*4.2.3. Years 2000–2006: on the brink of a break-up*

pace was cut off by Burton's death in a bus accident in the fall of 1986, and that almost was the end of Metallica, too. The months preceding the tragedy were a golden age of Metallica. It was unstoppable both creatively and on stage. Many appreciate the Master of puppets released in

Metallica's members dealt with Burton's death so that Burton himself would have wanted Metallica to go on. However, the band made their decision too fast and tried to drown their grief in work. Communication and soul-searching would have been needed. Before Burton's death Metallica was indestructible. Nothing bad could happen. The band escaped the reality, but Burton's death made things real. Death touched most Hetfield, to which Burton was like a big brother. Again, an important person for him died. Metallica's image and internal dynamics changed again greatly. Ulrich, Hetfield and Hammett used bullying their new bassist Jason Newstedt as a questionable form of therapy. Newstedt did not bring Metallica new the same way as Burton. This led to Newstedt being understated, which was most apparent in making and mixing …And Justice for All album in 1988, when the Newstedt's bass was

On the stage, things went smoothly, but the behind the scenes the band members started to get annoyed with each other. During the Master of Puppets tour, egos grew especially with Ulrich and Hetfield, which concretized as a weak production and overly long songs in …And Justice for All album. The album made under the terms of Hetfield and Ulrich, and no one else inside or outside the band was listened to. However, the album sold well, and the audiences on the tour continued to grow. Metallica changed its style remarkably for the 1991 the Black album. Ulrich's comment after Black's release describes well the mentality of renewing the band: "As long as there is fun and challenge, we will continue. It is cool that we try not to get stuck on the same tracks. We get easily bored. We were experimenting on the new album a bit. As soon as it feels like working on an assembly line, the result

When Metallica was making Black, the band members fought with each other, but also with the producer Bob Rock. Rock started to question Metallica's music and the way of doing it. He whipped out Metallica's best potential. At this time, the sounds were important and invested on. In addition, the songs were simplified, shortened and slowed down compared to previous albums. Rock also got Hetfield to believe in his hidden vocal abilities. Rock was a perfectionist and their interests matched as Metallica wanted to become the biggest band in the world. Rock was the first outsider to enter the band's inner circle. All of them had their own ideas of ways to achieve a common goal, which naturally caused conflicts. The life for Rock was distressing with the stubborn and arguing Ulrich and Hetfield. According to Rock, the album was not easy or fun. Finally, he told the members of the Metallica that he would never work with them again. Later, however, it became clear that collaboration between Rock and Metallica would continue for more than 10 years. The Black album has sold around 30 million copies, which made Metallica a mega band. At this point, popularity

1986 as the Metallica's best album [12, 38, 42, 51, 52].

142 Organizational Conflict

muted almost inaudible [12, 38, 42, 46, 53].

is shitty" [12, 45, 46, 53, 55].

*4.2.2. Years 1987–1999: growing the biggest heavy metal band of the world*

In the millennium, Metallica's internal relationships had been in bad shape for a long time. The hidden mourning of Burton's death had been buried inside the band members and inflamed 15 years later to the point where Metallica was falling apart. The lone wolves did not work well together. Every band member wanted solitude. Unhandled issues that had been numbed for with various intoxicants started to surface. Rudeness, misunderstandings, jealousy and competition tore Ulrich and Hetfield apart when they argue whose band Metallica was. At this point, the conflicts had led Metallica's in a state that threatened the existence of the band. Metallica's manager Q Prime got external help for the arguing band. Phil Towle, a performance coach, was hired for the job [12, 42, 45, 51].

Towle achieved a close and deep partnership with the members of Metallica. Hetfield was initially the most cautious about Towle's group therapy, and even suggested firing him. He felt uncomfortable when Towle was too involved with Metallica's work. Later he told that Towle was like an angel to him—a missing father who made him think of things. Towle managed to make the members of the band tell one another about their feelings daily. Ulrich was irritated that every emotion had to be analyzed and no results seemed to come—"1.5 years of this already and it does not lead to anything". Ulrich also threw Towle sarcastic comments from time to time. As such, Ulrich's childish remarks can be understood because Towle was rather a rigid persona, did not fit in the Metallica's world. Ulrich also made a blunt statement that "20 years of hate sold 100 million records … look at us (and this shit of psychiatry)" [13, 41, 51].

to do with Burton. On the other hand, Trujillo was a cheerful, which made him fit to the cur-

Conflicts as Springboard for Metallica's Success http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.71579 145

Some Kind of Monster documentary about Metallica was made around the making of St. Anger and Towle's coaching. When the documentary came out in 2004, it showed the human side of the band for the viewers. According to Ulrich, the cameras prohibited them from doing in conflict situations as they used to do: joke and lie. Cameras made things a little bit more real. Hammett pointed out that people usually see and hear Metallica's glamor. As the document was now behind the scenes, the whole picture was balanced. In documentary, people saw Metallica as a team that makes humane errors, not as gods. It changed the opinion of Metallica for many overnights. Metallica is the first mega band in the world that is also mega

