Exodus drummer Tom Hunting shared his thoughts on Metallica’s evolution and James Hetfield’s vocal development in a recent interview with Mike Z on YouTube.
“I think I’d pick ‘Master of Puppets,'” Hunting said when asked to choose between ‘Ride the Lightning’ and ‘Master of Puppets.’ “I think ‘Ride the Lightning’ is a more brutal record. But I think ‘Master of Puppets’ that was a moment captured in time of a band. Young men like peaking creatively. It’s a perfect record from end to end.”
“‘Ride the Lightning’ is definitely a close second,” he continued. “‘Master’ is my favorite album, pitting it against all the others. I think it’s better than all the others. The ‘Black Album’ is a great record, lots of commercial success for that one for them. They just blasted the door down for everybody. But I definitely pick ‘Masters of Puppets.'”
Hunting emphasized the significance of James Hetfield’s vocal evolution. “And I think James [Hetfield]’s vocals on that record… With any band you could see the progression, like if they’re doing it right, you can see the progression of a musician as they’re getting better. [During] ‘Kill ‘Em All,’ we were just kids. He [James Hetfield] was just figuring out how he was going to be a metal singer. And he invented that sh*t. He invented the Metallica style singing and then took it to another level on ‘Ride the Lightning’ and then ‘Master of Puppets.'”
Hunting’s observations reflect the documented changes in the frontman’s singing style through the years. Footage from early performances revealed Hetfield’s notably higher singing voice during Metallica’s early years, particularly on their debut album ‘Kill ‘Em All.’
The evolution of Hetfield’s vocals between ‘Kill ‘Em All’ and ‘Master of Puppets’ established a new benchmark in metal singing techniques. Music experts on dedicated forums noted his transition from raw, high-pitched delivery to a more controlled and distinctive approach.
Hetfield’s vocal refinement continued beyond the ‘Master of Puppets’ era. Detailed vocal studies showed his shift toward a cleaner and more polished sound by the time Metallica recorded the ‘Black Album.’
Hetfield’s vocal evolution mirrored Metallica’s musical growth. His innovative approach to metal vocals has influenced countless singers in the genre.
