…And Justice for All is the fourth studio album released by Metallica on 25th August 1988 and was the first to include bassist Jason Newsted as this was the first album released by the band after the tragic death of former bassist Cliff Burton. The album is infamous for its almost inaudible ... Read review
Song-wise, this is probably Metallica's most sophisticated album, exploring the theme of justice and perversions thereof with a vengeance. "One" is one of their best s...
Song-wise, this is probably Metallica's most sophisticated album, exploring the theme of justice and perversions thereof with a vengeance. "One" is one of their best s...
A review by s-gilly on And Justice For All - Metallica June 18th, 2009
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Good
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
Amazingly imense lyrics, very thought envoking
Disadvantages:
Bass is barely audable, NO BURTON, dull sound
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
…And Justice for All is the fourth studio album released by Metallica on 25th August 1988 and was the first to include bassist Jason Newsted as this was the first album released by the band after the tragic death of former bassist Cliff Burton. The album is infamous for its almost inaudible bass sound (the band had yet to get over Burton’s passing) and to me is duller and less lively than previous Metallica albums but I don’t mean that as boring just that the sound itself has always come across dull to me but this may just be that dark subjects that this album covers (Harvester of Sorrow). Regardless, the album is full of amazing riffs and probably has the most complex track structure of all Metallica albums. The album itself has sold over 8 million copies in the USA alone. It was also nominated for the best hard rock/ metal performance Grammy award in 1989 but was beaten with much controversy to Jethro Tull who didn’t even turn up because they didn’t think they had a hope of winning. The album itself deals with topics such as injustice, war and insanity (generally anti-politics type thing) so expect deep lyrics once more from James. The album cover pictures Lady Justice broken and cracked, disrobed and with her scales full of money showing a corrupt Justice system but that my thoughts on it so feel free to take from it what you will.
Lead vocals/ guitar: James Hetfield Drums: Lars Ulrich Bass: Jason Newsted (Newcomer) Lead guitar: Kirk Hammet
Former Members: Cliff Burton (RIP)
Blackened- 6:42 The opening track for the album adds a twist to the standard way Metallica opens their albums. It still has a kind of melodic tune but distorted and quickly builds up until the real madness comes within about 15 seconds. I think madness pretty much covers it as well, the lyrics jump straight out at you marking where Metallica strayed into darker waters and the rhythm as so many layers to it you may as well be counting the layers on an onion. The tune changes countless times as well so for an opening song it really does its job to drag you in to the rest of the album. The solos are incredible and the lyrics live up to what we have come to know from Hetfield. The song is just totally addictive and was actually written by Newsted which shows how much of an impact he would have on Metallica in the future.
…And Justice for All- 9:46 The complexity of this song just shows me what Metallica are capable of and due to this complexity it was only preformed live during the tour that accompanied the album until 2007 (which I actually witnessed at Wembley stadium, ‘twas amazing). An example of this complexity comes right from the beginning as the introduction needs three separate guitars so is usually pre-recorded for live performances. As you could probably guess this song is about corruption and the lack of justice as the chorus promptly states. The song opens with a distorted melody much like Blackened but longer and like I say more complex. The main riff comes in after about a minute along with a mini solo. Quite catchy really. The lyrics begin 2 minutes in and are also really deep but after the many solos and verses in the song it can sometimes begin to bore even the biggest ‘Tallica fans around the eighth or ninth minute.
Eye of the Beholder- 6:26 The tune fades in slowly like Blackened and becomes the tune that will stick with the track until the end. I think the lyrics are what allow this song to be played consistently though the riff is good for nodding along to and the solos are more melodic than thrash but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There’s not much else to say about this song except that it’s about the lack of free speech.
