Metallica – S & M

Metallica
Artist: Metallica
Title: S & M
Label: Elektra
Rating: 7.5/10

Metallica, love them or hate them, does exactly what they want when they want, and they do it with uncompromising power and precision. That didn’t change when they decided to do a two-night show with the San Francisco Symphony. And now you can experience that power yourself on their newest release, S & M.

It may first seem that Metallica playing with a symphony is lame idea, but you only need to hear the opening of “Master Of Puppets” to realize that this isn’t an ordinary night of arts and such. The symphony is elegant; at the same time powerful. Those lucky enough to be on hand that night can be heard shouting out the choruses as James Hetfield allows them in on the action. “The Memory Remains” is another masterful piece of metal and brass. Nothing is more energizing than when you hear the crowd singing in unison.

There are also new tracks, “Human” and “No Leaf Clover”. The latter is amazing and continues to prove Metallica’s elegance and fire.

The first disc begins to slow toward the end, but when “For Whom The Bell Tolls” crashes in, you’ll get excited once again. The violins mimic the guitar licks in an ocean of malevolence. With a bittersweet declaration, the symphonic sounds of gunfire bring on “One”. Finally the album ceases, with a calm before the storm on “Battery”.

The only thing I really missed was the absence of more tracks from albums before Metallica. Surprisingly, there was only one song from And Justice For All. No matter. The power is striking and the music is still amazing.

+ rae gun


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