Di Inggris, napak tilas sejarah pemuka musik dunia tidak hanya berakhir di Kota Liverpool. Dimana kelompok The Beatles merintis karir pertamanya. London, salah satu kota kiblatnya mode dunia, menyimpan jejak serupa. Dia seorang Afro-Indian-American dengan aksen Inggrisnya yang khas kulit hitam. Salah satu ras yang telah banyak mengalami sejarah penindasan panjang ras kaukasian. Ironisnya, Bangsa Inggris-lah yang melakukan itu di Benua Amerika. Namun, dalam diri seorang Jimi Hendrix, kekelaman sejarah leluhurnya menyublim melalui medium musik, Blues.
Setidaknya, itulah yang bisa kita maknai dalam peringatan 40 tahun kematian Jimi Hendrix. Peringatan ini akan digelar pada 25 Agustus – 7 November 2010, mengambil tema : Hendrix in Britain. Peringatan ini tepatnya adalah sebuah refleksi sejarah seorang Hendrix. Sehingga kata kematian akan lebih bermakna bila berada dalam apitan tanda kutip.
Kematiannya adalah ragawi, adapun roh dan spiritnya membekas hingga kini. Hendrix adalah salah satu pusaran arus dari gelombang anti perang. Meski ia sendiri pernah memasuki Angkatan Darat Amerika. Bukannya mengangkat senjata dan menembaki musuh Amerika, ia memilih gitar dan bermain musik dengan Billy Cox. Sementara rekan kulit hitam lainnya gugur di medan perang Vietnam. Dan entah kenapa, banyak tentara yang dikirim ke Vietnam adalah dari ras kulit hitam dan berasal dari pinggiran. Dan juga mereka berasal dari keluarga miskin. Hendrix pun berasal dari keluarga miskin.
Menjadi tentara bukanlah sebuah pilihan jiwa nasionalismenya. Karena terlibat dua kali pencurian mobil, Hendrix dihadapkan pada pilihan dipenjara atau menjadi tentara. Dan ia memilih jadi tentara. Tak mengherankan, mungkin sebagai sebuah kenangan, dalam beberapa penampilan panggungnya Hendrix pernah memakai pakaian Army Look.
Army Look dan Star Spangled Banner versi Hendrix, bukanlah kebanggaan akan ketentaraan dan heroisme Amerika yang sedang getol-getolnya berperang di Vietnam. Hendrix lebih memilih antitesis semangat politik Amerika saat itu, bersama 500.000 kaum hippies, di panggung akbar Woodstock. Dan, Hendrix pun menjadi The Iconic 1969 Woodstock Festival. Baik sebagai ikon karena permainan gitarnya yang memukau, juga ikon dari semangat kaum hippies itu sendiri, anti perang!
Kepiawaian dalam memainkan dawai gitar menjadikan Hendrix sebagai salah satu dewa gitar di zamannya. Pete Townsend dan Eric Clapton dibuat ternganga mulutnya akan permainan gitar Hendrix. Namun, kiranya Hendrix takkan lupa akan peran Linda Keith yang pertama kali mengajaknya ke Inggris. Negara yang menjadikan Stepping Stone bagi Hendrix. Dan kelak, melambungkan namanya di bumi Amerika.
-jimi hendrix
Linda, pacar Keith Richard memperkenalkan Hendrix kepada para musisi ternama Inggris. Salah satunya, Chas Chandler basis The Animals yang ikut membidani kelahiran band baru Hendrix, The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Dua musisi Inggris terlibat didalamnya, Noel Redding dan Mitch Michell. Album baru Are You Experienced mendapat sambutan di Inggris, namun ironisnya jeblok di tanah kelahirannnya, Amerika.
Paul McCartney lah yang memiliki insting tajam untuk melambungkan kehebatan Hendrix di tanah kelahirannya. Paul tidak mempromosikan albumnya, namun Hendrix lah yang mesti mempromosikan kehebatannya di sebuah pertunjukkan besar Monterey International Pop Festival. Alasan Paul cuma satu, banyak jurnalis yang akan meliput. Dan perkiraan Paul terbukti. Bagaimanapun, mata dan opini para jurnalis inilah yang ikut menebarkan keterpesonaan mereka akan permainan gitar Hendrix pada publik Amerika. Ibu bumi yang melahirkan Blues.
Sebagaimana leluhurnya, Blues merupakan medium katarsis sejarah etnisitasnya. Di tangan Hendrix, nge-Blues menjadi lebih teatrikal. Ia lebih memilih menuturkan lirik lagu daripada mengatur tarikan napas berdasarkan notasi. Ia membebaskan jari jemari kanannya mencari titik senar yang selaras dengan jiwanya. Sementara jari jemari tangan kirinya mencoba mengatur ritme. Kapan menyayat, kapan menghentak, dan kapan mengaduk-ngaduk emosinya. Dengan wah-wah pedal, ia berharap dawai gitarnya berbicara. Semua gelegak jiwanya itu, ia keraskan suaranya, terpantul, dan menggema melalui amplifier feedback. Gelagak itu menjadi suara yang distortif. Bila perlu mengungkapkan kemarahannya ia menggigit dawai. Namun Hendrix pun memiliki rasa humor akan sejarah ras-nya. Ia menggesekkan gitar pada bokongnya. Ia mempantati panggung sejarah dunia. Epilog, ia menghancurkan semuanya, membanting dan membakar gitarnya.
Inikah yang disebut para kritisi musik sebagai Psychedelic Blues? Entahlah. Namun yang pasti inilah keinginan besarnya. Sebagaimana ia pernah katakan sewaktu menjadi pengiring band untuk Little Richard : “I want to do with my guitar what Little Richard does with his voice!”
Perfoma panggungnya tidak semata asal beda. Apalagi bila ini dimaksudkan untuk sekedar sensasi yang akan meraup keuntungan duit. Meski diparuh awal 70-an kapitalisme sudah menampakkan wujudnya, panggung hiburan yang digagas dan ditonton kaum hippies belum tercengkeram kuat oleh tentakel entertainment-kapitalisme. Bukankah isme hippie selain anti perang juga adalah anti kemapanan. Meski kebanyakan dari mereka terlahir dari keberkahan dan peningkatan kesejahteraan karena Oil Boom.
uncluster-jimi hendrix
Jadi, bila dikaitkan dengan upaya orang untuk mengingat kematian 40 tahun Hendrix dan peran (orang) Inggris di dalamnya. Tentu tidak sekedar bernostalgia. Dengan segala peninggalannya : goresan tangan lirik lagunya, gitarnya, lagu-lagu dan filmnya, tempat tinggal bersama pacar-pacarnya yang Inggris, dan pakaiannya. Tidak sekedar memajangkan memorabilia. Benda-benda yang “bertanda” itu menyimpan sejuta ceritera bermakna di zamannya. Dan mungkin relevan untuk saat ini.
Selamat datang Hendrix! Di era kini, di mana dunia entertainment semata kepentingan kapital. Di mana orang-orang hanya “berperang” untuk merebut moda konsumsi.[ Dian R Kameswara]
*penulis pernah menjadi penyiar Rock 70’s dan Blues di GMR 104.4 Fm Rock Station.