One- 7:26 Here’s a track that I could talk (or rather type) about for ages. It begins with a war scene where gun fire, screaming and helicopter blades then for about 4 minutes the song is very melodic. The lyrics here are incredibly thought provoking as I will explain further down and the tune is one that you will soon become addicted to but its 5 minutes in when you know that you’ll never forget this song as this is when the tempo increases ten fold and Hetfield begins to shout (more so than usual). The next 2 and a half minutes are now filled with a variety of solos from both Kirk and Hetfield and can be described as nothing short of epic. The song won Metallica’s first Grammy in 1990 and is now a permanent fixture in any Metallica set list. Played live there is usually 2 minutes of pyro-techniques and screams from the audience and is probably the most atmospheric experience I have ever seen/ experienced myself. The song itself is based on the 1939 novel Johnny got his Gun which tells the story of a soldier who was hit by German artillery on the last day of World War one and subsequently lost both of his arms, both of his legs, both of his eyes and ears, his nose and mouth but his mind remained still perfectly intact but with no way of communicating is kept alive by machines and the story progresses we see how he eventually communicates, through Morse code, that he wants to be killed but to no avail. The story is truly emotional and very thought provoking, also a film I hope to review at a later date.
The Shortest Straw- 6:35 This track begins with an amazing riff and only gets better but soon gets even better with fast fire lyrics and a great chorus. Just another excuse for me to praise the power of Hetfield’s lyrics here but I’ve never been able to determine what the song is actually about though it does have something to do with the Red Scare and Russia or is derived from there. Either way the lyrics are great but I think the song could do with being split up a bit by a bridge or solo or something along those lines.
Harvester of Sorrow- 5:45 Harvester of Sorrow is an incredibly depressing/ angry song depending on how you look at it. Its super heavy and the lyrics just make you want to break something into tiny, tiny pieces. The riff really sticks in your head and pretty much instantly jumps in the main section of the song. As the song progresses it gets heavier and heavier and the lyrics get better and better until you actually are breaking something but I think that it could use an extra solo to divide the song slightly though the last 2 minutes are pretty much just one solo.
The Frayed Ends of Sanity- 7:43 This track has my favourite intro ever. It begins with a tribal like chant that quickly goes into an incredibly heavy onslaught of amazingly powerful lyrics that just keep flying in and that same riff. If the title of this track didn’t pull you in (it did for me) then the lyrics probably will. ‘Old Habits Reappear Fighting the Fear of Fear Growing Conspiracy Everyone's after Me Frayed Ends of Sanity Hear Them Calling Hear Them Calling Me’ Oh and another point is that though the last songs, I have said could do with a filling in the middle, this song definitely has that in the form of a few immense solos.
To Live is to Die- 9:49 Being the fourth instrumental by Metallica and the first one after Burton’s untimely death is pretty much an entire tribute to him. It contains pieces that were written by Burton and were never released, the title is a commonly used phrase by Burton and is the last song by the band that Burton was given writing credit for. As with all Metallica instrumental, no matter how long, the four musicians manage to continuously change rhythm, tempo and sound whilst adding in a massive array of solos but there’s nothing much here that sets it apart from their other instrumentals.
Dyers Eve- 5:09 I’ve only recently gotten into this song but I’m so glad I did as it is now my favourite ‘Tallica song from …And Justice for All. The lyrics talk about child abuse as near as I can figure though there are a few lines that oppose this statement but again it’s for you to take from it what you will. The tune for this song is absolutely amazing and the lyrics are truly addictive. The track is super heavy and I just think that it’s pretty much just flawless. The solo is so fast and intense you just don’t want it to end but really I think that it’s the lyrics that make this song. ‘Dear Mother Dear Father You Clipped My Wings Before I Learnt to Fly Unspoiled Unspoken I've Outgrown That Fucking Lullaby Same Thing I've Always Heard from You Do as I Say Not as I Do’
This album ends Metallica’s rain in the thrash genre as after this they turned more heavy metal though I still think they’re just as good. Though incredibly dark, this album is very addictive but for a first time Metallica listener I would recommend this album just in case you find it harder to appreciate the intensity of the tracks. Thanks for reading, would love to hear some feedback please.
Advantages: Many good songs, some of which Metallica still play a lot today. Disadvantages: Thrash metal might not suit all tastes, not much in the way of bass.
...crash in Sweden in 1986, and the first original album for new bass player Jason Newsted, who had joined Metallica after leaving Flotsam and Jetsam, another metal band.
