Cliff Burton: James Hetfield – the musician was regarded as Metallica’s “genius”
As heavy metal found its way into the mainstream in the early 1980s, Metallica emerged as a thunderous force. Amidst the bands of the Sunset Strip, where flamboyant hair and soaring high notes took precedence, Metallica, led by James Hetfield, stood out. Hetfield, one of the sonic architects alongside Lars Ulrich, considered an essential element in their sound.
While Hetfield and Ulrich were the driving forces behind the thrash legends, crafting songs and determining arrangements, the early days saw Dave Mustaine contributing significantly. Yet, Hetfield, the riff machine, played a pivotal role, creating powerful musical pieces across albums like Kιll Em All and Ride the Lightning. However, the band’s enduring musical genius was embodied by Cliff Burton.
Burton, not a traditional heavy metal enthusiast, brought diverse musical influences to Metallica. Well-versed in genres ranging from Kate Bush to Lynyrd Skynyrd, he infused harmony into the mix, having studied musical theory before joining the band.
On albums like Master of Puppets, Hetfield acknowledged Burton’s indispensable contributions, describing him as a “genius at harmonies, and layering, and unique phrasing.” Burton’s classical approach and unconventional sound, particularly on ‘Orion,’ marked a turning point, where he showcased his musical prowess with an eight-minute instrumental that included a monumental bass break, overshadowing even the guitars.
Burton’s influence went beyond his time with Metallica. His intricate playing, transposing lead guitar lines onto the bass, impacted the band’s approach to harmony in later years. Hetfield internalized Burton’s knowledge of music theory, contributing massive layered harmony parts to songs like ‘Master of Puppets’ and ‘My Friend of Misery.’
Despite the potential for further collaboration, tragedy struck during the Master of Puppets tour when Burton lost his life in a devastating bus аccident. While Metallica continued with Jason Newsted taking Burton’s place, his spirit endures whenever the band performs their classic songs.