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24 Juni 2010
Hendrix in Britain : Peringatan 40 tahun Kematian
26 April 2010
Slash Show Time
Resmi Keluarkan Materi Solo Pertama
Akhirnya, sang dewa gitar Slash mengeluarkan materi debut solonya. Salah seorang gitaris paling fenomenal di dunia itu membuktikan diri tetap berkarya meski tidak lagi di Guns N' Roses dan Velvet Revolver. Album musikus bernama asli Saul Hudson tersebut diberi nama Slash.
"Aku baru saja kembali ke titik awal. Di mana aku harus melakukan sesuatu yang sendiri dan berbeda. Album debut ini merupakan salah satu hal yang belum pernah aku lakukan dalam karir bermusikku. Materi ini memberikan sensasi yang luar biasa," ujar Slash.
Slash sebenarnya telah merencanakan penggarapan album ini sejak 2007. Rencana tersebut dia ungkapkan lewat otobiografi. Saat itu Slash mengungkapkan akan membuat album tersebut bersama sahabat-sahabatnya. "Album itu akan terasa spesial. Sebab, bakal ada Ozzy Osburne dan Fergie," ujar Slash penuh semangat.
Rencana tersebut baru direalisasikan Slash pada pertengahan 2008. Saat itu dia mulai menulis beberapa materi. Slash kemudian mulai memilih lagu-lagu tersebut. Hingga terpilihlah 13 track yang dimasukkan ke dalam solo debut itu. Slash begitu menikmati saat-saat penggarapan album self titled-nya.
"Aku seolah bekerja sendirian di studio. Masa-masa tersebut terasa menyenangkan. Banyak ide bermunculan. Karena itu, setiap lagu yang ada di album ini akan dibawakan orang-orang yang berbeda," lanjut Slash.
Di debut album ini, Slash menyajikan warna musik yang lebih variatif. Sebab, banyak musikus dunia yang ikut berkolaborasi dengannya. Bayangkan saja, di album ini kita bakal mendengarkan suara Ozzy Osburne, suara si seksi Fergie, hingga lengkingan nyaring Andrew Stockdale.
Track lain yang patut dicoba adalah By The Sword. Nostalgia masa-masa keemasan dari Slash bakal begitu terasa di lagu ini. Paduan ini makin asyik dengan lengkingan Stockdale. Vokalis Wolfmother itu mampu membangunkan aura bermusik Slash. (nay/bs/c9/kkn)
Di album tersebut akan ada Ozzy dan Fergie. Sampai sekarang aku merasa bahwa proyek ini adalah hal yang luar biasa bagi karir bermusikku.
Chris Cornell, Vokalis Soundgarden
---
Sungguh suatu kebanggaan ketika Slash menawarkan untuk berkolaborasi. Sebab, dia adalah salah satu ikon musik rock n roll dunia.
Andrew Stockdale, Vokalis Wolfmother
---
Slash awalnya menawariku menyanyikan lagu ciptaannya. Tetapi, aku tidak bisa. Aku hanya mau bermain drum untuknya. Dia pun menyetujui.
Dave Grohl, Vokalis Foo Fighters
---
Slash orang yang sangat luar biasa. Aku bisa melakukan rekaman dengan musik berbeda. Dia punya sensasi rock n roll yang membunuh."
Fergie, Vokalis Black Eyed Peas
* Buang Materi Album
* Kembali Ajak Don Gilmore
* Positif Isi Soundtrack James bond
* Kurangi Dominasi Sound Piano
* Mengeksplorasi Sisi Liar
* Paduan Sound Etnik
* Puji Skill Axl Rose
* Sajikan Musik Neo Folk Murni
* Materi Easy Listening
* Sound Fresh Gorillaz
* Musik Penggugah Adrenalin
* Korbankan Tur Afrika Selatan
* Sisi Energik She and Him
* Idealis dengan Nama Provokatif
* Sisi Lain Nick Jonas
* Materi Ceria nan Colorful
* Ikon Pop Remaja Modern
* Terbiasa Profesional
* Masukkan Unsur Musik Dangdut
* Unsur Alam pada Sophomore
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02 Januari 2010
Eddie Vedder Sued For Changing The Lyrics of 'Hard Sun'
Setelah di tahun 2009 ini kita mendengar kehebohan perseteruan hukum antara Joe Satriani dengan Coldplay dan Cat Stevens mengenai lagu “Viva la Vida,” dan kasus lainnya yang menimpa para musisi seputar hak cipta karya, di penghujung tahun ini tiba-tiba Eddie Vedder yang selama ini belum pernah tersandung kasus serupa, kini harus menghadapi tuduhan atas pelanggaran hak cipta yaitu untuk cover version “Hard Sun” milik Indio, yang juga merupakan salah satu soundtrack film Into The Wild (2007).
Adalah Gordon Peterson, sang pencipta lagu yang kemudian memutuskan untuk menuntut frontman Pearl Jam itu ke pengadilan federal Manhattan.
“Vedder telah mengubah beberapa lirik penting sehingga mengikis integritas komposisi lagu tersebut,” ungkap Peterson dalam tuntutannya.
Sebenarnya hanya ada sedikit perbedaan lirik antara “Hard Sun” versi Vedder dengan versi aslinya. Bagian verse pembuka dan chorus diambil secara utuh oleh Vedder sementara bagian lirik yang dipermasalahkan adalah “When she comes to greet me / she is mercy at my feet / When I stay to pillage her / She just throws it back at me” dimana Vedder menggantinya menjadi, “When she comes to greet me / she is mercy at my feet / I see her inner charm / she just throws it back at me”.
"Saya harap dia suka versi buatan saya,” ujar Vedder dalam suatu kesempatan mengenai “sedikit” gubahan pada lagu ini.
Universal Music juga termasuk sebagai pihak yang dituntut karena dianggap tidak meminta ijin Peterson lebih dahulu untuk melakukan perubahan ini. Masih dalam tuntutannya, Peterson menegaskan bahwa ia menginginkan keuntungan yang telah diperoleh melalui lagu ciptaannya itu atas tindakan pelanggaran yang telah dilakukan.
Sementara pengacara Vedder, Gregory Clarick mengatakan bahwa pihaknya tidak melihat adanya dasar untuk melakukan tuntutan atas pelanggaran terhadap hak cipta.
Vedder sendiri mengenal lagu ini melalui sutradara Into the Wild, Sean Penn. Setelah itu ia meminta Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney) untuk membantunya di vokal.
Vedder sendiri terbilang sukses lewat soundtrack album Into The Wild ini, karena tak hanya menuai banyak pujian tapi single “Guaranteed” juga berhasil memenangkan Golden Globe dan dinominasikan di Grammy Awards. Keberhasilan cover version 'Hard Sun' yang dibuat oleh Vedder juga tidak dipungkiri membuat Indio kembali merilis album rilisan 1989-nya, Big Harvest.
*dari berbagai sumber
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20 Desember 2009
Ozzy Osbourne To Release 'Soul Sucka' In The Nex Year
[Uncluster/News]---Ozzy Osbourne mengumumkan akan merilis album baru di Bulan Juni tahun depan berjudul 'Soul Sucka' melalui Epic Records dengan judul lagu di antaranya 'Let It Die', 'Diggin' Me Down' dan 'Soul Sucka'.
Album ini diproduseri oleh Osbourne sendiri bersama Kevin Churko, dan menampilkan gitaris barunya, Gus G menggantikan posisi Zakk Wylde yang telah mengisi album Ozz sejak The Ultimate Sin (1986).
