Metallica-For whom the bell tolls (James voice Change)1984-2011

[@aerobolt256]

The transition from Puppets to Justice/Black era vocals are always mind boggling to me

[@chriswhite2389]

1988-1992 Golden years.

[@madmax0188]

No, 1983-1992

[@AssasC49DT]

@@madmax0188 no, 82-86

[@someboi6972]

@@AssasC49DT 1985-89

[@brodrea7664]

No 81-19 and will always be god

[@SombraJohn_]

1983-1991

[@MullerDololon]

Seattle, 1989 the best

[@LewisJackSpongeLJS]

+Dan Muller you are indeed correct

[@jaymz]

1986-1999 pretty much every show had james best voice, seattle 1989 is just 1 show and it is just like the rest

[@jaymz]

Cameron madden yes, seattle 1989, moscow 1991, san diego 1992 and mexico 1993 just shows how metallicas tours went, they were just like everyone other show in the tours these shows were in.

[@AlexisBlackburn-dz4dy]

1991 is lire 1989

[@poliszslaw5499]

Pfff Seattle 89 just has professional camera work, his best voice was on Gothenburg 87 and Helsinki 88

[@Epiidevvy]

He's technically a better singer now more than ever. He has more range, vocal accuracy and control. He did go through a rough patch in the early 2000s but his old grit has come back to a rate that's actually safe to sing at. The way I see it he sounds like the 1985 version of himself that has just aged and got better at singing. Back in 85 he didn't put that much grit in his vocals at all if you listen, just in the odd bit like he does now.

[@DapperFellowGent]

David Beasley You're absolutely right, it wasn't until Cliff died that he started screaming his head off in anger, causing the grit he's so famous for, but ultimately ruining his voice for a long time until he recovered.

[@Epiidevvy]

DapperFellowGent Agreed. Cliff's passing hit James the hardest arguably. If you listen to the their live shows between 1987 and 1992 he really just belts out vocals in pure spite of the world. A) That much anger is just unhealthy for any one person to harbour. B) It's fabled that it was the recording of the Black Album that "killed" his voice. Or more specifically the recording of 'So What?'. But I beg to differ for two reasons; James himself said he has never truly blown out his voice and secondly, the 1992 recording and live performances of Queen's 'Stone Cold Crazy' utilises his over-distortion method. C) It wasn't until 1993 that he started to take a step back on the vocal distortion so that would imply that it was actually the TWO YEAR long tour they did for the Black Album that took its toll. Great evidence for this is if you are a member of the Metclub head to their live downloads website and download their 1989/02/03 Austin, TX show. Not only is he just screaming through the whole thing he is so heavily intoxicated that it would probably hospitalise someone with a normal alcohol tolerance. If you aren't a Metclub member though I have no doubt it's on KZbin somewhere.

[@DapperFellowGent]

Not to mention being intoxicated lowers your feeling of pain so he couldn't feel all the damage that was being done. The Black Album tour was crazy wasn't it? something like 200 dates a year iirc? Please correct me if I'm wrong, I wasn't around at the time.

[@ssteacup]

He sounds shit now. Sounds like three different people singing one song sometimes lol.

[@robbaleksanderi5897]

@@ssteacup think he sounds alot better now and starting to get some rough tone back. Take the thing that should not be - live 2019, alot better than early 2000s

[@nicksnetwork6726]

it's not really hos voice died, it's the distortion in his voice left

[@novander]

Which preeetty much means it died

[@ijnisus6273]

yeah

[@jacobwooten5137]

I mean he literally blew his voice out so i think "died" is the right term still love him tho

[@zaidaljundi3462]

@@Carnivorous_Pendejo_Rodriguez what is it because of the vocal technique he used or was it because of how he didn’t take a break from touring and kept straining his voice so much? If he took a break in the justice tour instead of just keeping on going, is it possible his voice might still have distortion until well after the black album?

[@StamateTudorGuitar]

@@zaidaljundi3462 technique. After the Black Album he took singing lessons

[@LeonardoLara]

CONSTANT CHILL DEEP INSAEEEEEEEEEEE!!

