Metallica Drummer Lars Ulrich Discusses Democracy
Band Photo: Metallica (?)
The group "Why Democracy?" has recently shot a video with Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich asking him ten questions on his views about the system of government.
As previously reported, Metallica are working on a new studio album with producer Rick Rubin which tentatively due early next year.
Lars Ulrich of Metallica on Democracy
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56 Comments on "Metallica Drummer Discusses Democracy"
2. writes:
How do you know what he has to say isn't relevant if you didn't watch the video? Don't be such a hypocrite. For the most part I don't think politics and music mix, but everyone has an opinion. And for some strange reason people crave hearing celebrity's opinions on just about anything. Just because you don't care doesn't mean that somebody else does. Saying that he runs out into a crowd asking to be interviewed is just idiotic, even as an analogy I can't see any reasoning in that statement. Just about as much as saying he is a bad drummer, which he is not. Still mad that he took your Napster away?
4. writes:
HEY LARS FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUK YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU.......AND IN OTHER NEWS, THE OTHER MEMBERS OF SELLOUTICA CONTINUE THEIR CLOSET HOMOSEXUAL LIVES.........
6. writes:
Everyone absolutely has an opinion, and I don't care to hear Lars'. If you want to hear what he has to say, by all means, click away. I'm not stopping you. I'm not threatening to pull the link off the page. I asked if anyone cared about his views. I didn't say that nobody wants to hear them. As for my failed analogy, who is the most over-exposed musician in hard rock/ metal over the past fifteen years? Chuck Billy? Scott Ian? Besides Ozzy and his stupid show, Lars takes the media cake in my opinion. Even egomaniac Axl Rose is off the radar more than Lars. As for drumming ability, type in Lars Ulrich Drum Solo in youtube. He's not the worst drummer, but he is NOT as good as he thinks he is. As a musician, I think he's grossly overrated. Thank you for your opinon. And thank you for allowing me to give mine.
8. writes:
i will use the term selloutica as long as i want to...if it bothers you, then dont read anything that ive put down...besides, fagtallica can only stay in the news by dumb a$$ sh!t like this news story...we dont care what lars has to say about politics!!...he needs to worry more about his own life than anything else goin right now...
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Member
9. writes:
if you dont care to see it... then simply dont watch it, i think the only reason they ever have this stuff is because it's the opinion of someone many people recognize, its just interesting for some people, just let it be. Not that i think lars has the best opinion i just dont think everyone who talks should be harped for talking. Although i'll admit this would be more interesting with some more opinions on one question or some different artists like Randy of lamb of god or Maynard of tool would be very interesting.
11. writes:
Oh, I'll read what you have to say branded. Only because I get a kick out of your continued pathetic attempts (ie: "selloutica" and "fagtallica") to bash Metallica. Initially I was joking, by the way, because I thought you were just being funny. Apparently you take it more to heart than I thought. As for worrying about his own life; in case you haven't noticed, politics currently has a huge impact on everyone's lives. So worrying his life would entail worrying about politics as well. That said, I don't believe that celebrities should give their political opinions to the media. The reason being that the public, en masse, is extremely susceptible to changing their own views based on what they have to say, and that is down-right stupid.
To efelming, I agree that Lars is not the best drummer, but he is certainly not a bad drummer. Overrated? Maybe, but that isn't his doing. You can blame that on a largely ignorant fan-base. As for public exposure, that would have a lot to do Metallica being a much bigger band and the amount of media drones drooling over their members for interviews. Lars is the obvious target for these interviews as he is probably the most out-spoken member of the band. Whether or not he takes the cake, I don't really pay enough attention to that sort of thing to say for sure, but others like Dave Mustaine or Kerry King have got a pretty big piece of that cake too.
12. writes:
To SlugEmperor: I haven't seen it. And I don't plan on watching it.
To Coldiem: Lars is definately a drummer. To keep up with good guitarists like Kirk and James takes talent. I will not deny that. And you are 100% correct about ignorant fans. One of the most consistant comments I get when I tell people (i.e. contemporaries, bankers, friends of my wife...) that I listen to metal, I get, "oh, like Metallica?" That's when I roll my eyes, and die a little inside. (Kerry King is a bit of a media-whore as well.)
Former Contributor
Former Contributor
15. writes:
Oh and Lars as a drummer? If you ask me who needs the skills of Gene Hoglan when you have the compositional talent of Lars, some of the phrasing, syncopation, just all out effort he puts into writing interesting segments to break parts up has always been one of the best bits of Metallica. This was on Justice though, will wait for their next effort to see how he's going today.
