Is Lars Ulrich Just a Useless Drummer? We tried replacing his parts to find out...
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- Опубліковано 28 бер 2023
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Since I've expressed some disappointment with the singles from 72 Seasons thus far...
Nathan Sletner, drummer of my band Crusade, tried recording his own takes on some famous Metallica songs to see if we could improve Lars Ulrich's parts. The results were very interesting.
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I don’t think the two of you understand metal. These fills don’t fit. No confirmation bias here. Just no flow to most of these fills.
So, we definitely understand metal. Our latest single Betrayal is indicative of that. Thank you for the opportunity to advertise 🙏 open.spotify.com/track/0YQxWEKoDtrnYhzwmz6klG?si=GYwjokm3TFSvwE0GTuyeEA
@Become The Knight Lmao nice plug! Even 10 bottles deep in the sauce I'm sure you understand more about metal than ajohnson929 xD
@William Rumley any real fan buys cds and rips them
Never heard of you. Keep trying though.
This video made me realize how much intensity Lars brings with his drumming. Even though he's not the most technically skilled, his energy is what fits with Metallica's sound.
ALSO! The production and mixing are a big part of that. Capturing the right attitude to compliment the song. We went pretty sterile with this one, but we did want to demo the mics.
@Become The Knight GOAT.
Yeah, especially in One
I would totally agree with that.
Not technically skilled? His technical skill is FANTASTIC.
This was eye opening.
Kirks solo just doesn't hit the same without Lars behind the kit.
Very true. I feel like that’s what was great about Lars. Hitting the right parts for the song. Riff, melody , leads and solos. He alters it to serve the tune.
Lars is a very special drummer. And definitely one of the reasons that made me love Metallica so much. His technique may not be the most refined and most “practice 8 hours a day” type. But his philosophy as a drummer, is one of the most fascinating, in the context of the band
Lars is a very special drummer. 'Nuff said.
I wouldn't change a thing about Lars's drumming. He's exactly where he should be IMO.
Lars slacked off for many years but those first couple decades I can’t imagine anyone else behind the kit.
Its sad because the same can be said for Kirk as well. His early solos are killer, but there is a MAJOR difference between the solo to one and the solo to anything now.
@Daniel Flores That's the good old overdoing phenomena.
@Daniel Flores that happens to most artists over the years. Idk if they run out of creative juice or try to give the people what they think they want instead of expressing themselves like they should.
@Jihavoh i'd say it's less about being out of creative juice and more just not caring as much. Metallica is so successful they probably stopped feeling the need to put effort into music because no matter what they'd make bank. no hate to them at all
And he is not 20 anymore and Lars was never a Thomas Lang but drummed the parts for those songs
I’ve always felt there were two drummers in Metallica - Lars and James. When critics focus on timing or placement, they forget both the piece composition and contrast sound Lars has opposite James.
James once said something like “I wanted to play the guitar like a drumset, that’s why I chose rhythm over lead”. And I think that captures your point well about two drummers in the band.
@Cheeseburgerman! Dave Grohl said he does the same thing lol. That's kind of interesting actually.
@redbuddy12 I mean Dave is a huge fan, wouldn’t doubt if they influenced each other like that. I remember Dave had Lars on his podcast one time, they must know each other
@Cheeseburgerman! I'll have to check that out
Congratulation for the worst snare sound ever
I've said for many years that Lars secret weapon is that he creates memorable drum beats, which is not an easy thing to do. I think a lot of people find themselves air dumming to Metallica songs more often than they might realize. Hit the Lights, Bellz, Puppets, One, Sad But True, Fuel.... ALL of those songs have definitive drum moments
Yes, that's exactly his strong point on the drums.The intro to Bells, One's double bass part, Fuel is also very particular, SBT and Roam snare intros. The shortest straw and Harvie intros too, so much stuff.
@Andre ADG for sure. Lame that people don't recognize that as much as they should. What Lars lacks in perfect timing he more than makes up for in creative approach
Lars may not be the most technical drummer, but he is the RIGHT drummer 🤘🔥credit to your friend for putting himself out there, great illustration!
