Lars is Metallica. He’s basically an incredible “manager” and boss who pulled that band through everything and he’s the main reason why the band is so successful for such a long time. He’s relentless.
@@garageautonomist2258 Almost any way you define success Metallica fits the definition. Is it commercial success? They did that. Is it artistic success? They were one of the pioneers of an entire genre of music. They’ve sold millions of records and their first 5 albums all have critical acclaim. So what exactly are you getting at?
@@Justmeyes their last album went platinum and they still sell out every show. You may not like them now but they’re still a very popular band. Sure they aren’t as popular as Nicki Minaj or whoever the hot young pop star is right now but in rock circles they are still a big draw
@@Justmeyes Same could be said about ANY band from the 70s and 80s that is STILL performing to this day. 🤷 And if you think 40 years ago (the 80s) is a "Jurassic" period, you must be under 20 years old. 🤦
Lars has never claimed, pretended or implied that he's a great drummer. He's just a guy who was a huge fan of music and decided to start up a band. They rode the never ending wave. Here they are nearly 40 years later and still relevant.
@@xuser48 He is Metallica! Ok, him and James really but he has had the vision for the band from day 1, that infectious and also annoying energy / attitude, and is responsible for most of the song structures etc etc. There is so much emphasis on technical ability and accuracy these days rather than a bands chemistry.
Something that I never see mentioned, but is integral to his style is how he very often hits a crash cymbal with the snare on beat 2 after a change, where most drummers would hit a crash with the kick on beat 1 right with the change. It really gives a slapback/whiplash effect, and makes thing ten times heavier.
He also hits the hi hats harder with the snare. Gives a perfect punch 🤘🏻🤘🏻 lars haters are so funny these days. Richest. Most hard working diverse drummer ever. , maybe not the technically best always. But still. Something foe people to talk about forever
@@samgodzwa7927 the first instrument was probably some guy hitting a stick on a rock. Drums were here at the start of time and will be at the end. Ofc Jesus is a drummer
Lars is a great drummer in the same way that Kurt Cobain was a great guitarist. They’re not the most skilled or technical players, but what they did with what they had was incredible and iconic and immensely inspiring. Lars is one of my favorite drummers, and Cobain is one of my favorite singer/guitarists.
I’m almost embarrassed to say this: I’ve been playing drums for 23 years and I think Lars Ulrich is a really good drummer. I love his drum sound, I love his grooves, and I love his feel. There - I said it
People forget that Lars does a huge portion of the writing. He may have lost his edge performing, but Metallica wouldn't be half of what it is today without him.
@@a.t.3192 Exactly. I'm starting to suspect that almost everyone who harshly criticizes Lars isn't even a fan of the old shit. Hell, I'm only 35, born between Puppets and Justice, but when I got into Metallica, I immersed myself in that world of metal. I went right back to all their old stuff, watched any old footage of the band that I could find, etc. I bet a lot of these clowns who rag on Lars haven't watched Cliff 'Em All, Binge & Purge, etc. Probably the same ones who say Cliff is "overrated". I'm not saying Metallica are the best musicians ever, but they obviously carved their own sound into the world of metal music and have had an enormous influence on almost all metal bands that followed, even down to death metal bands like Cannibal Corpse, and those guys far exceed Metallica in terms of technicality.
The thing about Lars is that he just gets James. Imo He's one of those people who is just destined for one thing and that is Metallica. Kinda like Tom Araya, he'll be shit with any other bands BUT slayer. No disrespect to the man. Lars is just Metallica and Metallica is Lars.
I agree with you.. I have the same feeling about Kerry King... Kerry King is amazing just for Slayer... can you imagine him playing "Tornado of Souls" solo?.... please no hahaha....
...Tom Araya is terrible even in Slayer. King plays bass in the studio and Lombardo (or whatever drummer they’re working with at the time) make the band sound good. Araya is joke.
I was 17 in 1983 playing in metal bands. Lars was seen as an excellent drummer you didn’t have this joke crap like today. He was looked up to and influenced a lot of players.
I would not be playing drums today had it not been for Lars. I saw a video of him playing live and just the energy and passion he had made me look at him and say "yep that's what I wanna do". People can talk shit about him all day but the fact is he has inspired generation after generation to start playing drum. Much respect for Lars
Definitely the same here. First Metallica song I heard was Battery. The way the beats and fills complimented the riffs was mesmerising, to the point where I could almost predict what he was going to play despite never having listened to metal before. I couldn't describe why and still can't, but almost everything he does when he plays just works. I started playing about a year ago and many of his songs are my favourites to play like No Remorse, Ride the Lightning and Sanitarium. He's not technical, but my god can he write a bloody good song
There's a huge difference between a drummer looks good live and a drummer who plays good live. Lars: great energy that overshadows his total lack of prescision and timing Rudd: looks so bored he smokes a pack of cigs, plays the "same" beat perfectly for 2hrs straight though Nicko: can't see him but you can definitely hear the monster Lombardo: looks like he's having the time of his life and plays so effortlessly but very powerful
Most of the people that make fun of him got into Metal during a phase where Metallica where at a low point. late 90s, early 2000s kinda area. Nobody on Metallica was really on top of their game, Lars even admitted to having lost a lot of his abillity, and he didnt care at the time. Then St. Anger came out, and sounds as it does. Nobody that was around during the 80s - mid 90s would have dared to make fun of Lars playing, or his musicality in general. He does what everybody always claims to be important... He is in the pocket, playing for the song, doing what ever the song needs. is Dave Lombardo faster? yes, absolutely! is Mike Portnoy more technical? yes, absolutely! Does Lars playing 100% fit the Song and the style Metallica needs? Yes, absolutely! At this point making fun of him has become a meme and most people probably dont even know why they´re doing it. at least that is how feel about it.
i agree with alot of this. but lars does NOT fit every song perfectly. im not a fan of his long drawn out slow fills in some songs. just takes me out of it.
“Practicing restraint for the service of the song” is the best description of Lars I have ever heard in one sentence. Great video and even better drumming (wow).
Envy. Lars can do and does what he wants. Doesn’t matter if he is too lazy for delivering a perfect show. The albums are awesome and that’s because he doesn’t follow the crowd.
@King Fungus Well yeah. Everyone who wasn't an idiot was on his side. Of course you won't find anyone who knows anything about drumming that thinks he sucks.
I think there’s one point we’re missing here though: Lars is a brilliant arranger. He has a vision for every song and can see hits where others can’t. For example, Enter Sandman wasn’t originally going to be the main single of the Black Album, but it was Lars seeing something in that song that put it as one of the most recognizable Metallica songs of all time. He also suggested the main riff be changed from an A B form to an A A A B form. He also knows how to arrange a song so that it has a decent flow. Most of the music from Ride the Lightning onward probably had some input from Lars regarding the arrangement. You can of course see his arranging skills very clearly when watching the Making of Hardwired… To Self-Destruct. Even if he’s not the greatest drummer in the world, he knows what he’s doing when arranging a song.
The video for One was released on MTV in January of 1989. At that point Lars introduced millions around the world to a type of drumming they had never heard before. This was 2 years before Nirvana came on the scene and the world went Grunge. For those 2 years, Thrash exploded because of the MTV video for One. That's a fact. Its also a fact that everyone who heard One was blown away by the drums. Its a huge part of the song. I'm actually pretty surprised he didn't talk about One in the video.
@@666Haversbut they didn’t make thrash mainstream! That’s the whole point of what you are commenting on. If you can’t understand something so basic as what the OP is about, how are you going to make us believe you understand Lars role in the genre?
There are a lot of very good and very fast drummers, but very few, like Lars, have that signature drum style that people can recognize even with close eyes. He is literally one of those who we might call a drum innovator.
Lars is somehow the "Ringo" of the metal scene. Everyone knows that even in his best technical days or moments (which are years ago, I'm afraid) he never had the skills that are now standard in metal drumming. But that's not important. He invented so many musical drumparts that became standard vocabulary in this genre. So when people tend to disrespect him, don't ask them "Can you play his stuff?", ask: "Which kind of grooves or fills did YOU invent?"
Ringo was a great drummer. He might not have been fast, or supremely technically efficient, but his beats married the music perfectly. Lars is legitimately awful in every way. He didn't invent anything.
@@tafttheraft5314 Bullshit. Your opinion is objectively wrong. Ok, neither literally invented jackshit, but Lars inspired countless people with his drumming, innovated ideas. You can view his style as awful all you want, but it won't erase the facts.
