Metallica - Harvester of Sorrow (Remastered + Bass)

Support me on Patreon
Hire me on fiverr

Check out Nicholas the 2 cent guy's interview with me!

[PersephonevanderWaard]

My two cents: The opening of the original song opens with drum fills from Lars' snare and toms. These, in my opinion, highlight the album's bone-dry production issues. You've addressed this by making the tom strikes fuller, and bolstered by audible bass (0:06). The snare is less of a harsh, papery thwack; it gels nicely with the toms, much how Nicko McBrain's did on Powerslave (1984). The acoustic prelude doesn't sound radically different, but you can hear the bass rumbling slightly to the right if you listen for it (0:12). The cymbal crash on the downbeat with the power chord is less piercing (0:21). Thirty seconds in, the differences become more apparent: the sound of the wailing ghost can be heard, creeping over the marching toms while Newsted plugs away. The toms see a lot of use in this track, so it's nice to see them augmented so richly. I love those syncopated bass notes that leap out from time to time as well (0:40).

Segueing into the main riff, the snare rolls aren't as loud (0:50), if only because everything else has been lifted up. Lar's kit opens like an attacking octopus, and I can hear all the different layers, slathered with Newsted's warm, menacing tone (0:57). It downright purrs, ready to strike. Hearing Newsted and James' play together (1:03) sounds really cool. The original album doesn't have this extra dimension, or its consequential heaviness. It's jagged and sharp, but something's clearly missing. As the verse begins, this "missing element" (the bass) blooms around the guitar riff. The original verse sounds weirdly empty by comparison, almost skeletal. This works for the guitars, I think; but Lars's drums sound pretty paltry with nothing to clothe them.

As things progress, there's no startling alternation between two equally loud instruments; the snare has been moved behind the guitars slightly. This puts the guitars front and center, with James singing throughout. There's room for Lars' to cut loose (1:49) and still be heard; there's no entanglement when he does: He interjects, only to make room for the others again. The improved snare helps during the crescendo (2:13), followed by a wonderful rumble from Newsted (2:17). There's too many notes to mention, but it's never obtrusive. The instruments can all be heard during interlude post-chorus (2:39): the guitars to the right, the drums to the left, and the bass in the middle. Nothing is crowded.

The verse repeats, followed by the chorus a second time. Newsted's bass continues to sound fresh as hell (3:23). Like Lars, Newsted never interferes with the power chords (3:25). The pre-solo melody isn't drowned out by Lars' snare (3:39). Nor is the solo (though Kirk's notes have more to thread from beginning to end). And once the "cool part" starts (4:25), Newsted, James and Kirk can all be heard playing together. Then, the verse before the acoustic outro, and a final, extra measure to serve as the coda. I dig it.

***

This, like "The Thing that Should Not Be, " is Metallica trying their hand at doom metal. Such songs need all hands on deck. "Thing" was a little lacking in the rhythm section. On Justice, it's even worse because there's no bass! Your inclusion of a burlier rhythm section/bottom end really helps the format cook for both songs. I think this time around it works even better than on "Thing." Newsted just sounds awesome here. Awesome work! Looking forward to seeing what you do next. If you had to do something other than Metallica, I'd love to hear some early Sodom, Megadeth or Mercyful Fate; or maybe a track off Jeff Water's Alice in Hell. \m/

[josephkellett]

I cannot understand why they thought the bass ruined the tone. This sounds fucking incredible. It's so good, that I wont be able to listen to the original anymore.

[hsubassa]

This song just got a lot more heavier...
I love it.

[gbirdo]

Perfect balance of the bass. A lot of people mix the bass too high. I like how it’s just kinda growling under the surface. 🤘🏻

[maclanesmith]

This is what the fans should have been given on the albums release. Sounds better with bass.

[TheDavidish]

0:32 I love the “whooshing” in the background that you can hear in the original but much clearer here. Nice touch

[andrewalexb]

Heaviest things in the universe

1. Black Holes
2. Neutron Stars
3. This Video

[bandy]

Somehow adding the bass made it less muddy, haha. Sounds kinda like the Black Album.

[mag]

Just waiting on that two cents guy to come in and write a thesis on the first 8 seconds of the video.

[Mediogre-]

Dun dun da da
Dede da da da
Dun dun da da
Dede da de da

This part sounds extra perfect. Well done man!

[srds]

2:16 This is the heaviest thing I've ever heard in my life

[stephengallagher]

Lars’ drumming is so damn good in the intro, and then 1:25 that riff, such a simple change up and all hell breaks loose. Great sound with the bass, super job. What a band

[angryspartan]

What is this odd rumbling in my ears? This can't be from justice 😂

[fakirpoo]

DUDE, that super clean buffed up bass line! I think I just soiled myself. Twice.

[rocafella]

Finally!!! After years of asking, you gave me Harvester!!! I love you!!

[fsfbarreira]

This is one of those rare cases when I give a "Like" without even listening to the song!
Amazing as always, with Moscow footage \m/

[anatolydyatlov]

Sweet mother Russia, I was at there on 28th September 1991. Hello Comrades!

[Rmnznh.]

My life suffocates
Planting seeds of hate
I've loved, turned to hate
Trapped far beyond my fate

I give, you take
This life that I forsake
Been cheated of my youth
You turned this lie to truth

Anger, misery
You'll suffer unto me

Harvester of sorrow
(Language of the mad)
Harvester of sorrow

Pure black looking clear
My work is done soon here
Try getting back to me
Get back which used to be

Drink up, shoot in
Let the beatings begin
Distributor of pain
Your loss becomes my gain

Anger, misery
You'll suffer unto me

Harvester of sorrow
(Language of the mad)
Harvester of sorrow

All have said their prayers
Invade their nightmares
To see into my eyes
You'll find where murder lies
Infanticide

Harvester of sorrow
(Language of the mad)
Harvester of sorrow
(Language of the mad)

Harvester of sorrow
Harvester of sorrow
Harvester of sorrow
Harvester of sorrow
Harvester of sorrow
Harvester of sorrow

[jayceledet]

Like someone else said, you aren’t dramatic about the bass. You mix perfectly. Awesome job

[kb]

I got goosebumps when the breakdown hit at 0:1:25 with my highfi headphone setup. I highly recommend listening to this re-masterpiece with a good set of cans!