5 Albums I Can’t Live Without: Lars Ulrich of Metallica

Lars Ulrich reveals his favorite albums that he can’t live without. Metallica‘s drummer Lars Ulrich shares his 5 albums of all time.

Lars Ulrich is a musician from Denmark who was a founding member of the famed heavy metal band Metallica. Ulrich, born on December 26, 1963, in Gentofte, Denmark, went to Los Angeles, California, in the early 1980s and helped shape the road of Metallica, one of history’s most influential and popular heavy metal bands.

Lars Ulrich‘s influence on heavy metal music is huge as drummer and co-songwriter for some songs in Metallica‘s discography. He created the fundamental creative relationship that moved the band’s progress with guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield. Ulrich’s drumming style is defined by its precision, speed, and unique usage of double bass drumming, which has contributed to the definition of the thrash metal genre.

He contributed essentially to Metallica‘s song process, co-writing several of the band’s most memorable songs. His influence on the band’s progression from thrash metal pioneers in the 1980s to mainstream rock giants in the 1990s and beyond is real.

Ulrich was instrumental in opposing Napster and campaigning for musicians’ rights in the digital age, initiating a debate about music piracy and artist compensation. His activities influenced how the music industry views digital distribution and copyright; with this, Metallica reached around $1 Billion in total net worth.

Ulrich has received numerous prizes for his contributions to music over his career, including Grammy prizes and inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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Lars Ulrich’s Favorite Albums That He Can’t Live Without

Metallica‘s famous drummer Lars Ulrich has shared his respect for other legendary musicians. And Ulrich picks his favorite albums he can’t live without. Regardless, he loves to listen to different genres but also loves alternative rock, classical rock, punk rock, and pop-rock musicians, specifically those who influenced him for life.

“Made In Japan” – Deep Purple
“Lightning To The Nations” – Diamond Head
“No Sleep ’Til Hammersmith” – Motörhead
“Definitely Maybe” – Oasis
“Rage Against The Machine” – Rage Against The Machine

1. “Made In Japan” – Deep Purple

“Made in Japan” is a live album released in December 1972 by the British rock band Deep Purple. It has become one of the best live albums in rock history and a milestone for Deep Purple and the hard rock genre.

“Made in Japan,” recorded during Deep Purple’s 1972 tour of Japan, shows the band at the peak of their creative and live performing skills. The CD includes fiery performances of some of the band’s most popular songs, such as “Smoke on the Water,” “Highway Star,” “Child in Time,” and “Space Truckin’.”

Made in Japan’s success can be attributed to several factors:

Performances: Deep Purple’s virtuoso musicians, including Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, Ian Gillan on vocals, and Jon Lord on keyboards, deliver exceptional performances. The band’s energy and tight musicianship shine through in every track.

Setlist: “Made in Japan” showcases Deep Purple’s ability to blend hard rock with progressive and blues influences.

Fans Interaction: The live setting allows for genuine audience engagement, and the enthusiastic response from the Japanese crowd adds to the album’s electric atmosphere.

Iconic Guitar Solo: Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar solo during “Highway Star” is often cited as one of the greatest guitar solos in rock history. Its inclusion on the album contributed to the record’s legendary status.

“Made in Japan” was a commercial success, charting high on worldwide album charts. It established Deep Purple’s position as a famous rock band of the day and influenced musicians and bands in the hard rock and heavy metal genres.

Because of the album’s ongoing success, it has had several reissues and extended editions throughout the years. “Made in Japan” is a famous live album highlighting the strength of Deep Purple’s live performances in the early 1970s. It is regarded as essential listening for rock fans and a turning point in the history of live rock records.

Lars Ulrich shares why he likes Deep Purple’s “Made in Japan” as one of his favorite albums he can’t live without:

“Most bands in 2023, including the one you’re talking to here, the songs don’t vary much from night to night. But if you take a song like ‘Child in Time’ and listen to the recording on Made in Japan, and then listen to the alternate takes from the night before and the night after, it’s insane how different they all are. One night the song is eight minutes long and the other night it’s 11, and it’s all improvised.

The musicians are just jumping out there and seeing where it takes them.”

2. “Lightning To The Nations” – Diamond Head

“Lightning to the Nations” is the self-published first album released in 1980 by the British heavy metal band Diamond Head. While it was not a commercial success upon its first release, it became a cult classic and hugely influenced the growing New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement.

The following are some key points regarding “Lightning to the Nations”:

NWOBHM Pioneer: Diamond Head is often cited as one of the pioneering bands of the NWOBHM movement, alongside groups like Iron Maiden and Saxon. Their sound, characterized by heavy guitar riffs, melodic solos, and powerful vocals, played a crucial role in shaping the burgeoning heavy metal genre in the early ’80s.

Influential Tracks: The album contains some of Diamond Head’s most iconic songs, including “Am I Evil?” and “The Prince.” These tracks are considered genre classics and have been covered by numerous other bands, including Metallica, who helped introduce Diamond Head to a wider audience.

Independent Release: “Lightning to the Nations” was initially released independently by Diamond Head, pressed on their own label, Happy Face Records. This DIY approach was uncommon at the time but foreshadowed the independent and underground ethos that would become more prevalent in the punk and metal scenes.

Later Recognition: While Diamond Head didn’t achieve immediate commercial success, their influence on the metal world grew. Metallica’s covers of their songs on the “Garage Inc.” album introduced a new generation to their music, and the band received more recognition in retrospect.

Legacy: “Lightning to the Nations” is well-known for its raw and explosive sound, which shows the band’s talent and songwriting abilities. It’s a must-have for early heavy metal fans and NWOBHM fans.

