Metallica - the best all round rock band?
Discussion
"Best" is surely impossible to define in music. Is "best" the band with the most talent as agreed by experts, is "best" the most successful as agreed by album / concert / merchandise sales? Is "best" the band that was at the top of their game the longest? Is it the band that produced the most original ideas and moved its genre or music as a whole forward the most?
Metallica are certainly one of the most successful metal bands, they've survived for ages, sell out concerts even now, brought thrash metal to the masses, and also sold albums to people who wouldn't ordinarily buy metal albums. But rock is far bigger than metal. Would you really say that Metallica are a better band than The Rolling Stones, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Guns n Roses, The Eagles etc? I definitely listen to Metallica a lot more than the others, but I wouldn't say they're better, just more to my liking. And I'll never get tired of Master Of Puppets.
I'm also surprised by the support for Iron Maiden, though I am a fan too. In the '80s their stuff was more listenable than the contemporary AC/DC stuff, but when I listen to both now, even my favourite Iron Maiden albums sound dated now, but the AC/DC stuff seems to have survived the test of time much better.
Metallica are certainly one of the most successful metal bands, they've survived for ages, sell out concerts even now, brought thrash metal to the masses, and also sold albums to people who wouldn't ordinarily buy metal albums. But rock is far bigger than metal. Would you really say that Metallica are a better band than The Rolling Stones, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Guns n Roses, The Eagles etc? I definitely listen to Metallica a lot more than the others, but I wouldn't say they're better, just more to my liking. And I'll never get tired of Master Of Puppets.
I'm also surprised by the support for Iron Maiden, though I am a fan too. In the '80s their stuff was more listenable than the contemporary AC/DC stuff, but when I listen to both now, even my favourite Iron Maiden albums sound dated now, but the AC/DC stuff seems to have survived the test of time much better.
Tricky one, but if the question were to be limited to bands that are still going, I'd probably agree that it's Metallica. Seeing both them & AC/DC within a couple of weeks of each other earlier this year provided an interesting comparison.
I still think AC/DC are the greatest rock'n'roll band, but as a live act the fact is that three of them may as well be sitting backstage. The truth is that we don't go to see AC/DC, we go to see Angus. Brian really isn't that good as a front man. Leaving the O2 after AC/DC, it had been a brilliant show, but I didn't have the same feeling as I have after a Metallica gig; a sense that I'd just been a part of something special.
The odd thing about Metallica is that none of the band members are anywhere near the world's best at what they do, but when you put them together they seem to add up to much more than the sum of the parts.
Their stagecraft is just excellent, always ensuring that none of the crowd feel ignored. The sound quality is usually top notch. They always play for over 2 hours. They always hang around afterwards, throwing out picks, drumsticks, etc. (whereas AC/DC just walked off). Despite the thousands of gigs they've played, they never seem to have an "off" night. Finally, having been going to gigs for over 35 years, I've yet to see anyone that can control a massive crowd the way that Hetfield does. And with such a strong back catalogue to rely on (and I include Death Magnetic in that), they are just unbeatable.
And to make matters worse, at this very moment my daughter is watching them on stage in Barcelona. Roll on Knebworth.
I still think AC/DC are the greatest rock'n'roll band, but as a live act the fact is that three of them may as well be sitting backstage. The truth is that we don't go to see AC/DC, we go to see Angus. Brian really isn't that good as a front man. Leaving the O2 after AC/DC, it had been a brilliant show, but I didn't have the same feeling as I have after a Metallica gig; a sense that I'd just been a part of something special.
The odd thing about Metallica is that none of the band members are anywhere near the world's best at what they do, but when you put them together they seem to add up to much more than the sum of the parts.
Their stagecraft is just excellent, always ensuring that none of the crowd feel ignored. The sound quality is usually top notch. They always play for over 2 hours. They always hang around afterwards, throwing out picks, drumsticks, etc. (whereas AC/DC just walked off). Despite the thousands of gigs they've played, they never seem to have an "off" night. Finally, having been going to gigs for over 35 years, I've yet to see anyone that can control a massive crowd the way that Hetfield does. And with such a strong back catalogue to rely on (and I include Death Magnetic in that), they are just unbeatable.
And to make matters worse, at this very moment my daughter is watching them on stage in Barcelona. Roll on Knebworth.
Interesting point using the term 'best' with music because it's such a personal thing, there will never be a definative answer.
They certainly aren't the most musically competant or flexible of metal bands, and thats because they are a 'metal' band. They no way are best all round because they have their own sound and vibe which whilst obviously popular as they are probably one of the biggest selling bands of the last 20 years, is relatively narrow within contempory music.
