It’s his birthday today. Here’s my review of Through the Never, the 3-D concert film – plus concept film – starring Metallica. I’m really proud of that review.
This clips haunts me. It looks like the world is ending, or a new world is being born with great chaos and violence. Something being unleashed into the world. The bottle smashed.
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I remember the first time I saw this video. What stood out to me the most was the way Lars hit those drums in such an uninhibited manner. There’s something almost primitive about this performance.
I’ll always love these guys. I accidentally saw them live in 1986. The attraction for me was Ozzy Osbourne, the headliner. Metallica opened, and our lives were changed.
Some Kind Of Monster is such a deep dive into their personalities. I’m a student of psychology, and the depth and intimacy in this documentary is just amazing. Amazing that the band would let this be released, revealing all the trials and tribulations the individual members went through before, during, and after James Hetfield’s abrupt departure for rehab. An enduring memory is what a sweet soul Kirk Hammett, guitarist, has, especially for a heavy metal supergroup. I love everyone in this band, and I’m thankful to have been introduced to them back in 1986.
ps—I am @bravosarahbravo on Twitter, sarahzentexas on Instagram, and I LOVE everything you write, especially about Jensen Ackles and Supernatural.
Sarah! Thanks for the heads up on “who you are” – lol – sometimes I do need help to put together usernames. Good to know!!
// Metallica opened, and our lives were changed. //
Wow. That’s awesome.
// An enduring memory is what a sweet soul Kirk Hammett, guitarist, has, especially for a heavy metal supergroup. //
He really was – he was just so balanced, stable – didn’t seem to hold grudges. Lars and James are flying all over the place, and he just was diplomatic about everything.
How about Lars Ulrich’s DAD? “This, to me, seems like it does not rock.” or whatever he said after he heard one of the tracks. Brutal! And he looked like a Norse god. Much later, when they got inducted into the Hall of Fame, Lars specifically credited his dad – for giving him an appreciation of music. GULP.
I agree – it’s just incredible that these legitimately tough guys would allow us to see them go through that process.
I have so much to say about that therapist. As nerdy as he was, as silly as his sweaters were … he actually did help them. He was hurt when they basically said “we don’t need you anymore” – which is understandable – but honestly, he helped them get to the point where they didn’t need him. It took me a while to see that. At first I was like, “This guy is just ridiculous!!” The film sort of sets you up to see him that way – but he did help, those guys really needed a space where they could air all this shit out.
What’s your take on the therapist?
I think my favorite part is Robert Trujillo’s first day as a member of Metallica. They invite him to a meeting. On the table is bottled water, salmon, lox, whatever. They make the offer. He is overwhelmed and of course says Yes. Then follows a group discussion where Hetfield breaks into tears about his abandonment issues. Berlinger cuts to Trujillo, listening. He’s completely focused on Hetfield, serious and thoughtful – but that cut brought waves of laughter when I saw it in a packed theatre. Not mean laughter just like …
You join Metallica, the heaviest hardest heavy metal band, the most macho metal band, and on your first day you nibble on salmon and listen as the lead singer cries about his abandonment issues. It’s just TOO GOOD.
And the way he listened – how focused he was on Hetfield – with no judgment of Hetfield – shows he was a good fit.
I loved seeing Trujillo show up as an interview subject in Rumble (one of my favorite documentaries in the last 5, 10 years. I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it!)
and speaking of Supernatural: funny how Dean started out as a metal-head. But then he moved to classic rock. I mean, those cassette tapes in the pilot – Motorhead … Metallica … Ozzy … a far cry from Bob Seger! I’m imagining they probably asked Metallica if they could use their music – and Metallica, as always, said No. You never hear their stuff on soundtracks, etc.
Just an interesting thing. I’m more of a metalhead than a classic rock person – although I appreciate all kinds of music – I miss Dean as a metalhead.
I MISS SAM AND DEAN IN GENERAL.
So what’s the scoop – are they going back to work? I need to do some Googling. I am not feeling hopeful about the industry getting back on its feet any time soon. I feel bad in a way for JP and JA … what a weird fizzling-out way to close out your final season of this thing you have given your entire 20s/30s to!!
//You join Metallica, the heaviest hardest heavy metal band, the most macho metal band, and on your first day you nibble on salmon and listen as the lead singer cries about his abandonment issues. It’s just TOO GOOD.//
Oh lord, I’m still laughing at that one!
I thought Bob was ridiculous upon first viewing, too. I held my breath when he tried to give lyrics to James—I thought, oh man, you have gone too far with that one. ? But James didn’t shame him like I anticipated. He was only a little dismissive. And by my third viewing, I found him sympathetic and much more of an actual force in the whole band’s recovery. As much as the doc is centered on Hetfield, the whole BAND needed rehabilitation and recovery. And yeah, when they dismissed him, I felt for the guy. But also—what a thing to be able to put on your resumé! He basically lived with them 24/7 for how long?
Lars’s dad was right about that one song he gave feedback on. He’s a treasure! And I loved the interaction between the two. An easy give-and-take that seemed indicative of a relationship grounded in love…and respect.
About Supernatural resuming production: I read on Twitter that they’re filming beginning Aug 19 and going through mid-September. So we’ve gotten 13 episodes, 5 are in post, and 2 left to shoot. I hope we get them with no breaks in the fall. I NEED this to be over. I need to get on with my life! Let us beseech the gods to keep our beautiful stars healthy, the rest of the cast and crew safe, and let’s go, post-production!
Oh my gosh, when he passed the lyrics to Hetfield – !!!! – CRINGE – you knew his days were numbered then. Hetfield murmuring to Lars, “I think he thinks he’s IN the band?”
// by my third viewing, I found him sympathetic and much more of an actual force in the whole band’s recovery. As much as the doc is centered on Hetfield, the whole BAND needed rehabilitation and recovery. //
Yes, it took me a while to see this. But … would they have ever had that sit down with Dave Mustaine (a heartbreaking scene) without the nudging? Probably not. He helped them – forced them all – to start talking to each other.
But … yeah. It was time for him to go. Therapy is interesting with guys as tough as this … You can understand why they don’t want to get too mushy – there’s a lot of power in unresolved stuff and anger (st. anger?)
Fascinating.
// So we’ve gotten 13 episodes, 5 are in post, and 2 left to shoot. I hope we get them with no breaks in the fall. //
Yes, me too. I’m with you. I need this thing to be closed down and closed down right. Enough already!!