[@amadeusbirthingman7606]

IMO weakest vocals were 1994-2003. He's been improving ever since, and in 2014 he has an incredible voice for a nearly 51 year old after 13 years of snarling vocals and blowing it twice in 4 years :P

[@rattlehead999]

bro, just listen to him speak nowadays, year 2010+ his voice is so deep, thus, IMO he is capable of singing about 2x more powerful than he did in 1988-1992, but he changed his vocal style and because they have so many live performances he preserves his voice, so he sings much cleaner. Also IMO in 1997-1999, he sang powerfully again. :)

[@TheArnienator]

Crazy Psycho early 1996 was much mor powerfull than later, when the first usually bootlegs from the load-tour were recorded...

[@rattlehead999]

TheArnienator I haven't heard a lot from 1996

[@EliteY33t2]

What about S&M 1999 he had Amazing vocals for that concert/album

[@rattlehead999]

Josh Mullen For SURE!!!

[@F1NALS1N]

'89, '91, '92 were the best.

[@bentomasko8087]

Bobby Jeffers yeah fuck 1990

[@hisarahhere9664]

90 was really good too.

[@jgall30911]

I really like his younger voice, as you can guess kill em all is my favorite

[@goldenwolf8081]

88 is great too it had more grit in it

[@TThatsWhatSheSaid1]

How the hell did his voice change so much between 1988 and 1989? I get aging and alcohol over time and stuff but man it was such a jump between 1 year. Seattle 89 was their absolute best performance btw.

[@NWOWCW4Life1]

Changed it up a bit in his stage presence stance and applying more growling into 1987.

[@nexpro6118]

That concert in, Seattle in 1989 is probably by far the best sounding James sounded and the band played. The dramatic change from early 1989 to late 1989 I think was from his just honestly growing up and stopped getting drunk BEFORE they went on stage and waited until AFRER the show to get drunk. Lol

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Its already there in the garage days (1987) Listen closely , more beefy. Biological, Baritones have often larynx evolution that got thicker , more darker , fuller around 25-30. Take David Coverdale tone between 1973 and the Come taste the band , see the difference already even he sang in wider range. i think the cliff's death wore things darker in James. It can change things , when you live something on that magnitude emotionally. Overall of the band, the 1986 1987 tour , it sounds relentless and more despair in the performance. And of course his voice growl and stuff. The whole disturbing atmosphere developped in Justice album. Things they saw as individuals of life and experiences that grew .

[@antonymalko2009]

He changed where he sang as well. He realised that his voice fits the bass vocal/ baritone sh& with some nice rasp.

[@zyriuz2]

I beg to differ, in Canada 1986 was their most intense show, but I get why Seattle is considered the best because it was recorded in such great quality, but I do wonder if it would have been different if they recorded those Canada shows in 1986 with big budget cameras and soundboards...

[@sigmundfreud8976]

He still sounds pretty good in 1999, the S&M was a very powerful performance

[@SashaKvashenayaRules]

Classic James Hetfield 1984-1987 - childhood 1988-1992 - young and dangerous 1993-1995 - illness and death

[@ShadowKiller571]

A little harsh there with 93-95 don't ya think? Lmao

[@JantheYeen]

@@ShadowKiller571 sounds like he don't like his voice after the Black Album

[@jaxon1913.]

1993? Have you heard the mexico city concert in 1993?

[@ogorkiszony_]

​@@jaxon1913.for most of the concert he has weak vocals before using more distortion towards the end

[@goldenwolf8081]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@jaxon1913.honestly although his voice was struggling a lot in 93 at times he would use his rasp again on and off but in 93 his voice was still pretty awesome like in that Mexico City concert

[@SuperGeckogreen]

Metallica were definatly at thier best in the late 80's / early 90's

[@ohnoemynameistaken]

The sad true, we all get old :(

[@christhenademan13]

ohnoemynameistaken you're goddamn right

[@bjorksarmpits148]

ohnoemynameistaken it's not that, it's that he never took care of his voice, same with Dave Mustaine, except Dave tore it up much worse than James ever did

[@Vorticy135]

Meme Thief Dave also got throat surgery

[@diego67.5]

Is sad but true

[@Anjohl]

Jame's peak live was the Justice tour, the band's peak as a performing act was the Justice tour. Jame's best recorded vocals was the new disc of Garage Inc, as was the band's. They never sounded tighter.

