Best Instrumental (Metallica Snobs)

[Time Monkey]

I am an obnoxious Metallica fan. Its what my alarm plays every morning, a shuffle of all their jams.

Now, to most fans, Orion is the go to instrumental song. Which I get, it is bad ass, and when it is played live it is a treat. I was lucky enough to be in Indio for the Big 4 show when they played it in its entirety for the first time in the States. I welled up a bit.

But, as far as listening goes, I feel that Call of Ktulu blows it out of the water.

It is more variable, has more structure, its catchier, and has a more memorable riff.

Not to mention the layers of guitar and bass work, its more complex.

Orion, atleast the first part that everyone knows, is just two (very bad ass) parts.

Ktulu is much more suited to a murder spree.

Counter point?

[Raven2k360]

I think I have to agree with you -- Ktulu is one of my top Metallica songs; as far as pure instrumentals go, it beats out Orion on my list.

[kaputsport]

I am a big fan of anytime I don't have to listen to Metallica.

Not that they didn't rock (Ride the Lightning, etc) but they are more played out on rock radio anymore, that I can't even listen to old school metallica without turning them off.

[runmikeyrun]

I'm in agreement with OP: Call of Ktulu is amazing.

[By-Tor]

I agree, I always thought Ktulu was one of their best.
Also, I was at the Indio Big 4 show. That whole show was great.

[runmikeyrun]

Originally Posted by kaputsport

Not that they didn't rock (Ride the Lightning, etc) but they are more played out on rock radio anymore, that I can't even listen to old school metallica without turning them off.

I hear that. I don't even listen to the radio anymore! I can't stand to listen to songs like Seek and Destroy and Fade to Black anymore they're so overplayed.

[Time Monkey]

The only metallica played in bakersfield is on the classic rock station, and thats only sandman and bob segers turn the page every now and then.

Granted, its clear channel and they can suck it.


I'd love if it the local rock station would play seek or fade.

[Kink Rimson]

Originally Posted by Time Monkey

I am an obnoxious Metallica fan. Its what my alarm plays every morning, a shuffle of all their jams.

Now, to most fans, Orion is the go to instrumental song. Which I get, it is bad ass, and when it is played live it is a treat. I was lucky enough to be in Indio for the Big 4 show when they played it in its entirety for the first time in the States. I welled up a bit.

But, as far as listening goes, I feel that Call of Ktulu blows it out of the water.

It is more variable, has more structure, its catchier, and has a more memorable riff.

Not to mention the layers of guitar and bass work, its more complex.

Orion, atleast the first part that everyone knows, is just two (very bad ass) parts.

Ktulu is much more suited to a murder spree.

Counter point?

As much as I love Ktulu, I think Orion is a far more mature and accomplished work.

[Time Monkey]

based on?

[Kink Rimson]

Originally Posted by Time Monkey

based on?

My opinion. Ktulu sounds to me like a bunch of hungry and ambitious 18 year olds in a garage, a collection of cool riffs, the result of a jam.

Orion sounds like the work of a serious composer, and to me it's a far more rewarding listen.

I would go as far as to say Orion is a masterpiece of metal composition, whereas as Ktulu creaks and wheezes in places - and it doesn't seem to know how to end.

[PJMiDi]

Love both Orion and Ktulu. Not even much of a fan of Death Magnetic, but I prefer Suicide & Redemption to either of those two.

Of the two Orion by a slight margin.

[punkinfantry]

If I had to choose between Ktulu and Orion, I'd have to pick Ktulu. There's just something so primal and raw about it that appeals to me, whereas Orion is, as mentioned, like the work of a serious composer.

Don't most musicians start out as hungry ambitious 18 year olds jamming in garages?

[Darth Handsome]

Ktulu would be good if you could hear any f'n bass in it.

[Kink Rimson]

Originally Posted by punkinfantry

Don't most musicians start out as hungry ambitious 18 year olds jamming in garages?

In a perfect world!

[punkinfantry]

Originally Posted by Darth Handsome

Ktulu would be good if you could hear any f'n bass in it.

this statement applies to pretty much every metallica song

[purpletornado]

Anesthesia!!

[Time Monkey]

Originally Posted by Darth Handsome

Ktulu would be good if you could hear any f'n bass in it.

you can, you just have to listen for cliff, not the generic deep bass tone. he is all over everything up to and justice.

[pnut166]

Originally Posted by Kink Rimson

Orion sounds like the work of a serious composer, and to me it's a far more rewarding listen.

I would go as far as to say Orion is a masterpiece of metal composition, whereas as Ktulu creaks and wheezes in places - and it doesn't seem to know how to end.

+1 mostly. I wouldn`t say Ktulu "creaks and wheezes", but it is pretty simplistic. Working the same groove over and over, building tension. Orion moves and breathes, though. Both great tunes, both great in achieving their goals.

[pnut166]

Originally Posted by Kink Rimson

Orion sounds like the work of a serious composer, and to me it's a far more rewarding listen.

I would go as far as to say Orion is a masterpiece of metal composition, whereas as Ktulu creaks and wheezes in places - and it doesn't seem to know how to end.

+1 mostly. I wouldn`t say Ktulu "creaks and wheezes", but it is pretty simplistic. Working the same groove over and over, building tension. Orion moves and breathes, though. Both great tunes, both great in achieving their goals. As far as the comment about "Suicide & Redemption"... the main riff is awful; the middle section with the soloing really takes off...and then back to the slug riff all over again. Fail

[CauliColin]

I like them both for different reasons, and while Call Of The Ktulu IS better, the bass tone in Orion is just menacing. If Call of The Ktulu had that MOP tone, it would be fantastic.