Lars is a solid drummer who plays what needs to be played and knows what the song needs. I love Portnoy and a ton of other technical drummsrs but it's like they try to cram every complicated thing they know in to every song. Something to be said for simplicity and groove and adding to the song what it needs, not being flashy just to be flashy. Lars is my favorite drummer with Chuck Biscuits being a close second for the same reason.
I totally agree, Lars have the groove and dont overplay.
Simplicity comes in the sense of composition, not execution. Lars usually doesn't add anything, he just plays some beats. Portnoy's drumming is a complete song on itself.
I’ve always defended Lars’ drumming and never thought he was the worst, so I appreciate this video.
This is kinda eye opening. This dudes obviously a great drummer yet the power Lars brings is undeniable...I suddenly have more appreciation for what he does in Metallica. He really writes to the song and I think that's awesome.
No he's not a great drummer
@BooM Slayer literally this video is the proof that he is great
@BooM Slayer cringe
@BooM Slayer bet it’s cause he played too much CoD instead of practicing ;)
@BooM Slayer he is no matter how much you cry.Just becausr you don't like black album doesn't mean Lars is a bad drummer lol
Lars is definitely not a useless drummer. He writes and plays his drumpieces to the lyrics and the music, not just one-and-two-and-three-and-four. Lars' drumming is a sheer part of any Metallica song. And not easy to cover at all. So, at times Lars is sloppy, not keeping time correctly and sometimes he even plays a complete different part (like One, live, he used to play it more simple, especially the double-bass part) but lately I must say he is really up to his game again. I like Lars as the trash metal drummer he is. Without Lars' drumming Metallica definitely won't sound the same. Ever.
As a bass player turned drummer i have more respect for Lars… he plays for the song, what feels right and it works. But live i think he struggles sometimes as we all do
This really highlights why Lars is so important to Metallica.
The drum parts in this vid are more complex and busy. But they just end up making the music sound more generic. Because you hear that busy, technical style of playing a lot in metal.
But what Lars brings to the table really makes Metallica’s music stand out because no one else approaches a part quite like Lars does.
I'm not the biggest fan of Lars, but he undeniably has his own sound. There's only so many drummers you can say this about. I would say that having a unique sound is equally or more important than being highly skilled. Believe it or not, there are still people out there that are inspired by his drumming.
Thanks so much for having me be a part of this, my brotha!
Loved your drumming dude. Very interesting takes on those Metallica songs
You rocked, especially cause you re found the beat on songs you don't totally know. Over 20 yrs of doing sound for every type of music and playing with many drummers, you kicked ass. Given a day to work on something, even though you wouldn't want to😄 you wouldn't even think of a metronome, I can tell you would just feel it and hit the accents. Fun video
Great job! Loved all the takes, especially on One! Definitely SPICIER
Good job man!
So I love what Nate did on ONE - his drumming has so much more groove and his timing contrasts very well with where Kirk is going. I prefer this take over the original and i'm a metallica fan since Ride the Lightning. Very cool!
I think lars and James just had great chemistry. The straightforward in your face aggression didn't need to be flowery. Being less complicated gave more room for the other instruments and gave them emphasis. I love tool and dream theater, but I also love the Beatles. Drummers can be a lead or a support like I feel lars is. Enjoyable takes though.
I agree that this guy is talented! Because his takes come after living with the songs for years, I can’t say his takes are better. I’ll just say they’re as good.
Life-long drummer and I think my biggest take away from the way Lars drums is his particular way of accenting the guitar riffs. In a rhythm-heavy writing group, the drums are set in one pattern and the guitar stays close to that unchanging beat. With Metallica in the old days, it always felt to me like Lars was playing rhythm guitar on his drums. He very often mirrored the riffs so closely with his accents and beats. Much more so than any other band I can recall.
As for his skill level and application today....I will just enjoy my memories of the early albums.
Also, good luck to your drummer when he goes back and listens to the Justice album and tries to memorize all of the different fills and accents in each song, on that record.