Osbourne merekam album ini setelah menyelesaikan tur Black Label Society’s tour, setelah sekitar 16 bulan mereka berkeliling. Hanya beristirahat sejenak, Ozz bersama timnya langsung masuk studio di pertengahan tahun ini.
Album ini adalah album kesepuluh Ozz yang menjadi follow-up dari rilisan 2007, 'Black Rain' dimana Churko juga menjadi co-producer-nya. Line up band yang mengisi album 'Soul Sucka' ini adalah Blasko (bass), Mike Bordin (drum) dan Adam Wakeman (keyboard).
Mantan frontman Black Sabbath ini juga telah merekam suaranya untuk mengisi vokal di single pertama yang akan diambil dari debut album solo Slash, "Slash & Friends" yang akan dirilis Bulan Januari nanti.
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15 Desember 2009
Skeletons In The Closets – Children of Bodom
Perluasan genre metal memang belum menemui batasannya, segala pengkotak-kotakan genre musik pun luluh dengan adanya eksplorasi konsep musik dari band yang menolak stagnan dengan tatanan musik metal yang telah tersedia.
Dan satu dari sedikit band yang kerap mengumbar eksplorasi konsep musik tersebut adalah Children of Bodom, band ini memang rajin dalam mengemas musik metal dalam komposisi musik yang selalu baru, bahkan ketika kini banyak band-band baru mulai melakukan eksplorasi tersebut, Children of Bodom seolah adalah guru yang dapat membimbing mereka, karena Children of Bodom sudah melakukannya 12 tahun lalu, lewat album debutnya, ´Something Wild´.
Selain kerap melakukan pembaruan dalam komposisi musiknya, Children of Bodom, band asal Finlandia tersebut juga rajin merekam lagu-lagu orang/band lain dengan style mereka sendiri. Namun sayangnya versi kover dari band lain tersebut sering tidak dirilis di beberapa negara. Dan kini kabar menyenangkan itupun datang dengan rilisnya ´Skeletons In The Closets´ dari Children of Bodom, yang mana album ini memuat berbagai cover version dari Children of Bodom terhadap lagu artis/band lain tersebut.
Album ini menunjukkan bahwa Children of Bodom, atau lebih tepatnya Alexi Laiho sebagai frontmannya, memiliki selera musik dan selera humor yang luas. Terdapat di dalamnya lagu-lagu dari band punk, hair metal, thrash metal sampai pop yang paling manis (ya! mereka juga merekam lagu Britney Spears, ´Oops! I Did It Again´ dalam versi mereka).
Hebatnya, Children of Bodom mampu meramu cover version mereka dengan output sound yang tidak tipikal dan seragam. Sehingga lagu yang terdengar, seolah adalah buah karya asli mereka sendiri. Di album ini kita bisa mendengar cover version Children of Bodom dari musisi seperti Billy Idol, Andrew WK, Ramones, Alice Cooper, Poison, Suicidal Tendensies , Anthrax/Trust, dan tentu saja Britney Spears. [rsk]
Sumber: Live@Loud.blogspot.com
Sumber gambar: http://purerockradio.org/requests/pictures/Children-Of-Bodom-Skeletons-In-The-Closet.jpg
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10 Desember 2009
Ophet To Play Super Exclusive Show
Merayakan usianya yang ke-20 tahun, band death metal veteran asal Swedia, Opeth mengumumkan show eksklusif mereka di tahun 2010. Mini tur ini hanya terdiri dari enam jadwal show yang akan diadakan di enam kota besar yaitu Stockholm (Swedia), Essen (Jerman), Paris (Perancis), London (Inggris), New York City (New York), dan Los Angeles (California).
Venue untuk show ini dipilih dengan sangat selektif untuk mendapatkan atmosfer yang unik dan akrab nantinya. Setiap show akan diadakan selama dua jam dan terdiri dari dua set, dimana pada set pertama mereka akan membawakan keseluruhan materi dari album rilisan 2001, 'Blackwater Park' dan pada set kedua mereka akan membawakan kumpulan lagu-lagu dari sejumlah album. Menurut band yang akan memulai latihan selama Januari-Maret ini, mereka akan membawakan beberapa lagu yang belum pernah dibawakan sebelumnya, dan beberapa lagu yang selalu diminta para fans selama ini.
Sang frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt juga mengungkapkan rasa antusiasnya.
”Saya tidak percaya kami akan merayakan usia ke-20!! Berarti 20 tahun saya berada di band ini, sejak saya berusia 16 tahun! Ini gila! Seingat saya kami tidak pernah mengadakan pesta resmi apapun selama ini. Dan tampaknya sekarang waktunya. Kami telah merencanakan enam show di beberapa negara. Show ini akan super-exclusive," ujarnya.
Menurut Mikael, Ophet tidak akan menambah jadwal show lagi, sehingga ia meminta para fans untuk tidak melewatkan kesempatan istimewa dan eksklusif ini.
Yang lebih istimewa lagi Ophet juga akan menawarkan tiket VIP exclusive untuk semua show, termasuk VIP pass exclusive ke setiap show, akses untuk sound check, meet ‘n greet dengan Opeth, t-shirt exclusive, edisi spesial CD/DVD dari Blackwater Park, dokumenter yang belum pernah dirilis sebelumnya. Semua ini dikemas dalam paket hard cover digipack yang didesain oleh Travis Smith. Edisi spesial ini akan dirilis Maret 2010 melalui Sony Music.
Sementara itu tiket untuk show mereka ini sudah mulai dijual sejak Desember.
The Show:
March 30 – Cirkus – Stockholm, Sweden
April 1 – Lichtburg – Essen, Germany
April 3 – Bataclan – Paris, France
April 5 – Royal Albert Hall – London, UK
April 7 – Terminal 5 – New York, NY
April 9 – The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA
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28 Juni 2009
Sejarah LINKIN PARK.
Linkin Park adalah grup musik beraliran nu metal yang berasal dari Aguora Hills, California, di Amerika Serikat. Mereka sempat beberapa kali berganti nama, antara lain Xero, Hybrid Theory, hingga nama Linkin Park sampai sekarang. Nama "Linkin Park" sendiri merupakan plesetan dari nama sebuah taman di Los Angeles, Lincoln Park.
Sebelum Chester Bennington menjadi vokalis Linkin Park, Mark Wakefield lebih dulu menjadi vokalisnya. Namun, ia keluar dari Linkin Park – saat itu menggunakan nama Hybrid Theory – untuk menjadi manajer grup musik Taproot. Bassis Dave Farrell alias "Phoenix" juga pernah keluar sebentar dari Linkin Park untuk mengikuti tur bersama band lamanya, Tasty Snax. Sedangkan 4 personil lainnya – Brad Delson, Mike Shinoda, Joe Hahn, dan Rob Bourdon – selalu bertahan di Linkin Park sejak awal pembentukannya.
Linkin Park telah merilis 3 album studio, yaitu Hybrid Theory, Meteora, dan Minutes to Midnight. Linkin Park juga merilis album Live in Texas, Reanimation, dan Collision Course, serta Hybrid Theory EP. Linkin Park sukses dalam mempopulerkan lagu-lagunya seperti Crawling, In the End, Numb, Somewhere I Belong, dan What I've Done. Secara total, album-album Linkin Park telah terjual sebanyak 50 juta keping.
