Honestly...Is The MOP Tone Really That Amazing?

[ClintN667]

I think the tone is pretty damn good. As was RTL and I liked AJFA, and black album(to a lesser extent).

Testament, Exodus, Overkill and megadeth after Peace sells sounded good for awhile.

Years of Decay, Rust in Peace, Among the living are my favorite tones for thrash

 

[legend71]

I like AJFA quite a lot but I agree MOP is their pinnacle songwriting wise. One of the biggest things that the band has lost that sticks out especially with the more recent material is just the depth and layers to the old riffs. For a bunch of spotty faced punks playing heavy guitar music, there really is a lot of intricacy and depth to the material on MOP and even AJFA.

You can tell they had the inspiration and took the time to really flesh out and explore the melodic and harmonic themes that came out of their riffs. Sometimes you could even feel they get a little longwinded, but never that they failed to realize the potential. Nowadays coming up with something that has unrealized potential is about the best you can hope for from them.

I agree with this. That record was more epic than anything they ever did after in terms of scope and theme. But so it goes, many bands have a 2-3 record run of excellence where they are top of the rock and then they slide back down. I think it is hard to maintain that inspiration and fire over time. Especially after the big money rolls in like the Black album era.

I will say they are still a really good live band and still play with energy and tightness live even at their age now. That is impressive for sure.

I feel like in recent records they have tried to get back to there earlier style but sometimes you can never go back because you have changed too much.

 

[dcburn]

L

I agree with this. That record was more epic than anything they ever did after in terms of scope and theme. But so it goes, many bands have a 2-3 record run of excellence where they are top of the rock and then they slide back down. I think it is hard to maintain that inspiration and fire over time. Especially after the big money rolls in like the Black album era.

I will say they are still a really good live band and still play with energy and tightness live even at their age now. That is impressive for sure.

I feel like in recent records they have tried to get back to there earlier style but sometimes you can never go back because you have changed too much.

Legend, totally respect your opinion, but to me, the pinnacle of their writing was AJFA. The lyrics, to me, were deeper and current, if that makes sense? The riffing to me was tighter and more aggressive. Both albums had some great groove to them.

Also, I consider AJFA the end of their youth, anger, metal mindset writing. To me, the Black album was the beginning of "pop", radio friendly/safe Metallica...

Edit: maybe AJFA is the beginning of "pop" Metallica? Video for One. Frayed Ends of Sanity is pretty "sing-songy" for lack of better word. And maybe I am completely out of my gourd?

 

[Bardagh]

L

Legend, totally respect your opinion, but to me, the pinnacle of their writing was AJFA. The lyrics, to me, were deeper and current, if that makes sense? The riffing to me was tighter and more aggressive. Both albums had some great groove to them.

Also, I consider AJFA the end of their youth, anger, metal mindset writing. To me, the Black album was the beginning of "pop", radio friendly/safe Metallica...

Edit: maybe AJFA is the beginning of "pop" Metallica? Video for One. Frayed Ends of Sanity is pretty "sing-songy" for lack of better word. And maybe I am completely out of my gourd?

You’re a little out of your gourd

AJFA is their most aggressive, pessimistic and angry record, there’s nothing pop about it. I think the video thing was just a matter of timing and demand. As far as MTV’s format was concerned, One was a very video-unfriendly song. Every Metallica album was full of catchy material. Ride the Lightning is way more sing-songy.

 

[311splawndude]

If they did a "Master of Puppets Tour" where they just did that album (note for note w same tone) and then threw in 4 or 5 fan faves at the end that they mixed up every night - I would be all over that.

I've been guilty of passing on listening to some classic albums because they don't sound good to my ears. Then I go back and put it in the context of the technology available at the time and realize how fucking phenomenal they are.

Exactly

 

[dcburn]

Ride the Lightning is way more sing-songy.

True, all the albums do have sing along songs. I do like singing along to Escape!

As for the "pop" part of AJFA in my reply, it came to me last second as I was typing and Frayed Ends went thru my head, to me, another sing songy tune.

At some point, Im going to have to go back and listen to the albums after Black. Black album was pretty much me exiting the building so to speak. The most dangerous band was suddenly everywhere and not so dangerous anymore...

 

[marvcus]

Not for me. MOP is a great tune, but I never notice the tones in those songs except for maybe the later Sad But True. I’m sure that’s sac religious to many on here.

Never a huge Metallica tone fan. I dig some songs and respect what they have done, but I think they’ve lasted long enough to see themselves become the villain.

 

[legend71]

L

Legend, totally respect your opinion, but to me, the pinnacle of their writing was AJFA. The lyrics, to me, were deeper and current, if that makes sense? The riffing to me was tighter and more aggressive. Both albums had some great groove to them.

Also, I consider AJFA the end of their youth, anger, metal mindset writing. To me, the Black album was the beginning of "pop", radio friendly/safe Metallica...

Edit: maybe AJFA is the beginning of "pop" Metallica? Video for One. Frayed Ends of Sanity is pretty "sing-songy" for lack of better word. And maybe I am completely out of my gourd?

AJFA came out when I was a senior in HS and we were all waiting for it and fired up. Upon first listen I recall Blackened being my favorite tune. I agree that it was the end of their trash period etc. But I also felt (even then) that the album was a bit sterile sounding and lacked something. I learned later in life that that "something" was a bass player. I hate the song "One" as it is super depressing to me and the video is worse LOL. Other tunes are good on there but other than Blackened I do not think any song on it is as good as any song off MOP. But that is just my opinion. They probably had explored the trash style to its ultimate end in their eyes and were ready for something different a la Sandman. I just always felt that after the complexity of their previous records and epic scope that the Black album was dumbed down. But what do I know? They made millions and millions off that record and people loved it and still do. It was their biggest record I believe. Hell, I have had to play Sandman in bands I have been in and had to learn that solo etc. And people loved it in the clubs we played.