It's easy to rag on Lars but when sad but true comes on we all start to headbang with the drums.
Damn straight!
Sad but true has gotta have my favorite drum work from Lars. I love the mixing of the drums on the black album. AJFA and Black album has my favorite drum work in all of metallica
I hate this song. Gimme harvester or leper messiah instead.
Not me, I don't listen to boomer core
The “one” drum part would be a great verse in a song. Reminds me of “the heaviest matter in the universe” from Gojira. It just sounds off for the bridge. The unforgiven was hands down the best one the lead in was perfect and felt so smooth.
That was my first thought. The swaying feeling is catchy
You can't replace the feel of lars with Metallica. He's the perfect drummer for them. When i was coming up we considered him one of the best. Its easy to look back and critique
So here's my thoughts: Speaking as someone who was raised listening to Metallica and has grown to love a vast majority of Metallica's music, I think he did a great job for a non-Thrash drummer. It's hard for me to rank them because I've never really focused much on the drums, but I think he did pretty well.
It's easy to forget that Lars was MAYBE a year into playing when he started the band. James has said multiple times that he could barely play when they first met. His style developed around James riffs essentially.
I also think Bob Rock had a huge part in bringing out their style in the 90s and pulling out really awesome parts from them. I feel if Rock was still producing them, he might push them all a little more in terms of parts. Definitely Lars and Kirk for sure.
That blast near the end of the One solo he did there to accentuate the melody was genius. Something Dave Lombardo or Gene Hoglan might have done too
Cool video, makes you appreciate Lars really. I think Lars actually has some of the most memorable drum parts in metal. One, Justice etc.
Honestly, I mostly really REALLY loved what Nate did with 4 of the 5 songs. I don’t know if I can rank them, but I can certainly tell you that, his sense of groove, timing, and his instinct as far as where and when to go with a drum roll is SO. SUPER. ON. POINT!! I’d love to hear him on original tunes. (This is my first video I’ve ever seen of yours, so if there is originals, I’ll get to them. You got a subscriber in me!!). I like your drummers total vibe. From one musician, to another… Great fucking drummer!!
>M
I really appreciate the hard work that went into this experiment. Nate is a fantastic drummer. I believe it really under scores how effective Lars is with his writing. He knows when to get out of the way, but still keep the song moving. He is an ideas guy just like Tom Brady is an "idea's guy" quarterback. Both have dad bods, both both use their brains ensure the devil is in the details. Lars said it best when he was once asked if he was the best drummer. He replied with "I'm the best drummer to play behind James Hetfield."
I actually quite liked it, it just feels so weird cause I heard most of these songs a million of times and already have an expectations of how it goes.
As someone who knows Metallica a bit, but not these songs, this was a really interesting experience. I think he has some very tasteful patterns in these songs. I’m especially fond of his playing because I don’t care much for thrash drumming. Without anything to compare to I think he did awesome and the first tune and One was my favorites
Lars in the 80´s was still a scene kid, he was in touch with the vibe. as time passed by he detached more and more from the raw need of energetic or technical drumming. instead he related his playing with minimal art, like the paintings he was buying after the black album. for me he is a great drummer . but he should reconnect with technicallity more, Metallica needs that!! greetings from Argentina!
Lars’ drumming isn’t the thrashiest, and I often wish he double-timed more, but he was very in-tune with what the rhythm guitar was playing. His drum parts accentuate specific fill pieces and elevate the guitar. There is very little that I would want to change about it.
You're absolutely right about it being easy to say that it just "doesn't sound right". I like what he's done with these clips but there's just a nagging feeling of always being like, "Wait, what? That's not how that part is supposed to feel!"
Really cool video man. Sick playing by your friend as well. 🤘
The Unforgiven was probably my favorite of these performances. Followed by Fuel and then One.
I would comment about No Leaf Clover but I'm not really familiar with the song.