In 2007, Hetfield said he loved Ulrich, but there is still constant disagreement. Their chemistry matches even though it is hard to notice due to all squabbling. Conversations are intense, disagreements surface and sparks flow. The relationship is still tricky, although today they are better able to listen to one another, and are able to take feedback from one another. In 2011, Ulrich told that he and Hetfield were in better terms with each other than ever before. Hetfield got gradually rid of his precise rules he adopted in the rehab, and there are not anymore time limits to his creativity. This can be heard on Death Magnetic album released in 2008, which was a clear return to their thrash metal roots of the 1980s. At the same time, the responsibility of composing was shared among all members of the band. All members are marked as contributors for all 10 songs in the album. Unseen harmony seemed to have

Metallica may have lost more money in 2010–2016 than it has earned. The band did not release any Metallica albums in this period, and they toured very little in the United States, which the band justified as a general fall in demand for rock. Metallica would not have given up like this in any case at the beginning of their career. The "war" seemed to be over, but Metallica was being well. In 2016, 35-year-old Metallica is no longer in any hurry, but instead, is doing various projects depending on their own feelings and schedules. The chemistries work well together, and the team spirit is good. The band members can discuss things in a civilized manner, and they really like working together. They no longer need to defend their territory like wolves, but the band members is listening to others' proposals and adapting them to their own ideas. When making the Death Magnetic, the band thought about Metallica's deepest essence, while Hardwired …to Self-Destruct published in 2016, was spontaneously done without wondering what Metallica would sound like in 2016. The album was not made in the traditional speed mode, but depending on the feelings. Many critics value Hardwired …to Self-Destruct the best Metallica album since Black. On the other hand, for the first time, the band seems to have done compromise to please fans. The band members say that Metallica can continue working together for the next 20 years, if physics

rent situation of Metallica [42, 45, 53].

*4.2.4. Years 2007–2017: a new rise in harmony*

human [13, 41, 45, 51].

reached the band [12, 13, 45].

permits [14, 48, 56, 57].

Hetfield went to his personal rehabilitation after the group therapy and the recording of the St. Anger album started. He wanted to have a break during which he could evaluate both his professional and private lives. He did not tell the others when or whether he would come back. Metallica had previously succeeded in going ahead with Ulrich's endless energy as a counter force to the stubborn Hetfield, but now they were up against a brick wall. During Hetfield's rehab, the other members realized his significance for the band. This was a tough place, especially for Ulrich. He is easily frustrated if things do not go ahead and there is uncertainty. Eventually, Hetfield's absence made Metallica's members closer to each other because of the threat of Metallica splitting. Metallica's manager Cliff Burnstein commented on Metallica's difficulties that the lives of Metallica's members would not change greatly whatever they decided to do. They have reached the top, why should they work hard anymore they have families, money, houses, etc. [12, 41, 46, 51].

When returning from the rehab, Hetfield tried the things he learned in practice, but the old control freak and stubbornness surfaced again. He said he only works in the afternoon for 4 hours, and the others should restrain from editing music at others times when he is not there. This annoyed the other members—especially Ulrich, as he was more of a night person. Ulrich attacked heavily against Hetfield's principles by cursing him. However, Hetfield did not give up, and so the band was forced to learn a new way to work. Hetfield's personal rehabilitation and group therapy eventually helped the band to get through the worst disputes. Metallica would probably have died without the therapy. Ulrich and Hetfield's attacks on each other tapered off. They also reflected on what had happened and recognized that they had changed for the better. There are fewer conflicts, as members of the band have learned to appreciate their fellow people more as they. Earlier, in conflicts, the tendency was to irritate the other even more. This conflict stimulation technique was double-edged sword, because it simultaneously improved creativity and caused bad feelings. Hetfield said that after personal rehab and group therapy his macho image vanished. Before that, he rebelled strongly against society, himself and everything. He questioned everything and drowned his problems in drinking. Then he became a father who started protecting his family and loving his life. He saw that the meaning of his life was be a role model and show what Metallica's members have experienced during their career. In other words, Hetfield solved his intrapersonal conflicts [13, 41, 42, 51, 53].

All in all the recording process of the St. Anger album was challenging. As such, the album was an attempt to return to the band's rough garage days, but the "family" was not as coherent as it was then. The album released in 2003 was not a master piece, but the band had to go through this to become stronger. In 2003 Robert Trujillo, a new bassist joined in the band. From him, Metallica found a bassist with whom the band can do the same things as they used to do with Burton. On the other hand, Trujillo was a cheerful, which made him fit to the current situation of Metallica [42, 45, 53].

Some Kind of Monster documentary about Metallica was made around the making of St. Anger and Towle's coaching. When the documentary came out in 2004, it showed the human side of the band for the viewers. According to Ulrich, the cameras prohibited them from doing in conflict situations as they used to do: joke and lie. Cameras made things a little bit more real. Hammett pointed out that people usually see and hear Metallica's glamor. As the document was now behind the scenes, the whole picture was balanced. In documentary, people saw Metallica as a team that makes humane errors, not as gods. It changed the opinion of Metallica for many overnights. Metallica is the first mega band in the world that is also mega human [13, 41, 45, 51].