Awal mula
Awal pembentukan Linkin Park yaitu pertemuan Mike Shinoda dan Brad Delson (gitaris Linkin Park) di kelas 7. Lalu mereka membentuk band bernama Xero. Brad juga bermain untuk band Relative Degree, salah satu personilnya yaitu Rob Bourdon (drummer Linkin Park). Mike berkenalan dengan Rob melalui Brad dan Rob bergabung dengan Xero. Saat kuliah, Brad berkenalan dengan Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bassis Linkin Park) yang merupakan teman sekamar Brad. Mike, yang mengambil jurusan ilustrasi di Universitas Seni Pasadena, bertemu dengan Joe Hahn (turntablis Linkin Park). Kemudian, Dave Farrell dan Joe Hahn bergabung bersama Xero. Dave sempat meninggalkan Xero untuk bergabung kembali ke band lamanya, Tasty Snax.
Mulanya, mereka merekrut Mark Wakefield sebagai vokalis, lalu diambil alih oleh Chester Bennington (mantan vokalis Grey Daze) sampai sekarang, sedangkan Mike lalu jadi rapper. Sialnya, karena nama Xero sudah dipakai grup lain, mereka terpaksa mengganti nama menjadi Hybrid Theory. Lalu, Hybrid Theory menandatangani kontrak dengan perusahaan rekaman bernama Warner Bros. Records setelah sukses meluncurkan EP yang bertajuk Hybrid Theory EP pada tahun 1999 sebanyak seribu keping
Sekali lagi, mereka terpaksa mengganti nama karena nama Hybrid Theory mirip dengan nama grup musik Hybrid yang berasal dari Wales. Daripada dianggap band yang sama, mereka memilih berubah nama lagi menjadi Linkin Park. Nama itu diambil Chester dari nama sebuah taman di Los Angeles, Lincoln Park. Agar bisa mengelola situs web sendiri, Chester mengubah ejaannya menjadi Linkin Park. Setelah itu, mereka berhasil membeli situs web linkinpark.com.
- Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park saat konser di Praha, Ceko.
Linkin Park meluncurkan album pertamanya, Hybrid Theory, pada tanggal 24 Oktober 2000 dengan singel pertama One Step Closer. Namun, yang lebih terkenal adalah singel Crawling dan In the End. Lagu ini telah membuat Linkin Park menjadi populer. Penjualan album itu melebihi 15 juta keping. Linkin Park lalu merilis edisi spesial dari Hybrid Theory, dengan 2 lagu baru High Voltage dan My December (lagu).
Linkin Park lalu merilis album aransemen ulang dari Hybrid Theory, Reanimation. Album ini pun meraih kesuksesan dengan penjualan kira-kira 10 juta kopi. Singelnya, Pts.Of.Athrty, tidak sepopuler singel di Hybrid Theory, namun cukup terkenal. Linkin Park, melalui Mike Shinoda dan Joseph Hahn, juga sempat bekerja sama dengan band The X-ecutioners dalam pembuatan singel It's Goin' Down. Linkin Park juga membentuk kelompok fans mereka bernama Linkin Park Underground, serta mulai mengadakan tur sendiri bernama Projekt Revolution, setelah sering diundang ke festival musik.
- Meteora
Tanggal 25 Maret 2003, Linkin Park merilis album kedua bertitel Meteora. Nama tersebut diambil dari nama tempat ibadah di atas puing-puing di Yunani. Album ini juga meraih kesuksesan dengan penjualan kira-kira 11 juta kopi. Singelnya adalah Somewhere I Belong, Faint, Numb, From the Inside, Lying from You, dan Breaking the Habit.
Meteora memenangkan banyak penghargaan. Antara lain Penghargaan MTV kategori "Video Rock Terbaik" untuk lagu "Somewhere I Belong" dan "Penghargaan Pilihan Pemirsa" (Breaking The Habit). Linkin Park juga memenangkan penghargaan lain yaitu "Penghargaan Musik Radio 2004", "Penghargaan Artis Tahun Ini" dan "Penghargaan Lagu Tahun Ini" melalui lagu "Numb". Mesikpun album Meteora tidak sesukses Hybrid Theory album ini masuk 3 besar penjualan album di Amerika Serikat tahun 2003.
Linkin Park juga mengadakan Projekt Revolution Tour ke-2 serta sibuk ikut konser. Di sela-sela waktu itu, Linkin Park berhasil menyelesaikan rekaman album konser mereka, "Live In Texas", yang berisi lagu-lagu saat konser Linkin Park di Texas.
- Proyek sampingan
Mike Shinoda saat diwawancarai oleh MTV Thailand di Bangkok, Thailand.
Atas permintaan MTV, Linkin Park berkolaborasi dengan Jay Z dalam album "Collision Course". Materi album ini adalah remix dari sebagian lagu-lagu Linkin Park dalam album "Hybrid Theory" dan "Meteora" serta lagu-lagu Jay Z dalam album "Blueprint" serta "The Black Album". Album tersebut dirilis tahun 2004 dan menghasilkan 2 singel, yaitu Numb/Encore yang mendapat penghargaan Grammy kategori "Lagu Rap Terbaik" dan "Kolaborasi Terbaik".
Pada tahun 2005, Linkin Park lebih mengutamakan konser amal. Mereka membantu korban tsunami pada bulan Desember 2004 dalam konser bertajuk Music For Relief. Linkin Park juga membantu mengumpulkan uang untuk korban Badai Katrina tahun 2004. Sementara itu, Mike Shinoda bergabung dengan Fort Minor dalam album "The Rising Tied". Chester Bennington juga punya proyek solo yang dinamai Snow White Tan yang selanjutnya populer dengan nama Dead By Sunrise. Lalu, Linkin Park pergi ke Jepang tahun 2006 untuk mengikuti festival musik populer di Jepang, yaitu Summer Sonic.
Minutes to Midnight
Pada tahun 2006, mereka mulai merekam materi untuk album terbaru Linkin Park, yaitu "Minutes To Midnight". Banyak yang mengkritik Linkin Park karena sering tertunda peluncurannya. Walaupun begitu, Linkin Park menjamin bahwa album tanggal 14 Mei 2007 ini pantas untuk dikoleksi. Menurut Linkin Park, mereka menamai album barunya "Minutes To Midnight" (menit-menit menuju tengah malam) karena adanya isu nuklir di bumi ini yang dapat menghancurkan dunia pada saat tengah malam.
Sebanyak 100 lagu demo telah diciptakan namun hanya 12 yang dimasukkan ke dalam album. Tidak heran kalau album ini direkam selama 14 bulan. Dalam album Minutes To Midnight, unsur musik nu metal kurang kental. Walaupun demikian, album ini tetap digemari. Buktinya adalah album ini terjual hampir sebanyak 625 ribu kopi dalam pekan pertamanya (sebuah rekor dalam tahun 2007). Album studio ketiga ini diproduseri oleh Mike Shinoda dan Rick Rubin, mantan personil Beastie Boys. Singel pertamanya, "What I've Done", sudah mulai diputar di radio pada tanggal 2 April 2007. Minutes To Midnight juga menduduki tangga teratas Billboard. Pada tanggal 20 Agustus 2007, Linkin Park merilis singel keduanya, yaitu "Bleed It Out". Dan, pada bulan Oktober, Linkin Park akan merilis singel "Shadow of the Day".
