There has always been considerable disagreement over whether Guns N’ Roses truly qualify as a metal band. While they may have grown up on the same streets as hair metal legends like Poison and Van Halen, Slash and Axl Rose were always more interested in playing balls-to-the-wall rock and roll. They became punk rock’s answer to The Rolling Stones. Slash appreciated metal and believed Metallica had nailed it when they went mainstream as thrash legends.
In the early 1980s, Metallica frequented the same Los Angeles clubs as hair metal was gaining popularity. and despised every minute of it. Not enjoying the same glam aesthetic that dominated the scene at the time, the entire band relocated to San Francisco. They brought with them a following that preferred the heavy sounds of Judas Priest and Venom over the copycat copies of T. Rex.
After going to New York to get a record deal, they became one of the most prominent names in underground metal for the rest of the decade. They produced albums that could compete with the likes of the world’s Black Sabbaths, such as Master of Puppets. By the 1990s, however, change was in the air as the band began working with Bob Rock.
Looking to return to their roots, The Black Record became the unofficial paradigm for what a metal record should be. It combined the band’s hardcore thrash sound with a radio-rock polish. While fans were angry that their favorite metal act dared to play music people might genuinely love, Slash believed otherwise. He thought they had created a masterpiece.
Since Guns N’ Roses had already established themselves as one of the world’s most successful bands with Appetite for Destruction, The Black Album was released. The band was about to release their landmark double album, Use Your Illusion. Given how many overblown ballads he had on his record, Slash could appreciate Metallica. He admired their ability to put out an album that was all killer from start to end.
Years later, when discussing the band, Slash stated to Spin that any Metallica album was the pinnacle of what metal was intended to be, saying, “I think any Metallica album is a given for a hard rock/metal record collection.” They represent the peak of that genre of music. They were among the first bands to revolutionize that particular style and sound. But The Black Album helped them become household names.
Both bands would even become friends on the road, touring together during their peak years. They embarked on one of the most massive co-headlining tours of the 1990s. However, controversy would also mar their success. During one of the gigs, James Hetfield was severely burned. Rose indirectly instigated a riot after Guns N’ Roses declined to play a little longer to fill the hole.
Since most of it was over, Slash was able to enjoy the band as musical pals who revolutionized the world every time they released a record. Slash may avoid the spotlight whenever possible. However, when you make such an indelible stamp on the world as Metallica has, it’s nearly difficult to ignore.