16. writes:
You're right Cynic. Physical playing ability is only half the battle, if that. The rest is writing. Just because you can do all sorts of fancy stuff with your instrument doesn't mean that it's worth listening to, or that you can write anything that is. For example, if Joe Satriani weren't a great song writer then he would probably still only be an instructor. Anyway, while there might be better drummers out there, any drummer who can hold his own in front of a 70+-piece symphony is obviously doing something right.
Supporter
23. writes:
even though the 1st 4 albums are good albums, the whole "IM A ROCK STAR SO I CAN DO WHAT I WANT AND TREAT PEOPLE LIKE sh** AND NOBODY CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT" went to their heads...jason newstead was smart for leaving that dying band of has-beens...it happens to lots of bands out there, not just moneyhungrytallica...in their old age they have to do what they can to try and still seem like the mega stars they once were...now lars is all political??!!..wuhahahahahahaha, whatever, stick to drumming lars because you are definitaly no politician!!....
"""BREAKING NEWS"""
METALLICA IS STILL PLAYING MUSIC. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE BECOMING SICK FROM THE CRAPPY MUSIC THEY ARE MAKING. MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN WASTED BY MORONS WHO WANT TO BELIEVE THAT METALLICA IS STILL A GOOD BAND...
THERE COLDIEM I SAID METALLICA...DO YOU FEEL BETTER NOW??
Member
24. writes:
You are such a f***ing whiner ^. We know you think Metallica, sucks ass. Why do you waste your sweet a$$ time, whining and bragging about how they suck? Hmm...
Don't you have anything better to do than to come up with stupid names for METALLICA? "he needs to worry more about his own life than anything else goin right now..." Dont you think thats a little selfish? Theres other worries in this world than ur own.. dipsh**
And what the f*** do you care what Lars is doing wit his life, at least hes doing what he loves, and speaking his mind and getting out USEFUL COMMENTS about something people actually wanna hear.
26. writes:
all i see that melanie_masochist posted is.....: blah blah blah...more blah hoobity blah....
i enjoy smacktalking fuktallica...back in the 90's i had over $3000 worth of metallica stuff, and when they went after the fans, i lost all respect for the greedy money hungry whores....i gave all the merch. away cause it had become worthless to me..every musician should look at trent reznor and see what he is doing to combat the greedy record labels...
lars himself is guilty of tape trading back in the 80's, making copies and giving them to friends...how much money did he cause the bands to lose back then???!!!..and now he is suing people for the same thing he did....what a fukin hypocrit and the millions who support him are just brain dead sheeple...
"""And what the f*** do you care what Lars is doing wit his life, at least hes doing what he loves, and speaking his mind and getting out USEFUL COMMENTS about something people actually wanna hear."""....well since he has said so many pointless, worthless mounds of sh!t throughout his career i have become immune to the "lars is a great guy syndrome!!!"
Member
28. writes:
yes i said i liked them, in the PAST TENSE...now i hate them, as do millions of people around the world..its ok for people to not like metallica...why do so many stupid dumba$$ braindead sheeple still defend these worthless has beens?...its just so funny to see people come to the defense of sh1tty greedy b1tches like deadtallica..
29. writes:
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30. writes:
"lars himself is guilty of tape trading back in the 80's, making copies and giving them to friends...how much money did he cause the bands to lose back then???!!!"
Are you serious? Do you really think that tape-trading compares to the massive amount of illegal downloading that happens now? Come on.
Senior News Correspondent
31. writes:
Indeed. The other thing with the tape rading is many of the NWOBHM bands on the tapes Lars was trading either were unsigned or were on a label which didn't have the money to distribute the record in the States. I fail to see how that harms anyone if a bands music is being heard in a country where it isn't sold.
32. writes:
Wtf does ringtones have to do with Metallica? Seriously wtf, and f*** u u Redneck Trash, Inbreeding, Apalacian Mountain b**** BrandedClosetFAg. And dont use ure sh**y white Power crap and affiliate it with PAntera u PEACE OF sh** BRANDEDCLOSETFAG. and No offense to fags, but branded is a closet FAG.
33. writes:
fuk all you sh1tallica supporters...you are all just weak minded sheeple...and i dont believe in white power morons...just tired of whites having to bow down all the time to other racist organizations that claim that only whites r guilty of hate crimes and hate speech....and if you want to call me a piece of sh1t learn to spell you illiterate fuktard....peace=no war, piece=what you meant to say but are too retarded to know the difference....
