Jason didn't have to be better....it was never a competition when it comes to hearing the bass in music. Oh, and btw Steve Harris was better and made Cliff sound like an amateur. Take away his distortion, the wah, and flanger and Cliff was an average bassist with incredible strength in his left fingers to stretch the bass strings as his biggest asset....Facts
Their best album imo.
Nah that’s Ride. Justice may have some of their most technical riffs but it’s booged down by a lot of simple, repetitive, riffs that go on for way too long along with a poorly mixed production. Great album but not their best.
Best TOUR, but not the best album, imo. 🤘🤪
That's a controversial opinion...but I think...from beginning to end...I have to agree with you. For me, all their other albums have many songs that I just don't listen to.
@@correctlyrics and that's why I love it top to bottom 🤘
@@overkillforever1, I agree about Justice. Justice has some great ideas but some of the rhythm parts go on for too long without variations or solos, and the lack of bass hurts. I love Hetfield on guitar but I'm also a huge bass fan.
If you're driving and this comes on, AND you're NOT speeding - you are not human.
No it's called a ticket
This is the epitome of true thrash metal. The off timing. Pure RAWNESS. The true "elements" as you put it, is PURE metal in all its definitions. Metal has soooo many aspects, so many uncharted territories. Many people get stuck in the beliefs that metal has structure. Yet metal, true metal breaks ALL the rules and that's why true metal heads LOVE Heavy Metal. We love it ALL!!
You had me til you said raw- so not raw! Their most OVER produced material they ever did! So many months to record. 128 layred guitar tracks & spiteful games make it all NOT RAW!
@@hmpz36911 Fight Fire with Fire from two albums previous was an all around better song with pretty much the same meaning - nuclear holocaust. Listening to this is like I'm riding a Fight Fire with Fire bicycle on training wheels.
@@usnva5638 RTL is my fav album from them! Had the pre release & original pressing from Megaforce! Same with KEA! Best albums! Never shoulda dicked overJonny (or Dave) & moved moving back to CA messed them up!
this song is raw and heavy and i love it, best metallica album imo
Not raw! Whole album is over produced!
It sounds aggressive as fuck. It's awesome@@hmpz36911
One of the best lp albums ..👏👏
The guitar sound on here is some of the BEST EVER. The heavy crunch is unmatched.
This album and the previous 3 I can listen to in their entirety anytime.
Trust me....this sound grows on you. And it is missing something....Cliff Burton on bass.
It's also missing Jason Newsted on bass.
Nah, Jason still wrote the main riff @@Joolstb303
...or anyone
@@jesse41793 A great way to treat your new bass player and fucking childish. It's a pity And Justice... doesn't sound anywhere near as good as The $5.98 E.P. , which is the last decent thing Metallica recorded.
@@jhamilton1007 Pity he doesn't play on it.
The best apocalypse song of all time. The lyrics are a masterpiece, so well written.
Weirdly enough… That sound goes well with the whole album concept and artwork. (Don’t know if it was intentional) but it’s genius imo .
It’s my favorite album from them .
Yes.I agree.
Agreed. The album is dark and angry, and that extremely dry sound suits it perfectly.
It was intentional from Lars and James. Not from Jason and Flemming (Rasmussen, producer). The latter of which even asked them if they were F-ing serious, and he wouldn't put his name on that mix.
This was Jason's first recording with Metallica after the passing of Cliff Burton, from which he took over after the fatal bus crash on tour in Sweden in September '86. He wasn't yet used to the Metallica way of doing things in the studio, so came in, did his thing, and basically Lars and James finished it up with (or without) Flemming. Whether they , Lars and James, didn't think Jason was up to snuff, good enough to replace Cliff on the album or other is unclear, as is the reason for the absence of bass in the mix, but Jason was definitely at the receiving end of a lot of hazing, and mourning Cliff goes on to this day, although the symptoms were likely very much more severe and erratic back then, as they were all young and ill equipped emotionally to deal with that kind of loss, James taking a double whammy as he lost his mother at a very young age to cancer.
I agree. There's lot of remixes by people with more bass and other tunings, but the original version is much better as is.
The sounds are like that on purpose.