[@tvalla]

Anjohl I really love Garage Inc. Nice vocals (also Re Load).

[@TheOnlyBasketCase]

Too bad Cliff Didn't make it... I always wondered how they would've been if he was still around.

[@TheGawron666]

@@TheOnlyBasketCase On AJFA you would hear the bass, Black album would be better, Load and Reload would be earlier and also would be even better

[@jantzenallen3077]

I think personally there peak live sound was the black album tour

[@victorluisandrade5251]

I actually love the Metallica-Family-You-Look-Beautiful James

[@sulovet]

did this video seriously start with greenday....?

[@narusask21]

No. This video starts with Blue Day

[@joshspring6144]

Sulove Tripathee sadly

[@barbutahelmet8966]

With two, ironically enough.

[@Padre619]

@@barbutahelmet8966 lol

[@Antonio-sc4ri]

greenday sucks

[@Defensive_Wounds]

Four things to consider - 1. our voices degrade and change over time as we age, his being used to its limits when touring and making albums is under more stress than a regular persons voice is. 2. Each live gig is different, one night he might feel good and voice is fine so it sounds decent then another night he might have the flu or something and not sound that good. 3. They did different tuning and altered bits of the way they play the songs including how he sang the lyrics as they want variation when singing them as much as fans do when hearing it - nobody wants a clone of the albums otherwise why bother going to see them live in concert!?. 4. He said in 1993 that he started professional singing tutoring because he was damaging his voice so he had to alter the way he sang to save his voice so that he can continue to sing at-all.

[@nexpro6118]

That concert in, Seattle in 1989 is probably by far the best sounding James sounded and the band played. The dramatic change from early 1989 to late 1989 I think was from his just honestly growing up and stopped getting drunk BEFORE they went on stage and waited until AFRER the show to get drunk. Lol

[@Andr3]

Bullshit, check out Robert Smith voice

[@amonynous9041]

so he basically has a flu since 93.

[@CBass-nk4eu]

I have a theory that when he blew his voice out during The Black Album, his voice may have came back for a while but I think he did permanent damage and his vocal cords never really healed. So over the years the scarring or whatever just got worse and worse. Either way the man is still my hero

[@Minceontoast2]

Yea I guess his voice was just about to finish up healing and then he ruined it

[@philoyphilia]

He actually messed up his voice during Garage Inc, after rehearsing So What! Proof of this is that while he was touring for the Black Album his voice was raspy as always.

[@nexpro6118]

But even after he blew his vocal cords out in 1992. His voice was still that same powerful sound until around 1999

[@nexpro6118]

That concert in, Seattle in 1989 is probably by far the best sounding James sounded and the band played.

[@DukeDonnerson420]

Yeah I remember James saying somewhere that after he sang the "So What?!" cover, he blew his voice out. Must have been pretty bad. Seems to have happened late 1992 early 1993.

[@machello9]

Best vocals in 1989, best performance of Metallica was in fact in Seattle in 1989! Amazing Hetfield and Amazing concert!

[@poliszslaw5499]

I like more Dallas 89, i just got bored of Seattle show. Too much high sounds, in Dallas the audio was recorded with a great drums sound.