#3: Doesn't use ride... Nicko McBrain wants to know your location. Me from the future: my biggest achievement from 2020. More than 300 likes haha! Thanks Metalheads!
You ever listened to a metallica song growing up and thought "oh this is cool, but the drums arent good". Me neither. This is only coming from people later on want to find things to hate on.
Lars was right about Napster. It’s unfortunate people dismissed him as a greedy rockstar when he correctly pointed out that illegal downloading would really hurt smaller artists.
yesss, me too... right in the beginning where the kicks come in, kick and hi-hat only... and I was like... what? are there doubles? yes! there are... how cool is that... and I tried to play it over and over again :D :D
I agree, with out lars or with out James Metallica wouldn't have had the success that they have had. Doesn't matter if people like Lars or not, he co wrote all the songs for the most successful Metal/hard rock band in history, so he will always be a more successful (even if not more technical) drummer than any of his haters 😂
@@Balalaika74 With out lars Metallica wouldn't be who they are, without Metallica metal and hard rock wouldn't have the reach it does. Like it or not Lars is one of the most successful drummers in the world and No one can change that.
… and he plays the ride when it fits best for the song like the memory remains ending. He deserves respect for great song writing and sound engineering skills. Don’t care what anyone else says. He is a great musician who inspired generations.
Lars has always served the song/music before himself. The drum parts he plays are a perfect marriage with hetfields guitar. Lars knows what the drums need to do so the song sounds great. That’s why I love lars. Metallica wouldn’t be the same without him.
I love Lars. He was the reason I started drumming. He's not the drummer he was 20 years ago. But I think he has inspired thousands of people. Respect him :)
That's exactly it - he can't do what he did back in the day. And that's too bad as the other 3 most certainly can & got better over the years 😉 But perhaps that's not surprising given his age - it takes such a lot to play that style...
@@bikemike1945 this is my big thing with Lars. I don't dispute the early records but can you actually picture him practicing in some drum filled room like pretty much all other professional drummers? And for someone with his attitude (a dick), you think he would try to progress. He stopped working on his craft as soon as they got signed.
@@claudevieaul1465 Nei Peart played at the highest level into his early 60's . Wow ! What a Tank. Lars got a little lazy and lost his groove. I like his playing though.
Ulrich has been my favourite drummer since childhood and even now. By studying his drum skills, he has a great extra sensible, memorising brain.... Wish one day i could meet him
If you think Lars's merit or lack-thereof has anything to do with drumming, then you really don't understand Metallica nor much about music in general... Lars's true talent and where he stood unrivaled for many years is in his ability to arrange compose and package music in such a way that the song is relatable to people's sensibilities while maintaining artistic integrity. And, all of this was achieved within the context of commercially viable compositions. He had an ear for what was going to hit hard for tens of millions of people all across the world and the band paved the way creating a completely new staple and a blueprint for how metal bands should sound. They did this more than once, too. Imagine selling tens of millions of records which all feature 8+ minute songs with long instrumental passages, many different and dynamic sections as well as riffs, multiple, long guitar solos, screaming vocals, and completely instrumental tracks... That's nothing short of a true musical gift. So he could be as sloppy and basic of a drummer as anyone but it wasn't the drumming that made Metallica a heavy metal icon, it was their compositions and their overall sound. Lars is a phenomenal musician and is absolutely integral and indispensable to the insurmountable levels of respect and influence that Metallica commands around the world. No matter what you have to say about Metallica or Lars, the fact remains is that they outperformed absolutely everyone in their respective niche which they've pioneered for decades while doing it, and, in the process, they have positively and significantly affected hundreds of millions of people's lives worldwide.... That takes some serious musical intuitions to achieve, intuitions which Lars Ulrich was privy to from the inception of what is recognized as Metallica today. So all of the critics can sit down and shut up.
Lars brings so much to the table. Endless road endurance, song arrangement ideas, management and promotional skills, business sense, the ability to set out goals and plan future projects, a strong knowledge of production and recording. His drumming is a great compliment to James’ rhythm playing. A little sloppy at times, but he seems to be tightening it back up. His importance to Metallica can not be understated.
I laughed when you said he has versatility and then showed three different clips of him playing the exact same thing in three different songs. I honestly thought there was something I missed, either you being sarcastic or if it was an April Fool's video. I have no clue where you got the idea that Lars is versatile as a drummer.
Yeah, I noticed that too! And when this guy showed the difference between the ride and hi-hat on a particular beat, I preferred it with the ride, though he could have played it better.
so by that argument, it's possible there may be similar criticism for alex van halen, phil rudd, larry mullen jr. and max weinberg. all essentially hall of fame drummers who may not have been virtuoso (well, maybe except weinberg) who had the wherewithal to know how to play to the strengths of what works for the song vs. what makes a standout drum part. not a huge metallica fan, but lars, while not ginger baker, is clearly a great drummer for a great band.
Lars appears to have lost a bit over the years, but most people do as they age. He isn't the worst, he isn't the best. As this review says, he has many attributes that makes him a legend and he is part of one of the most successful bands of all time. He isn't Thomas Lang or Dave Weckl.......... he doesn't need to be, he has his own thing.
Mike Portnoy has aged darn well in terms of skill. So did Neal Peart until he decided he couldn’t keep up and retired GRACEFULLY instead of embarrassing himself like Lars.
@@tromboneman4517 I don’t think Lars embarrasses himself at all. One of the more recent albums, Death Magnetic, I thought Lars was fantastic on that record. The second S&M record was a pretty damn good performance by Lars as well. I think the narrative that Lars’ skills have eroded are greatly exaggerated
@@tromboneman4517 Mike Portnoy is on a different level to begin with. I could easily say he's way better than Dave Lombardo, but Slayer wouldn't sound too good with 100 time signature changes. Dream Theater wouldn't sound good if Dave Lombardo were pounding away at 100mph. 🤷
In all fairness, Lars did his job and did it well. However, after the black album, he seems to have gotten extremely worse and more sloppy to the point where it actually has an impact on the band's music as a whole. In Metallica's later years, a more skilled drummer could have made their music better after the black album
Agree... Was a massive fan at high school of Metallica, got offered the black album and turned it down, just lacked the diversity, feel and technicality of And Justice and Muppet's. Its probably a case of their evolution into mega rock stars and the drive to do more 4/4 radio friendly rock that killed it for me
After st anger is where his technique slipped. He was a tight player throughout the entire 90s in early 00s. I still think he comes up with some good drum stuff on the latest albums, but I also agree that sometimes he plays basic under the guise of 'for the song', and sometimes it's just that it needs that little something extra. I'd love if the next record was recorded live, no cutting and pasting entire sections. Make him play and get the part so tight that he can play if in his sleep, that goes for if it's machine gun bass drums or just a slow grooving 4/4. Anyway, I love his playing and he still makes me air drum!
This is spot on. The video is missing the point when it comes to lars. It's not his playing, technique on the earlier albums. It's all about his playing now and the last 10-15 years. He has gotten lazy with his playing and clearly doesn't practice enough, hence why he makes the most mistakes with his timing etc.
@@Kratos40595 I've seen Metallica live several times post Death Magnetic, and NO, he definitely did NOT get his shit together. His timing sucks, he's sloppy as all hell and he plasters pretty much every song with superfluous fills.
Lars was a huge influence on me getting behind the kit in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Not only is he a great composer and how structure oriented when it comes to their songs when writing them, when you watch him play whether it was 1986 or 2022, his energy on that thrown is unmatched. These progressive metal drummers today like Jordy (RiP), Danny, and others who are great talents as well, those guys don’t look like they are having a lot of fun when they are playing. It’s too technical and time oriented rather than sitting back and letting the song energy flow through you all the way to your hands and feet and play what feels good. Lars exemplifies that perfectly.
Lars is more than a drummer. He’s also part of the driving force behind Metallica’s success and arranger of their songs. Take away Lars and it would be a different Metallica, that may never have been as great as they are.
Lars recorded so many great grooves, fills and ideas that would take a 2 hour video to list them all. Only people who think that music is a race against a metronome don't understand how good is Lars drumming on metallica records and how powerful and focued his style is. There are many little details in his parts that a drummer can't ignore and that show us how much Lars understands music and musicality. You mentioned the snare fill he makes in Sad But True: that's probably the coolest part of the song!