These guys have played together for so many years that they know their styles so good and know how to write the best parts to fit with each other, like puzzle pieces. On a side note: Nathan Sletner absolutely kicks ass!! As a composer, some of the rhythms he was playing got me very curious about his playing.
Awesome video and idea! You definitely didn't change my mind about Lars. I have always thought he was a great drummer. Is he a goat? No. But I think he is a badass and has a great mind for drumming. And honestly my guess is that he probably doesn't think he's a great drummer. He does his part and he does it very well!
I think all memebers of metallica are a perfect fit for the band and together they wrote amazing songs.
So, I don't think I can rank the tracks, but I do want to say that I very much liked the ideas within the third example and respecting the fact that he was made to give his takes while working pretty much on the spot, I think with more time and work towards finalising the piece and some more practice on the thrash style to insert within the example, a really good alternate drum part would be more than possible.
Good work, loved the ideas both with the drum pieces and the video concept itself.
It's such a trip hearing different drums over these. 1 Fuel was cool. I liked the tom groove part towards the end. 2 I'm not familiar enough with No Leaf Clover to give an honest opinion. 3 One had some sick fills. The weird floor tom/ride groove? thing was pretty sick. 4 unforgiven was my favorite Because the end made me laugh. Dude is a sick drummer. I feel like maybe if he had way more time to plan out what he wanted to do then practice the parts it could have been even better. Overall really cool video.
Lars defined Metallicas feel is all there is too it, this was a fun video to get to explore what a different drummer would do with Metallica songs. But we all know Lars is truly a great drummer not just an ideas guy. Sometimes simplicity is key! Nate did kill it on those last drum fills on no leaf clover though!
Oh the trash can slapper is a great drummer lmao .. no . He has been playing so long but hasnt gotten any better actually worse . Lars is a bad drummer .
@Johnny Snippes I don’t see how a bad drummer could create one of the greatest metal bands of all time, let me know how easy it is after playing for 30 + years of ferocious pioneering thrash metal and he was never trying to be the best he was trying to bring the energy and for that he succeeded and is a great drummer and to execute it every night he’s got my vote.
@Johnny Snippes By great we always mean his influence on metal drumming. He also composed a lot of Metallica's best songs.
Nobody has ever complained about his performance on the old stuff, but his drumming on Death Magnetic is pretty good. Hardwired has some cool drum parts on it.
@Johnny Snippes Most people seem to agree that his drumming on the old stuff was iconic despite often being simplistic
I always liked his drumming. Very musical player. Lars, Dave Lombardo, and Charlie Benante were it a n the thrash metal world back in the 80's, the era I was in my teens to early 20's.
Interesting experiment. Honestly I would have liked to see you tackle some of the later songs instead, from Death Magnetic to the new record. I think those suffer a lot more from less than original drum playing and worse production than on Metallica or Load / Reload when Bob Rock made sure to polish the drums as much as possible.
I have been drumming for a couple of years now and I learned all of these parts at some point or at least listened to them a lot. Nate did an incredible job in morphing the song to his own liking, that's something a lot of people struggle with, but he just rolled with it and made it his own. I personally don't like many fills in songs and Nathan does a lot of them, all of them are really well though out and played really cleanly, so that's definitely a plus. My ranking would probably go like this:
1) The Unforgiven - he steps it down a little bit with the fills, but spices things up a bit here and there. I think he did better than Lars on this one
2) Fuel - I think he did a little bit too much filling, which is something I don't really like, but they fit nicely in there. I think he did as good as Lars.
3) No Leaf Clover - The complexity of fills just doesn't really do it for me, I know it's the outro, but I always thought that the easier fills at the end worked better than something more complex. I think Lars did better on this one, but I wouldn't mind if Nate played S&M3 with them ;)
4) One - This just doesn't work for me at all, I tried to listen to it a few times, but the fills don't really work for me, I don't mind how he changed the feel of the song, but I think he could have done it a little better. Point goes to Lars on this one.