35. writes:
o here we go, lets all support lars and the merry band of old has beens....some people just cant accept the fact that their mighty metallica (there i didnt say their name differently for the whiny b1tches who hate that) are going down the drain...they have produced mediocre albums (post black album) and the fan base has depleted by the millions, and now they have to stay in the news with stupid moronic sh1t like this...and the brain dead sheeple continue to hope beyon hope that every next cd will bring them back to the throne of metal....NEVER AGAIN will metallica see the crown!!!....give up now metallica, for you are dying in your own greed....accept that you cannot be the mighty stars you once were (r.t.l---black album)...every band fades away, and you have tried every possible ploy to stay in the limelight..now time for lights out!!
and to ZT, im from america................
Former Contributor
36. writes:
Wait.. so you think it's ok to flame other people because they like Metallica's albums? No one hear is mentioning post Black album stuff and I doubt anyone here likes it either so why don't you just give it a rest until someone does?
And what's so wrong with hoping for the slim chance they will return to form? - don't tell me you're that much of a f***ing jerk as to say there is 0% chance.
Now Playing: St Vitus - "Burial At Sea"
Former Contributor
38. writes:
yes cynic, im that much of a jerk to say there is 0% chance...and once again, you have shown that people dont know how to use the english language properly...you put hear (meaning listening with your ears, to refer to here as a place)..
i never said he owed me anything!!!...as long as metallica will try to regain the crfown i will be there to sh1t talk them....i will never give up my right to say what i want to say about whoever....it just maked me laugh everytime i see the sheeple get mad over some forum posts...honestly, i love it...especially over a has been band like wehateourfanstallica!!!
39. writes:
wtf does "maked" mean, you piece of perverted sh1t?!!! lars was talented as heck... master of puppets had its undeniable flow and relentlesness beacuse of him... you dont know sh1t about metallica or lars, you fag! youre just one of those wussies who think bashing metallica and other bands which are considered to be bad by metal "purists" is cool
Member
41. writes:
yo pissy, you obviously didnt read my post where i said i had, at 1 time in my life, over $3000 worth of metallica merch. everything from shirts to rare cds...then when lars began going after the fans i dropped metallica like i drop turds, i flushed them down the drain...i gave all the merch away for free...b4 you want to smacktalk about me, learn to read the forum posts and not just the last one you dumba$$...i know a lot about metallica, and what i know now, i wish i knew back then...it would have saved me tons of money...
and the maked was a typo, i meant that it makes me laugh when you metallisheep defend the greedy b1tches because you seem to like a band because the critics, who know nothing about metal, call the mediocre, lame a$$ cds good...get off the trendy wagon...metallica is sinking and will take you sheeple with you...baaa baaa baaa...
42. writes:
You are awfully presumptuous branded. Implying that everyone who likes Metallica likes them because the critics tell them to is absolutely absurd. If people are "sheeple", as you call them, simply for liking Metallica then you are just as much of a sheep for hating them. Dude, it is music. Get over yourself. They used to be your favorite band and then they release music you don't like so you hate them now? That's incredibly childish. Topped only by the fact that you supposedly gave away $3000 worth of merchandise. You think that it makes you look noble, when really it only makes you look like an idiot.
It seems that you spend an incredible amount of energy hating this band, and for what? What are you proving, and to who? Do you think any of us give a damn that you hate them? Do you think Metallica cares? I doubt it.
Also, all of the logical arguments made against your views have been met only with various "Fuk you"s and calling people names. Then you have the gall to turn around and insult people over poor grammar or incorrect word use when yours is far from correct. Sentences do not end with "..."s and they start with capital letters such as "A" or "B". The word "one" is not spelled "1" and "before" is not spelled "b4", shall I go on? I see no need.
You also claim to know "a lot" about Metallica. Do you know them personally? Something tells me you do not. Therefore, all of your information must be from the media. So YOU are the one calling people sheep? Also, if you hate Metallica so much, why do you continue to keep such a close eye on them? I highly suggest taking all that passion you are using to hate Metallica and their fans and use it to do something that is actually productive.