Fouth and best album, IMO, came out when I was 21 and I wore it out, this is one of my favorite tunes!! They opened with this LIVE for years!!
This is perhaps the best Metallica song of all time in my opinion
First studio album after Cliff died, (aside from the cover album they put out.) I think it's the bass and Lars change on the drum sound. I still like this song and the album, but there is a noticeable difference from their old sound with Cliff.
There are remasters on UA-cam with bass. It's an entirely different beast.
"It feels like it's missing something" - Speak to Lars on that one. The thing it's missing is the bass, same with every other song on the album.
I concur.
My last Metallica album, I bought, was the Metallica (Black...5th) album. So I guess it's safe to say I was an early (first five albums) Metallica fan. That one there, their fourth, is a really good album. Yeah, "the sound" might be for the bass tracks nearly fully muted. There were just issues surrounding the producing and mixing on this one.
Same! As is for most TRUE Metallica fans!
That off feeling you’re getting is the fact that Cliff died and they were Hazing their new Bassist. They purposely turned Jason’s Bass down in protest or in grief of Cliffs death. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this track because of this and the fact that it’s the first track off the album. Lastly the song is sooooo much better live because they mitigated all the stuff they did when they recorded the song. I challenge you to not only listen to the rest of this album but watch the live in Seattle 89. You won’t be disappointed!
You are correct, it was what they called the missing man formation in honor of Cliff Burton.
I got the original vinyl (first release)... I am old.
Such great memories. Thank you.
What you're missing is the bass. Jason Newstead's 1st album with the band and someone made a call to turn the bass track way down on the entire record.
James said in an interview going into the studio, they all had hearing damage from being out on the road playing without headsets.
Their first major headlining tour was for this album, I saw it twice since it came to town 2 times.
I was in high school from 86-90 and got into Metallica in 84. RTL was one of my first albums ever purchased. When I was in high school, Metallica was a bunch of nobody’s, and only myself and about four others in my High School even knew who these guys were. I was the only one who wore a Metallica patched up Jean jacket every day. I used to collect rare Metallica albums back then. I still have my collection stored away somewhere... it’s composed of Different colored vinyl albums of Creeping Death & Jump in the Fire as well as picture discs of the first three albums and whiplash, bootleg concert recordings (including Cliff’s last show), interview picture discs, double LP’s, etc... all purchased back in the late 80s. I remember When AJFA came out, we had about 10-15 more students in the school that suddenly became fans. I knew things would never be the same from that point on. Once they hit the mainstream and became popular (pretty much from 1990 and on), I pretty much lost interest, as the nostalgia of being in that small exclusive club of fans was gone. But I still like to reminisce once in a while.
I'm convinced this is 95% of the reason alot of old Metallica fans walked away more so than the music itself. Because they aren't "their" Metallica anymore and they're (ewww icky) dare I say it....POPULAR now? Omg no we can't have that I'm done no more Metallica for me lol. That is basically what it is and it's kind of stupid honestly. You should be happy the rest of the world got to experience their awesomeness. Don't be selfish with it.
@midnight347 People can have their opinions but I do agree it is a bit harsh. But it's a common thing. I read and hear this exact same thing how they stopped being fans once they became popular. I think it is a bit of an over reaction. But maybe it's because Metallica were the first band to do that to people and then change like they did. So that was the first reaction to a band changing like that
My brother and I bought this song for "Rockband" back in the day. We played the hell out of it!
Yes, the mix is a train wreck. It absolutely deserves a proper remix and Jason's bass.
Thanks Lars...
It sounds fine.
Lars and james turned the Bass right down on this album... you should check out And Justice ForJason where someone put the Bass mix up. YOU NEED TO CHECK IT OUT MAN.
*Not James, just Lars!
I love this band and have seen them live 4 times going back to 88 monsters of rock tour. After the black album it was hard for me. Im an early Jason Newsted Flotsam and Jetsam fan. I just wish he could have been used more on this album.
I love this album top to bottom. Great riffs and poetic lyrics.
There's no such thing as a Metalhead who hates Metallica. However, there are metalheads who say they hate Metallica
Hhahahahahahahha.... true!