[@beneadie7147]

Matteo Vitali seattle was just an average show for them it was just pro shot lmao

[@nexpro6118]

That concert in, Seattle in 1989 is probably by far the best sounding James sounded and the band played. The dramatic change from early 1989 to late 1989 I think was from his just honestly growing up and stopped getting drunk BEFORE they went on stage and waited until AFRER the show to get drunk. Lol

[@filipkocis3351]

When I listen to some 2019 Metallica concerts, I thing James sings better than in 2000s, it's obviously not like 89 but he's still very good singer

[@nexpro6118]

That concert in, Seattle in 1989 is probably by far the best sounding James sounded and the band played. The dramatic change from early 1989 to late 1989 I think was from his just honestly growing up and stopped getting drunk BEFORE they went on stage and waited until AFRER the show to get drunk. Lol

[@tallycahamuhlhetru26]

'90-'93 His best, imo

[@lukecitron6978]

I think james was at his prime in august 1989

[@patrickcrawford6392]

lmao

[@justempty7036]

​@@patrickcrawford6392 Whats so funny?

[@peskymallard2]

1983 to 20__ are the best years for metallica

[@loganwilsonbmx733]

Steve obed 17

[@timjenkins502]

+Logan Wilson BMX 00

[@loganwilsonbmx733]

timjenkins502 you mean 2099

[@bonusduckmann9997]

Steve obed you need to look for the definition of best you moron

[@Leo-hs4xx]

Benito Faggotini Damn, you are an asshole

[@tonyhoffman4666]

He is still amazing no matter what.. will always be a god of metal..

[@RealIG125]

It’s like when Jason cut his hair, James started losing his voice

[@Brey]

James has said in interviews he hates his old "squeakish" voice. I feel like if he actually liked it he'd still train his vocals to be high-pitched like they were in the 1980s.

[@migcaro7151]

voice is good all along. he just aged and drank alot of liquor

[@thegeokiller1529]

hi Gordon ramsay

[@hkycentral2714]

FUCKING BEER

[@BrandoRando667]

Mig Caro actually no, he blew his voice out on the black album, it had nothing to do with liqior

[@Deltasquad382943]

edgy memes for abandoned children Yeah it did, drinking a lot can cause damage to your vocals. That’s one of the many factors

[@metallicalove4347]

It was not because of drinking. His voice blew out because of long Black Album touring. Man that tour was long from 1991 to 1994

[@donamatto9785]

Always amazes me when I hear people whining that his voice has changed. Of course it has. When they first started out he was just winging it. Around the Justice and Black album era, he started vocal training to actually learn how to sing , hence keep his voice. Humans change as they age, so do the vocal chords.He's been wailing professionally for 36 years for fuck sake!

[@trevorambrose4821]

yeah I use to have that light high pitched voice when I was around 9 to 15 then 16 to 18 I had that crackling voice then 19 to now I'm 22 with a deep voice

[@arealbigchungus]

You're only in your 20s once, luckily James has 4 albums to show for it

[@bendover5105]

Most singers keep their voice tho, james just had it harder

[@Imdone13Gaming]

Some people are blessed with a mainly unchanging voice, look at Rivers Cuomo of Weezer(although he didn’t push himself like James). James might not even have his voice now if he didn’t do the vocal training he did. It’s better to keep yourself healthy rather than kill yourself doing the same old thing.

[@nexpro6118]

@@bendover5105 most singers didn't tour as much as metallica did. I'd say from 1986 to 1998 Metallica toured more than double the other singers. So yeah, his voice went through A TON of stress. More stress than other singers.

[@Virtuoso80]

I really disagree with your analysis. Basically in the 90's he dialed back the growl and started singing cleaner. He was probably killing his vocal chords doing it night in and night out the old way, and couldn't keep it up as he got older.

[@01murph]

I agree 100 %

[@efekoprulu7798]

His false chords were fucked up probably

[@bjorksarmpits148]

Virtuoso80 Jason newsfeed is essentially screaming when he sings, and his voice is much more abrasive than James', but his vocals are fine, because, unlike James, he takes care of it

[@xscorpx]

uhh.... no? Jason growled his vocals but he only had to do it occasionally and at most 1 song a night like seek and destroy. James screamed night after night year after year and it fucked his vocal chords up. He had to learn how to sing with what he had left after he destroyed his most powerful timbre. Sucks but theres nothing him or anyone else could do about it.

