James Hetfield Says Cliff Burton Would Have Resisted Change of 1990s Metallica Albums

Photo Credit: Marv Watson

Metallica established themselves as one of metal’s preeminent groups with classic albums like Ride The Lightning, Kill ‘Em All, Master of Puppets and Metallica (aka The Black Album). However, in the wake of the alternative explosion of the mid-90s, after five years between records, the band took on a more slick appearance and sound. They released Load in 1996 and Re-Load in 1997 to very mixed reactions from fans. The biggest change was purely aesthetics: the four band members (James Hetfield, Jason Newsted, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett) had chopped off their signature long locks of flowing hair.

In a recent interview with Team Rock, Metallica guitarist and frontman James Hetfield was honest when asked how late bassist Cliff Burton would have handled the band’s sudden shift in sound and appearance in the 90s. The bassist died in a tragic bus accident in 1986 while touring in Sweden with the band in support of their third studio album Master of Puppets. When asked about Load, Hetfield admits he thinks Burton would have offered up some resistance to the new sound: “I would certainly think that the Load and Re-Load [era], I would have had an ally that was very against it all – the reinvention or the U2 version of Metallica.”

He goes on to clarify that he personally did not dislike the material that was the album, but the imagery surrounding it was unneccessary. He clarifies that he thinks there are “some great, great songs on there” but the amount of songs that were written for the album “diluted the poison” that was the essence of the California thrash band. Hetfield also mentions that he believes Burton would have tried to inject more complexity into The Black Album and make sure his bass was heard more. One of the masterminds behind the band’s thrashy, riff-heavy sound, he is considered one of the greatest bass players of all time.

Metallica are preparing to release their latest album Hardwired… To Self-Destruct on Friday, Nov. 1. The album hearkens back to their days as founders of the thrash metal movement, with plenty of riffs. So far the band has released two songs, “Moth Into The Flame” and “Atlas, Rise!” in preparation for the albums release. The band has also announced an extensive tour backing the album, which will be their tenth studio full-length.