Music
James Hetfield Blames Kirk and Lars for ‘Load’ and ‘Reload’
Metallica‘s James Hetfield has never held back his true feelings, going as far as to rip guitarist Kirk Hammett for “losing” his riff samples at an airport prior to the recording of last year’s Hardwired… to Self-Destruct. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, so it’s all about asking him the right questions in an interview in order to strike gold. Here, Hetfield remembers Load and Reload, two garbage albums that he says were the victim of “compromise”.
“It is interesting, because we have created our own mainstream, is what I believe,” he tells Clash Music. “We’ve been extremely honest with ourselves, including the compromising part. There always has to be some kind of compromise – especially when you’ve got four guys in a band. You’ve got two guys that are really driving the thing – Lars [Ulrich] and myself – and when we don’t agree, there has to be a compromise. But, as far as doing something that doesn’t feel right, I’m sure there’s been a few times that it’s happened – the Load and Reload era, for me, was one of those; the way that was looking, I wasn’t 100% on with it, but I would say that that was a compromise.
He continued: “I said, ‘I’m going with Lars’ and Kirk’s vision on this. You guys are extremely passionate about this, so I’ll jump on board, because if the four of us are into it, it’s going to be better.’ So I did my best with it, and it didn’t pan out as good as I was hoping, but, again, there’s no regrets, because at the time it felt like the right thing to do. So, even thinking that I need to compromise a little bit for the integrity of the band to go forward, I’d do that.”
It’s easy to point fingers, but Hetfield proved something fierce with Metallica’s album Hardwired, which Hammett carries not a single writing credit on. It is, in this writer’s opinion, the best since the self-titled release in 1991.
Music
‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ Celebrates 60 Years with Limited Zoetrope Vinyl Release
A Halloween classic turns 60 this October, and Craft Recordings is celebrating with a special limited edition vinyl release for Peanuts special “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.
Arriving August 7 and available to pre-order today, this anniversary reissue comes pressed on an eye-catching 45 RPM zoetrope LP, featuring memorable scenes from the special on each side, plus a new essay from Sean Mendelson.
Get a peek at the cool new release below.
The release features Vince Guaraldi‘s jazzy score, including favorites like “The Great Pumpkin Waltz,” “Graveyard Theme,” and, of course, the iconic “Linus and Lucy.”
After its first official release in 2018 and rerelease upon the discovery of the original master tapes in 2022, the soundtrack returns to vinyl in its entirety, alongside a selection of rare outtakes.
If the zoetrope LP isn’t enticing enough, look for a variety of limited-edition Halloween treats that can be found at exclusive retail partners, including an Orange 4-inch Tiny Vinyl (Target) available starting July 17, featuring “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” on Side A and “Graveyard Theme” on Side B. Pumpkin-shaped pressings will also be available in exclusive colorways from August 21st, including Electric Pumpkin Patch (Barnes & Noble), Pumpkin Spice (Walmart), Ghost White (Target), and Candy Corn (Craft Recordings). Additionally, the Orange Pumpkin pressing will be back by popular demand at all major retailers.
In the 1966 animated special, the Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween. Linus hopes that he will finally be visited by The Great Pumpkin, while Charlie Brown is invited to a Halloween party.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown tracklist:
Side A:
1. Linus and Lucy
2. Graveyard Theme
3. Snoopy and the Leaf/Frieda (With the Naturally Curly Hair)
4. The Great Pumpkin Waltz
5. Linus and Lucy (Reprise)
6. Charlie Brown Theme/Charlie Brown Theme (Minor Theme)/Graveyard Theme (Reprise)
7. The Great Pumpkin Waltz (Reprise)
8. The Red Baron/Military Drum March
9. The Great Pumpkin Waltz (2nd Reprise)/The Great Pumpkin Waltz (3rd Reprise)
10. Graveyard Theme (Trick or Treat) (2nd Reprise)
11. Fanfare/Breathless/Graveyard Theme (Trick or Treat) (3rd Reprise)
12. Charlie Brown Theme (Reprise)
Side B:
1. Breathless (2nd Reprise)
2. It’s a Long Way to Tipperary/There’s a Long, Long Trail A-Winding/Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag/Roses of Picardy
3. Graveyard Theme (Trick or Treat) (4th Reprise)
4. Linus and Lucy (2nd Reprise)/Linus and Lucy (3rd Reprise)
5. Charlie Brown Theme (2nd Reprise)
6. Linus and Lucy (Alternate Take 1)
7. Graveyard Theme (Alternate Take 1)
8. Charlie Brown Theme (Alternate Reprise Take 1)
9. Linus and Lucy (Alternate Take 2)
10. The Great Pumpkin Waltz (Alternate Reprise Take 2)
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