[@bjorksarmpits148]

Chris Downey what I am saying is that the reason he lost his voice was due to his own negligence, and we know he could still do those growls well through 1997, because on album for load and reload he does his growls

[@JohnMegaton2062]

He simply matured as a vocalist. He figured out that he better take care of the pipes a little better if he wanted to keep singing. That growling style is murder on the chords over years.

[@TheKane42069]

From the looks of it, he went hardcore until about 91'. After that he realized his vocals would blow at quickly if he kept it up or just couldn't anymore and spent the next 10+ years switching and protecting it. Today we are getting him more refined than he ever had in his career. Which i do not mind at all.

[@FizzyCape]

Lol green day intro

[@narusask21]

Lol an extremely original comment... WOW

[@alexrig379]

That shitty n cringy intro

[@narusask21]

That totally respectful comment

[@nicoconcepcion1027]

I'm still impressed how James changed his voice from his classic screaming kid-toned to his roaring and imposing "man" vocals towards the late 80's to early 90's! If only the damage hadn't already been done early on, he'd probably still have his most incredible vocals to this day, instead of being pretty conservative(which is understandable for his age and condition though) with his singing.

[@jaymz]

2007 sounds like jason on the echos LOL

[@HeavenlyRainPath]

Oh God, I so remember in the 80's the teen boys in my neighborhood and some of the girls who liked Metallica. They all wore the black t-shirts. The atmosphere, feeling in the air, people's mind sets were so different, it's impossible for someone who has never lived through the 80's to fully grasp how different it was. It really was like a different planet.

[@Alex_Martin-CourtingOcean29]

At 6:53 is when that little old James voice gone :_(

[@lucassalazar5458]

Singing like this can do serious damage to your vocal chords if not done properly (even more so than death/black metal vocal styles) Sure Jame's voice isn't what is use to be, but at least he is still able to preform.

[@diogotaira390]

First of all, yeah, he is still great. I don't care if he was greater before. The thing is that he is still at a level that he is able to play, which is great. That's why I went to 2 concerts

[@jacob_mufc2010]

Sadly i was born in 2010 so i never get to experience James's old voice live

[@Salomon_G]

You're hearing any random show when you listen to a single clip from a tour. A singer can randomly sound different on any given night. I'm not saying his voice didn't change over time. But to take one clip from one show and call the whole year that, would likely be inaccurate.

[@christhenademan13]

the 2016 voice is actually powerful

[@RickGrimesS5]

Backfisch 619 It is

[@bjorksarmpits148]

Backfisch 619 it's been getting better since 07

[@trevorambrose4821]

it is man getting older is part of life can't be a kid or teen forever

[@charlesmessina1039]

2007 and up was pretty good

[@zoe-iq8ro]

Seattle 1989... THE BEST

[@Nissardpertugiu]

The San Diego 1992 synthetise everything what James was from 1987, into a more mature and thicker in the same notes and the support and the pitch is so on point . Its really solid

[@tallycahamuhlhetru26]

Yes! One of my favorite James vocal performances. 👊🤘

[@sebabuffa7741]

1994 james' voice died? look at bleeding me in the 99'

[@Al3XGuitarFanatiX3]

R.I.P old badass James' voice

[@smoshfan6729]

Every James vocal up until, like, 1995, is legendary. Now it's not as much, but it's good. Not horrible.

[@BDawg1942]

Damn in December 1992 and 1993 you can clearly hear that he's desperately trying to get his voice to sound like it used to, but we all know James' voice had to change for the worse... Still a great vocalist!

[@bluewhye8832]

I actually quite like his clean load voice it works better as he gets older.

[@aimtenshi]

his voice isn't dying in 1993, he just changes the way he sings since he clearly doesnt like blewing his voice out every time he sings. check out "so what mtv 1996", you'll know how can you say his voice is dying if he is just less harsh on his screaming

[@aimtenshi]

people are so mislead omg

[@goldenwolf8081]

@@aimtenshi honestly lol James still could do his old voice he just doesn’t anymore cause it hurts his throat which I completely understand his voice tho for a dude that’s nearing 60! Is phenomenal!

