Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy recently made surprising comments defending Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, a drummer who often faces criticism from metal fans, in an interview with El Estepario Siberiano.
Portnoy offered praise for the often-criticized Metallica drummer when asked about some of his early drumming inspirations. He highlighted aspects beyond just his technical abilities.
“Another one who gets such a beating, his reputation, but Lars Ulrich [Metallica], believe it or not, was a big influence for me,” Portnoy said. “And a lot of people give him a hard time over his technique and everything, but, to me, he was an influence for me because it was more than just drums.”
Portnoy emphasized Ulrich’s broader contributions to Metallica’s success beyond drumming.
“He was the leader of the band, he would write the setlist, he would deal with the fan clubs and the merchandise, and he was co-producing the albums and co-writing the music,” he continued. “He, to me, was a role model. And even to this day, he still is.”
The drummer drew parallels between Ulrich and other influential musicians who took on multiple roles within their bands.
“I went and saw Metallica a few weeks ago, and more than just the drumming, his personality and his presence, he was so important for Metallica’s success that, to me, that was the thing,” Portnoy explained. “And Neil Peart too — Neil wasn’t just the drummer; he was the lyricist and he would oversee the artwork. So, it’s drummers like that, that do more than just play the drums. Those are my role models.”
Portnoy also defended Ulrich’s historical impact on metal music and his early drumming contributions.
“[Lars] was a pioneer for the style of music that Metallica plays,” he said. “When they came out in 1983 or whatever it was, that was a game changer. They were inventing an entire style of music, and he was at the forefront of it.”
“So, you’ve gotta give him credit for that,” Portnoy concluded. “And those first four albums, his drumming was very progressive — very aggressive and progressive. It wasn’t until the ‘Black Album’ where he started to pull it back a little bit, but those first four albums I learned so much about metal drumming from those albums.”
The Metallica drummer continues to face ongoing criticism from metal fans and musicians alike. Portnoy’s defense of Ulrich comes at this time, making these supportive comments particularly noteworthy within the drumming community.
Ulrich himself shows remarkable indifference to the criticism despite the persistent negative feedback about his technical abilities. Loudwire reported that he no longer lets negative comments affect him. In a 2020 interview, he stated that such feedback has become meaningless to his approach to music.
“Now, none of that really means anything to me,” Ulrich said, demonstrating a mature perspective on the decades of scrutiny he has faced from critics and fans.
The criticism of Ulrich’s drumming style has been a consistent theme throughout Metallica’s career. Drummerworld Forums discussions revealed that many critics argue that his drumming lacks complexity and technical sophistication compared to other metal drummers. However, supporters counter that his approach has been instrumental in crafting Metallica’s distinctive sound that has resonated with millions of fans worldwide.
Ulrich’s influence on metal drumming cannot be dismissed entirely despite the technical criticisms. Various drumming analysis videos showed that he helped popularize specific techniques such as the cymbal chop and fast, driving open hi-hat beats that became signature elements of thrash metal. His drumming style, while controversial among purists, contributed significantly to defining the sound that made Metallica one of the most successful metal bands in history.
Portnoy’s comments add an important perspective to the ongoing debate about Ulrich’s legacy. They emphasize that musical influence extends far beyond technical proficiency and encompasses leadership, vision, and the ability to shape an entire genre’s direction.
