From left: Kirk Hammett (Guitarist), James Hetfield (Lead Singer), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Cliff Burton (Bassist).[/caption]Just about everyone knows about Robert Trujillo and his role as Metallica's bassist... The truth is, is he is not bad... But he is just not a Cliff Burton or Jason Newsted.... But then again who really is?
Since Metallica came in to existence one of the weird facts about Metallica is the fact that they have not had a permanent bassist!
The first bassist that they had was bassist Ron McGovney... He came on when the group first formed back in the early 1980s, but due to clashing with Lars Ulrich (Drummer), and Dave Mustaine (guitarist)... After that though Metallica really started to come in to it's own!
You see after Ron McGovney left Metallica, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich found Bassist, Cliff Burton! Now for those of you who don't know who Cliff Burton is, (Well you should... Joking! ;p)
With that in mind Cliff Burton became one of the best bassists that Metallica ever had (most people who are long term fans of, Metallica (myself included), consider him to be one of the best bassists that Metallica ever had!) The reason that I think he maybe one of the best bassists that they ever had, is not just the fact that he plays (or unfortunately played), one kick ass bass guitar... But you can tell in the old concert footage of Metallica's, that Cliff Burton and the Metallica team really jelled amazingly well!
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Cliff Burton was one of the most kick ass bassists that Metallica ever had![/caption]Unfortunately though, the truth is, is that back in 1986 Cliff Burton would pass away in an accident when the band was touring in Sweden...
In my opinion... (and for you Cliff Burton fans, don't worry I am still with you on the fact that he is one of the better Metallica bassists,) but after Cliff Burton passed away Jason Newsted took over the bassist position!
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Jason Newsted tearing it up on his bass![/caption]And the truth is, is that Metallica grew up with Newsted as the bassist (considering the fact that unfortunately Cliff Burton ended up passing away with in the first 5 years of Metallica's life), and so I can't really say that Jason Newsted was particularly a bad bassist... He just was no Cliff Burton!
The truth is though, and this maybe the biggest failure... (but in some way the biggest plus point for me) is the fact that not long after ...And Justice For All (1988) Metallica's sound started to change (don't get me wrong their older work is some of my favorite albums, but a lot of the stuff that changed after, ...And Justice For All came out that I did find that I really enjoy!)
I can't really explain it except to say that the work during this time (which i would say is mostly work that they did together in the early 1990s was some of the best work that Jason Newsted did with the band! Especially when they did the, Black Album (I know that, 'The Unforgiven' is probably one of the most plagiarized names that Metallica has ever used... Considering the fact that this song already has 2 sequels attached to it!)
The truth is, is that the, Black Album was a truly amazing album... And admittedly some might say that, 'The Black Album' was the last truly great album that Metallica ever did (certainly the best album that Jason Newsted did with Metallica), but the truth is, is that it wasn't!
A lot of fans claim that with the release of, 'Load' and 'Reload' that the band had sold out, and that the rest of their albums since then have been crap! That's a fat load of crap... (pardon my harsh language...)
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After the release of, 'Load' and, 'Reload' fans began to consider that Metallica had, 'Sold Out'![/caption]But they did not sell out... The truth is, is the music that they produced with, 'Load' and 'Reload' was different... But different doesn't always mean bad! The music from this album definitely did not for the most part match their early work, but they still did a great job... (and in my opinion, in some extent I would say that Jason Newsted did some of his best work on these 2 albums)!
The truth is though, is that after that the work that Jason Newsted did was just not as good... And in January 2001 Jason Newsted ended up leaving the group due to frustrations with the group...
in 2003 Robert Trujillo came on to replace Metallica as the current bassist for Metallica... The only thing I can say is that his work with Metallica is alright... I mean he did a good job with, St, Anger (2003), but I feel like comparing Robert Trujillo with those that came before him is a little unfair... I mean St. Anger was good, but, Death Magnetic (2008) just was not what it should be!
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Robert Trujillo - The current bassist for, 'Metallica'![/caption]In the end, fortunately Metallica is still around, and we will see what sort of goodies are to come!
Please enjoy this compilation of some pretty awesome solo guitar riffs from Cliff Burton:
http://youtu.be/6O9zMnwD65Q
Please enjoy this segment from Metallica's, 'Cunning Stunts' album featuring: Jason Newsted:
http://youtu.be/K_WPYZQ5N98
Check out this music video that Metallica did for: St. Anger (2003) featuring: Robert Trujillo!
http://youtu.be/3rFoGVkZ29w
