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Exodus Guitarist Gary Holt Slams Rick Rubin

posted Nov 9, 2008 at 5:29 PM by Diamond Oz.  (18 Comments)

Photo of Metallica

Band Photo: Metallica (?)

Exodus guitarist Gary Holt recently took part in the "Call & Response" section of Decibel magazine where artists give their opinions on songs from heavy metal artists and beyond. When faced with "My Apocalypse" by Metallica, here's what he had to say:

"There are some killer riffs on this one; nice to hear them rediscover that tempos can be fast sometimes. Much better than any of the last three (albums) for sure. But Rick Rubin is a monumental hack. He has killed the production of the record for me. I was really expecting James to throw down the "...And Justice For All" crunch, totally crushing guitars, but these are not heavy at all. If all they were looking for in a producer was 'guidance,' I would have told them all they need to know for dinner and a beer: 'Go back, listen to your legendary records, listen to your Diamond Head records and then gather in a room together and make a metal record.' I would have given them this advice for free- much cheaper than Rubin! But it's growing on me. I still dig it, just not the sound of it. Andy Sneap would have made this a monster. And thank Satan Kirk is soloing again! The world needs him to shred!"

What's Next?

18 Comments on "Exodus Guitarist Gary Holt Slams Rick Rubin"

Diamond Oz's avatar

Senior News Correspondent

1. Diamond Oz writes:

I do have to agree with him about Andy Sneap. Rick Rubin is my favourite producer and he's responsible for some of the best music ever released in a way but if Metallica wanted to make Death Magnetic sound like a beast, they just needed to check out the latest releases from Megadeth, Kreator, Testament, Onslaught and Exodus to hear that these are some of the best albums those bands have ever released and it would have made them sound alot better. I still like Death Magnetic and Rubin though.

Now playing: R.E.M.- What's The Frequency Kenneth?

# Nov 9, 2008 @ 5:36 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Cynic's avatar

Former Contributor

2. Cynic writes:

It's great that there are musicians out there that have the voice to spread the word about things we talk about in forums all day. Sort of like when King calls Mustaine an a$$hole. My end verdict is some good riffs and good songs, but ultimately brought down by Hetfields so-so vocals and the godawful production. Hell puts me in the mood for some...

Now Playing: Diamond Head - "Lightning To The Nations"

# Nov 9, 2008 @ 5:49 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
ZT's avatar

Member

3. ZT writes:

Nah, Andy Sneap would have just gave it that computerized overly polished sound, like EVERY f***ing metal band seems to have these days. In short, he would have killed the album DEAD for me.

Gary, I like you and all, but please shut up.

The album sounds FINE, people.

# Nov 9, 2008 @ 6:34 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

4. rutz writes:

i totally agree with gary holt. with metallica being so interested in money why would they pay rick rubin an insane amount of money for a producer when their total capable of doing it themselves.

# Nov 9, 2008 @ 7:35 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
deathbringer's avatar

Founder, owner & programmer

5. deathbringer writes:

It obviously does not sound fine if so many people are saying it doesn't. Especially people who like the band and/or the music.

# Nov 9, 2008 @ 7:41 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

6. mimic writes:

i gotta agree, get a hold of the guitar hero 3 album version, it sounds a million times better

# Nov 9, 2008 @ 8:57 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
BoltThrower's avatar

Supporter

7. BoltThrower writes:

This exactly explains why "Metal"lica would consider hiring Rubin. All the metal kingdom knows Rubin for being a p***y. But yet Metallica hires said p***y because that twat is totally heavier than sold-out "Metal"lica could ever pretend.

# Nov 9, 2008 @ 10:19 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

8. American Patriot writes:

Dollar and a doughnut says Ross Robinson produces the next one.

# Nov 9, 2008 @ 10:42 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Jomama's avatar

Supporter

9. Jomama writes:

It's not Rick Ruben's fault! He in an excellent producer. He got Metallica out of the sh**ter in my opinion. I haven't like any Metallica since the Black album. Death Mag is tolerable and had some good stuff on it.

# Nov 10, 2008 @ 10:24 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
That_One_Guy's avatar

Member

10. That_One_Guy writes:

I was going to comment on this article, but I think Oz already said everything that needs to be said, in my opinion.

# Nov 10, 2008 @ 11:47 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

11. AlexCroatia writes:

Metallica sucks, and Exodus sucks too without Baloff.

# Nov 10, 2008 @ 2:38 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
ZT's avatar

Member

12. ZT writes:

"Exodus sucks too without Baloff."

Ha, dude, paul was f***ing awful.

# Nov 10, 2008 @ 2:58 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

13. Bizzz writes:

Wait wait wait, hold on a second. He wanted them to return to a ...And Justice sound quality??? Are you sh*ting me? The guitar is thinner than my pubes on that record and that plus the songs being longer than my pubes added to the fact that And Justice had some sad, sorry production.

PS
Pubes...

# Nov 10, 2008 @ 4:44 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Netromancer's avatar

Member

14. Netromancer writes:

While I honestly love ...And Justice for All, the production is well known for being sub-par. The band members have said it themselves. Not to mention Newsteds bass is pretty much mixed out of every song. As for Death Magnetic, did anyone find Robert Trujillo's playing completely lackluster for a bassist of his talent?

# Nov 22, 2008 @ 5:09 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
americanpatriot1's avatar

Member

15. americanpatriot1 writes:

I think the production on "Justice" is precisely what made it so money. Sure the bass was buried, but how many classic metal albums can you mane that the bass was not perfectly audible. They said the a$$ sound that they had on St. Anger is exactly what they were looking for also. If you want that sound, go to any local studio, set your gear up, and press "record" and you'll achieve almost the same result ant 3/4 the price.

NP: Becoming the Archetype= Artificial Immortality

# Nov 22, 2008 @ 10:29 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Blindgreed1's avatar

Member

16. Blindgreed1 writes:

This is all hype. I love what Sneap did with my boys from MFH. I love what Rubin did for My boys during the RIB era. I will wait for the outcome. Hands down: The new Metallica is okay. It's not great, but it doesn't suck as much as their last albums over the last decade.

# Nov 22, 2008 @ 10:42 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Netromancer's avatar

Member

17. Netromancer writes:

Ive personally never had a problem with "Justice" myself. The album is hands down awesome. I was just saying that the guys in the band said themselves they werent happy with the production. So to say they were looking for something similar contradicts their own statements. My wife once told me she thinks I like the album because it has a "raw" sound to it. She had no idea about its production, so maybe she was right? At any rate its a great metal album.

# Nov 22, 2008 @ 11:32 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
americanpatriot1's avatar

Member

18. americanpatriot1 writes:

Last 2 posts are dead on.

# Nov 22, 2008 @ 11:55 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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