@@fredriksvard2603 It's funny how all the old school pro drummers (Portnoy etc.) credit Lars as their inspiration but the millennials who grew up listening to blast beat give Lars shit. To them speed is everything.
@@fredriksvard2603 Amen, brother. A good example is MTV's Metallica Icon gig. Great bands covering 'tallica songs but the vibe just wasn't there. Korn's One sounded like a computer track.
Lars inspired people like Mike Portnoy. He hears things differently. He’s like a chopped out punk rock drummer. He might not “know” what he’s doing (what’s that even mean), but I sang along to everything this guy played. He writes memorable parts (crash on two).
One time I had just finished playing my drums in the garage and my mother tells me " Was the drummer for Metallica playing in there? " and till this day I don't know if that was an insult or a compliment. For 6 years I've been trying to figure it out.
Definitely Blackened Either way, there is no way in worlds that Lars could ever play that as it was "intended" by himself to be played. TBH I am not even sure if the hits on the record aren't fixed because he was either too drunk or just didn't bother trying to get it right. But that's also part of his style. He does not feel like he needs to practice, fine, so be it. He is fine with what he has done and feels like it is enough. It's just weird af to me... Like, how could you be a drummer in a band like Metallica, while not enjoying playing drums? I grew up looking up to Lars as a drummer and wanting to play like him. He has for sure written some of the most memorable drum tracks ever, his playing style is really unique and I think only a few can mimic it. (Even in its flawness, unevenness and "badness") He is the one guy who makes Metallica sound like Metallica. Along with James ofc.... Shit maybe it is actually James? Well whatever. With all that said, he would fuckin' never in a lifetime play that part as good as sensei just showed us at 7:27
One reason: the song "... and justice for all" ... I have rarely heard a song where the drum is the melody ... you could do the song with only vocals and drums and it would work ... just awesome
It never ceases to amaze me how anything regarding Lars on youtube can bring out more a**holes in the comments than you'd think could possibly exist, both pro and con. I take it as both a sign that Lars is definitely legendary, and we needed a legitimate full-on humanity ending apocalypse yesterday.
Lars writing and arrangement on the first five Metallica albums are what I called lead drumming. His drums aren't just holding the rhythm or tempo (haha jokes here yeah yeah), they're an instrument playing through the song. You can follow them like a guitar part, if that makes sense. Anyway, I don't think the albums are ever the issue. Metallica's recorded output, if we're really being objective, is pretty damn good on the whole. The issues come with his live playing and honestly, yeah, if you followed along through the years some were better than others. But in the last five years or so I honestly thought his playing was pretty on point and felt like he was really into it.
Lars is the Ringo Starr of Metal. It is that simple. Both underappreciated, yet any drummer worth their salt is inspired by the empathy that they both had for the music.
both are objectively bad musicians. If they were good at managing and/or writing, perhaps they should have kept with that. They aren't underappreciated, they just not good at playing music.
@@mikehancock9887 my boy Ringo is miles ahead of lars, at least in the performing part. The guy never failed. Of course he is arguably not a good musician, in the writing department at least.
@@mikehancock9887 I actually think Lars is pretty good, but I can at least understand why you don't like him. Ringo is one of the great rock drummers ever. Try playing "Act Naturally", "What Goes On", "Rain", or "The End". Not as easy as it sounds.
@@friedpickles342 im 38 and grew up with lars now im playin jazz/funk/fusion and odd time signature... so listen to me kid cuz i got damn expirience when i say lars in his area is the best becuz he composes too he may not be weckl or carey or chambers but he is an era of metal drummers on his own so learn and grow up lars for his era his time was a god face it kids u dont know music we lived the music in 90s
@@paradimble5414 I appreciate his composing and some of his play, but you missed the point , he is a horrible technical player , which he could easily fix.
@@kelson108 He isn't going to fix what isn't broken. He has been at it since'80. Not going to change anything now in his later years. It has worked for him and for Metallica. You can't convince anyone who has been doing the same thing all of his life to change just because it doesn't meet someone's expectations.
I think Lars rocks because of both his abilities AND his imperfections. His feel and looseness at times is what makes the Metallica sound and makes him stand out with his own unique sound...kind of like The Police and Stewart Copeland, U2 and Larry Mullen Jr., and even The Beatles with Ringo
His early drumming is good. As he got older his drumming was substandard. It sounded disjointed and repetitive. But you listen to a Dave Lombardo and his playing is consistent compared to Lars. Lars was a competent drummer who became less than capable.
I saw Metallica 1989 and 1993. Lars was REALLY on form. Really tight and full power. Most of the videos I have seen of Metallica since 2000, wow, what happened Lars? Sad to see your playing deteriorate so much. Thank you for your inspirational drumming in the 1980's and 1990's.
Personnaly love the drumming on ...And Justice for All. It's basically Trash/Prog, with some really cool time signature changes, epic songs, and iconic drum parts. Besides the iconic bass drum pattern on One, that beat on the title track in the first few minutes with the toms and the hihats is just so groovy! Yes later Metellica had less interesting parts, but let's give credit where credit is due to Lars on those earlier albums.
COMPLETELY agree. And Justice for All is so much fun on the drums. Eye of the Beholder, Frayed Ends of Sanity, Harvester of Sorrow, Shortest Straw, Blackened--just exhilarating all the way through.
Agree with the title track hi-hat tom work on. Justice. A melodic approach to mirror James. James is a very percussive rhythm player which really gives them their trademark sound.
Feeling doesn't have perfect timing. Lars is my favorite drummer, because he plays how he feels and makes it work. Let's not forget, Lars has an amazing ear. He is the mastermind of Metallica behind the scenes. Without Lars there would be no Metallica.
Lars did lots of off time/ghost cymbals in odd places. even playing 4/4 he would have every round place the cymbal in a different line. one of the coolest things he does!
There are 4 reasons to respect Lars. 1. Kill em All 2. Ride the Lightning 3. Master of Puppets 4. And Justice for All. Just have to forget all the rest.
Lars is so underrated. He takes the most simple and basic drumming too such a already powerful song and makes it better. I've always admired his style of drumming. No over the top out of wild drumming. Just right ever time. Always on the sound the song needs. It's there when it needs be. Agree or disagree he's in my top 3 favorites of all time.
no matter what you think about lars currently, regarding his drumming or his opinions, it is hard to decline him being influential. His drumming on master of puppets and ride the lightning was phenomenal and fit the songs perfectly. on live stages he had monstrous energy behind the kit. and really, that is what makes a good drummer.
@@kampen9868 he can play,he might not be as good as he used to be but he can still play. I saw him last year in ireland and granted he had some tempo issues but other then that he knocked it out of the park
@@kampen9868 Yes he can! And he makes so much money playing drums all these years and we don't..so your opinion and your apologize is not valid🤣so many people in this world loves his drumming and Metallica...so your opinion or other haters opinion are meaningless...Metallica..they're out there making money with Lars..they do what they love..and here you are...standing strong with your opinion with your knowledge and experience as a musician, gains nothing hating him
One of the biggest reasons I like Metallica is Lars' drums. I used to bang along to all the songs on the steering wheel and my wife would laugh when I got it wrong. 'Hey, you try playing along with Lars!'
Not only fast double bass in "Blackened" and "Dyers Eve", but in songs like *St Anger *Battery *Hardwired *Moth Into Flames Get me, Ash Pearson..peace and wave from Metallica fans from Malaysia!!
For a dude that never had any lessons (until their 4th album), starting jamming with James on a cardboard/pillows drums set and has never professed to be a great drummer I really dont see why people people keep harping on about Lars. People are always banging on Neil Peart but he had absolutely woeful technique but that never gets a mention. The Lars hate is not about his drumming.
Always admired his speed from the early albums , in the load era he played a lot of simple but VERY INTERESTING fills around the kit which gave a lot of ideas and inspiration to me. Despite the controversy and memes, still one of my favorite drummers ever. Imagine someone else behind their kit. Wouldn't be the same.
Lars really is the definition of humanity, yeah hes part of the worls biggest rock band but yet hes still makes and mistakes and laughs about it! Really cant think of a better drummer for metallica with a personality like that.
Lars knew what his job was in Metallica: provide an interesting drumbeat for the guitars to shine... Every Metallica fan can "sing" the guitar-solo's by heart, if you are at a concert you can hear from all around you people humming or singing along. Lars ain't no Danny Carrey, but he doesn't have to be, he provided great drumbeats that fit the songs perfectly. Also, go watch his interviews with other musicians, he has a series of them on the Apple Music TH-cam channel. He is a great interviewer, he is a smart cookie and very well respected by his colleagues, because they can see past the fact that he isn't the greatest drummer of all time and see that he is a guy that has been hugely influential in his genre and has seen and done it all...