Just a note, I really liked Lars as a studio drummer in the mid 80s to early 2000s, St. Anger has many really interesting and thought out drum parts that I love. I personally believe he lost it on Death Magnetic and never really changed after that, his life playing was always inconsistent a he likes to overfill a lot, but I think it's getting better now. I think that if Nate had as much time as Lars to write his own drum parts he would knock it out of the park, but when he is put on the spot he can't really compete with Lars that spend maybe months trying to make the best drum track for the song. That said, great video, great idea and an amazing drummer. You got my thumbs up.
the unforgiven part was my personal favourite, there was a lot of emotion in it, it's like hearing a blues drummer playing it.
I can't do it, I can't un-hear the correct drums and all of this sounds weird and wrong to me. I'm sure your dude is great, I will definitely go check out your new song "Betrayal" and I'd love to hear more of his drumming to songs he actually knows. I love Lars' drumming on these songs and I wish you could've somehow known my least favorites so I could hear your guy's take on them instead. This is a really hard thing for anyone to do, so big respect to him for even trying. The STP thing he was talking about shows he knows his stuff. For example, the solo in "Unforgiven" would probably sound cool with a ride beat in an alternate universe. Thanks for the video Mike.
Lars is credit as co writer on almost every Metallica song. Most drumers are just session musicians (not all) that never wrote a song, their entire lives.
To this day there are some Metallica songs I have yet to be able to play bc of the unusual approach and timing that Lars uses on those songs. My favorite album is ....and justice for all. The drumming on that is phenomenal. I was blown away as a kid listening to all the different changes and fills he did through just one song I couldn't imagine learning much less remembering all those parts. It's not so much the speed but just the complexity of the fills that I have yet to land while playing along to the songs.
I like his creative spin on them a lot, but more so than the originals? In places sure. I can't deny that bass drum triplet section on No leaf clover, that went so hard! The decades of confirmation bias point is very correct tho.
Fuel - solid but preferred Lars's as the accents make more sense to my ears.
No leaf - Kind of a basic approach from Lars, your friend added that spice.
One - Interesting but Lars for me as that part is iconic imo. He had a TON of fun with this song in places xD The ending harmony melodic solo part was great.
Unforgiven solo - Very dope. I'd be happy to have either of these parts.
To me the songs were recorded how they were recorded. And we love them the way they are. Love the creative approach here with the vid tho.
He did really great. One was a bit strange to me because of years of bias, and also because it felt like he was playing with the riff while Lars accentuates the guitar riff. But overall it was a good interpretation.
You didn't change my mind. I like the Metallica drum parts; a lot! I like Lars contribution to drumming. One of my favourite tracks to play is Unforgiven. As Nate said, these tracks are fun. Enter Sandman is just so much fun to play. I hear it, I smile. I just want to get behind the kit and join in. Bring the song intro into mind now. Do it..... Ok, tell me you didn't just start nodding your head.
This was super cool. Confirmation bias did make some of it feel weird but it was always cool. What he did with No Leaf Clover was fucking great
I always felt that it's hard to hear anyone replace what Lars has done, I feel out outside One I feel was ok, It's hard to hear One without that drum that Lars does. But when I hear bands do any any cover sometimes it's to copy and paste and the crowd expects, it note for note. My favorite song is Enter Sandman which is iconic but ok change it to something on it's own feels like a new song as crazy as it'll sound I love Pat Boone's take on the song because goes so far out what it is that you can go anything is possible even if the majority hates something, To The Warning version of it being gothic, sexy and haunting something Metallica I don't think would or could do. Or Ghost who made there style. So hearing your drummer do this different parts if I liked it or don't doesn't matter I appreciate another look at iconic songs.
Lars on fuel was just natural the guitar expects us to hear flams or cymbals on certain parts
Lars is also the musical director of the band, he makes big decisions in how songs go and where the band head next, if he wasnt in metallica they would be known today as a band that had a couple of thrash records in the 80s, the fact 40 years in there as big as Taylor swift and over 4 decades have been at the peak of the music industry in terms of sales, tours, marketing, has a lot to do with lars business like mind.