But I guess I have always been a guy that loved the younger hungrier versions of bands than the superstar versions

 

[Bardagh]

True, all the albums do have sing along songs. I do like singing along to Escape!

As for the "pop" part of AJFA in my reply, it came to me last second as I was typing and Frayed Ends went thru my head, to me, another sing songy tune.

At some point, Im going to have to go back and listen to the albums after Black. Black album was pretty much me exiting the building so to speak. The most dangerous band was suddenly everywhere and not so dangerous anymore...

I’m pretty much right there with you. I listen to the black album every now and again but it very quickly wears out its welcome. The stuff after it just doesn’t interest me whatsoever. They were a great metal band and a pretty mediocre to lame mainstream rock band.

 

[Beyond Black]

If they did a "Master of Puppets Tour" where they just did that album (note for note w same tone) and then threw in 4 or 5 fan faves at the end that they mixed up every night - I would be all over that.



Exactly

If they did a "Master of Puppets Tour" where they just did that album (note for note w same tone) and then threw in 4 or 5 fan faves at the end that they mixed up every night - I would be all over that.



Exactly

That tone wouldn’t cut live.

 

[GOHOINC]

No, it is not that good. In fact there is no Metallica recording that I would use as a reference for setting up my sound system. And just for the record, AJFA > MOP in all regards...

 

[thegame]

Listen very closely and you may notice Orion and the title track share the same rhythm tone (a little tighter, crisper and scooped) which differs from the rest of it (more bark, a little harsher and in your face).

 

[angelspade]

Listen very closely and you may notice Orion and the title track share the same rhythm tone (a little tighter, crisper and scooped) which differs from the rest of it (more bark, a little harsher and in your face).

I have not noticed this...Will give it a listen with this in mind.

 

[Rex Rocker]

Don't get me wrong, I love that tone.

But the sound in that production is pretty fucking dated. Especially the drums.

I'm sure it was even better if you experience when it first came out. But these days, for that style of music, Testament and Exodus sound... maybe not better better, but certainly not as stuck in a moment in time.

JMO.

 

[dcburn]

AJFA came out when I was a senior in HS and we were all waiting for it and fired up. Upon first listen I recall Blackened being my favorite tune. I agree that it was the end of their trash period etc. But I also felt (even then) that the album was a bit sterile sounding and lacked something. I learned later in life that that "something" was a bass player. I hate the song "One" as it is super depressing to me and the video is worse LOL. Other tunes are good on there but other than Blackened I do not think any song on it is as good as any song off MOP. But that is just my opinion. They probably had explored the trash style to its ultimate end in their eyes and were ready for something different a la Sandman. I just always felt that after the complexity of their previous records and epic scope that the Black album was dumbed down. But what do I know? They made millions and millions off that record and people loved it and still do. It was their biggest record I believe. Hell, I have had to play Sandman in bands I have been in and had to learn that solo etc. And people loved it in the clubs we played.

But I guess I have always been a guy that loved the younger hungrier versions of bands than the superstar versions

We see things pretty close to the same way, especially One. Well except you're old! haha

AJFA came out when I was a freshman, got to see the show summer of '89. My first concert.

Your opinions are 100% valid!
Hell maybe AJFA being my first real concert I may still hold a soft spot for the album and time frame...

 

[Bardagh]

Don't get me wrong, I love that tone.

But the sound in that production is pretty fucking dated. Especially the drums.

I'm sure it was even better if you experience when it first came out. But these days, for that style of music, Testament and Exodus sound... maybe not better better, but certainly not as stuck in a moment in time.

JMO.

Yeah but those current albums aren’t any more timeless sounding or anything. They will eventually sound dated too because they use tones and production tricks that are currently popular.

The MOP 80’s snare reverb will probably end up popular again or something. I never would have thought mullets would make a comeback but I see boys at my kids school with worse ones than I had in the 80’s.

 

[dcburn]

Yeah but those current albums aren’t any more timeless sounding or anything. They will eventually sound dated too because they use tones and production tricks that are currently popular.

The MOP 80’s snare reverb will probably end up popular again or something. I never would have thought mullets would make a comeback but I see boys at my kids school with worse ones than I had in the 80’s.

Thinking some more, at least I can listen and get thru a Metallica album.
One of my favorites of all time, Appetite for Destruction, I cant get thru the first few minutes anymore.
I do not include Rocket Queen in that complaint though...

 

[skoora]

I would take that dated sound any time over drum software and and the same Kemper amp pack or amp sim being used again and again and again. Today’s metal sounds like absolute dogshit.

 

[Rex Rocker]

Yeah but those current albums aren’t any more timeless sounding or anything. They will eventually sound dated too because they use tones and production tricks that are currently popular.

Good point.

 

[Rex Rocker]

I would take that dated sound any time over drum software and and the same Kemper amp pack or amp sim being used again and again and again. Today’s metal sounds like absolute dogshit.

But if a band today started going for an 80's sound with reverb-drenched drums (because there was also sample enhacement back then as well, wasn't there? Just not as we know it today) and roomy-sounding guitars, I'm sure everyone would complain about hot bad it sounds.

I'm sure that's our own perception. I grew up listening to 90's and 2000's metal. I think the best tones are Carcass, Death, At the Gates, and old In Flames. I'm sure someone will say those sound super dated as well. But I don't think contemporary metal sounds bad. At least not if you know where to look. Because if you're looking at Trendiphery and Emmure, then yeah, for sure.