No well-known drummer gets more jokes about than Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. No one is in the crossfire of criticism more often than him (at least on the Internet, where there is never a shortage of critics), and no one is the subject of memes more often.
On the other hand: No drummer has shaped and invented heavy metal as decisively as the native Dane – and not only as a drummer, but also as a songwriter, band founder, co-leader, arranger, mouthpiece and in many other functions. Reason enough to ask ourselves the question: Is Lars Ulrich actually a good drummer?
Why should Lars Ulrich actually be a bad drummer?
Let’s put the question the other way around: Why should Lars Ulrich actually be a bad drummer? Many criticize Ulrich’s timing. Still others think that his grooves are always very basic, never sophisticated or even virtuoso. After all, there are a lot of virtuoso drummers, especially in the metal sector – and Ulrich is not generally considered one of them. People often make fun of the fact that he supposedly always plays the same snare fills or always hits the cymbals on number one. Often just rowing over it, regardless of losses and groove.
In addition, he is quite a polarizing figure. Not just since the documentary “Some Kind Of Monster” and the lawsuit against Napster, but of course especially because of that. We know enough behind-the-scenes material from Metallica’s rehearsals and studio recordings – and of course, Ulrich (just like Kirk Hammett) doesn’t always immediately succeed in a creative or playful stroke of luck on his instrument. One or two frustrated looks from colleague Hetfield are certainly open to interpretation. Lars Ulrich is neither “The Atomic Clock” (that’s his drum colleague Gene Hoglan) nor the definition of “in the pocket”.
Lars Ulrich: That’s what his colleagues say about the question
But what do the others actually mean? Let’s let Dave Lombardo have his say. He is considered one of the technically best metal drummers ever, wrote thrash history with Slayer and also played in numerous other great bands. When asked whether Lars was a good drummer, Lombardo answered in an interview with metal hammer: “I admonish people who talk shit about him, I don’t like it. You have to accept who Lars is and his contribution to Metallica’s sound.”
Gojira drummer Mario Duplantier has an even more detailed opinion: “We have to give him justice because it’s not about increasing the tempo. It’s about what he created in the past. I’m a little tired of seeing all this talk about Lars because what he created is pretty unique. Listen to the damn …And Justice For All. It’s amazing,” said the drummer in an interview with “revolver“. Duplantier continued: “It wasn’t about the technique, you know? ‘Is it tight? He plays [gut]?’ I didn’t care. I just saw someone behind the drums. A real personality.”
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong also praises Ulrich. “Lars has a really unorthodox way of playing. I think he’s a really creative drummer. I think that the metal drummers in his genre, who were influenced by Metallica, studied a lot from the way other people play,” he said in an interview with Howard Stern.
Armstrong continued: “But I think the way he and James Hetfield play together, they’re just in lockstep. His drum fills are completely different than the way Lars plays. I really like the way Lars plays. He’s a great drummer.” Armstrong’s bandmate Tré Cool thought so too, adding: “And his energy is infectious. He’s like a heavy metal muppet.”
So what now: Is Lars Ulrich a good drummer?
Lars Ulrich is probably the most important metal drummer of all time. Not technically – there are plenty of others who can hold a candle to him. But that’s not what Ulrich is about. Lars Ulrich created the greatest metal band of all time with Metallica, influenced and shaped generations of drummers with his drumming and is easily recognizable. Without Metallica and therefore without Lars Ulrich, the metal genre wouldn’t be the same. Lars Ulrich is a trailblazer, a pioneer and one of the few superstars the genre has actually produced. We still talk today about his questionable but somehow fascinating snare on St. Anger. Even at over 60 years old, Metallica still fills stadiums. Sure, the author of these lines has also experienced a Metallica concert where the groove spark didn’t quite jump over – particularly noticeable because Slayer played before Metallica, back then with Dave Lombardo (right, on the Big 4 – tour) 2010.
Mocking Lars Ulrich has become a sport or a kind of running gag on the internet – but it’s actually pretty cheap. It’s as original as making Coldplay or Nickelback jokes in 2024.
Lars Ulrich is definitely not a genius as a drummer and, technically speaking, not the best drummer either. He is neither Dave Lombardo nor Mike Portnoy, neither Gene Hoglan nor Mike Mangini, nor Mario Duplantier nor – oh my goodness – Terry Bozzio or Neil Peart. The series could be continued. But, again: He is definitely one of the most important metal drummers of all time. Generations of drummers have built on what Ulrich created. And of course, many have outgrown it in terms of play, but that in no way detracts from Ulrich’s contribution.