You hit the nail on the head. He's there to showcase the BAND, he's there to serve the SONG. In his younger days he had something to prove and he did it well. He was extremely creative and innovative, whether people like to admit it or not. Now people like to put him under a microscope and feel like they're superior to him if he knocks over a symbol or he forgets where he's at in a song and has to recover. Listen, that happens to almost every drummer, but the difference is people aren't waiting with baited breath for them to mess up. If you only look for the negatives in life that's all you'll find. It all comes down to the bitter taste people have in their mouths of the napster controversy and the attitude and swagger he had in the 90s. That was during his whole Oasis obsession and he just wanted to piss everybody off all the time. So when people think of Lars that's the Lars they think about. Not the intelligent, well-spoken, calm, humble guy he is now.
Im sure alot of people may be mad at me but i gotta say it. The only reason lars is the supposed leader of Metallica is because Cliff is dead. Just my opinion.
I cant stress this enough, Lars is freaking great!! We need more of those "why Lars is great" kind of videos Stop hating on this legend it's just pointless...
Some people are childish and need attention I guess.I like the way lars plays,he is not a favourite of mine but,he is a professional touring musician ,one cannot be that bad if they are at it as long as he has been and getting paid to do it. His double bass work all ways had me thumping the floor with my two feet. P.S. He has lost a step though. Take care.
@@markdemell3717 or people are repulsed by his scummy personality and also his poor, overrated playing, and are consequently voicing their opinion? Wow.
@@seadkolasinac7220 In my opinion anyone is free to dislike Lars politely and reasonably, but to hate him is really over the top and pointless... Just my opinion! No means to harm anybody
The drummer plays a crucial role. He establishes the time and tempo. If the drummer is off, the whole band is screwed. All those years in the band and he never bothered to learn and grow. The man is not a musician.
I love when a drummer is so good that just hearing them drumming makes the rest of the song play in my head at the parts of the song that is being played.
I think personally the reason I'm not a massive fan of Lars is not because of his lack of influence, but just how by a professional standard he has gotten super sloppy over the years. I would say I still admire Lars as a drummer and his passion and influence, and I'm by no means a professional, but when you compare him to so many other professional drummers he just doesn't hit the mark.
When I heard One for the first time on MTV in 89 as a teen I was blown away. I didn't know about double bass and stuff, so it became later an obsession. Lars, Igor Cavalera, Vinnie Paul became my drumming inspiration, despite that Lars nowadays I may play his stuff better. So, thanks for great drum patterns, despite that he fucks it up live.
Lars is the master of tempo changes. The only problem is he doesn't tell his bandmates.
😆😂😆😂😆😂😆😂
🤣🤣🤣 me tooo
You too can play all of your awesome old fills Tom fills using only a China and a snare! Just watch how he plays One these days.
The best response yet! Love it!
Dude, that is funny! 🤣🤣
I don't care what anyone says, Lars is a perfectly decent tennis player.
YOu can say he is almost a professional drummer.
Dude...I'm turning that into a fucking meme lol
Wonderful.
He's not even a decent tennis player
Lars was a good drummer ,I think he is a little snooty though.
Reason #7: he played several Metallica songs without backtrack and we recognized all of them. He's unique.
Lars is Metallica. He’s basically an incredible “manager” and boss who pulled that band through everything and he’s the main reason why the band is so successful for such a long time. He’s relentless.
Define success.
@@garageautonomist2258 Almost any way you define success Metallica fits the definition. Is it commercial success? They did that. Is it artistic success? They were one of the pioneers of an entire genre of music. They’ve sold millions of records and their first 5 albums all have critical acclaim. So what exactly are you getting at?
Living on old fame from Jurassic period as still an active band is not a succes.
@@Justmeyes their last album went platinum and they still sell out every show. You may not like them now but they’re still a very popular band. Sure they aren’t as popular as Nicki Minaj or whoever the hot young pop star is right now but in rock circles they are still a big draw
@@Justmeyes Same could be said about ANY band from the 70s and 80s that is STILL performing to this day. 🤷 And if you think 40 years ago (the 80s) is a "Jurassic" period, you must be under 20 years old. 🤦
This video should be called ...And Justice For Lars
=))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Haha, nice!
Ironic since his ridiculous ego ruined that album’s production
@@seadkolasinac7220 I'm pretty sure James was involved as well
And justice for Jason...the bass victim.
Lars has never claimed, pretended or implied that he's a great drummer. He's just a guy who was a huge fan of music and decided to start up a band. They rode the never ending wave. Here they are nearly 40 years later and still relevant.
He is not even the best drummer in Metallica.
@@xuser48 He is Metallica! Ok, him and James really but he has had the vision for the band from day 1, that infectious and also annoying energy / attitude, and is responsible for most of the song structures etc etc. There is so much emphasis on technical ability and accuracy these days rather than a bands chemistry.
@@PaulAnnis He's still not the best drummer in Metallica.
@@xuser48 Who do you think is then?
@@PaulAnnis James Hetfield.
Something that I never see mentioned, but is integral to his style is how he very often hits a crash cymbal with the snare on beat 2 after a change, where most drummers would hit a crash with the kick on beat 1 right with the change. It really gives a slapback/whiplash effect, and makes thing ten times heavier.
this is very true, it reminds me of Stewart Copeland. While I can't imagine Lars murdering a reggae tune, he has some of the timing.
He also hits the hi hats harder with the snare. Gives a perfect punch 🤘🏻🤘🏻 lars haters are so funny these days. Richest. Most hard working diverse drummer ever. , maybe not the technically best always. But still. Something foe people to talk about forever
Closed captions calling Enter Sandman "Inner Salmon" - cannot be unseen
I thought that was a Led Zeppelin song
1: because he makes you feel like you can actually become a professional drummer
Yes you win ...go see everything I posted ! I should have just " liked" your comment....😎....you win....
Jesus plays drums?
Lol nice one😁
💯... exactly
@@samgodzwa7927 the first instrument was probably some guy hitting a stick on a rock. Drums were here at the start of time and will be at the end. Ofc Jesus is a drummer
Who else is on a drumming video streak? And Larnell Lewis started it 😅
Same. The algorithm hard at work lol
Get outta my head!
Me me me
Me lol it was Metallica song as well lol
Facts! That solo at the end of Enter Sandman was off the hook.
Lars is a great drummer in the same way that Kurt Cobain was a great guitarist. They’re not the most skilled or technical players, but what they did with what they had was incredible and iconic and immensely inspiring. Lars is one of my favorite drummers, and Cobain is one of my favorite singer/guitarists.
You like Pepsi too, don’t ya?
@@louyork8379 no actually i don’t. I prefer coke and heroin
Kurt cobain played his guitar parts right live tho, this comparison is not right at all 😂
Lol you poor man
Are you comparing kurt with lars???? Dude that's evil.
I’m almost embarrassed to say this: I’ve been playing drums for 23 years and I think Lars Ulrich is a really good drummer. I love his drum sound, I love his grooves, and I love his feel. There - I said it
Dont be embarrassed! Lars rules
I respect your bravery
Even at. Anger. Haha
I feel exactly the same. he is actually one of my favorite drummers.
@@jonleehk Noooo! Not St.Anger!!!😂
People forget that Lars does a huge portion of the writing. He may have lost his edge performing, but Metallica wouldn't be half of what it is today without him.
As much as I hated to admited, Thays totally true
People in here don’t go after Lars for his song writing skills !! Just his drumming
@Balance Seeker Watch Binge and Purge. Hell, watch anything from the 80s.
@@a.t.3192 Exactly. I'm starting to suspect that almost everyone who harshly criticizes Lars isn't even a fan of the old shit. Hell, I'm only 35, born between Puppets and Justice, but when I got into Metallica, I immersed myself in that world of metal. I went right back to all their old stuff, watched any old footage of the band that I could find, etc. I bet a lot of these clowns who rag on Lars haven't watched Cliff 'Em All, Binge & Purge, etc. Probably the same ones who say Cliff is "overrated". I'm not saying Metallica are the best musicians ever, but they obviously carved their own sound into the world of metal music and have had an enormous influence on almost all metal bands that followed, even down to death metal bands like Cannibal Corpse, and those guys far exceed Metallica in terms of technicality.
