Battle Of The Comebacks – Gn’R v. Metallica

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Battle Of The Comebacks – Gn’R v. Metallica

By Tim Connors
Monday, December 1st, 2008

Tags: chinese democracy, guns n' roses, metallica

7 Responses to “Battle Of The Comebacks – Gn’R v. Metallica”

ungestion Says:
December 1st, 2008 at 8:39 pm
well said
Ronen Says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:44 am
From what I’ve heard, Chinese Democracy has three amazing songs, three garbage songs, and everything else is in the middle. That does not make a great album. To be fair, I haven’t listened to it yet in order to draw my own conclusions.

However, the next episode of Issue Oriented includes an interview with a band who was in the same studio as GnR while they were recording this long-awaited record, and includes a little bit of exclusive inside dirt on what the vibe was like in the studio while the record was being made. Stay tuned!
Casey R Says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:01 am
I actually prefer Chinese Democracy to Death Magnetic.

You forgot to mention that Death Magnetic is mastered so terribly that all sense of sonic dynamic is lost, and as a result the album is basically unlistenable unless you enjoy giving yourself migraines.

Chinese Democracy has some killer songs, and is way more diverse than Death Magnetic, which proves once again that Metallica are basically a one trick pony.

I love when people say GnR have gone all industrial and NIN-like, when in fact the only song that even slightly resembles that description is ‘Better’.

This blog posts reeks of a Metallica fan trying to prove his favorite band is better. Why even compare the two? Death Magnetic has been out for months now!
tim connors Says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:20 am
Casey -

The mastering is less than desired, but at least it doesn’t bore me.
I just think Axl just dropped the ball – Hard.
But that’s my opinion.
You of course can obviously disagree with me.

Maybe if he released this record as a band called “chinese democracy” i wouldn’t have to bookend it to such amazing albums of their past – it just doesn’t add up.

You can’t tell me that song on the 1999 End Of Days sdtk – “Oh My God” that GNR did is good – it’s awful. It was another let down.

My side by side was to show who did the proper comeback record.

Metallica did so by miles

No Protools were used – So Lars was often complaining because they were doing 5 minute songs on average all on tape. – NO CLICK TRACKS!

Sure Chinese Democracy is diverse – But it sounds to me like a confused front man that needed THIRTY SEVEN people to produce his album.

I’m not trying to ruin your day – Just stating an opinion and pointing out my disappointment in a record that I was hoping to love.

I’ve listened to it 6 times.

Still feel the same way.

Also – Because i’m curious to know – Did you purchase said records? or download them?
Steve Says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Chinese Democracy is not the worst album to ever come out, nor is it the best. Chuck Klosterman pointed out in his review on A/V Club that at this point, the background of the record outweighs the actual record. How can you objectively listen to something that’s had all the myth of Mount Olmypus surrounding it.

Death Magnetic however is awesome. Yes, i’m more of a Metallica fan that a GnR fan, but as a record Death Magnetic blows Chinese Democracy out of the water. The only thing that’s lacking on Death Magnetic is the production, the exact opposite of Chinese Democracy where the guitars are so overprocessed it sounds like the campfire scene from Blazing Saddles with cowboys replaced by flatulent Robots.

“All Nightmare Long” is one of the best Metallica songs since …And Justice while nothing on Chinese Democracy compares to Use Your Illusion, save comparing it to Appetite.
Mark O. Says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I choose Metallica because there are just flat-out better songs on it. The production is nightmarish, unless you’re like me and have the Guitar Hero III rip, which sounds so much better.
Amy C. Says:
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Sorry, but Chinese Democracy is a flop. Too indulgent on Axl’s part, too many things going on, and not at all worth the wait or the hype. Metallica may be old dudes, but they still shred.