I know, right?
2:44 - THE best hook known to man. There is NO better.
“to begin, whipping dance of the DEAD ….. “
Hands down, the BEST song the boys ever wrote and performed.
Dude, Google And Justice For All's production. It's a whole thing...
I'm surprised by your reaction. I used to feel the same way about this song... I slowly liked more and more of Metallica's song as I've acquired a taste for that type of music now they've creeped their way up my list to one of my favorite bands, and blackened is in my top 5 Metallica songs for sure...
ps i agree with you though its missing a little bass guitar
This is the album where you just hit play from the beginning take a long road trip and let it play all the way through! It might take you a couple of days, but well worth it, and you’ll have all of these drunk deeds in your head for the rest of your life!
I saw Metallica in '89 and this one sounded great live but you're not alone in your critique of the studio version. Great reaction. I like it when reactors give their honest opinions instead of trying to please everybody.
As a ten year old listening to this album when it came out, my mind was blown 🤯
I really appreciate your honestly. For me this is one of my favorite Metallica album. Battery has fancy elements like its great solo for example but is not the best song imo. I suggest you react to "To Live is to Die" to taste Cliff Burton genius and have a beautiful trip.
Who doesn’t like Blackened. This is my favorite of the album.
Nothing goes better with Metallica than a large Chic Filet combo.
This is an amazing album, they mixed it like that on purpose but the solution is simple. Just listen to all the songs from this album LIVE, specifically the Seattle '89 concert. It sounds wayyyy richer and heavier.
Right after the end of a song about nuclear annihilation, I got a Disney cruise ad. Wonderful timing, UA-cam.
The beginning of the song and the album is so good, that reverse riff is awesome.
I love me some Metallica 🤘💥🏆
I heard that back during that time California was going through a phase where everything had that crunchy sound with little bass. Something about everyone was doing coke and high pitched crunchy songs sounded better. Fun fact, the guitar intro was actually played backwards. Some better songs are Whiskey In The Jar and No Leaf Clover.
I love this album. Saw them on this tour. It was a killer show!
The first time I saw MetallicA live they opened with this song after the iconic Ecstasy of Gold song with the scene from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Blackened live sent chills down my body and the roar of the audience and being among them was amazing.
9:38 - That is called BASS GUITAR! lol People always like to rag on bassists and the bass guitar as not needed - well, this is the result! This is Blackened with bass in it - feel that wholeness!!! ---->> ua-cam.com/video/h85k0VcFB8c/v-deo.html Try listening to a fan mix on YT of this song or ANY song from this album where they boosted the bass guitar a bit, it has that punch you were describing as being absent!!
I can tell exactly what is missing: BASS GUITAR. Sad part is; it was intentional. The producer actually had a proper mix ready to go; and Lars made him change it. Lars made him lower the bass to almost nothing, and he specifically wanted this sound.
Lars is the reason I can no longer like Metallica. Add in how he cried about the Napster thing while simultaneously stealing riffs from Dave and there you have it. I still enjoy the music from the time before I have come to realize I don't like them much. Great reaction.
@@chief999 shut up cringe kid, you don't like metallica yet you are here on a metallica react, pound sand little billy 💀😂
Cliff Burton is what's missing here! Still should have turned Jason Newsteds bass up though!
James and Lars pushed forward in the mix, while Jason was damn near buried.
This album followed the death of Cliff Burton, their original bassist. As a joke on Jason(now a former bass member), because he was hazed harshly while the other members were overcoming the loss of Cliff; Lars went to the mixer and turned Jason's bass down so much that it's damn near non existent. And what makes it worse, is that Jason actually wrote the riff for this song and some others on the record.
That's why it's sooooo great... because it sounds RAW 💪💪💪💪🔥🔥🔥🔥
You nailed the analysis, what they were missing was their prolific
Bassist Cliff who tragically died just before the making of this
I saw them last month! 15th and 16th live Metallica shows for me. They didn’t play this but they played Orion and Whiskey in the Jar. It was live in theaters. They’re making a cd and a live movie from those shows. Pantera opened. I’m still hurting.