[@aimtenshi]

​@@goldenwolf8081 he does proper screaming now

[@Ellie-kn7zx]

He actually blew out his old voice during the mid 90s because of excessive touring and alcohol abuse, though he kinda got his old voice back recently.

[@tallycahamuhlhetru26]

He blew out his voice during the recording of "So What!"

[@narusask21]

his voice in early 1992 was amazing too, and in the beginning from the Black Album Anniversary Tour his voice was awesome

[@crucificciones]

James have a great voice!!! Still have it

[@staggered40]

The echo from 1986 gives me chills!! 🤘🤘

[@ontheroadwithyode390]

I remember reading an interview with James around black album era and simply stated he decided to take some vocal training because he realised he was damaging his vocal chords and wanted to be able to continue for years to come. Im glad he did. No, hes not an angry young lad anymore. Thats called maturing. Both physically and mentally.

[@aerobolt256]

The transition between 80’s James and 90’s James happens so fast

[@rockerman8832]

Well, I mean it took around 7 years 😂😂

[@aerobolt256]

@@rockerman8832 I'm saying between MOP Era and Justice/Black Era he goes from looking basically like an older teenager like from KeA-MOP to how he looked and sounded at Seattle '89 in the course of like 1 Year

[@Nissardpertugiu]

​@@aerobolt256 you mist listen his voice in 1987 shows, your answer is right tbere

[@Farewelltokingz]

1989 vocals + cliff would have been probably known as the greatest Metallica era ever

[@goldenwolf8081]

Seattle would have exploded!

[@ShadowKiller571]

Jason still tore shit up though in 89

[@voice_of_g]

You have to admit that the sound engineer on Seattle Concert was also in his best shape haha 🤘🏼

[@wynrod1]

There's a BIG diff between his young voice to his old voice....common sense!

[@jealousy888]

This might be off topic considering the video is about the voice, but I can’t stop listening to the 1986 bass, Cliff was such a genius 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@pelangatun199991]

since 1990 you can hear how technically changes his voice it becomes more harmonic

[@juanrezende4914]

Since 91, actually

[@juanrezende4914]

@@skywalker3975 which moments exactly you're talking? Tell me some of these moments in the Seattle concert. I will see.

[@astrozoo]

into the 90s he stopped grinding his voice, singing cleanly, probably saved his career. James actually blew out his voice on Stone Cold Crazy, so he had to re-boot his singing voice, or not sing at all. He still sounds good

[@-spencemanct-4559]

During the Freddie mercury tribute concert?

[@astrozoo]

@@-spencemanct-4559 Recording as it as cover song, B-side of Enter Sandman single

[@tallycahamuhlhetru26]

No. It was during the recording of "So What."

[@nagybalazs854]

they were the heaviset in 1989 and '91 and '92

[@patrickcrawford6392]

Also, realize that the Seattle 1989 concert was processed in post-production.....I agree his voice was best then but they layered his vocals after the concert.

[@TheAussieStig30]

89 sounds great, but there's also a lot better audio and better PA system I guess. I like the newer James vocals, I think he sounds awesome, it's almost like 2 different people.

[@adrisheri0767]

His Voice is always good. Now he is still a amazing Singer

[@just.emma00]

What I love about this though is that you can tell it’s James, like he still has that sound from when he first recorded his vocals. Even though he’s not as growly or whatever in like 2009, you can still hear that 20 odd year olds voice :’) so unique 😭

[@Npgp2]

I still don't understand how James himself, the rest of the band, the label and management thought it was a good idea to continue touring for 2 years after he blew out his voice again in late 92. Some 93 and 94 shows are alright, but when he goes high in 1994 in this video you can hear he's straining his voice. What I also find strange is how he lost a bit of 'control' along with it, as he's seemingly articulating less from 1995 until recently. Shows between St.Anger and Death Magnetic were especially bad on that front.. Some 2017 and especially 2018 shows seemed a lot better, which makes it even weirder and I'd love to find out what changed in recent years for him to regain articulation and even some growl.