=TRACK LISTING=
There are nine tracks on the AJFA album. These are listed below, as well as their duration.
1. Blackened (6:40)
2. ..And Justice For All (9:44)
3. Eye of the Beholder (6:25)
4. One (7:24)
5. The Shortest Straw (6:35)
6. Harvester of Sorrow (5:42)
7. The Frayed ... ...of disenchantment with the 'system' and how things take place in the world.
Inside the cover, is a booklet with all of the lyrics to the songs, some cartoon images and photographs of the band, as well as the usual Metallica messages to fans, friends and bands they've toured with, of the time.
=TRACK ANALYSIS=
1. Blackened.
This track is a fast thrash metal track, as are a lot of the tracks on this album, which seems to deal with how the world ...
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Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
very helpful
21.04.2002
End Of An Era Review ofAnd Justice For All - Metallicaby
gunmenoftheapocalypse
Advantages: Some great, long songs Disadvantages: Not very original
...unique album from the others, and I at least consider it to be their "heaviest" (in terms of riffs and double bass pedal whacking). The album was the first the band promoted with a music video and single release, a practice they had previously been against, for the phenomenal and mould-breaking "One," and it was undoubtedly due to this song that the album scored a chart position of 6 on the US list. The first official album to be made following the ... ...strong Metallica themes of protest, and features what are probably the strongest statements the band have ever made in their songs, against the themes of war, suicide, insanity and the judicial system. There is also an instrumental in memory of Cliff, featuring a short extract from some of his poetry, read by James. At first appearance, nine tracks may not seem like value for money, but with two songs approaching the ten minute barrier it is more ...
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Advantages: Amazing thrash metal album Disadvantages: You can't hear the Bass guitar
...album Metallica have ever made, and is the first with new Bass player Jason Newstead. Unfortunately for Jason (and everyone who has listened to it), the Bass is non-existant! Strangely enough, the sound is very different from the previous three, thus adding to its originality. The guitars are heavier and James Hetfield’s voice is more brutal and raw.
It starts off with “Blackened”, a song about the death of Earth, and just about everything living ... ...who has had his arms and legs blown off and has been blinded and deafened by a landmine in the War. James Hetfield shouts the following lyrics with ferocity:
“Landmine… Has Taken My Sight
Taken My Speech
Taken My Hearing
Taken My Arms
Taken My Legs
Taken My Soul
Left Me with Life in Hell”
Nearing the end of the album, at number eight is “To live is to die”, written by ex Bass player Cliff Burton. It is a beautifully melodic song, and the ...
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Advantages: Metallica doing what they do best - Thrash Metal! Disadvantages: Production qualities could be better.
...is a lot more crushing and technical (riff wise) than any of their other output, and lyrically more profound.
To me a lot of the riff work is bordering on death metal technicality and heaviness, while still retaining the basic thrash metal framework and blistering solos.
The songs are also a lot longer than usual and therefore have plenty of time to expand and develop, but never become tiresome. The guitars have a wonderful crunch, and if you play ... ...particular was distraught with grief, and found it impossible to come to terms with even years later. For a while the band considered carrying on without a bass player, but eventually decided on Jason as a replacement. The lack of bass is not down to bad production so much as James eliminating it because the thought of Jason taking over from his best friend was too much to contemplate.
It is hard to pick a standout track because they all have their ...
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Advantages: James's voice evolution, Jason has joined the band Disadvantages: heavy distortion on james's voice, you can't hear Jason, no more Cliff
...voice has stated to change, and they were trying to make it sound like it did... trust me it doesn’t work... all in all I think that blackened is probably one pf metallica worst sounding songs...
The title song comes next, starting at a rather battery like pace, with a kind of medieval street mandolin playery kind of sounding section, before picking up pace & becoming much more heavy (although it'd be heavier still if I could hear the bass!!). ... ...album, Eye Of The Beholder, and another fade in, although this time it fades in at full pace rather than slower... James starts singing... wow... now you can hear that his voice has really started to change... but you can also hear the studio distortion too... which is rather annoying... this is actually a very good song, with a number of good pace changes that fit in well with the song, and it's very contradictory lyrics...
