If any of you visit Dooyoo you may know me as Frankingsteins, the Guide for TV and for being an idio...
If any of you visit Dooyoo you may know me as Frankingsteins, the Guide for TV and for being an idiot! Ha ha. No, that last one I just made up. I've just started trying Ciao out for real so please don't read any of my old reviews - they are rubbish.
Member since:26.10.2002
Reviews:32
Members who trust:3
Considered the last album to be made in Metallica's original style, "...And Justice For All" is a very 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 tragic death of bassist Cliff Burton in 1986 (although the "Garage Days Re-Revisited" or "$5.98 EP" recorded the previous year featured six cover songs), "Justice" retains 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 than made up for. The practice of inserting more classical elements into some songs, as had been used to great effect in "Ride The Lightning" (1984) and "Master Of Puppets" (1986) is also present here, with an acoustic, King Arthur-esque
guitar introducing the lengthy title track, and a similar composition both preceding and following the track eight instrumental. However, on the whole I find this (apart from the band's official debut album "Kill 'Em All"), Metallica's least diverse and original album as, although many of the songs are masterpieces (and "One" is certainly among my favourite songs of all time), there is not much variation. While "Puppets" had the fast, thrash songs "Battery" and "Damage, Inc." balanced by symphonic ballads within "Master Of Puppets" and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)," it is only part of the instrumental, and the beginning of "One," which offers any form of contrast to the hard, Slayer-esque heavy metal which makes up the album. Although this is not a problem it does serve to make the album more of an acquired taste, and would most likely not suit every mood. This aside, along with the first signs of the band's desire to make it big by going against their own, self-implemented parameters, "...And Justice For All" is an amazing metal album, and I certainly prefer it to most of their later offerings (except maybe the famous "Black Album.") The tunes feature fantastic riffs, often changing into even catchier riffs half way through songs, and an abundance of guitar solos, however it must be pointed out how similar some of these sound.
The album begins with a guitar build-up, before "Blackened" begins. A pretty basic tune, Blackened features a memorable (if a bit silly) riff, and a great solo. This is followed up by the classic "...And Justice For All"; a controversial poke at the justice system, all instruments working to their full effect to create a truly fantastic piece of music. And that solo at four minutes fifty or so is very worth the wait. Only real problem is the feeling of repetitiveness that creeps in towards the end, but it's soon finished after that.
Track three may initially seem silent until you hear the drums and other instruments fading in for what is truly one of the album's finest songs. "Eye Of The Beholder," which also has the distinction of being my favourite Metallica song title, and features some amazing work all round, with James' voice taking on a new edge as he neither sings nor shouts this tale of the search for freedom. The distorted guitars also sound amazing. After the song comes some more quiet, with the distant sound of shouting, gunfire and a helicopter, but this is simply the prelude at the start of track four...
Of course, the song usually considered to be the album?s best, and my opinion is no different, "One" metaphorically takes the proverbial biscuit of song bestness. I was going so good there as well. The tale of surviving a war, but in a condition that causes a longing for death, is dealt with fantastically, with a pleasant guitar build-up with heavier choruses, leading into the legendary double-bass and palm-muting heavy bit, with James shouting "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." The video's really cool too, and is a favourite of most contemporary bands. Certainly a song that broke and formed new ground. And not forgetting that famous, knackering solo; anyone ever have an Amiga with speakers? I'm sure Kirk Hammet was the inspiration for every low budget game theme from 1990 to '93.
Onto the rest of the album, "The Shortest Straw" is a cool song, but not as special as "One." The song deals with blacklisting, and the high point for me is the solo, accompanied by cool double-bassing; it just doesn't seem to know when to quit! "Harvester Of Sorrow" sounds slightly lacking, as all instruments decide not to take the full-on approach this time, and have a bit of a breather. The song is more a vehicle for James' voice, which is a shame as he doesn't really do anything special with it. "One"-style guitar can also be heard near the start, with a more mellow, chilled out solo accompanying the near-end of this song. It may not be apparent (and it certainly wasn't to me), but the story is that of a drunken and drugged man who torments his family before murdering them. Pretty unpleasant stuff. "The Frayed Ends Of Sanity" is an often-overlooked but very good song which decides to feature some Wizard Of Oz at the start (the march of the Evil Witch's soldiers apparently, but I'm not a particularly avid viewer of such films), and the guitar work is particularly impressive; the solo is once again really cool, as is the alternative riff introduced after four minutes, which is unfortunately quirt short-lived. The song does come in a bit long and repetitive by the end, but the middle bit (with the solos and the like) is certainly very interesting and worth the wait.
Onto the final two tracks, "To live Is To Die" is a tribute to the afore-mentioned Cliff Burton, and the main riff is one which the band used to compose songs around but never decided to use, I think. It's a great riff at that, especially after 4:30, where I feel the song really hits its stride. There is even a quiet, solo portion which eventually builds slowly back into the full instrumental, with James reciting a poem of Cliff's about lies murdering the soul. The acoustic end to the song leads into the very different, middle finger up, youth angst song, "Dyers Eve." A good song, it seems nonetheless a little too fast and heavy for its own good, and ends up as a pretty pale end to an otherwise amazing album. Definitely a classic, although not so much as some of the even earlier work, it did mark the end of an era.
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A great album, and 'One' is one of my favourite songs by any band. ~Liz
Jacobs_bird 04.11.2002 10:11
Not a big fan of there early stuff like this album but good review. J_B :D
Rude 27.10.2002 00:59
Swapping Metallica for Nickleback... are you CRAZY?!?!? Anyyway, great review, I love this album - its where my metallica album collection ends, I can't even be bothered to pirate their newer stuff!! Cheers.
This record has so much good material that it's a shame the production is so shoddy. ... more
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...
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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.
Oct 26th, 2002
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