I still think it's very interesting to go back and listen to the concert where Joey Jordison filled in for Lars. Just a totally different off the rails vibe.
That's what was soo incredible about Joey. He felt like a freight train coming off the tracks.
No other drummer sounds right with Metallica, Lars is a guitarist drummer, his drum work on AJFA was fabulous, Lars is a very good drummer
I'm always interested in hearing people's interpretation of music. Good or bad I honestly thinks it makes people better players. That said, these results were 50/50 for me. Drums sounded really good though.
I actually really liked the fill used after the solo right when the melody guitar parts comes in. I don’t think I’m able to give an objective review of the song from how much the originals are drilled into my brain however, my only criticism would be that sometimes it doesn’t feel like a complete thought or as smooth as if it took more time (which no shit it was probably a day of recording with a bunch of improvising)
I REALLY liked the One drumming. Fantastic feel there. The heaviness really compliments the harmony sections.
Did I just witness a jazz blastbeat on One? Your drummer is really good. Definitely gave the songs a different perspective. As far as Lars drumming, I just think his drumming has become lazy and unimaginative over the years. Although it kind of fits Metallica's current lazy unimaginative music. Good experiment. Cheers!
This reminds me of Josh Steffen's ...And Justice for Joey, where he played ...And Justice for All (the song) but interpreted the drum part as Joey Jordison (ex-Slipknot). Specifically the "One" part, where the feel is so durastically different.
Oh I have to check that out!!!
@Become The Knight definitely check that out if you like those types of covers
A few of the best things to work on would be "And justice for all" and "Welcome home sanitarium" since you mention working on other tracks. "Sanitarium" is great for the droning quality and build up imho. "Justice" is a great track for practicing quick tempo changes that for better or worse don't work well with metronomes. Lot's of half-time feel and passages that speed up as you enter and exit them. There often is no static tempo much like dream theater.
This was really interesting to hear. I really like the original drum parts to all of these songs and personally think Lars did a great job in writing them.
When Nate was playing Fuel and One, I realised just how attitude and drive Lars's drum parts added to the song. I always thought that thrash drums were mainly fast and aggressive. Nate's interpretation was awsome, but contrasted against the original parts, there was, in my opinion, a substantial difference in how Lars's take just drove the heavy and powerful guitars.
I have a new found appreciation for simple drum parts. Thank you!
I feel Lars is one of the best drummers of all time. Similarly like Ringo, people bash on them because they’re not overly skilled like a Neil Peart. But they are transcendent drummers.
Lol, the One part was pretty good, but the entire time I felt like I was auditioning a drummer that was struggling. It's kind of like when you spent years listening to the Four Horsemen, so the first time you hear Mechanix, it sounds like Dave is singing in a different language, haha.
I think your buddy Nate did a great job. I really dig his take on all 4 songs. Great job Nate!
Haven't watched it yet, the answer is already no. Mans is a hand of God. He might have made weird choices but he's a great producer as well as a great musician.
Update: I enjoyed his takes on the tracks, always dope to hear good drummers bring their own spice to tracks.
Lars has said himself something like, he might not be the best drummer but he is the best for James"s riffs/Metallica. Cool experiment on the drums. \m/
I feel like the most I can say about any of these takes is something already said. That for me I'm so used to the normal parts and because they do work well with those songs it's hard to get comfortable hearing the song with a completely new drum feel.
The only thing I wish would've been added on is more double kicks to One as in the kicks keep following the guitars when the verse kicks in, I know Lars wouldn't have been able to do that because that would be an advanced kick pattern but it would be a lot cooler if the kicks followed the tremolo picking in the fast verses and solo.
Lars hands added groove. Yes they were overactive sometimes, but they were groovy. His feet created ... space for the mix?
This topic has come up a few times in the Facebook Metal Group that I run - I always say that Lars is underappreciated as a drum PART WRITER.
When people talk about drummers they always focus on technical skill - but Lars' excellence comes from his creativity, arranging, and writing the perfect parts to accentuate what James does.
