METALLICA's KIRK HAMMETT: 'I Do Hear A Bit Of Clipping' On 'Death Magnetic'
November 12, 2008Paul Friswold of the Riverfront Times recently conducted an interview with METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
On the criticism that METALLICA's new album, "Death Magentic", is over-compressed: The music lacks dynamic range, and is marred further by harsh digital clipping, an undesirable noise introduced during mastering:
"Well, it's like this: There are people who just expect perfection from us. And I totally get that. And when it falls short of their standards of perfection, they're going to complain. And I totally get that, too. I do hear a bit of clipping here and there. It was more a Rick Rubin [producer] sort of decision rather than the band decision, because he thought it made it sound a little bit more lively and dynamic, and we kinda gave him the benefit of the doubt on that. And you know, to me, when I crank the album when I'm driving, it's not an issue for me. But then again — my ears are kinda fried, too, bro."
"What's that STOOGES album that has, like, the worst [sound] of all time? Was it 'Funhouse'? I can't remember. But you know what? That album is hailed as groundbreaking now!"
On whether there is any chance of "Death Magnetic" getting remixed:
"Well, you know, the album is what it is. And ultimately it's because of us that it is what it is. And at this point, my attitude is, take it or leave it. You know?"
Read the entire interview from Riverfront Times.
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