@@acajoom Lmao
The thing about Lars is that he just gets James. Imo He's one of those people who is just destined for one thing and that is Metallica. Kinda like Tom Araya, he'll be shit with any other bands BUT slayer. No disrespect to the man. Lars is just Metallica and Metallica is Lars.
I agree with you.. I have the same feeling about Kerry King... Kerry King is amazing just for Slayer... can you imagine him playing "Tornado of Souls" solo?.... please no hahaha....
That's true, well said.
...Tom Araya is terrible even in Slayer. King plays bass in the studio and Lombardo (or whatever drummer they’re working with at the time) make the band sound good. Araya is joke.
@@ObsidianLife his bass playing is so subpar.
For real. Lars is irreplaceable. No drummer will ever sound the same with Metallica.
I was 17 in 1983 playing in metal bands. Lars was seen as an excellent drummer you didn’t have this joke crap like today. He was looked up to and influenced a lot of players.
Yes, and many of these haters fail to acknowledge this unfortunately !!
Kirk gets flack too. He's in my top 10 favorite guitarist.
He’s definitely not technical
Facts
It doesn´t metter, he has soul, he has something special you can´t describe wich other technical drummers don´t have.@@TheOtherCaleb
To illustrate how iconic lars' music is... As he's playing these excerpts I can actually hear the rest of the band...
I would not be playing drums today had it not been for Lars. I saw a video of him playing live and just the energy and passion he had made me look at him and say "yep that's what I wanna do". People can talk shit about him all day but the fact is he has inspired generation after generation to start playing drum. Much respect for Lars
Definitely the same here. First Metallica song I heard was Battery. The way the beats and fills complimented the riffs was mesmerising, to the point where I could almost predict what he was going to play despite never having listened to metal before. I couldn't describe why and still can't, but almost everything he does when he plays just works. I started playing about a year ago and many of his songs are my favourites to play like No Remorse, Ride the Lightning and Sanitarium. He's not technical, but my god can he write a bloody good song
What you said applies to Ringo Starr as well.
There's a huge difference between a drummer looks good live and a drummer who plays good live.
Lars: great energy that overshadows his total lack of prescision and timing
Rudd: looks so bored he smokes a pack of cigs, plays the "same" beat perfectly for 2hrs straight though
Nicko: can't see him but you can definitely hear the monster
Lombardo: looks like he's having the time of his life and plays so effortlessly but very powerful
same here
Cheers, bro! 👏👏👏🤩🤩🤩🤗🤗🤗
Most of the people that make fun of him got into Metal during a phase where Metallica where at a low point. late 90s, early 2000s kinda area. Nobody on Metallica was really on top of their game, Lars even admitted to having lost a lot of his abillity, and he didnt care at the time. Then St. Anger came out, and sounds as it does. Nobody that was around during the 80s - mid 90s would have dared to make fun of Lars playing, or his musicality in general. He does what everybody always claims to be important... He is in the pocket, playing for the song, doing what ever the song needs. is Dave Lombardo faster? yes, absolutely! is Mike Portnoy more technical? yes, absolutely! Does Lars playing 100% fit the Song and the style Metallica needs? Yes, absolutely!
At this point making fun of him has become a meme and most people probably dont even know why they´re doing it. at least that is how feel about it.
Lars in the pocket 😂 That's a good one
i agree with alot of this. but lars does NOT fit every song perfectly. im not a fan of his long drawn out slow fills in some songs. just takes me out of it.
You get three thumbs up from me pal.
Explain does not fit
@@stanfordkoch1271 i did in the same comment lmao
“Practicing restraint for the service of the song” is the best description of Lars I have ever heard in one sentence. Great video and even better drumming (wow).
Lars Ulrich has been one of my favorite drummers ever since I discovered Metallica. I genuinely dont get how people think he's bad
Envy. Lars can do and does what he wants. Doesn’t matter if he is too lazy for delivering a perfect show. The albums are awesome and that’s because he doesn’t follow the crowd.
@@pt8292 bingo
People are dumb. That's how they think he's bad.
@King Fungus No. It's a combination of him taking on Napster and people that are resentful that nobody likes their favorite metal bands.
@King Fungus Well yeah. Everyone who wasn't an idiot was on his side. Of course you won't find anyone who knows anything about drumming that thinks he sucks.
Talking about ride cymbals:
"I don't like how they feel, they're like ding ding ding ding"
"I like tshh tshh tshh tshh"
To common
Does he realize there are ride cymbals that aren't all "ding ding ding ding"
The kind of ride cymbals that don't go "ding ding ding ding" wouldn't stand up to a metal drummer with poor technique.
Aka he has no dynamics
hahahaha amazing explanation
I think there’s one point we’re missing here though: Lars is a brilliant arranger. He has a vision for every song and can see hits where others can’t. For example, Enter Sandman wasn’t originally going to be the main single of the Black Album, but it was Lars seeing something in that song that put it as one of the most recognizable Metallica songs of all time. He also suggested the main riff be changed from an A B form to an A A A B form. He also knows how to arrange a song so that it has a decent flow. Most of the music from Ride the Lightning onward probably had some input from Lars regarding the arrangement. You can of course see his arranging skills very clearly when watching the Making of Hardwired… To Self-Destruct. Even if he’s not the greatest drummer in the world, he knows what he’s doing when arranging a song.
Good point.
Agree, I'd just prefer it if he could arrange from backstage.
You call this arranging?
th-cam.com/video/VXUYGraNtHU/w-d-xo.html
Yes would be a good producer..
@@damiendegrasse dude started the band man 😂
The video for One was released on MTV in January of 1989. At that point Lars introduced millions around the world to a type of drumming they had never heard before. This was 2 years before Nirvana came on the scene and the world went Grunge. For those 2 years, Thrash exploded because of the MTV video for One. That's a fact. Its also a fact that everyone who heard One was blown away by the drums. Its a huge part of the song. I'm actually pretty surprised he didn't talk about One in the video.
My favorite Metallica song and the drums are a huge part of it. Lars does use the drums to build up the music and the song as a whole.
Thrash was big long before the video for one. Show some respect for anthrax among the living.
Exactly noobs think Lars invented thrash.. Lombardo and Charlie was killing shit thing higher peaks then Lars could ever imagine
@@brandocalrissian3294 well done for not understanding the OP
@@666Haversbut they didn’t make thrash mainstream! That’s the whole point of what you are commenting on. If you can’t understand something so basic as what the OP is about, how are you going to make us believe you understand Lars role in the genre?
There are a lot of very good and very fast drummers, but very few, like Lars, have that signature drum style that people can recognize even with close eyes. He is literally one of those who we might call a drum innovator.
Lars is somehow the "Ringo" of the metal scene. Everyone knows that even in his best technical days or moments (which are years ago, I'm afraid) he never had the skills that are now standard in metal drumming. But that's not important. He invented so many musical drumparts that became standard vocabulary in this genre. So when people tend to disrespect him, don't ask them "Can you play his stuff?", ask: "Which kind of grooves or fills did YOU invent?"
COOL 😎 💯🤘
@Devon Hæbermän Nah. Metal wasn't new at all. Just becoming more mainstream.
Ringo was a great drummer. He might not have been fast, or supremely technically efficient, but his beats married the music perfectly. Lars is legitimately awful in every way. He didn't invent anything.
@@tafttheraft5314 Bullshit. Your opinion is objectively wrong. Ok, neither literally invented jackshit, but Lars inspired countless people with his drumming, innovated ideas. You can view his style as awful all you want, but it won't erase the facts.
@@tafttheraft5314 Look around, there are not many members that agree. 😖
#3: Doesn't use ride... Nicko McBrain wants to know your location.
Me from the future: my biggest achievement from 2020. More than 300 likes haha! Thanks Metalheads!
This comment 🤣
Hahaa, I like Nicko .
I'm pretty sure The Trooper uses ride.
@@SunnyHF-nf4bc sure, I mean, Nicko is the opposite of Lars.
@@noemario2348 Oh, that point went over my head lol
You ever listened to a metallica song growing up and thought "oh this is cool, but the drums arent good".
Me neither. This is only coming from people later on want to find things to hate on.
I did.
dude I thought this all the time lol
Thank you
Yes, I thought that a lot while listening to Metallica growing up.