Metallica is a band that has done things on their terms❤ they have earned the right to be different and their albums are some of the all time best and proved why they are in the rock hall of fame❤. They have gone through triumphs tragedies and have faced so much adversity other weaker bands would have crumbled years ago and they are strong
Yah, maybe you just don't get it. That album sounds awesome. My favorite album by Metallica
It's supposed to sound that, he's singing about the end of the plant, mass destruction, hell fire and brimstone. Pretty sure it would be a very pleasant experience.That's what the distortion conveys! Chaios terror, pandamonium
Like how you let it play through. Every one of the first 4 albums are works of art in their own way.
Every one is a cover to cover no-skip.
Edit: For example, this is the opening track.
I remember I was twelve years old, and a friend of my school let me his walkman with that song. It was the very first one I listened and I was shocked. He copied me (yes sorry James) the whole album and after 33 years, it is still my favorite one. Esteban, thanks a lot for that
The guitars aren't muddy, they're scooped. The mids are scooped out, and it's intentional. The whole album is like that, and I love it. It sounds like the air is being sucked from the room. Also, you're likely noticing the absence of Bass, which is a valid issue, but it does work IMO
It does work, it’s just not what I was expecting.
This and shortest straw are my 2 picks on this record, blackened is a great tune
The production is perfect. I love it.
I remember going to see them in my home town back in '89...I was 19 ....they toured with Danzig
😢 Why no love for Blackened. Nah to each thier own.
It sounded off compared to the other songs I've heard from them. Its a good song but it sounds very thin.
@@TheAdventuresofTNT that's fair. Enjoy your stuff.
Check out the Metallica in Moscow concert, 1991. 1.6 million people attended that concert! Clips of it are on UA-cam.
I always loved the production
And Justice is a classic 88. Lars rudiments are crazy
Top 10 Metallica track and one of the greatest 80s thrash songs full stop.
whaaaaaat ,the song sounds great ,it sounds heavy as helll
I love seeing different cultural reactions to Metallica.
BEST ALBUM
In later years they admitted that their "ears" were "shot" at that point from all the live shows & that They Should've Gotten Some Fresh Ears' Perspective. but They Were Young & stubborn....... They Were METALLICA!!!
Blackened was an incredible song
One of the best album ever in music history
This is my favorite Lars on drums song. It’s perfection.
This is their best album. 🤘🏼
There’s a “Covid” version by Metallica called Blackened 2020. Good video to watch if you have a few mins to kill. Nothing like the beast this song is, you’ll understand when you see it.
Black album they went commercial to get played on the radio and get paid $$$$……. Still like it , Load and forward they slipped for my liking ! 🔥❤️🎸 seen them 8 times from the beginning and only once after Load 🙁 Cliff was the soul of there sound R.I.P. 🥲
Perfect Thrash Song
Have you listened to the song (and watched the video, which by the way, there are two versions of this video) for the song "One" from this album? Also, this was the first album to feature Jason Newstead on bass. Jason joined the band after the death of Cliff Burton. For everyone album, Metallica, among almost every rock and metal band, aim for a specific sound. This is the sound they aimed for in this album. Most of the tracks are solid.
Incredible intro song from a phenomenal album.
It might have been mixed for vinyl originally. This song grows on you.
Fourth album and first album with Jason Newstead who replaced Cliff Burton after his untimely death in '86
The production on that album got the same reaction you had from everyone when it dropped. That thing you said was "missing" is bass guitar.
This is a masterpiece.
i first heard this just after it was released... i was only into punk, i had heard about metal but didn't get it... when i heard this i got it
Way to go Joe! 😋 hey I’m a patron, wanted to request the full album stream lol. I’ll request something via d cord, is that your preferred method? TnT⚡️
This was my first thrash show btw
And no it wasn't because it was recorded in 1988. Production capabilities were awesome.
Not a very popular opinion, but this is my favorite album from them. Like lots of people have mentioned though, it’s basically missing the bass. It might’ve been so much better.
It sounds fine. After 30 years, I'm used to it
@@SinclairMoon yeah, I grew up listening to stuff with worse production. I can hear what people complain about, but it never bothered me.