Lagu "No Roads Left" bisa didapatkan melalui pemesanan lewat iTunes. Sementara lagu "Qwerty" bisa didapatkan di EP berjudul Linkin Park Underground v6.0.
Mereka juga merilis lagu "New Divide" yang dipakai untuk soundtrack film terbaru Transformers yaitu Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.Lagu ini juga sudah mencapai posisi 6 di Amerika Serikat dan di Inggris mencapai posisi 20
-Jenis Aliran
Chester Bennington, vokalis Linkin Park, saat konser di The Globe Arena di Stockholm, Swedia.
Pada awal pembentukannya, Linkin Park beraliran rock. Setelah masuknya seorang DJ atau turntablis bernama Joe Hahn, Linkin Park mengganti alirannya menjadi hip-hop. Namun, pada album Hybrid Theory, Linkin Park mengganti lagi alirannya menjadi nu metal dan rapcore. Demikian juga pada album Meteora, hanya saja Linkin Park juga menambahkan unsur elektronika.
Pada album Minutes To Midnight, segalanya berubah total. Linkin Park benar-benar mengurangi unsur nu metal secara spesifik. Sebagai gantinya, Linkin Park menggunakan aliran alternative rock. Ini jelas sebuah eksperimen mengingat kesuksesan Linkin Park dengan genre nu metal dalam album sebelumnya. Tetapi, ternyata eksperimen itu berhasil.
-Teknis
Linkin Park jarang menggunakan teknik melodi gitar namun petikan gitar. Selain itu, rap dari Mike Shinoda sering muncul di banyak lagu. Terkadang Chester berteriak dalam beberapa lagu.
Lagi-lagi, perubahan terjadi di album Minutes To Midnight. Linkin Park mengurangi unsur rap dari Mike. Rapnya hanya ada di 2 lagu, yaitu Bleed It Out dan Hands Held High. Sementara vokal Chester lebih dominan dibanding sebelumnya. Linkin Park juga bermain lebih lembut.
-Linkin Park Underground
Ini adalah kelompok penggemar Linkin Park yang dibentuk tahun 2001. Jika bergabung dengan LPU (singkatannya) maka bisa memperoleh merchandise khusus untuk anggota LPU. Seperti kaus, asbak, buku, dan album mini (EP).
-Anggota
Anggota Sekarang
Logo lama Linkin Park.
1. Chester Bennington – vokal
2. Rob Bourdon – drum
3. Brad Delson – gitar
4. Dave "Phoenix" Farrell – bass
5. Joseph Hahn – turntable, sampling
6. Mike Shinoda – backing vocal, sampling, rap, keyboard, gitar
Mantan Anggota
1. Mark Wakefield – Vokal
2. Scott Koziol – Bass (Stand-in)
3. Kyle Christener – Bass (Stand-in)
Diskografi
-Artikel utama: Diskografi Linkin Park
1. Xero Sampler Tape
2. Hybrid Theory EP
3. Hybrid Theory - 24 Oktober 2000
4. Reanimation
5. Meteora - 25 Maret 2003
6. Live In Texas
7. Collision Course
8. Minutes to Midnight - 14 Mei 2007
9. Road to Revolution - 25 November 2008
- Beberapa band yang berhubungan dengan Linkin Park
1. Fort Minor - Proyek sampingan Mike Shinoda
2. Dead By Sunrise - Proyek sampingan Chester Bennington
3. Hybrid Theory - Nama lama Linkin Park
4. Xero - Nama lama Linkin Park
5. Tasty Snax - Band lama Dave "Phoenix" Farrell
6. Grey Daze - Band lama Chester Bennington
Read More...
27 Juni 2009
History of METALLICA.
Early years (1981–1983)
Metallica was formed in Los Angeles, California, in early 1981 when drummer Lars Ulrich placed an advertisement in a Los Angeles newspaper—The Recycler—which read "Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden."[6] Guitarists James Hetfield and Hugh Tanner of Leather Charm answered the advertisement. Although he had not formed a band, Ulrich asked Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel if he could record a song for the label's upcoming compilation Metal Massacre. Slagel accepted, and Ulrich recruited Hetfield to sing and play rhythm guitar.[6]Ulrich talked to his friend Ron Quintana, who was brainstorming names for a fanzine. Quintana had proposed the names Metal Mania and Metallica. Ulrich used Metallica for the name of his band. A second advertisement was placed in The Recycler for a position as lead guitarist. Dave Mustaine answered, and, after seeing his expensive guitar equipment, Ulrich and Hetfield recruited him. In early 1982, Metallica recorded its first original song "Hit the Lights" for the Metal Massacre I compilation. Hetfield played bass on the song and Lloyd Grant was credited with a guitar solo.[6] Released on June 14, 1982, early pressings of Metal Massacre I listed the band incorrectly as "Mettallica". Although angered by the error, Metallica managed to create enough "buzz" with the song and the band played its first live show on March 14, 1982, at Radio City in Anaheim, California with newly recruited bassist Ron McGovney.[7] Metallica recorded its first demo, Power Metal, a name inspired by Quintana's early business cards in early 1982. In the fall of 1982, Ulrich and Hetfield attended a show at the nightclub Whisky a Go Go which featured bassist Cliff Burton in a band called Trauma. The two were "blown away" by Burton's use of a wah-wah pedal and asked him to join Metallica. Hetfield and Mustaine wanted McGovney out as they thought that he "didn't contribute anything, he just followed."[8] Although Burton initially declined the offer, by the end of the year he accepted on the condition the band move to San Francisco. Metallica's first live performance with Burton was at the nightclub The Stone in March 1983, and the first recording to feature Burton was the 1983 Megaforce demo.[8]
Metallica was ready to record its debut album, but when Metal Blade was unable to cover the additional cost, the band began looking for other options. Concert promoter Johnny "Z" Zazula, who had heard the 1982 No Life 'til Leather demo, offered to broker a record deal with Metallica and New York City-based record labels. After receiving no interest from various record labels, Zazula borrowed the money to cover the record's recording budget and signed Metallica to his own label, Megaforce Records.[9] Band members decided to kick Mustaine out of the band due to drug and alcohol abuse, and violent behavior.[10] Exodus guitarist Kirk Hammett flew in to replace Mustaine the same afternoon. Metallica's first show with Hammett was on April 16, 1983, at the nightclub The Showplace in Dover, New Jersey.[8]
Mustaine, who went on to found Megadeth, has expressed his dislike for Hammett in interviews. He said Hammett "stole my job."[11] Mustaine was "pissed off" because he believes Hammett became popular by playing the guitar leads that Mustaine wrote.[12] In a 1985 interview with Metal Forces, Mustaine slammed Hammett saying, "it's real funny how Kirk Hammett ripped off every lead break I'd played on that No Life 'til Leather tape and got voted No. 1 guitarist in your magazine."[13] On Megadeth's 1985 debut album Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, Mustaine included the song "Mechanix", which Metallica renamed as "The Four Horsemen" on Kill 'Em All. Mustaine said he did this to "straighten Metallica up", as Metallica referred to Mustaine as a drunk and said he could not play guitar.[13]
Kill 'Em All and Ride the Lightning (1983–1984)
In 1983, Metallica traveled to Rochester, New York to record its first album, Metal up Your Ass, with production duties handled by Paul Curcio. Due to conflicts with the band's record label and the distributors' refusal to release an album with that name, it was renamed Kill 'Em All. Released on Megaforce Records in the United States and Music for Nations in Europe, the album peaked on the Billboard 200 at number 120,[14] and although the album was not initially a financial success, it earned Metallica a growing fan base in the underground metal scene. The band embarked on the Kill 'Em All For One tour with Raven to support the release.[15] In February 1984, Metallica supported Venom on the Seven Dates of Hell tour, where they performed in front of 7,000 people at the Aardschok Festival in Zwolle, Netherlands.[16]
Metallica recorded its second studio album, Ride the Lightning, at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. Released in August 1984, the album peaked at number 100 on the Billboard 200.[14] A French printing press mistakenly printed green covers for the album, which are now considered collectors' items. Other songs on the album include "For Whom the Bell Tolls", "Fade to Black", "Creeping Death" (which tells the biblical story of the Hebrews' exodus from slavery in Egypt, focusing on the various plagues that were visited on the Egyptians), and the instrumental "The Call of Ktulu". Mustaine received a writing credit for "Ride the Lightning" and "The Call of Ktulu".[16]