No most Metallica songs have th a t effect on me
Lars was right about Napster. It’s unfortunate people dismissed him as a greedy rockstar when he correctly pointed out that illegal downloading would really hurt smaller artists.
The song “One” totally inspired me to get into drumming... those 16th note bass triplets are legendary...
As did the guitar! Huge musical inspiration vortex!
Same here! That groove made want to play double bass 🤘
Music during iron man's first flight by AC/DC worth to listen (black in black that part)
That, Dyers eve, and Motorbreatg
yesss, me too... right in the beginning where the kicks come in, kick and hi-hat only... and I was like... what? are there doubles? yes! there are... how cool is that... and I tried to play it over and over again :D :D
I can't see Metallica without Lars drumming. He doesn't sound and play like anybody else. That's why Metallica is the biggest metal band in the world.
I agree, with out lars or with out James Metallica wouldn't have had the success that they have had. Doesn't matter if people like Lars or not, he co wrote all the songs for the most successful Metal/hard rock band in history, so he will always be a more successful (even if not more technical) drummer than any of his haters 😂
Oh yeah how did it sound when they had Dave Lombardo as stand in when they played Battery once?
what band has a more household name? Metallica or Slayer?
@@rickysreviewsandhowtos That wasn't the question.
Rap/hiphop is more popular than Metallica and you can't even call that music.
@@Balalaika74 With out lars Metallica wouldn't be who they are, without Metallica metal and hard rock wouldn't have the reach it does. Like it or not Lars is one of the most successful drummers in the world and No one can change that.
… and he plays the ride when it fits best for the song like the memory remains ending. He deserves respect for great song writing and sound engineering skills. Don’t care what anyone else says. He is a great musician who inspired generations.
The ride makes the song sounds like Symphony of Destruction which is funny af
Oh you're right! And in the verses of Bleeding Me.
That drum fill after the first chorus of ‘Of Wolf and Man’ is one of the best ever committed to tape. Phenomenal.
Lars has always served the song/music before himself.
The drum parts he plays are a perfect marriage with hetfields guitar.
Lars knows what the drums need to do so the song sounds great. That’s why I love lars. Metallica wouldn’t be the same without him.
😂😂😂
I was about to comment this precisely.
I love Lars. He was the reason I started drumming. He's not the drummer he was 20 years ago. But I think he has inspired thousands of people. Respect him :)
That's exactly it - he can't do what he did back in the day. And that's too bad as the other 3 most certainly can & got better over the years 😉
But perhaps that's not surprising given his age - it takes such a lot to play that style...
His bank account backs up your statement.
@@bikemike1945 this is my big thing with Lars. I don't dispute the early records but can you actually picture him practicing in some drum filled room like pretty much all other professional drummers? And for someone with his attitude (a dick), you think he would try to progress. He stopped working on his craft as soon as they got signed.
Listening to Metallica give you the clap, you know. But, hey, who am I to stop you.
@@claudevieaul1465 Nei Peart played at the highest level into his early 60's . Wow ! What a Tank. Lars got a little lazy and lost his groove. I like his playing though.
Ulrich has been my favourite drummer since childhood and even now. By studying his drum skills, he has a great extra sensible, memorising brain.... Wish one day i could meet him
If you think Lars's merit or lack-thereof has anything to do with drumming, then you really don't understand Metallica nor much about music in general... Lars's true talent and where he stood unrivaled for many years is in his ability to arrange compose and package music in such a way that the song is relatable to people's sensibilities while maintaining artistic integrity. And, all of this was achieved within the context of commercially viable compositions. He had an ear for what was going to hit hard for tens of millions of people all across the world and the band paved the way creating a completely new staple and a blueprint for how metal bands should sound. They did this more than once, too. Imagine selling tens of millions of records which all feature 8+ minute songs with long instrumental passages, many different and dynamic sections as well as riffs, multiple, long guitar solos, screaming vocals, and completely instrumental tracks... That's nothing short of a true musical gift. So he could be as sloppy and basic of a drummer as anyone but it wasn't the drumming that made Metallica a heavy metal icon, it was their compositions and their overall sound. Lars is a phenomenal musician and is absolutely integral and indispensable to the insurmountable levels of respect and influence that Metallica commands around the world. No matter what you have to say about Metallica or Lars, the fact remains is that they outperformed absolutely everyone in their respective niche which they've pioneered for decades while doing it, and, in the process, they have positively and significantly affected hundreds of millions of people's lives worldwide.... That takes some serious musical intuitions to achieve, intuitions which Lars Ulrich was privy to from the inception of what is recognized as Metallica today. So all of the critics can sit down and shut up.
Point 6: He's a Larser than life person
🤣🤣🤣 stop it hahahha
Fuck you! :D I didn't laugh at that. Nope. Did absolutely not laugh at that.
7:27 He actually plays Blackened, not Dyers Eve
Thank you!
Was looking for this comment lol
I peeped that too!
actually is non of them he is just playing around, that kick pattern and time signature don't match with dyers/blackened
@@fr0zrracing725 wrong. That's Blackened.
I think few people truly realise how funky his feel and grooves are. Amazing drummer
You're job as a Drummer is to serve the Song, which he does famously.
Not when playing live.
Lars brings so much to the table. Endless road endurance, song arrangement ideas, management and promotional skills, business sense, the ability to set out goals and plan future projects, a strong knowledge of production and recording. His drumming is a great compliment to James’ rhythm playing. A little sloppy at times, but he seems to be tightening it back up. His importance to Metallica can not be understated.
I laughed when you said he has versatility and then showed three different clips of him playing the exact same thing in three different songs. I honestly thought there was something I missed, either you being sarcastic or if it was an April Fool's video. I have no clue where you got the idea that Lars is versatile as a drummer.
Yeah, I noticed that too! And when this guy showed the difference between the ride and hi-hat on a particular beat, I preferred it with the ride, though he could have played it better.
Not to mention the slow ballad playing was the same volume but in 6/8 timing
so by that argument, it's possible there may be similar criticism for alex van halen, phil rudd, larry mullen jr. and max weinberg. all essentially hall of fame drummers who may not have been virtuoso (well, maybe except weinberg) who had the wherewithal to know how to play to the strengths of what works for the song vs. what makes a standout drum part. not a huge metallica fan, but lars, while not ginger baker, is clearly a great drummer for a great band.
He likes fame and money, more than he's drum practice
You sounded nothing like Lars, you played in time and played double bass
Lars appears to have lost a bit over the years, but most people do as they age. He isn't the worst, he isn't the best. As this review says, he has many attributes that makes him a legend and he is part of one of the most successful bands of all time. He isn't Thomas Lang or Dave Weckl.......... he doesn't need to be, he has his own thing.
Mike Portnoy has aged darn well in terms of skill. So did Neal Peart until he decided he couldn’t keep up and retired GRACEFULLY instead of embarrassing himself like Lars.
@@tromboneman4517 I don’t think Lars embarrasses himself at all. One of the more recent albums, Death Magnetic, I thought Lars was fantastic on that record. The second S&M record was a pretty damn good performance by Lars as well. I think the narrative that Lars’ skills have eroded are greatly exaggerated
@@tromboneman4517 Mike Portnoy is on a different level to begin with. I could easily say he's way better than Dave Lombardo, but Slayer wouldn't sound too good with 100 time signature changes. Dream Theater wouldn't sound good if Dave Lombardo were pounding away at 100mph. 🤷
In all fairness, Lars did his job and did it well. However, after the black album, he seems to have gotten extremely worse and more sloppy to the point where it actually has an impact on the band's music as a whole. In Metallica's later years, a more skilled drummer could have made their music better after the black album
Agree... Was a massive fan at high school of Metallica, got offered the black album and turned it down, just lacked the diversity, feel and technicality of And Justice and Muppet's. Its probably a case of their evolution into mega rock stars and the drive to do more 4/4 radio friendly rock that killed it for me
After st anger is where his technique slipped. He was a tight player throughout the entire 90s in early 00s. I still think he comes up with some good drum stuff on the latest albums, but I also agree that sometimes he plays basic under the guise of 'for the song', and sometimes it's just that it needs that little something extra. I'd love if the next record was recorded live, no cutting and pasting entire sections. Make him play and get the part so tight that he can play if in his sleep, that goes for if it's machine gun bass drums or just a slow grooving 4/4.
Anyway, I love his playing and he still makes me air drum!