[@hammerhandedhelm]

This is why I always listen to Metallicas before 92 album versions ❤️

[@yu5uck]

This is why proper vocals should be learned early. Just think how godly his voice would be if he had been taught proper technique in the early 80's.

[@nexpro6118]

You really think that singers in the age range of, 18 to 23 are mature enough to use coaching methods for vocal cords? Especially metal band singers that want to keep that badass tough guy look. Lol

[@daniel__emil]

I was born in '95. I can only imagine what it must've been like to hear a peak James sing live in the early '90s.

[@corinaj4182]

I love the James old voice, it was not super great but it was also super great

[@vxm6503]

95 sounds like he’s puberty again

[@JantheYeen]

I honestly like 93- early 2000s, his voice was getting grainier. it sounded more deep and humble, now his voice has a growl to it makes it powerful and absolutely badass.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

The growl came back from rest

[@EyeShotFirst]

Something about when you approach 30 years of age. Find me any male singer who does aggressive vocals in their career, and it's like when they get close to 30, their voice either deepens, softens, or gets rougher. James' voice deepened and softened. Corey Taylor's got deeper and rougher. Jonathan Davis' voice seemed to have gotten higher pitched, probably due to vocal lessons, but it lost it's rasp. Phil Anselmo's got deeper, and rougher, and in recent years lost range. The difference in Phil and the other singers, I think Phil gives probably the least amounts of shits. He smokes like a BBQ pit master, and he screams till his voice is shot, and most shows he barely has a voice left. The other singers I listed before either sought help from vocal trainers or they showed some restraint. Some, like Jonathan Davis and Corey Taylor got better live singing voices as a result. Others just lost their edge. I know for sure, James got help from a vocal trainer, and you can hear it. Even outside of heavy music, a voice changes. Elvis's voice changed. Sinatra's voice changed drastically. Bing Crosby's voice changed. That's just the nature of the voice. James went from a healthy amount of shows, to almost no recovery time, due to the success of the black album, and I think that really wrecked his voice.

[@thebhawks39]

DUDE YES your like the only one who’s said something I literally can’t fucking agree with you more holy fuck

[@ivetazdenkova6756]

Just appreciate that piece of art and dont analyze it. Listen to the show you like, songs you like and let it be. Thats my policy because its obvious bands will never sound the same as in their best years, but still... i am grateful i may listen to them, see them and have respect for them. (Any kind of band I love)

[@alexzemaitis1207]

Seattle 1989, that’s when he went from singing like a boy to a man!!

[@siul98]

This video needs an urgent update, post covid James sounds sick af

[@whateverittakes1673]

He was at his best in 1990 or so but for this song he was the best back in 84 when they recorded RTL. More of a powerful shout back in his early 20s.

[@H.E.M.]

You can notice how the slowed the tempo of the song as well lol I think is mostly old age, but the best is 1989. I love his voice since is deeper and he sounds like a grown man and not a teen

[@Ghosty6464]

My favorite years for James vocals are probably 1986 and the eras of 1996-1999. 1986, because he still has that youthful screamy feeling, whilst being more listenable than before. They were really talented for how young they were. 1996-1999 because he had some amazing talent there for the Load-era and S&M. He was a great singer back then. I used to love 1989 and 1991 as much as everyone else, but I started to appreciate James' earlier vocals more. I think I like him better with a higher voice, like Puppets-era. Alternatively, his more talented singing in 1996-1999 for his versatility.

[@FLixX16]

His voice for sad but true for S&M was amazing. And the end he did that vocal thing and it's still one of my favs. That entire concert he had an amazing voice.

[@EliteY33t2]

He had amazing vocals for the entire S&M album in my opinion

[@EliteY33t2]

S&M he had the best vocals

[@florrmat8925]

It used auto tune

[@kybamclane9357]

@@EliteY33t2 S&M is very autotuned, so it doesn't really count.