#### *4.2.4. Years 2007–2017: a new rise in harmony*

was irritated that every emotion had to be analyzed and no results seemed to come—"1.5 years of this already and it does not lead to anything". Ulrich also threw Towle sarcastic comments from time to time. As such, Ulrich's childish remarks can be understood because Towle was rather a rigid persona, did not fit in the Metallica's world. Ulrich also made a blunt statement that "20 years of hate sold 100 million records … look at us (and this shit of

Hetfield went to his personal rehabilitation after the group therapy and the recording of the St. Anger album started. He wanted to have a break during which he could evaluate both his professional and private lives. He did not tell the others when or whether he would come back. Metallica had previously succeeded in going ahead with Ulrich's endless energy as a counter force to the stubborn Hetfield, but now they were up against a brick wall. During Hetfield's rehab, the other members realized his significance for the band. This was a tough place, especially for Ulrich. He is easily frustrated if things do not go ahead and there is uncertainty. Eventually, Hetfield's absence made Metallica's members closer to each other because of the threat of Metallica splitting. Metallica's manager Cliff Burnstein commented on Metallica's difficulties that the lives of Metallica's members would not change greatly whatever they decided to do. They have reached the top, why should they work hard anymore—

When returning from the rehab, Hetfield tried the things he learned in practice, but the old control freak and stubbornness surfaced again. He said he only works in the afternoon for 4 hours, and the others should restrain from editing music at others times when he is not there. This annoyed the other members—especially Ulrich, as he was more of a night person. Ulrich attacked heavily against Hetfield's principles by cursing him. However, Hetfield did not give up, and so the band was forced to learn a new way to work. Hetfield's personal rehabilitation and group therapy eventually helped the band to get through the worst disputes. Metallica would probably have died without the therapy. Ulrich and Hetfield's attacks on each other tapered off. They also reflected on what had happened and recognized that they had changed for the better. There are fewer conflicts, as members of the band have learned to appreciate their fellow people more as they. Earlier, in conflicts, the tendency was to irritate the other even more. This conflict stimulation technique was double-edged sword, because it simultaneously improved creativity and caused bad feelings. Hetfield said that after personal rehab and group therapy his macho image vanished. Before that, he rebelled strongly against society, himself and everything. He questioned everything and drowned his problems in drinking. Then he became a father who started protecting his family and loving his life. He saw that the meaning of his life was be a role model and show what Metallica's members have experienced during their career. In other words, Hetfield solved his intrapersonal conflicts [13, 41, 42, 51, 53].

All in all the recording process of the St. Anger album was challenging. As such, the album was an attempt to return to the band's rough garage days, but the "family" was not as coherent as it was then. The album released in 2003 was not a master piece, but the band had to go through this to become stronger. In 2003 Robert Trujillo, a new bassist joined in the band. From him, Metallica found a bassist with whom the band can do the same things as they used

psychiatry)" [13, 41, 51].

144 Organizational Conflict

they have families, money, houses, etc. [12, 41, 46, 51].

In 2007, Hetfield said he loved Ulrich, but there is still constant disagreement. Their chemistry matches even though it is hard to notice due to all squabbling. Conversations are intense, disagreements surface and sparks flow. The relationship is still tricky, although today they are better able to listen to one another, and are able to take feedback from one another. In 2011, Ulrich told that he and Hetfield were in better terms with each other than ever before. Hetfield got gradually rid of his precise rules he adopted in the rehab, and there are not anymore time limits to his creativity. This can be heard on Death Magnetic album released in 2008, which was a clear return to their thrash metal roots of the 1980s. At the same time, the responsibility of composing was shared among all members of the band. All members are marked as contributors for all 10 songs in the album. Unseen harmony seemed to have reached the band [12, 13, 45].

Metallica may have lost more money in 2010–2016 than it has earned. The band did not release any Metallica albums in this period, and they toured very little in the United States, which the band justified as a general fall in demand for rock. Metallica would not have given up like this in any case at the beginning of their career. The "war" seemed to be over, but Metallica was being well. In 2016, 35-year-old Metallica is no longer in any hurry, but instead, is doing various projects depending on their own feelings and schedules. The chemistries work well together, and the team spirit is good. The band members can discuss things in a civilized manner, and they really like working together. They no longer need to defend their territory like wolves, but the band members is listening to others' proposals and adapting them to their own ideas. When making the Death Magnetic, the band thought about Metallica's deepest essence, while Hardwired …to Self-Destruct published in 2016, was spontaneously done without wondering what Metallica would sound like in 2016. The album was not made in the traditional speed mode, but depending on the feelings. Many critics value Hardwired …to Self-Destruct the best Metallica album since Black. On the other hand, for the first time, the band seems to have done compromise to please fans. The band members say that Metallica can continue working together for the next 20 years, if physics permits [14, 48, 56, 57].