Most of the big massive selling rock bands are like Metallica, AC/DC, Maiden, G n' R etc are liked because they have a their own unique appeal, stick to their formula and aren't trying to be everything to everyone. U2 are a good example of an average band (but write good songs) trying to be too all-round and rarely get away with it.
If best all-round rock (not just metal) band from the last 25 years is the discussion then, probably biggest ones are - Queen, Foo Fighters, Chili Peppers plus maybe a handful of others. There aren't many bands that actually combine good songwriting, actually achieve a variety of styles and groove, proper arrangement and technical musical ability.
They certainly aren't the most musically competant or flexible of metal bands, and thats because they are a 'metal' band. They no way are best all round because they have their own sound and vibe which whilst obviously popular as they are probably one of the biggest selling bands of the last 20 years, is relatively narrow within contempory music.
Most of the big massive selling rock bands are like Metallica, AC/DC, Maiden, G n' R etc are liked because they have a their own unique appeal, stick to their formula and aren't trying to be everything to everyone. U2 are a good example of an average band (but write good songs) trying to be too all-round and rarely get away with it.
If best all-round rock (not just metal) band from the last 25 years is the discussion then, probably biggest ones are - Queen, Foo Fighters, Chili Peppers plus maybe a handful of others. There aren't many bands that actually combine good songwriting, actually achieve a variety of styles and groove, proper arrangement and technical musical ability.
Just thought I would re-read the OP to see what the reasoning and definition was behind 'best all round', anyway..
..And as the post'er above said, it's a very subjective and personal thing and I never mention 'best' things when it comes to music, only favourites.
I dont like them at all, but again as the above said, Foo Fighters and RHCP's, if they can be classed as rock and not pop, probably should be mentioned.
My favourite 'rock' band? Probably Faith No More.
Garlick said:
bands of their genre. Discuss 
What are you classing as 'their genre'?..And as the post'er above said, it's a very subjective and personal thing and I never mention 'best' things when it comes to music, only favourites.
I dont like them at all, but again as the above said, Foo Fighters and RHCP's, if they can be classed as rock and not pop, probably should be mentioned.
My favourite 'rock' band? Probably Faith No More.
Its completely subjective.
Loads of people think Iron Maiden are good, I think they are toilet - Bruce Dickinson can't sing and sounds like a tomcat, steve harris has been recycling the same bass line for 20 years or so, pants and dated pants at that! Metallica are OK though maybe a tad one dimensional, for me the best modern rock band is Linkin Park - they use light and shade really well and a really good both the record and live. But as with my IM views many people won't agree.
I guess Led Zep were good, but they are a bit dull. Its all down to personal choice really.
Loads of people think Iron Maiden are good, I think they are toilet - Bruce Dickinson can't sing and sounds like a tomcat, steve harris has been recycling the same bass line for 20 years or so, pants and dated pants at that! Metallica are OK though maybe a tad one dimensional, for me the best modern rock band is Linkin Park - they use light and shade really well and a really good both the record and live. But as with my IM views many people won't agree.
I guess Led Zep were good, but they are a bit dull. Its all down to personal choice really.
Mojooo said:
It was also pretty funny how poppy they have become - i.e getting the crowd to singalong etc (somthing I am sure they would have balked at 20 years ago)
Have you not seen a Seek and Destroy live video?The crowd have always sung along to Seek and Destroy!
Seek and Destroy Live 1985
24 years ago
S7Paul said:
Tricky one, but if the question were to be limited to bands that are still going, I'd probably agree that it's Metallica. Seeing both them & AC/DC within a couple of weeks of each other earlier this year provided an interesting comparison.
I still think AC/DC are the greatest rock'n'roll band, but as a live act the fact is that three of them may as well be sitting backstage. The truth is that we don't go to see AC/DC, we go to see Angus. Brian really isn't that good as a front man. Leaving the O2 after AC/DC, it had been a brilliant show, but I didn't have the same feeling as I have after a Metallica gig; a sense that I'd just been a part of something special.
The odd thing about Metallica is that none of the band members are anywhere near the world's best at what they do, but when you put them together they seem to add up to much more than the sum of the parts.
Their stagecraft is just excellent, always ensuring that none of the crowd feel ignored. The sound quality is usually top notch. They always play for over 2 hours. They always hang around afterwards, throwing out picks, drumsticks, etc. (whereas AC/DC just walked off). Despite the thousands of gigs they've played, they never seem to have an "off" night. Finally, having been going to gigs for over 35 years, I've yet to see anyone that can control a massive crowd the way that Hetfield does. And with such a strong back catalogue to rely on (and I include Death Magnetic in that), they are just unbeatable.