[@Muskerius_06]

If the sound quality is improved, 91 is the best

[@epictemptation7350]

I don't see the point in analyzing James voice considering he does a very raw style, not mention it's also careless singing.

[@GOATEDBMW]

12:43 James did really good

[@coolguyponus]

I think now in 2013 James' voice is very sufficient. It will never be the way it was in the 80's, but just listen to it now, it has definitely improved since say 2008. Metallica forever!!!!

[@lightningmonky7674]

He's my favorite metal vocalist of all time, maybe my favorite of any genre

[@SuperT0MaT0]

Is it me, or as James lost his voice, the tone of the guitars lost its balls?

[@RobotCo-Op]

It's not just you, it's anyone with a pair of ears.

[@sillybanana1101]

It's you both . They're still great. They're in their late 50's what do you expect?

[@amyc9137]

He destroyed his vocals and had to stop singing like he was

[@kybamclane9357]

It still has a hell of a lot more balls and distortion than Day On The Green era.

[@thrashhh4457]

I think its because of the speaker old speaker make the guitar sound raw while new speakers makes it more clean and less heavy

[@brayan_lopes]

8:13 he sounds so young here!

[@edwardlawrence-tw3pv]

I like his voice back in 1984 and 1989 when i was young teenager I been to metallica concert many time

[@sant_]

2021 he sounds amazing

[@tomkovjak666]

His live voice with grit had its unexpected yet short resurrection in 2016. Some of his performances that year were the closest thing to 1989 since probably 1992.

[@ronaldothomejunior3702]

5:06 Best vocal James in my opinion! Very tuning and drive;)

[@jaymz]

i really think 1996-1999 was james best voice. it was a mix of his strong rasp and his awesome melodic voice.

[@jaymz]

SourSalsa his singing voice was best at 1996-1999 though

[@kaleesh9170]

Infinity i agree, James was amazing at Cunning Stunts, Seattle '89 show is overrated in my opinion

[@dabob878]

Kaleesh91 cunning stunts is good on some songs but most old songs they played sucked. The Seattle 1989 had crushing godlike vocals but the guitars were a bit out of tune.

[@kaleesh9170]

Nubshooter vocals at Seattle are good, but this show is really overrated in my opinion. And people talks shit about 1996-2000 period because it's cool to hate Load era. But James was always kicking ass and still do today.

[@dabob878]

Kaleesh91 Honestly I do really like the load and reload albums and the eras

[@AB-vl6et]

That's the thing. What people think was "best" voice was just a dangerous, full of incorrect techniques screaming. No surprise he damaged his voice. 1994 record was actually VERY good. Just sang in a different manner. After issues with vocals, he took lotta lessons and found how to "scream" without damaging his vocal cords (so called "false" screaming which isn't super loud and is not pushing too much air thru your vocal cords, which is one of the reasons many vocalists damage their voices)

[@patrickcrawford6392]

This same thing would have happened to Kurt Cobain....hard to sing with that young grit when you get older.

[@goopvvizard3973]

Good thing he exploded his head with a shotgun before that could happen

[@Benjauclml]

1989 and 1992 are the best

[@bispower6]

1987-1992, best james vocals...

[@BandMegatone]

Before 1995 there was still E tune xD

[@paulcrowder]

He lost the vocal fry around 1992. That is what made his classic sound.

[@dinierahulkhan]

I didnt know there could be multiple best voices..

[@yea1874]

Omg the vocals live Seattle August 1989

[@DeRothschild]

He drew out his words slower early on, then got faster over the years.

[@akiladust6063]

1984-1985=Amazing! 1986-1991=Kickass vocals ! (My personal favorite) 1992=Great Vocals 1993=Not bad 1994-1998= Weak 1999-2004=Ok,not bad, but not that much 2006-2014= The same 2015 to present= Not bad

[@goldenwolf8081]

2021-present day: legendary vocals once again like 89’-91’ part 2!