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Some Metal Bass
Movements, |
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My brothers and sisters in bass, I recently came across a bit of interesting bass news that I thought should be shared. As most of you know, Jason Newsted quit Metallica some time ago. His reasons were that he wanted to spend more time with his family, but later scathing criticisms from his side aimed at the San Francisco Thrash Metallers suggested otherwise. Anyway, whilst searching for an adequate replacement, Metallica used the expertise of producer Rick Rubin on bass in the studio. But quite recently, they announced a replacement… Much to my surprise – and, I must admit, dismay – they “poached” Robert Trujillo (formerly from Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves) from Ozzy. What is more, Trujillo was also playing for Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society. So it goes without saying that two of my favourite bands needed to find replacements quickly. Unfortunately, I was not available (hahaha)… Shortly after this news, Zakk announced that Mike Inez (Ozzy, Alice in Chains) would be filling in for him. This was great news to me, as I have been a fan of Inez – the father of the Ozzy’s No More Tears bass riff - for some time. I actually hope he stays in BLS - it would be like a reunion of sorts. But Ozzy too needed a replacement. So who steps in from the shadows? If you guessed Newsted, you would be absolutely right! Metal bassists and musical chairs… Apparently he will lay down the bottom line for Ozzy’s upcoming tour, but as far as I know he won’t stick around for recording purposes. So, if you have dreamt of playing for the Prince of Darkness, you should stop reading right now and get your CV to Sharon Osbourne! Now you know what the bass movements were. But promises of resurrection? Well, as many would agree, Metallica’s last two studio albums (Load and Reload) were not quite what can be regarded as “their best” (I am being very PC, just in case someone liked them… I am so glad I write under a pseudonym!). Now, the Metalliboys have promised that their new album – St. Anger - will make up for all of this. Accordingly, promises made by those who have heard this album is that “St. Anger” is the heaviest thing Metallica has done to date. After recently popping “Master of Puppets” and “Ride the Lightning” into my stereo, I must admit my scepticism. Nevertheless, one review promises shades of Slayer in the guitars and of Slipknot in the drums. If this is true, I can only hope that Metallica succeeded in bringing out a heavy album that is still Metallica, and not some hybrid-mutant kind of style. But as the old people (no names hehehe) like to say, only time will tell. I vowed some time ago that if the new Metallica rocks, it will find its way onto my shelf, and thus into The Bottom Line. However, and that’s a big HOWEVER, if it fails to impress, I will rather put my money into a certain distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee – a taste that didn’t change from an awesome and successful formula and now suddenly wants to change back. A bit sneering, I admit. So either sue me, or prove me wrong. |