It's never been about his ability, it's his sound and style. That is why I continually defend him while other people shit on his drumming. I would say that in most cases for bands, that is more important than technical ability. Its kind of like what many people say about Ringo Starr. He was the perfect drummer for The Beatles. Nate is an excellent drummer, BTW.
1) One: really cool creative bits using the Toms like crazy bongos 2) Fuel, if I were magically a drummer I would have added some crazy double kick parts and punk sensibilities like he did with one. I did really like the little phrases and intricacies he put in 3 & ) 4) No leaf clover joint with Unforgiven. I prefer the up tempo songa and these two sound quite similar and I couldn't really tell them apart
It's a challenge to play at Nate's level, but it's a bigger challenge to not. I've got chewed out many times for overplaying in the past and pushing the tempo, and the worst was when I added a gospel chop in a Sia cover song, truly embarrassing.
Awesome video man \m/
I think my favourite was Unforgiven. The drumming really captured the mood of the song.
To be fair the one drum part was really good I thought, he somehow managed to bring more energy to it 🤘🤘
As you said it's Soooo difficult to detach your self from an original drummer and what your ear is used to, personally I couldn't, but I loved the experiment, u have a kick ass drummer there, thanks for the time and effort on this video.
Wasn't a fan of the unforgiven, but your man drummed so close to Lars on the first two, I'd argue that Lars did some damn good drum patterns,
I grew up trying to play Blackened, so wicked,🤟🤟
I play that now, somewhat😂
I really like what Nathan did with No Leaf Clover. The way he played around in the space that he was given fit really well. It was tasteful and still served the song without sounding too flashy.
Well I know you talked of making a ranking I gotta say, One is my number 1 Metallica song. Watching my dad play it and seeing the music video on MTV back in 2005 when I was 5, it was the song that got me into metal and guitar. By far one of my favorite drum tracks ever and I must say, I enjoyed your friend's part he made for it. The machine gun riff drumming part in particular. Taking away my bias for the legendary drums for that part of the song, it was groovy and had me bobbing my head. Obviously doesn't entirely fit with the subject matter of the song where it is tense and frantic, but that groovy take with the riff was refreshing and was frankly awesome. It also shows how much of Lars' DNA is in that part in particular, and has led me to appreciate it that much more than I already have over these years (22 now).
Interesting song selections . I think Nate did fine on Fuel , No Leaf Clover and Nothing Else Matters . I would say he did best on No Leaf Clover to my ear .
Choosing One was a bold choice . Personally I think Justice is Lars at his best . So I can't say I preferred Nates take on One . That said One is a masterpiece and very hard to improve upon . Cool video idea though , Cheers Mike and Nate. 🥃
Lars playing is very acompassed, makes it very comfy and compelling, and that why they're hitmakers
I think some of the changes - esp during One - change the vibe and overall groove in places in a way that would've had James telling Lars "no, accent this part" or "less busy here". People often forget that the drum parts aren't just what the drummer thinks will fit well, but what everyone agrees they like the best for the song. Depending on the band, obviously.
In watching many BTS vids, James very rarely tells Lars what to play or not play. I can only think of two times and it was when Lars was WAY off or playing something very strange.
@S - Ah, fair enough. I can only go by bands I've been in where people kinda collaborate to get something everyone is happy with.
He never was the most technical drummer but back in the day he had that intuition and facility to write interesting drum parts. For me, his most interesting era was on the late 90s, with the Load albums and the S&M concert (I always thought that the Fuel drums are amazing). After Death Magnetic (being generous) it seems like he lost that intuition sadly
I like Nathan's own take on no leaf clover. Not sure which I would prefer more. One was by far the most fascinating for me. I prefer Lars' drumming in that section but that doesn't downgrade Nathan's playing. Talented drummer. I love hearing the creativity of different musicians
STP is amazing, and Eric Kretz is such an underrated drummer.
