I listened to the sounds, and I said, 'Are you kidding me? I think this sounds like ass'.
Steve Thompson, "Metallica's" mixing engineer, is speaking out decades after the rock band released their iconic album "And Justice For All" where he didn't hold back his true opinion about drummer Lars Ulrich, as well as his wrongdoings in the record.
When the album was released in 1988, it became a hit to critics and received rave reviews from the public. However, not everything is perfect as they were criticized for being dry and tinny. Jason Newstand also had problems with his bass' guitar lines.
Speaking to "A Discussion Wiith Dean Cramer," Thompson is ready to air his side, saying Ulrich initially came in with the EQ configuration chart of how he wanted his drums to sound like.
The engineer's partner, Micahel Barbiero, told him why don't he work with the drummer and get the drums so they know how to achieve their desired sound.
He finally agreed and he said it ended up sounding like an "ass."
"I listened to the sounds, and I said, 'Are you kidding me? I think this sounds like ass,'" he frankly said. (via NME)
To make the drums more salvageable, he "re-EQd" all the dums then brought the bass up. He also had aproblem with the bass because it's not compatible with James Hetfied's guitar.
During the final days of production, Thompson played the album to the band and Ulrich wasn't too happy with the changes with his drum sound.
The mixing engineer later took Ulrich's notes and decided to rearrange the drum sound to what it initially sounded like.
Thompson said he "hated" the final outcome, but clarified that people should understand the band's decision because it's not his record after all.
'Metallica's Comeback
A few months ago, the iconic rock band took the stage again in San Franciso for a two special fans-only shows where they celebrated their 40th anniversary.
During the event, which was held on December 17, fans were shocked to hear the song "Fixxxer" from their 1997 record "reload," as it was the first time they played it publicly.
The second show on December 19, the band performed "Death Magnetic" and "Dirty Widow," songs that they haven't played in over a decade.
Hetfield addressed the crowd with an emotional statement, saying, "We are grateful that you have been along with us for 40 years, and we are so happy that you're here still after all this time."
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