Master of Puppets (1984–1986)
Damage Inc. Tour 1986
Elektra Records A&R director Michael Alago, and co-founder of Q-Prime Management Cliff Burnstein, attended a September 1984 Metallica concert. Impressed with what they saw, they signed Metallica to Elektra Records and made the band a client of Q-Prime Management.[17] Metallica's burgeoning success was such that the band's British label Music for Nations issued a limited edition Creeping Death EP, which sold 40,000 copies as an import in the U.S. Two of the three songs on the record (cover versions of Diamond Head's "Am I Evil?", and Blitzkrieg's "Blitzkrieg") appeared on the 1989 Elektra reissue of Kill 'Em All.[18] Metallica embarked on its first major European tour with Tank to an average crowd of 1,300. Returning to the U.S. marked a tour co-headlining with W.A.S.P. and Armored Saint supporting. Metallica played its largest show at the Monsters of Rock festival on August 17, 1985, with Bon Jovi and Ratt at Donington Park in England, playing in front of 70,000 people. A show in Oakland, California, at the Day on the Green festival saw the band play in front of a crowd of 60,000.[17]
Metallica's third studio album, Master of Puppets was recorded at Sweet Silence Studios and was released in March 1986. The album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200, and spent 72 weeks on the chart.[19] The album was the band's first to be certified gold on November 4, 1986, and was certified six times platinum in 2003.[4] Steve Huey of Allmusic considered the album "the band's greatest achievement".[20] Following the release of the album, Metallica supported Ozzy Osbourne for a United States tour.[17] Hetfield broke his wrist skateboarding down a hill and continued the tour performing vocals, with guitar technician John Marshall playing rhythm guitar.[21]
Burton's death and Garage Days Re-Revisited (1986–1987)
A memorial for Burton in Ljungby, Sweden
On September 27, 1986, during the European leg of Metallica's Damage Inc. tour, members drew cards to see which bunk of the tour bus they would sleep in. Burton won and chose to sleep in Hammett's bunk. Around dawn near Dörarp, Sweden, the bus driver lost control and skidded, which caused the bus to flip several times. Ulrich, Hammett, and Hetfield sustained no serious injuries; however, bassist Burton was pinned under the bus and was killed. Hetfield recalls, "I saw the bus lying right on him. I saw his legs sticking out. I freaked. The bus driver, I recall, was trying to yank the blanket out from under him to use for other people. I just went, 'Don't fucking do that!' I already wanted to kill the guy."[21] Burton's death left Metallica's future in doubt. The three remaining members decided that Burton would want them to carry on, and with the Burton family's blessings, the band sought a replacement.[22]
Roughly 40 people tried out for auditions including Hammett's childhood friend Les Claypool of Primus, Troy Gregory of Prong, and Jason Newsted, formerly of Flotsam and Jetsam. Newsted learned Metallica's entire setlist, and after the audition Metallica invited him to Tommy's Joynt in San Francisco. Hetfield, Ulrich, and Hammett decided that Newsted was the one to replace Burton, and Newsted's first live performance with Metallica was at the Country Club in Reseda, California. The members took it on themselves to "initiate" Newsted by tricking him into eating a ball of wasabi.[22]
In March 1987, Hetfield broke his wrist a second time skateboarding. Guitar technician Marshall returned playing rhythm guitar, but the injury forced the band to cancel a Saturday Night Live appearance. Metallica finished its tour in the early months of 1987, and in August 1987 an all-covers EP titled The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited was released. The EP was recorded in an effort to utilize the band's newly constructed recording studio, test out the talents of Newsted, and to relieve grief and stress following the death of Burton. A video titled Cliff 'Em All was released in 1987 commemorating Burton's three years in Metallica. Footage included bass solos, home videos, and pictures.[23]
…And Justice for All (1988–1990)
…And Justice for All, the group's first studio album since Burton's death, was released in 1988. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number six on the Billboard 200, the band's first album to enter the top 10.[14] The album was certified platinum nine weeks after its release.[24] Newsted's bass was purposely turned down on the album as a part of the continuous "hazing" he received, and his musical ideas were ignored (However, he did receive a writing credit on track one, "Blackened").[25] There were complaints with the production; namely, Steve Huey of Allmusic noted Ulrich's drums were clicking more than thudding, and the guitars "buzz thinly".[26] The Damaged Justice tour followed to promote the album.[27]
In 1989, Metallica received its first Grammy Award nomination for …And Justice for All, in the new Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrument category. Metallica was the favorite to win; however, the award was given to Jethro Tull for the album Crest of a Knave.[28] The result generated controversy among fans and the press, as Metallica was standing off-stage waiting to receive the award after performing the song "One". Jethro Tull had been advised by its manager not to attend the ceremony as he was expecting Metallica to win.[28] The award was named in Entertainment Weekly's "Grammy's 10 Biggest Upsets".[29] Three years later, Ulrich referred to the award when accepting a Grammy for "Enter Sandman" stating "We gotta thank Jethro Tull for not putting out an album this year."[30]
Following the release of …And Justice for All, Metallica released its debut music video for the song "One". The band performed the song in an abandoned warehouse, and footage was remixed with the film, Johnny Got His Gun. Rather than organize an ongoing licensing deal, Metallica purchased the rights to the film. The remixed video was submitted to MTV, with the alternate performance-only version held back in the event that MTV banned the remix version. MTV accepted the remix version, and the video was viewers' first exposure to Metallica. It was voted number 38 in 1999 when MTV aired its "Top 100 Videos of All Time" countdown,[31] and was featured in the network's 25th Anniversary edition of ADD Video, which showcased the most popular videos on MTV in the last 25 years.[32]
Metallica (1990–1993)
In October 1990, Metallica entered One on One studio in North Hollywood to record its next album. Bob Rock, who had worked with the bands The Cult, Bon Jovi, and Mötley Crüe, was hired as producer. Metallica (also known as "The Black Album") was remixed three times, cost $1 million, and ended three marriages.[33] Although the release was stalled until 1991, Metallica debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with shipments exceeding 650,000 units in its first week.[34] The album was responsible for bringing Metallica to the attention of the mainstream and has been certified 15 times platinum in the United States, which makes it the 25th highest-selling album in the country.[35] The making of Metallica and the following tour was documented in A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica. Dubbed the Wherever We May Roam Tour, it lasted 14 months and included dates in the United States, Japan, and England.[33]
On August 8, 1992, during the co-headlining GNR-Metallica Stadium Tour with Guns N' Roses, Hetfield suffered second and third degree burns to his arms, face, hands, and legs. There was confusion with the new pyrotechnics setup, which resulted with Hetfield walking into a 12-foot (3.7 m) flame during "Fade to Black". Newsted recalls Hetfield's skin was "bubbling like on The Toxic Avenger".[36] Guitar technician John Marshall, who had previously filled in on rhythm guitar and was now playing in Metal Church, replaced Hetfield for the remainder of the tour as Hetfield was unable to play guitar, although he was able to sing. The band's first box set was released in November 1993 called Live Shit: Binge & Purge. The collection contained three live CDs, three home videos, and a book filled with riders and letters.[36]
Load, ReLoad, Garage Inc., and S&M (1994–1999)