And to make matters worse, at this very moment my daughter is watching them on stage in Barcelona. Roll on Knebworth.
Ive seen Metallica twice + ACDC for the 1st time 2 wks ago at Punchestown. IMO ACDC are the best all round live performance ive ever seen including GNR,Stones,Foo fighters, RHC ,Maiden,nirvana, Pearl jam, QOTSA etc. They were simply awesome, a view shared by EVERYONE ive spoke to who were at the gig. They had 83000 in the palm of their hand, not just Angus, but brian and the rest. If theres anyone better all round than DC ive yet to see them!I still think AC/DC are the greatest rock'n'roll band, but as a live act the fact is that three of them may as well be sitting backstage. The truth is that we don't go to see AC/DC, we go to see Angus. Brian really isn't that good as a front man. Leaving the O2 after AC/DC, it had been a brilliant show, but I didn't have the same feeling as I have after a Metallica gig; a sense that I'd just been a part of something special.
The odd thing about Metallica is that none of the band members are anywhere near the world's best at what they do, but when you put them together they seem to add up to much more than the sum of the parts.
Their stagecraft is just excellent, always ensuring that none of the crowd feel ignored. The sound quality is usually top notch. They always play for over 2 hours. They always hang around afterwards, throwing out picks, drumsticks, etc. (whereas AC/DC just walked off). Despite the thousands of gigs they've played, they never seem to have an "off" night. Finally, having been going to gigs for over 35 years, I've yet to see anyone that can control a massive crowd the way that Hetfield does. And with such a strong back catalogue to rely on (and I include Death Magnetic in that), they are just unbeatable.
And to make matters worse, at this very moment my daughter is watching them on stage in Barcelona. Roll on Knebworth.
daphantom said:
Ive seen Metallica twice + ACDC for the 1st time 2 wks ago at Punchestown. IMO ACDC are the best all round live performance ive ever seen including GNR,Stones,Foo fighters, RHC ,Maiden,nirvana, Pearl jam, QOTSA etc. They were simply awesome, a view shared by EVERYONE ive spoke to who were at the gig. They had 83000 in the palm of their hand, not just Angus, but brian and the rest. If theres anyone better all round than DC ive yet to see them!
I agree that AC/DC put on a great show. The point I was making is that Malcolm, & Cliff just stand in the background for most of the time, just wandering forward when they need to help out with backing vocals; there's no interaction with the crowd. Brian moves around quite a bit, but doesn't talk to the audience much. Most eyes are on Angus, and rightly so. It's amazing how he keeps going for 2 hours at that pace - maybe we should all take up smoking!
As for my comment about Hetfield being in total command of a crowd, ask anyone that was at Download in 2006 what I mean.
Although a great fan of Metal and a relatively big fan of Metallica, i would be loathe to go as far as saying they are the best rock or metal band. I agree that AJFA was their best album, but after that they began to lack something. The Black Album was listenable, and it went downhill from there.
Maybe a perfect all round rock band is an ideal which can never be achieved except in very exceptional circumstances. Off the top of my head, i cannot think of one heavyweight band who has not done soemthing lacklustre in their career. Maybe the problem is that bands go on for longer than they should. Imagine if Metallica disbanded after And Justice for All, or if Megadeth had called it a day after Rust In Peace, or if Slayer had packed in after Seasons in the Abyss - they would each be true legends in their own right, rather than mere stalwarts, and would perhaps live up to the accolade purported in the OP.
Another case in point - for me, up until they got back together and released an album a few years ago, the most consistent and rounded metal band of all time were Leatherwolf. There is not one dull moment from any of their first three (and until recently only) albums, so they truly were the best band - a legend in their own right. Now this has been ruined by a recent comeback album which, although good, is nowhere near the standard of their original efforts, and knocks them off the 'legend' pedestal.
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Maybe a perfect all round rock band is an ideal which can never be achieved except in very exceptional circumstances. Off the top of my head, i cannot think of one heavyweight band who has not done soemthing lacklustre in their career. Maybe the problem is that bands go on for longer than they should. Imagine if Metallica disbanded after And Justice for All, or if Megadeth had called it a day after Rust In Peace, or if Slayer had packed in after Seasons in the Abyss - they would each be true legends in their own right, rather than mere stalwarts, and would perhaps live up to the accolade purported in the OP.
Another case in point - for me, up until they got back together and released an album a few years ago, the most consistent and rounded metal band of all time were Leatherwolf. There is not one dull moment from any of their first three (and until recently only) albums, so they truly were the best band - a legend in their own right. Now this has been ruined by a recent comeback album which, although good, is nowhere near the standard of their original efforts, and knocks them off the 'legend' pedestal.
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