Does this mean Metal is finally getting recognised?

By Neil Daniels

So, Metallica will finally make it in to the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 4^th April. Do we care? Nah…thought so. But in some respects we should care because this means, in a way, Metal is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Even so, awards ceremonies and induction events are usually dull affairs. Metallica probably don't care either, after all, what do they have to prove? They're just about as successful as a band can get. Some will argue that it's not really a place for a band that began life as some twisted hybrid of Motörhead and NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) legends Diamond Head.

Metallica were a band that refused to do music videos; a band with attitude and nerves; a band that had a steady stream of mesmerising albums; a genre defining band – the genre being Thrash, obviously. But then they hit the big time with Metallica (aka The Black Album) in 1991, produced by Bob Rock, and as far as studio material goes it was down hill thereafter with only faint glimmers of hope that they could still create the kind of mesmerising Metal they did back in the eighties. Pretty much every album between Kill 'Em All and Metallica are essential for metalheads and music fans alike. Death Magnetic isn't a great album by any means but it's a damn sight better than the reviled St. Anger, and it's unquestionably their finest since the aforementioned Metallica. It sold enough copies to convince the suits that they do indeed deserve a place in the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Back in mid-1981 a young NWOBHM obsessed Lars Ulrich flew to England from California to watch Diamond Head. He was so in awe of Diamond Head he didn't even have anywhere to stay and kipped at guitarist Brian Tatler's house in the West Midlands, the Heavy Metal heartland of the UK. I doubt either DH singer Sean Harris or Brian Tatler thought Ulrich would go on to form not only the most successful Metal band of all time but one of the most successful bands of all time regardless of any genre pigeonholing. Although Ulrich is known to be temperamental he's treated his idols with the upmost respect and it's because of Ulrich and a few others that the NWOBHM remains relevant thirty years later.

But in 2009 as far as a reunion with Jason Newsted at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction goes, or any mention of their beginnings with Dave Mustaine and bassist Ron McGovney, or even the late Cliff Burton, who knows what will happen on the night. I doubt Ulrich, Kirk Hammett or James Hetfield will plan any speeches. Like a lot of Rock stars they're too unpredictable, too moody. But then most artists are, aren't they? One thing's for sure, they'll upstage every act on the night, including the great Jeff Beck. As a live band they're hard to beat.