Tornado of Souls vs One solos

My top 2 solos of all time. I'll go with One, but it's so close. I could go ToS easily too.

ToS. One has a great solo, too, but the solo isn’t the highlight of that song to me, whereas the solo in ToS might just be the best part of that song.

Generally speaking, though, I love Kirk’s solos up through (some of) TBA. He’s not the most technically accomplished soloist in thrash, but he has some of the most memorable and fitting solos in the genre.

Pethead wrote:ToS. One has a great solo, too, but the solo isn’t the highlight of that song to me, whereas the solo in ToS might just be the best part of that song.

Generally speaking, though, I love Kirk’s solos up through (some of) TBA. He’s not the most technically accomplished soloist in thrash, but he has some of the most memorable and fitting solos in the genre.

It's kind of impossible to choose a highlight for One, as it's almost more about the story that each individual part. But yeah, with ToS, my favorite part is either the solo or the chorus.

And I agree, Kirk is (oddly enough, considering he's in the most popular metal band ever) kind of an underrated soloist.

Kirk has been, with few exceptions, mediocre since the mid-90s.

His work on the first 5 Metallica albums is stellar, though. Especially Justice.

MagnusPrime wrote:Kirk has been, with few exceptions, mediocre since the mid-90s.

His work on the first 5 Metallica albums is stellar, though. Especially Justice.

I was mainly referring to the first 5. I agree that recently hasn't been the best, though Room of Mirrors has an amazing solo imo

I’ve always loved the solo on One because it fits perfect and comes across very urgent, but Tornado is built better and more colorful.

ToS easily. Kirk is good but he's not a top tier guitar player and he rips on soloing lately which is odd.

Are you saying you condemn Kirk to hell but not Marty because you worship Megadeth?!?!

(That’s what we do here, right?)

Stryper remains at the high places though. Take your offerings there.

I shall present an offering of spandex and hair spray.

The final One solo gets out of key at times so this is an easy choice.

MagnusPrime wrote:Kirk has been, with few exceptions, mediocre since the mid-90s.

His work on the first 5 Metallica albums is stellar, though. Especially Justice.

He's been AWFUL since the mid-90s and so has Lars.  Worse than local bands of most any decent-sized town.

For years I have wanted Arthur Vinnett (Intruder) to replace him and get John Tempesta (Testament, Exodus, The Cult, White Zombie) on drums.  Then Metallica would start sounding amazing live again.

It seems to me that both just got lazy. I’m not saying James is near the standard he was in the 80s either, but he does seem to at least try more than they do.

Pethead wrote:It seems to me that both just got lazy. I’m not saying James is near the standard he was in the 80s either, but he does seem to at least try more than they do.

Absolutely.

Having tons of money and trying to be a rock star is antithetical to being a good thrash band.  These guys wanted to be rock stars more than musicians and it shows.

James is fine IMHO, but I think he needs some real collaborators if he's ever going to write anything good again.  Trujillo is really good.  The other two should've been fired.  This is one advantage bands like Megadeth, Testament, and Death had over Metallica ... they were willing to fire people instead of permanently lowering their standards.

Great point.

Tempesta would be awesome. What a different dynamic.

Black Rider wrote:Tempesta would be awesome. What a different dynamic.

He has great hands and isn't just a speed drummer although he's capable of it.  Very tasty, tight playing and a lover of 70s metal like they are.

Black Rider wrote:ToS easily. Kirk is good but he's not a top tier guitar player and he rips on soloing lately which is odd.

This isn't a Marty vs Kirk poll lol

Pethead wrote:It seems to me that both just got lazy. I’m not saying James is near the standard he was in the 80s either, but he does seem to at least try more than they do.

They are all very wealthy. They lost the hunger… but yeah, Hetfield still puts a lot more effort than the other two guys. Nothing against Robert Trujillo. He’s a great bassist. There is a reason he was a sought after studio player by Ozzy and Jerry Cantrell. In my opinion, he was perfect in Suicidal Tendencies!

He’s a great bassist for sure.

This is like Jr. High vs PHD level.

"One" is known for its subject matter, steady build up, and then unleashing full intensity. The solos are low on the totem pole.  The solo fits the song and enhances it, but nowhere near the level of the other 1/2 of Cacophony's masterpiece.  When one thinks of Tornado, the first thing is 'best of the best solos' and completely dwarfs the song because it is so well-crafted and performed.  Marty even builds his stage act around this solo.

It's like a Super Bowl winner playing a pee-wee football team. Alright, I keed.  I keed.  But, by isolating the solos its not even a contest to me.  I suppose if you just love the production on AJFA so much that every note blows away RIP, you could go with "One," but I really don't see it.

I voted for ToS, but no answer is right because it’s a matter of taste and opinion. Some people like the “less is more” approach. Overplaying can also sometimes take away from the song. 

If you look at a band like Pink Floyd, the minimalist approach that David Gilmour uses fits perfectly and is emotive. 

Kirk’s flurry of notes fits the song. And I like that he used clean guitar for most of it. The bending notes during the initial buildup sounds fantastic. It adds dark and moody atmosphere.

Superjuice wrote:This is like Jr. High vs PHD level.

"One" is known for its subject matter, steady build up, and then unleashing full intensity. The solos are low on the totem pole.  The solo fits the song and enhances it, but nowhere near the level of the other 1/2 of Cacophony's masterpiece.  When one thinks of Tornado, the first thing is 'best of the best solos' and completely dwarfs the song because it is so well-crafted and performed.  Marty even builds his stage act around this solo.

It's like a Super Bowl winner playing a pee-wee football team. Alright, I keed.  I keed.  But, by isolating the solos its not even a contest to me.  I suppose if you just love the production on AJFA so much that every note blows away RIP, you could go with "One," but I really don't see it.

Okay, Tornado's is a better solo. But One's solo is a better song moment.