This is spot on. The video is missing the point when it comes to lars. It's not his playing, technique on the earlier albums. It's all about his playing now and the last 10-15 years. He has gotten lazy with his playing and clearly doesn't practice enough, hence why he makes the most mistakes with his timing etc.
🤔Nope... in the Load era he went off the rails but by post death magnetic he got his shit together
@@Kratos40595 I've seen Metallica live several times post Death Magnetic, and NO, he definitely did NOT get his shit together. His timing sucks, he's sloppy as all hell and he plasters pretty much every song with superfluous fills.
Lars was a huge influence on me getting behind the kit in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Not only is he a great composer and how structure oriented when it comes to their songs when writing them, when you watch him play whether it was 1986 or 2022, his energy on that thrown is unmatched. These progressive metal drummers today like Jordy (RiP), Danny, and others who are great talents as well, those guys don’t look like they are having a lot of fun when they are playing. It’s too technical and time oriented rather than sitting back and letting the song energy flow through you all the way to your hands and feet and play what feels good. Lars exemplifies that perfectly.
Lars is more than a drummer. He’s also part of the driving force behind Metallica’s success and arranger of their songs.
Take away Lars and it would be a different Metallica, that may never have been as great as they are.
Lars recorded so many great grooves, fills and ideas that would take a 2 hour video to list them all. Only people who think that music is a race against a metronome don't understand how good is Lars drumming on metallica records and how powerful and focued his style is. There are many little details in his parts that a drummer can't ignore and that show us how much Lars understands music and musicality. You mentioned the snare fill he makes in Sad But True: that's probably the coolest part of the song!
He's a composer and a mastermind who just happens to play drums. He deserves respect.
@@fredriksvard2603 It's funny how all the old school pro drummers (Portnoy etc.) credit Lars as their inspiration but the millennials who grew up listening to blast beat give Lars shit. To them speed is everything.
@@fredriksvard2603 Amen, brother. A good example is MTV's Metallica Icon gig. Great bands covering 'tallica songs but the vibe just wasn't there. Korn's One sounded like a computer track.
Thnx, my thoughts exactly
@@janitor6669 Millennial here, we're not all the same, but you do have a good point. Everything is about competition these days.
It’s not his drumming. It was Napster....
Exactly.
Yet, he was kinda right.
Ok, after this video I understood why they hate him.
Lars inspired people like Mike Portnoy. He hears things differently. He’s like a chopped out punk rock drummer. He might not “know” what he’s doing (what’s that even mean), but I sang along to everything this guy played. He writes memorable parts (crash on two).
Yeah, crash on 2 😆 At least somebody else notices it!
One time I had just finished playing my drums in the garage and my mother tells me " Was the drummer for Metallica playing in there? " and till this day I don't know if that was an insult or a compliment. For 6 years I've been trying to figure it out.
😂
It was a compliment ,you ninny,hahaha .
I mean... You could've just asked her.
@@Christopher-md7tf *Seinfeld theme starts playing*
An insult
7:27 that sounds like Blackened instead of Dyers’ Eve.
I though that as well. I'm sure it's Blackened
yup blackend, first chorus into second verse
He said "Dyer's Eve or Blackened" and proceeded to play Blackened... they captioned Dyer's Eve.... simple editing mistake.
Definitely Blackened
Either way, there is no way in worlds that Lars could ever play that as it was "intended" by himself to be played. TBH I am not even sure if the hits on the record aren't fixed because he was either too drunk or just didn't bother trying to get it right. But that's also part of his style. He does not feel like he needs to practice, fine, so be it. He is fine with what he has done and feels like it is enough. It's just weird af to me... Like, how could you be a drummer in a band like Metallica, while not enjoying playing drums?
I grew up looking up to Lars as a drummer and wanting to play like him. He has for sure written some of the most memorable drum tracks ever, his playing style is really unique and I think only a few can mimic it. (Even in its flawness, unevenness and "badness") He is the one guy who makes Metallica sound like Metallica. Along with James ofc.... Shit maybe it is actually James?
Well whatever. With all that said, he would fuckin' never in a lifetime play that part as good as sensei just showed us at 7:27
That is blackened
One reason: the song "... and justice for all" ... I have rarely heard a song where the drum is the melody ... you could do the song with only vocals and drums and it would work ... just awesome
Some say he misses beats, I say he has just mastered how to improvise tempo without the knowledge of anyone, even himself I think.
It never ceases to amaze me how anything regarding Lars on youtube can bring out more a**holes in the comments than you'd think could possibly exist, both pro and con. I take it as both a sign that Lars is definitely legendary, and we needed a legitimate full-on humanity ending apocalypse yesterday.
Bravo spot on!!!
Lars writing and arrangement on the first five Metallica albums are what I called lead drumming. His drums aren't just holding the rhythm or tempo (haha jokes here yeah yeah), they're an instrument playing through the song. You can follow them like a guitar part, if that makes sense. Anyway, I don't think the albums are ever the issue. Metallica's recorded output, if we're really being objective, is pretty damn good on the whole. The issues come with his live playing and honestly, yeah, if you followed along through the years some were better than others. But in the last five years or so I honestly thought his playing was pretty on point and felt like he was really into it.
i must admit your first remarks are on point. What hurts is how terrible he is live recently.... (there is a live rendition of Orion, it is horrible)
Lars is the Ringo Starr of Metal. It is that simple. Both underappreciated, yet any drummer worth their salt is inspired by the empathy that they both had for the music.
both are objectively bad musicians. If they were good at managing and/or writing, perhaps they should have kept with that. They aren't underappreciated, they just not good at playing music.
@@mikehancock9887 my boy Ringo is miles ahead of lars, at least in the performing part. The guy never failed. Of course he is arguably not a good musician, in the writing department at least.
@@mikehancock9887 You don't know what it is to be a musician.
@@mikehancock9887 I actually think Lars is pretty good, but I can at least understand why you don't like him. Ringo is one of the great rock drummers ever. Try playing "Act Naturally", "What Goes On", "Rain", or "The End". Not as easy as it sounds.
@@mikehancock9887 bruh Lars *is* a good musician.
Even the worst player in the NBA can still beat a street baller.
Thanks Lars for being a unique drummer and that you invented Metallica. A big credit to you to be such a successful and visionary musician!!!
For a man who doesn't practice drumming, he plays incredibly well. Lars is a beast. Today 👇
Lars Ulrich is a victim of lack of practice
I am a victim of the same thing
@John James lololol . . what you smoking. Give me some
@@friedpickles342 im 38 and grew up with lars now im playin jazz/funk/fusion and odd time signature... so listen to me kid cuz i got damn expirience when i say lars in his area is the best becuz he composes too he may not be weckl or carey or chambers but he is an era of metal drummers on his own so learn and grow up lars for his era his time was a god face it kids u dont know music we lived the music in 90s
@@paradimble5414 I appreciate his composing and some of his play, but you missed the point , he is a horrible technical player , which he could easily fix.
@@kelson108 He isn't going to fix what isn't broken. He has been at it since'80. Not going to change anything now in his later years. It has worked for him and for Metallica. You can't convince anyone who has been doing the same thing all of his life to change just because it doesn't meet someone's expectations.
I think Lars rocks because of both his abilities AND his imperfections. His feel and looseness at times is what makes the Metallica sound and makes him stand out with his own unique sound...kind of like The Police and Stewart Copeland, U2 and Larry Mullen Jr., and even The Beatles with Ringo
imperfection is ROCK N ROLL! we dont listen robotic music. so the imperfection is perfection!
His early drumming is good. As he got older his drumming was substandard. It sounded disjointed and repetitive. But you listen to a Dave Lombardo and his playing is consistent compared to Lars. Lars was a competent drummer who became less than capable.
He might not be the best drummer, but he’s a great business man. He also wrote many of the best Metallica songs.
Qawwawawsa
He is a humble guy. Like James, Cpt Kirk 😁, and Robert Trujillo.
I will always love Lars' energy on stage. He gives 110% at every show!
So skipping double bass is giving 110% ??
@@kasperrieberg3495 he is talking about his prime dude
I love Lars! He's a heavy hitter who can swing. His grooves are always spot on, fresh, deep, and breath with the human spirit.
Perfectly put. Couldn’t have articulated that better myself.
I saw Metallica 1989 and 1993. Lars was REALLY on form. Really tight and full power. Most of the videos I have seen of Metallica since 2000, wow, what happened Lars? Sad to see your playing deteriorate so much.
Thank you for your inspirational drumming in the 1980's and 1990's.
i saw Metallica in 2017 and 2021 and he was on point.