After almost three years of touring to support Metallica, including a headlining performance at Woodstock '94, Metallica returned to the studio to write and record its sixth studio album. The band took a break in the summer of 1995 and played three outdoor shows which included headlining Donington Park in the United Kingdom, supported by Slayer, Skid Row, Slash's Snakepit, Therapy?, and Corrosion of Conformity. The short tour was titled Escape From The Studio '95. The band spent roughly one year writing and recording new songs, resulting in the release of Load in 1996, which entered the Billboard 200 and ARIA Charts at number one, marking the band's second number one.[14] The cover of Load was created by Andres Serrano, and was called Blood and Semen III. Serrano pressed a mixture of his own semen and bovine blood between sheets of plexiglass.[37] The release marked a change in musical direction for the band and a new look with band members receiving haircuts. Metallica headlined the alternative rock festival Lollapalooza in the summer of 1996.[25][38]
During early production of the album, the band had produced enough material for a double album. It was decided that half of the songs were to be released, and the band would continue to work on the remaining songs and release them the following year. This resulted in the follow-up album, ReLoad. The cover was created by Serrano, this time using a mixture of blood and urine.[37] ReLoad peaked at number one on the Billboard 200, and number two on the Top Canadian Album chart.[14] Hetfield noted in the 2004 documentary film Some Kind of Monster that the songs on these albums were initially thought by the band to be of average quality, and were "polished and reworked" until judged to be releasable.[39] To promote ReLoad, Metallica performed on NBC's Saturday Night Live in December 1997, performing "Fuel" and "The Memory Remains" with Marianne Faithfull.[40]
In 1998, Metallica compiled a double album of cover songs titled Garage Inc.. The first disc contained newly recorded covers by bands such as Diamond Head, Killing Joke, The Misfits, Thin Lizzy, Mercyful Fate, and Black Sabbath. The second disc featured the original The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited, which had become a scarce collectors' item. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number two.[40][41]
On April 21 and April 22, 1999, Metallica recorded two performances with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Kamen. Kamen, who had previously worked with producer Rock on "Nothing Else Matters", approached the band in 1991 with the idea of pairing Metallica's music with a symphony orchestra. Kamen and his staff of over 100 composed additional orchestral material for Metallica songs. Metallica wrote two new Kamen-scored songs for the event, "No Leaf Clover" and "-Human". The audio recording and concert footage were released in 1999 as the album and concert film S&M. It entered the Billboard 200 at number two, and the Australian ARIA charts and Top Internet Albums chart at number one.[14]
Napster controversy (2000–2001)
In 2000, Metallica discovered that a demo of its song "I Disappear", which was supposed to be released in combination with the Mission: Impossible II soundtrack, was receiving radio airplay. Tracing the source of the leak, the band found the file on the Napster peer-to-peer file-sharing network, and also found that the band's entire catalogue was freely available.[42] Legal action was initiated against Napster with Metallica filing a lawsuit at the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, alleging that Napster violated three areas of the law: copyright infringement, unlawful use of digital audio interface device, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.[25][43]
Ulrich led the case against Napster
Though the lawsuit named three universities for copyright infringement, the University of Southern California, Yale University, and Indiana University, no individuals were named. Yale and Indiana complied and blocked the service from its campuses, and Metallica withdrew the universities' inclusion in the lawsuit.[44] Southern California, however, had a meeting with students to figure out what was going to happen with Napster. School administrators wanted it banned as it used 40% of the bandwidth, which was not for educational purposes.[45]
Metallica hired online consulting firm NetPD to monitor the Napster service for a weekend. A list of 335,435 Napster users who were believed to be sharing Metallica's music was compiled, and the 60,000 page document was delivered to Napster's office as Metallica requested the users be banned from the service.[46] The users were banned, and rap artist Dr. Dre joined the lawsuit against Napster, which resulted in an additional 230,142 Napster users banned.[47]
Ulrich provided a statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding copyright infringement on July 11, 2000.[42] Federal Judge Marilyn Hall Patel ordered the site place a filter on the program in 72 hours or be shut down.[48] A settlement was reached between Metallica and Napster when German media conglomerate Bertelsmann AG BMG showed interest to purchase the rights to Napster for $94 million. Under the terms of settlement, Napster agreed to block users who shared music by artists who do not want their music shared.[49] However, on June 3, 2002 Napster filed for Chapter 11 protection under U.S. bankruptcy laws. On September 3, 2002, an American bankruptcy judge blocked the sale to Bertelsmann and forced Napster to liquidate its assets according to Chapter 7 of the U.S. bankruptcy laws.[50]
At the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, Ulrich appeared in a skit with host Marlon Wayans that blasted the idea of using Napster to share music. Marlon played a college student sitting in his dorm room listening to Metallica's "I Disappear". Ulrich walked in and asked for an explanation. On receiving Wayans' excuse that using Napster was just "sharing", Lars retorted that Marlon's idea of sharing was "borrowing things that were not yours without asking." He called in the Metallica road crew, who proceeded to confiscate all of Wayans' belongings, leaving him almost nude in an empty room. Napster creator Shawn Fanning responded later in the ceremony by presenting an award wearing a Metallica shirt, saying, "I borrowed this shirt from a friend. Maybe, if I like it, I'll buy one of my own."[51]
Newsted's departure and St. Anger (2001–2005)
As plans were being made to enter the recording studio, Newsted left the band on January 17, 2001. His statement revealed his departure was based on "private and personal reasons, and the physical damage I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love."[52] During a Playboy interview with Metallica, Newsted revealed intentions he wanted to release an album with his side project, Echobrain. Hetfield was against the idea and said, "When someone does a side project, it takes away from the strength of Metallica" and a side project is "like cheating on your wife in a way".[25] Newsted countered his statement by saying Hetfield recorded vocals for a song in the South Park movie, and appears on two Corrosion of Conformity albums. Hetfield replied, "My name isn't on those records. And I'm not out trying to sell them", and pondered questions such as, "Where would it end? Does he start touring with it? Does he sell shirts? Is it his band?"[25]
Robert Trujillo was announced as Metallica's new bassist on February 24, 2003
In April 2001, filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky began following Metallica to document the recording process of the next studio album. Over two years, more than 1,000 hours of footage was recorded. On July 19, 2001, before preparations to enter the recording studio, Hetfield entered rehab due to "alcoholism and other addictions". All recording plans were put on hiatus and the band's future was in doubt.[53] However, when Hetfield returned on December 4, 2001, the band returned to the recording studio and Hetfield was required to work four hours a day, noon to 4 PM, and spend the rest of his time with his family. The footage recorded by Berlinger and Sinofsky was compiled into the documentary, Some Kind of Monster, which premiered at the Sundance film festival. In the documentary, Newsted described his former bandmates' decision to hire a therapist to help solve their problems which they could have solved on their own as "really fucking lame and weak".[39]
