…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.

Former Members: Cliff Burton (RIP)

…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.

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.

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.

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’