In a recent interview on the ‘Three Sides of Coin Podcast,’ former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson expressed his admiration for Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich.
Despite past criticisms of Ulrich’s drumming skills, Ellefson holds him in high regard for his musical contributions. Reflecting on a backstage jam in Bulgaria during ‘The Big Four’ tour, where Lars humorously remarked about being the “worst drummer in the room,” Ellefson playfully disagreed, asserting that Ulrich is, in fact, the best drummer in the room.
Ellefson further discussed Ulrich’s musical approach, highlighting his talent for composing songs from the drum kit. Drawing a comparison to Peter Criss of KISS, Ellefson emphasized Ulrich’s role as a “parts guy,” crafting songs within his drumming style:
“He’s a ‘parts guy.’ He’s not worried about playing drums as like, you have to be this proficient guy. He writes songs within his drumming. And I was watching him, and I’m going, ‘He is the Peter Criss of Metallica.’ Because Peter, when you hear that drum solo, dude, that drum solo on KISS ‘Alive!’ (in the middle of their rendition of ‘100,000 Years’) is like, unequaled. His tool is the drum kit. Who the f*ck can compose a song from behind the drum kit? He can! And some of the biggest ones ever in the world.”
Ellefson’s positive comments about Metallica extend beyond Ulrich. In another interview with the ‘Plus One: A Rock N Roll Podcast,’ he praised the band’s members as kind, gracious, and cool individuals. He said:
“They’re kind, they’re gracious, they’re cool guys. Their whole organization is a well-oiled, huge operation. It’s like the Microsoft of metal. And it’s run very well. And then, when the lights go down and the show starts, all that goes away and you’re just watching — to many, four superheroes; to me, four awesome friends kicking a*s, playing great songs, most of which I’m a fan of. And I say ‘most,’ because, you know — I’d say up through ‘The Black Album,’ for sure.”