Controversial Question Alert!!!!!!

Are Metallica a legendary band or "nobodys"?

My brother and I have been arguing this point for ages. I think they're legends, he thinks they're an overrated band.

You'd think it's because I like them and he hates them, but you'd be wrong, because I'm not that much of a fan; I only like Enter Sandman, Mitsu likes more of their songs than I do.
I actually think they deserve the title of Legendary Band because there aren't many bands who have been around as long as they have and only changed bandmembers a handful of times (you couldn't say that for Evanescence now, could you? (Evanescence fans: please don't take offence, I'm just making a point)).

So, let's see if we can't clear up our little dilemma.

If you think Metallica are a Legendary band, tell us why you think that.
If you think they're overrated, also tell us why.

I think they're legends. They were the inspiration for a lot of other new bands, and they made quite a few excellent songs. They're probably one of the most well known bands ever, and even people who don't know them are likely to have heard a few of their songs and not known it. Watch 'Heavy Metal In Baghdad'. When the band is playing at a bar, and they do some Metallica covers, people start to pay a lot more attention, and get into it quite a bit. Metallica is appealing to a lot of people, and has survived as a band for a long time, despite some lack luster efforts as of late.

One of the most Overrated bands on the planet!

Fenrir wrote:

One of the most Overrated bands on the planet!

Saw that comin

I gotta say, they're a great band, and definitely hailed as legends, but I dunno, they seem a bit overrated to me, I'll withold my answer for now

I enjoy some of their songs (a lot of their earlier stuff is brilliant), St. Anger was horrible, but Death Magnet was a really good album. I'd have to say they're a good band. Not the best, not the worst, but maybe a tad overrated.

Fenrir wrote:

One of the most Overrated bands on the planet!

I have to disagree. They are CERTAINLY overrated, but with the number of astronomically overrated bands out there, they are far from the most overrated. Het is a decent frontman, their bassist is pretty good, Hammett is not as good as everyone would like to claim, but still, above average guitarist, pretty awesome at points. Lars....he had his points like on AJFA (the song) and some earlier stuff, but overall, is rather plain and enormously over-touted, listen to DM and his snare sounds like a toy, and is rather plain compared with the rest of the music. They are certainly not the greatest band due to the change/degradation of their sound, producing only 4 above average CDs and slipping into mediocrity after their self-titled.

Phil wrote:

I have to disagree. They are CERTAINLY overrated, but with the number of astronomically overrated bands out there, they are far from the most overrated. Het is a decent frontman, their bassist is pretty good, Hammett is not as good as everyone would like to claim, but still, above average guitarist, pretty awesome at points. Lars....he had his points like on AJFA (the song) and some earlier stuff, but overall, is rather plain and enormously over-touted, listen to DM and his snare sounds like a toy, and is rather plain compared with the rest of the music. They are certainly not the greatest band due to the change/degradation of their sound, producing only 4 above average CDs and slipping into mediocrity after their self-titled.

Phil, my man, you summed it up impeccably...

Incidentally, does anyone think their sound has suffered somewhat since the departure of Bassist Jason Newsted a while ago?

As far as how long they've been around and name recognition goes, they're legendary. People who know nothing about any other metal band out there tend to have at least heard of Metallica, and I think the fact that it's status controversial is a testament to it's legendary-ness. As far as mucial quality, it's music from the days of lore (Black album) is good and the "legendary" reputation has unfortunately rubbed off on the newer, less-epic albums and caused them to be overrated. The band itself, though, I would say counts as legendary, even if that's due to mystical ages long past.

Oh they are a legendary band all right with an awesome back catalogue few came close to matching im my opinion but they really fell by the way side after a couple of great early efforts...still i judge a band by its finest work and not its poorer showings - there are not many bands who can sustain there early greatness after so long on the road and after so many albums and this is what must be remembered. That and try and ignore the fact most of the band are ignorant egotitsical arrogant pricks

To be honest, the more questionable efforts of this band simply show that they are willing to try something without caring if it's liked or not, simply to push the boundaries. I'm not a huge fan, and I sometimes find that their albums aren't as good as their singles suggest. But at the same time, you can hear they're experimenting, and for that, you have to give them credit.