3. “No Sleep ’Til Hammersmith” – Motörhead

“No Sleep ’til Hammersmith” is the first live album released by the British heavy metal band Motörhead in 1981. This classic album shows Motörhead at their preparation and is regarded by many as one of the best live recordings in rock and metal history.

The following are some key points regarding “No Sleep ’Til Hammersmith”:

The record shows Motörhead‘s pure energy and intensity live. The band performs a high-octane performance that wonderfully captures their live performances. It is led by the famous Lemmy Kilmister on bass and vocals, Fast Eddie Clarke on guitar, and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor on drums.

Some of Motörhead’s most beloved and lasting songs appear on the album, including “Ace of Spades,” “Overkill,” “Bomber,” and “Motorhead.” These songs have become heavy metal anthems and are staples of the band’s live performances.

“No Sleep ’til Hammersmith” highlights Motörhead’s furious energy and connection with their fans. The passionate response of the audience adds to the album’s electrifying mood.

The album was a financial triumph, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart, marking Motörhead’s first such achievement. It also gained critical praise, which helped to cement the band’s status.

“No Sleep ’til Hammersmith” greatly influenced the heavy metal genre, inspiring innumerable bands and performers. Motörhead’s no-nonsense style and uncompromising attitude were a model for the budding thrash and speed metal genres.

Lemmy Kilmister’s famous reputation as one of rock and metal’s most lasting and revered individuals is reflected in the album. His gravelly vocals, muscular bass playing, and engaging stage presence shine through.

“No Sleep ’til Hammersmith” is a legendary live album and an essential part of Motörhead’s discography.

Lars Ulrich shares why he likes Motörhead’s “No Sleep ’til Hammersmith” as one of his favorite albums he can’t live without:

“The one thing that was different about Motörhead was that they united people from all these different genres,” said Ulrich. “Back in 1980, the music world was way more segregated than it is now. So if you were a heavy metal guy there was a particular look, a uniform. If you were a punk kid it was the same, or an alternative kid, if you liked Joy Division or whatever. Everything was very segregated, especially in England.

“So all these punks, skinheads, alternative kids and metal kids… fucking everybody loved Motörhead. In a time of division and segregation and ‘Fuck you, you can’t be in my gang’ and ‘I don’t wanna be in your gang’ and ‘We’ll beat each other up, football hooligan-style’, Motörhead were the first band to really unite fans across all these different genres. They blew away all that division. That’s an important piece to remember in the story of Motörhead.”

4. “Definitely Maybe” – Oasis

“Definitely Maybe” is the English rock band Oasis‘s debut studio album, released in 1994. It has become famous as one of the albums of the 1990s and was instrumental in reviving British guitar music throughout the Britpop period.

Oasis was at the beginning of the Britpop genre, and “Definitely Maybe” launched their progress to fame. Oasis and other Britpop artists such as Blur and Pulp helped revitalize the British music landscape in the mid-’90s.

The album succeeded commercially, arriving at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and becoming the UK’s fastest-selling debut album.

Among the successful hits on “Definitely Maybe” are “Supersonic,” “Shakermaker,” and the epic “Live Forever.” These songs cemented Oasis’s status and became Britpop for classics.

The album featured Noel and Liam Gallagher’s songwriting collaboration. Noel authored most of the songs and sang lead vocals on several, but Liam’s unique voice and swaggering stage identity made him a legendary frontman.

“Definitely Maybe” is distinguished by its unrepentant rock ‘n’ roll attitude and swagger. The album’s lyrics address youth, revolt, and working-class living themes, which connect with a new generation of music fans.

5. “Rage Against The Machine” – Rage Against The Machine

The self-titled debut album of the American rock band “Rage Against the Machine,” released in 1992, is a critical effort in the alternative rock and rap metal genre. This album is famous for its politically charged lyrics, explosive guitar riffs, and genre-bending sound that challenged musical norms.

The album’s explosive political and social critique is one of its defining features. The lyrics, written by Zack de la Rocha, address problems such as racism, police brutality, and governmental corruption. “Killing in the Name” and “Bullet in the Head” are songs about societal injustice and revolt.

Rage Against the Machine combines rock, metal, and hip-hop sounds to their songs. Tom Morello’s particular guitar technique, including novel effects and noises, substantially contributes to the band’s signature sound.

The band’s political attitude and involvement extended beyond their lyrics. The cover image depicts a Vietnamese Buddhist monk self-immolating in protest of the Vietnam War, emphasizing their dedication to social justice ideals.

Rage Against the Machine’s aggressive and politically driven live shows established their reputation. They were known for their ferocious concerts and frequently used their platform to raise awareness about social and political issues.

The band reformed in the 2000s after a break, and its music has continued to resonate with new generations of fans. They are still a formidable presence in political music and activism.

Lars Ulrich shares why he likes Rage Against The Machine’s “Rage Against The Machine” as one of his favorite albums he can’t live without:

“Other than that, I guess you find you reach out to a lot of your old friends, also. Probably the music that I’ve listened to the most in the last two or three months is Rage Against The Machine. Am I the only one who thinks that their music just grows more and more relevant every day?

It connects more and more to what’s going on in the world. It just feels like all four of those albums were recorded last week. And when I’m doing my sad little exercises, I’ll put them on and go, like, ‘Holy fuck,’ and just hear something in ‘Calm Like A Bomb’ or ‘Sleep Now In The Fire’ or ‘Bombtrack’, and go, ‘Seriously? What the fuck? Where does this even come from?’ So Rage Against The Machine is always a reliable friend.”

What are your thoughts on Metallica‘s drummer Lars Ulrich‘s favorite albums that he can’t live without? Let us know in the comment section!