And Justice For All - Metallica

...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 ...
...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 ... more

…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.
 

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