The sound of gunfire ...
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...In their 5th studio effort, Metallica ditches the 9 minute+ song format and opts for more concise focus on their song structure. Calling on the help of Producer Bob Rock, Metallica delivers a highly polished 12 song masterpiece easily placing itself in the "Albums You MUST Own" catergory. The album's cuts pull from Metallica's entire catalog, but they are by no means rehashing old methods, this is an entirely new approach to songwriting for the 4 boys from Cali. Yet some songs are, to the more discerning Metallica ear almost able to fit on other albums. "Through the Never" could go on "Master of Puppets" and "Of Wolf and Man" reflects back to the more progressive "...And Justice for All." Metallica does, however stick to their usual album format. First song, fast and furious. Second song, Title Track. Third, heavy and a fourth song...
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Advantages: Broken, Beat and Scarred, All Nightmare Long and The Judas Kiss. Disadvantages: None!
...Nightmare Long, The Judas Kiss and Unforgiven 3, which follows on from it's predecessors with style.
It is fantastic to see my favourite band back on form with an album that seems to be the missing link between ....And Justice For All and the band's self titled Metallica (The Black Album). A recent live show in London showed them to be meshing the new tracks with the classics effortlessly, something they have avoided with St Anger.
If there is one message this album can leave for doubters after St Anger, it is a line from Broken Beat and Scarred...
"What doesn't kill ya.. MAKES YA MORE STRONG!!"...
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Advantages: Not as bad as St. Anger Disadvantages: Not quite the next "Master of Puppets" they led us to believe it would be.
...Metallica move on from the disappointing "St. Anger" to their new release "Death Magentic". Out go the dustbin lid drums and lack of solos, in are well crafted songs, some great solos from lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and far better production than "St. Anger". This album has more in common with the albums "Load" and ReLoad" in my opinion with little hints of the band's past classics "Master of Puppets", "Ride the Lightning" and "...And Justice For All". The songs are by no means the chorus heavy songs of the Load and ReLoad eras and the shortest song on the album is still over five minutes with the majority of the tracks 7 minutes-plus.
Opening track "That Was Just Your Life" starts the album off strongly with some very "Kill 'Em All" - era style riffs.
"The End Of The Line" is 7 minutes 52 seconds of brutal guitars and some almost...
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Album Notes: Full title: ...And Justice For All. Metallica: James Hetfield (vocals, guitar); Kirk Hammett (guitar); Jason Newsted (bass); Lars Ulrich (drums). Recorded at One To One Studio, Los Angeles, California between January & May 1988. Following the tragic death of bassist Cliff Burton, Metallica regrouped with Flotsam & Jetsam bassist Jason Newsted to record this ambitious double album. Metallica made their reputation playing complex music at superhuman speed, and when James Hetfield's lyrics caught up with his compositional skills, the band became a force to be reckoned with. Everything came together on 1986's MASTER OF PUPPETS, and JUSTICE picks up where PUPPETS left off. Utilizing intricate yet crunching riffs, layered guitar melodies and intelligent lyrics, Metallica forged an identity as the leader of '80s metal. Hetfield's lyrics are often quite dark, touching on injustice (the title song), insanity ("The Frayed Ends Of Sanity") and his own troubled childhood ("Dyers Eve"). They also had a progressive streak a mile wide, as shown in the involved arrangements that often brought the song lengths close to 10 minutes. JUSTICE also marked a turning point for drummer Lars Ulrich, who began replacing his off-kilter playing with a more straightforward groove approach, and for the band, who made their first video (for "One") and thus scored their first hit.
Album Reviews: Q (Summer/01, p.127) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Featured much overblown riffage and the future classic 'One'..."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Blackened
2.: Eye Of The Beholder
3.: Shortest Straw
4.: Frayed Ends Of Sanity
5.: Dyes Eve
6.: And Justice For All
7.: One
8.: Harvester Of Sorrow
9.: To Live Is To Die
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