Former Contributor
43. writes:
Bravo coldiem, because as he said "im that much of a jerk to say there is 0% chance", and there's no point trying to argue with people who won't be logical, they're good as sub-human. You may as well argue with a bot trying to sell you viagra. All I'll say is I consider myself to be one of the few about Metal Underground who uses some grammar in their posts so a little typo hardly shocks me, especially in this 'pot calling the kettle black' situation.
Now Playing: Watchtower - "The Fall Of Reason"
Supporter
44. writes:
I agree with branded up to a certain extent... Lars really needs to stop trying to get attention.
I think that the next album have:
-5% chance of being as good as their first albums.
-40% chance of being at least better than St.Anger/Load/Reload.
-55% chance of being the worst Metallica album ever.
Senior News Correspondent
45. writes:
In all fairness to the next Metallica album, when that album is all wrapped up and a release date is set, the hype will be unbelievable. Everyone, no matter how much they slag off Metallica, keep checking out their new albums to see if it goes back to the roots or not, so they get hype and sales from that. However, by releasing the last few albums that they have, could well be the most successful accident ever made. Seeing as how it's been promised that it'll sound nothing like St. Anger and that the new songs (video wise) that have been leaked onto YouTube and that won't be on the album, no-one knows what it'll sound like.
My prediction: Whether it's the best or worst album they'll ever make is unclear but it won't be like anything they've done before, in a good way I reckon.
47. writes:
since the admins here censor i use fuk as the way to say what i cant type. YES I WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO HATE METALLICA AND NOONE WILL CHANGE MY MIND EVER!!!! they are just toilet paper in the music industry. to those who want to continue to argue with me here, by all means keep going. i am having tons of fun doing it. please keep crying your hearts out about your dying gods called metallica.
and, i do thank you melanie for not supporting weak a$$ bands like mcr, and other trendy puky bands in that genre. im not the one whining here. im just stating opinions in a forum. the ones who come in like rabid dogs are the ones whining about me smacktalking old has beens like metallica.
yes i razz people who are too retarded to know proper grammar, since they learned it in school. people from other countries know it better than half of the inbred redneck hillbillies here. its not hard to put the correct term in. i have to put fuk, a$$, and other words due to punk a$$ censorship in a supposedly free country. i understand im not the one paying for the server to be up, but why censor freedom of speech??!!
48. writes:
Hey Branded - you really should watch out insulting your family like that. Inbred Redneck Hillbillies.... now brother, you are the one who is entertaining every one else with your stupid comments...lol. I am in heaven watching your stupid remarks..you crack me up man.
In all seriousness, though, I sincerely doubt that the US is composed of only inbred redneck hillbillies. I am from Texas and ,well, I am no hillbilly. Yeah, yeah, let me help you out - the only thing in Texas is Steers..and ..
whatever dude - get some new material - you are boring me. Yes thrash sucks too, I agree. I am anxiously awaiting the new metallica, though. Sheeple rule your pathetic little arse.
Trolls rule....
50. writes:
Well said, by one of the best drummers on the planet. Worldwide democracy should be instituted by all governments. Not necessarily America's brand of democracy, but a government for the people by the people is only fair to all human beings no mater what race, religion or country. In my mind a government for the people by the people 'is' the essence of democracy. No one man, king, president, ruler or dictator, oppressor or megalomaniac should govern any people at any time. For the people, by the people - let the people decide what is best for them and what isn't, and if anything is unfair to a particular people, then a governing force keeps things fair and reasonable according to rules put in place to ensure fairness for all.
Member
51. writes:
Welll
we either love or hate metallica...
All i know is i am in love with their old material
sh** from like the black album..and justice for all..
espicially the song 'one'
I respect them doing that song.
The lyrics touched some people, and u cant say otherwise.
Yes, their new material does suck
Im not into songs like fuel and sh**..
they're kinda stupid
But, i wont diss metallica cause honestly their lyrics in some songs have had an impact on me, a good one...
Member
53. writes:
brandedcfh420 is like that guy off the world of warcraft episode of south park. he is some fat sweaty loner with no friends.
he lives in his grandmother's basement.
he was that kid at school who got beaten up every day by the cool kids.
so..
who cares if Metallica are a bunch of sellouts? so what? at least they have done something with their lives.
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1. efleming writes:
Because politics are really in Lars wheelhouse, and what he has to say is totally relevant. I am not going to make myself dumber by clicking on this link and hearing what he has to say. Does anyone care what his opinions are? Lars is the type of guy who runs into a crowd of reporters and says, "anyone want to interview me?" Stick to what you do best, Lars. Playing the drums badly.