Metallica held auditions for Newsted's permanent replacement in early 2003, after St Anger 's completion, for which Bob Rock recorded bass. Bassists that auditioned included Pepper Keenan, Jeordie White, Scott Reeder, Eric Avery, Danny Lohner, and Chris Wyse. Following three months of auditions, Robert Trujillo, formerly of Suicidal Tendencies and Ozzy Osbourne's band, was chosen as the new bassist.[39] As Metallica moved on, Newsted joined Canadian thrash metal band Voivod in 2002, and was Trujillo's replacement in Osbourne's band during the 2003 Ozzfest tour, which included Voivod as part of the touring bill.[54]
At the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, Metallica played a medley of instrumental parts from "Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana, "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes, and "Beat It" by Michael Jackson. They followed by performing "Frantic", the first single off St. Anger
In June 2003, Metallica's eighth studio album, St. Anger, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and drew mixed reaction from critics.[55] Ulrich's "steely" sounding snare drum, and the absence of guitar solos received particular criticism.[55] Kevin Forest Moreau of Shakingthrough.net commented that "the guitars stumble in a monotone of mid-level, processed rattle; the drums don't propel as much as struggle to disguise an all-too-turgid pace; and the rage is both unfocused and leavened with too much narcissistic navel-gazing",[56] and Brent DiCrescenzo of Pitchfork Media described it as "an utter mess".[57] However, Blender magazine called it the "grimiest and grimmest of the band's Bob Rock productions", and New York Magazine called it "utterly raw and rocking".[55] The title track, "St. Anger", won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2004, and was used as the official theme song for WWE's SummerSlam 2003.[58]
Before the band's set at the 2004 Download Festival in England, Ulrich was rushed to hospital with a mysterious illness, and was unable to perform.[59] Hetfield searched for volunteers at the last minute to replace Ulrich. Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, and Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison volunteered. Lombardo performed the songs "Battery" and "The Four Horsemen", Ulrich's drum technician Flemming Larsen performed "Fade to Black", with Jordison performing the remainder of the set.[59] Having toured for two years in support of St. Anger on the Summer Sanitarium Tour 2003 and the Madly in Anger with the World tour, with multi-platinum rockers Godsmack in support, Metallica took a break from performing and spent most of 2005 with friends and family. However, for two shows on November 13, 2005, and November 15, 2005, Metallica opened for The Rolling Stones at the AT&T Park in San Francisco.[60]
Death Magnetic (2006 onward)
Hammett performing live in 2007
In December 2006, Metallica released a DVD containing all the music videos from 1989 to 2004. The DVD, titled The Videos 1989–2004, sold 28,000 copies in its first week, and entered the Billboard Top Videos chart at number three.[61] Metallica recorded a cover of Ennio Morricone's "The Ecstasy of Gold" for a tribute album titled We All Love Ennio Morricone, released in February 2007. The cover received a Grammy nomination at the 50th Grammy Awards for the category "Best Rock Instrumental Performance".[62] A recording of "The Ecstasy of Gold" has been played as the introduction for Metallica performances since the 1980s. However, this new version features the band itself performing the piece, giving a new guitar-based interpretation to the music.[63]
In 2006, Metallica announced on its official website that after 15 years, long-time producer Bob Rock was stepping down and would not be producing Metallica's next studio album. Metallica chose to work with producer Rick Rubin, who has produced albums for the bands Danzig, Slayer, Slipknot and System of a Down.[64] Metallica set the release date for the album Death Magnetic as September 12, 2008, and they filmed a music video for the first single "The Day That Never Comes".
On September 2, 2008, a French record store began selling copies of Death Magnetic nearly two weeks ahead of its scheduled worldwide release date,[65] which resulted in the album being made available on peer-to-peer clients. This prompted the band's United Kingdom distributor, Vertigo Records, to officially release the album two days ahead of schedule, on September 10, 2008. It is currently unconfirmed whether Metallica or Warner Bros. will be taking any action against the retailer, though drummer Lars Ulrich has made such responses to the leak as, "…We're ten days from release. I mean, from here, we're golden. If this thing leaks all over the world today or tomorrow, happy days. Happy days. Trust me,"[66] and, "By 2008 standards, that's a victory. If you'd told me six months ago that our record wouldn't leak until 10 days out, I would have signed up for that."[67]
Death Magnetic debuted at number one in several countries to make it top the Australian, Canadian, Mexican[citation needed] and European album chart. Selling 490,000 units in the United States to debut at number one, Metallica became the first band to have five consecutive studio albums debut at number one in the history of the Billboard 200.[68] After a week of its release, Death Magnetic remained at number one on the Billboard 200, the European album chart, and became the fastest selling album in Australia for 2008.[69]
Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield performing in London in 2008
Death Magnetic stayed at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart for three consecutive weeks. Metallica became the only artist, aside from Jack Johnson with the release of the album Sleep Through the Static, to remain on the Billboard 200 for three consecutive weeks at number one in 2008. Death Magnetic had also remained at number one on Billboard's Hard Rock, Modern Rock/Alternative and Rock album charts for five consecutive weeks. Internationally, the album peaked at number one in 32 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.[70]
Death Magnetic is a return by Metallica to their mid-eighties heavy/thrash metal roots.[71][72] It is more similar to Master of Puppets and ...And Justice for All rather than their more recent albums.
Since this album's success, MTV Europe nominated Metallica in two categories (Rock Out and Headliner) of their Music Awards edition and also MTV Latin America invited them to perform in their Music Awards edition.[73] Metallica performed "The Day That Never Comes." On October 21, 2008, Metallica started their World Magnetic Tour.
In November 2008, Metallica came to the end of their record deal with Warner Bros., and the band is now considering their options for the future and, according to Ulrich, one of their options is to release their next album through the internet.[74] Recently, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett were added to "Chop Shop's" list of "Top 100 Most Complete Guitar Players of All Time" at number fourteen and twenty-six, respectively.[75]
On January 14, 2009, it was announced that Metallica would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009.[76], and that former bassist Jason Newsted (who left the band in 2001), would perform with the band at the ceremony.[77] Initially, it was announced that the matter had been discussed, and that current bassist Robert Trujillo had agreed not to play, as he "wanted to see the Black Album band".[78] However, during the band's set of "Master of Puppets" and "Enter Sandman", both Trujillo and Newsted were on stage.[79] Ray Burton, the father of late bassist Cliff Burton accepted the honour on his behalf. Metallica also invited Dave Mustaine to take part in the induction ceremony, but he declined, citing his touring commitments in Europe.
On May 27, 2009, it was announced on Metallica's website that a new live DVD will be filmed at the Mexico City, Mexico and Nimes, France shows.
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