I have this tape in my corvette and it's the only tape i play when i want to drive real fast! Bose speakers at 95% sound great... almost painful!!!😂
People tend to discount their poetic ability and foresight
Some people complain that the album after this album was when they sold out. I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Justice though
Metallica's best song ever!
Cliff Burton was the original bassist He died a few months before this album was recorded
Jason Newstead replaced him but they Not allow him to have any sound on the albumBecause they missed cliff so much
That is the reason for the unique sound of this album
It's so unique and I love it and And further on further albums Jason was included
The first album without Cliff Burton. The was the "We still got it!" Album.
Shame they never made more albums after this. ;-P
The best band in metal history......always METALLICA
This album is the point where some fans said no thanx I'll stick to the first three albums (me). Some said ok I'll keep going with this. And some discovered Metallica for the first time because of this album being more approachable to a wider audience.
This was the album that came after the loss of bassist Cliff. What you're not hearing is the bass from newest bass player Jason Newsted. This was James,Lars and Kirk lashing out and still grieving the loss of Cliff. This is reason why majority of us who grew with Metallica from the start love this album but hate it as well.... then follows the Don't Tread On Me (Black) album and its downhill from there. That's the conflict metal heads have when it comes to Metallica.... they started off as thrash metal then sold out to become mainstream like everyone else did and became weak despite still retaining heavy riffs but lost the thrash and became commercial rock/metal ✌️🤘😎🤘
I personally never noticed anything, except it was much "crisper & clearer" than the previous 3 albums which was very "bottom heavy".
I have heard so many different production styles due to listening to so many bands who go through producers as often as they go through booze and women, that after a while I just stopped fussing over the sound, unless it was REALLY bad.
At any rate, if something was really off-kilter - too much treble, too much bass, too much mids - I'd run it through my editor and play with the EQs a little bit.
"Something is missing"
Well, it seems, according to many fans, this album suffered from the BASS being completely reduced to almost nothing.
Again, I never noticed cos it was just another "production style" to me. I could barely single out any given instrument anyway back in the day this stuff was new, so that probably aided in my obliviousness.
I have also noticed that many "remastered" albums are just a scam or a gimmick ; some do sound better, but many sound exactly the same or much worse.
Tip : If you ever do Scorpions stuff from the 80s (1979-1990), avoid the "remastered", cos that was one catalog that turned out awful. The originals were better.
It seems like they EQ the treble up to make it more crispy!
@@TheAdventuresofTNT
Yep - treble up, bass down, or both. And the thing is whichever one you do the other by default happens anyway, so it's a delicate "balance"... pun sorta intended, lol.
This album (and Metallica V, aka the black album) definitely got robbed of adequate bass.
To paraphrase a famous Darth Vader quote : "I find your lack of bass disturbing"... and... "You are part of the treble alliance, and a traitor!"
My jam in the Army back in the 90s.
Everybody loves Justice sound
All hail StateOfMercury!
It's funny, when this album came out in 1988 I absolutely loved the production. It jumped out from the headphones and hit you in the face like nothing else at that time. I thought it sounded much better than Puppets that was very soft and warm and filled with reverb. Metallica was already the number one metal band in the world so many bands followed Metallica's lead and jumped on the dry and reverbless production style (Pantera, Prong etc.) so it became "a thing". I only realized the bass was almost completely missing years later. To bring the bass up in the mix would require altering Hetfield's guitar tone quite a bit and it wouldn't be the same anymore. People comment on how poorly they treated their new bassist with the mix but hey, the they still let the new guy write the first riff you hear on the album. That's still cool.
on YT there is AND JUSTICE FOR JASON .... check it out, its the album with the BASS where you can HEAR IT !!
Lol, welcome to my first time hearing the album! My first questions were: 1) What the fuck did Lars do to his drums??!? 2) Where the hell is the goddamn bass??!?!?!?
But then i chilled out and learned to appreciate the direction they took to the point i'ts my second favorite album in Metallica's Big Five albums😄
You also listened to the remastered version
This was the intro track on the album, one album after Cliff Burton had passed away so there was a certain type of energy into this. But they buried the bass because of Cliff’s death. Listen to And Justice for Jason . As in Jason Newstead.