Personnaly love the drumming on ...And Justice for All. It's basically Trash/Prog, with some really cool time signature changes, epic songs, and iconic drum parts. Besides the iconic bass drum pattern on One, that beat on the title track in the first few minutes with the toms and the hihats is just so groovy! Yes later Metellica had less interesting parts, but let's give credit where credit is due to Lars on those earlier albums.
Love ...And Justice For All...It's a masterpiece!!!
COMPLETELY agree. And Justice for All is so much fun on the drums. Eye of the Beholder, Frayed Ends of Sanity, Harvester of Sorrow, Shortest Straw, Blackened--just exhilarating all the way through.
Agree with the title track hi-hat tom work on. Justice. A melodic approach to mirror James. James is a very percussive rhythm player which really gives them their trademark sound.
Feeling doesn't have perfect timing. Lars is my favorite drummer, because he plays how he feels and makes it work.
Let's not forget, Lars has an amazing ear. He is the mastermind of Metallica behind the scenes. Without Lars there would be no Metallica.
I give Lars credit. He's the only drummer in history to start a drum fill on the second beat of the first measure of a 4 measure phrase
Lars is totally one of the drummers of the world
Lars did lots of off time/ghost cymbals in odd places. even playing 4/4 he would have every round place the cymbal in a different line. one of the coolest things he does!
Lars and Bill Ward are my All Time Favourite drummers 🤘🏻🤘🏻
There are 4 reasons to respect Lars. 1. Kill em All 2. Ride the Lightning 3. Master of Puppets 4. And Justice for All. Just have to forget all the rest.
Lars is so underrated. He takes the most simple and basic drumming too such a already powerful song and makes it better. I've always admired his style of drumming. No over the top out of wild drumming. Just right ever time. Always on the sound the song needs. It's there when it needs be. Agree or disagree he's in my top 3 favorites of all time.
no matter what you think about lars currently, regarding his drumming or his opinions, it is hard to decline him being influential. His drumming on master of puppets and ride the lightning was phenomenal and fit the songs perfectly. on live stages he had monstrous energy behind the kit. and really, that is what makes a good drummer.
Dude, Lars cant play Drums I'm sorry :'D
@@kampen9868 he can play,he might not be as good as he used to be but he can still play. I saw him last year in ireland and granted he had some tempo issues but other then that he knocked it out of the park
@@kampen9868 Yes he can! And he makes so much money playing drums all these years and we don't..so your opinion and your apologize is not valid🤣so many people in this world loves his drumming and Metallica...so your opinion or other haters opinion are meaningless...Metallica..they're out there making money with Lars..they do what they love..and here you are...standing strong with your opinion with your knowledge and experience as a musician, gains nothing hating him
@@hunk7177 Yes, but he is definitely not a good drummer
@@hectorsanaifric343 That's exactly the problem
One of the biggest reasons I like Metallica is Lars' drums. I used to bang along to all the songs on the steering wheel and my wife would laugh when I got it wrong. 'Hey, you try playing along with Lars!'
Not only fast double bass in "Blackened" and "Dyers Eve", but in songs like
*St Anger
*Battery
*Hardwired
*Moth Into Flames
Get me, Ash Pearson..peace and wave from Metallica fans from Malaysia!!
For a dude that never had any lessons (until their 4th album), starting jamming with James on a cardboard/pillows drums set and has never professed to be a great drummer I really dont see why people people keep harping on about Lars. People are always banging on Neil Peart but he had absolutely woeful technique but that never gets a mention. The Lars hate is not about his drumming.
The "couchless musicians" Part had me dying, since a couch is all many musicians have.
Always admired his speed from the early albums , in the load era he played a lot of simple but VERY INTERESTING fills around the kit which gave a lot of ideas and inspiration to me. Despite the controversy and memes, still one of my favorite drummers ever. Imagine someone else behind their kit. Wouldn't be the same.
Idk why people trashing him.. if you enjoyed any one of their songs. Shut up
Absolutely love Lars and Metallica!! Greatest band of all time
Lars really is the definition of humanity, yeah hes part of the worls biggest rock band but yet hes still makes and mistakes and laughs about it! Really cant think of a better drummer for metallica with a personality like that.
Nicki Mcbrain?
Lars knew what his job was in Metallica: provide an interesting drumbeat for the guitars to shine... Every Metallica fan can "sing" the guitar-solo's by heart, if you are at a concert you can hear from all around you people humming or singing along. Lars ain't no Danny Carrey, but he doesn't have to be, he provided great drumbeats that fit the songs perfectly.
Also, go watch his interviews with other musicians, he has a series of them on the Apple Music TH-cam channel. He is a great interviewer, he is a smart cookie and very well respected by his colleagues, because they can see past the fact that he isn't the greatest drummer of all time and see that he is a guy that has been hugely influential in his genre and has seen and done it all...
You hit the nail on the head. He's there to showcase the BAND, he's there to serve the SONG. In his younger days he had something to prove and he did it well. He was extremely creative and innovative, whether people like to admit it or not.
Now people like to put him under a microscope and feel like they're superior to him if he knocks over a symbol or he forgets where he's at in a song and has to recover. Listen, that happens to almost every drummer, but the difference is people aren't waiting with baited breath for them to mess up. If you only look for the negatives in life that's all you'll find.
It all comes down to the bitter taste people have in their mouths of the napster controversy and the attitude and swagger he had in the 90s. That was during his whole Oasis obsession and he just wanted to piss everybody off all the time. So when people think of Lars that's the Lars they think about. Not the intelligent, well-spoken, calm, humble guy he is now.
He may not be the world's best drummer, but he's the guy who shows up to work consistently.
Im sure alot of people may be mad at me but i gotta say it. The only reason lars is the supposed leader of Metallica is because Cliff is dead. Just my opinion.
I cant stress this enough, Lars is freaking great!!
We need more of those "why Lars is great" kind of videos
Stop hating on this legend it's just pointless...
Some people are childish and need attention I guess.I like the way lars plays,he is not a favourite of mine but,he is a professional touring musician ,one cannot be that bad if they are at it as long as he has been and getting paid to do it. His double bass work all ways had me thumping the floor with my two feet. P.S. He has lost a step though. Take care.
@@markdemell3717 or people are repulsed by his scummy personality and also his poor, overrated playing, and are consequently voicing their opinion? Wow.
@@seadkolasinac7220 In my opinion anyone is free to dislike Lars politely and reasonably, but to hate him is really over the top and pointless...
Just my opinion! No means to harm anybody
@@seadkolasinac7220 "scummy personality"? Please explain.
It´s Ok Lars we love you, you can take you´re real name again
He's versatile
He can play fast
He can play slow
You know that kind of thing
Lol exactly
You can't deny that he definitely played the drums.
@@MistaMahoney The word "versatile" is key here.
Yeah this sounds like he was really struggling with reasons haha
He can hit drums that are high pitched and ones that are low pitched as well.
No lie: Lars is who inspired me to play drums. The reason is FILLS. His transitioning is excellent. Listen to Ride The Lightning or Disposable Heroes
The drummer plays a crucial role. He establishes the time and tempo. If the drummer is off, the whole band is screwed.
All those years in the band and he never bothered to learn and grow. The man is not a musician.
I love when a drummer is so good that just hearing them drumming makes the rest of the song play in my head at the parts of the song that is being played.
His contribution in music is undeniable, however, it feels like he didn't age well in terms of coordination and mobility. I still love the band tho.
He didn't start well with coordination and mobility, that is more of the issue, he never improved.
The "no ride" argument makes no sense... you can't just change one music and hope to make sense...
This is probably the only positive video about lars.
I think personally the reason I'm not a massive fan of Lars is not because of his lack of influence, but just how by a professional standard he has gotten super sloppy over the years. I would say I still admire Lars as a drummer and his passion and influence, and I'm by no means a professional, but when you compare him to so many other professional drummers he just doesn't hit the mark.
Lars is the reason why i admire the drummers since i was 10yo
When I heard One for the first time on MTV in 89 as a teen I was blown away. I didn't know about double bass and stuff, so it became later an obsession. Lars, Igor Cavalera, Vinnie Paul became my drumming inspiration, despite that Lars nowadays I may play his stuff better. So, thanks for great drum patterns, despite that he fucks it up live.
One reason to dislike Lars: Tuning down Jason Newstead's bass lines on "Justice" to the point of inaudible