This was fun to watch, i had never heard "No leaf clover" before, i really liked the way he played it. Now i wanna hear his full version before i listen to the original XD
Im gonna say that this made me think of this other drummer, Josh Steffen, he makes covers and he covered And justice for all in Joey Jordison's style, and i must say i can't listen to the original anymore because Josh's version is better lol
Super cool video. Lars has his strengths and weaknesses. Some of this worked, some didn’t.. simple as that.
The problem with Mr. Ulrich is not his composing, it’s his live execution.
I echo what a lot of other people have said - Lars isn’t a very technical or sophisticated drummer, but he plays to the music. He’s not just doing his own thing and trying to stay in time, he’s contributing to the song by writing drums that highlight, punctuate and complement every other component of the song.
Sometimes, less is more, and I think that perfectly encapsulates Lars as a drummer.
The breakdown in One, “DARKNESS, imprisoning me” is one of the most legendary drum riffs of all time. But… it’s stupid simple. Anyone with good hand/foot coordination can learn it rather quickly. There just isn’t much to it.
Yet… it sound perfect. It fits the song perfectly. It’s understated but powerful. AND, it tells part of the story of the song- it emulates a machine gun firing, much like the snare does during the guitar solo.
I found this video through Reddit thread about Lars where I basically said that the most skilled drummer in the world, who can keep time better than Lars, who can play faster, more accurately with more range, couldn’t replace Lars’ drum tracks to most Metallica songs. While the bias you mentioned is absolutely part of it, also… what more do these songs need? What do they lack? What about the drums holds the songs back? What song(s) could possibly be improved with speedier, most complex drum tracks?
I’ll never be convinced that the answer is anything other than “nothing”. If that’s a result of irreconcilable bias, so be it.
As a guitar player, and someone who idolizes James Hetfield's playstyle and technique from writing riffs and lyric writing in the early years and some post Black album stuff too, it's hard for me to say what I like or can't get on board with in the new versions he's created vs Lars. I've never really payed attention to the drums in Metallica songs unless what Lars was doing on the drums was so out there I couldn't not pay attention to it or if it went with what James was doing rhythmically. Out of the parts that I immediately recognized as different though they were really good and it might be because it's adding something fresh to a classic song, without it sounding bad. As for ratings go mine will 1-10 YEAHS!!! out 10.
Fuel: 8/10 YEAHS!!!
No Leaf Clover: 6/10 YEAHS!!!
One: 5/10 YEAHS!!! (The James/Kirk Harmony Solo section was different in a refreshing way)
Unforgiven: 9/10 YEAHS!!! (I liked how he was basing what he did off of James' rhythm section behind the solo)
I LOVE LARZ! W/OUT HIM... I WOULDN'T BE WHERE I'M AT TODAY AS A DRUMMER! WITHOUT LARZ... THERE'S NO METALLICA!!🎼🥁👊❤️👍😎🙏💯
i think new versions sound better to me, but only because they are more modern, more technical and more punchy. my favorite is One, using machine gun rolls on whole drumkit made it more chaotic and gave out more warlike atmosphere
Love the experiment! If you do more I think you should do try restructuring songs and rewriting melodies and what-not to try a similar challenge on the melodic side. Like when I suggested you try that with Harvester of Sorrow on your 10 worst Metallica songs videos. Obviously it could be for whoever you want though, Metallica again could be redundant but they do get those sweet sweet clicks
Loved fuel and unforgiven.
No leaf clover was take it or leave it.
One was the hardest to digest.
I had some very interesting part, especially some of the fills if placed correctly, although I believe the songs needs more minimal drumming to let the rythm shine at the outro.
Fuel, No Leaf Clover and The Unforgiven were definitely my favorites I feel Nate gave those parts a bit for personality especially Fuel
I think Lars plays what the song needs and sometimes less is more
Sometimes we may not like the way Lars Larses all over some songs, but no matter how much Lars' Larsing gets criticized, I still think the worst reality is one where Lars never Larsed at all
It sounds like the drums are working against the guitar instead of flowing with it. Ihmo I think lars isn't the best drummer but after so many years he's the best drummer for Metallica (except for James). Guitar and drums work so well together and complement each other in most of their songs.