Metallica's most well-known, and widely-considered finest, album was released in 1991, and received a phenomenal number one slot both in the US and the UK. The band had broken new ground for mainstream metal, and the first single, "Enter Sandman," remains one of the most popular rock anthems ... Read review
Advantages: Great songs, worth the money. Different. Disadvantages: A little hypocritical!
...While I do not believe Metallica completely "sold out" (at least not at this point in their career), I find it cannot be disputed that the deliberate changes were an attempt to break out into the mainstream (although their previous album "...And Justice For All" did score a chart position of six in the US, due largely to the phenomenal single "One.") It just seems a little hypocritical of, apparently, the most anti-mainstream ... ...you are a fan of Metallica you should most certainly like the album; even if you are just a casual listener you will likely find this album appeals to you more than the others. Beginning with the amazing metal anthem "Enter Sandman," the album starts on a high note, and if you find yourself hating this song then you should probably have re-thought buying the album. Or downloading the MP3 which, we all know, is bad. So we are told. "Sad ... more
Metallica's most well-known, and widely-considered finest, album was released in 1991, and received a phenomenal number one slot both in the US and the UK. The band had broken new ground for mainstream metal, and the first single, "Enter Sandman," remains one of the most popular rock anthems to this day. Naming it after the band could initially give the impression of a "greatest hits" collection, or an album that the band think will be their landmark work. It is clear that the latter is quite applicable here, and I'm uncertain as to how the band saw their future with this change of direction.
Being a huge fan of Metallica's music, I find that this album (unofficially designated as "The Black Album" due to its almost completely black cover which is present, according to Mr. Hetfield, so the listener "is not distracted from the music by artwork") is, on the whole, a fantastic album, however I do not find it their greatest work. The structure, length and style of the songs has obviously been deliberately altered for this record due to Metallica's new association with producer Bob Rock, and this album is certainly more "accessible" than the band's previous four, lesser-known albums; "Kill 'Em All" (1983), "Ride The Lightning" (1984), "Master Of Puppets" (1986) and "...And Justice For All" (1988). These previous offerings featured roughly eight to nine tracks, each occasionally lasting anywhere up to ten minutes, with lengthy guitar, bass and drum solos and drastic rhythm or riff changes within songs. It was also customary to include a lengthy instrumental track, which demonstrates the band's incredible talent, and the lyrics were more rooted in anti-war or anti-democracy themes. These characteristics were all but dropped for The Black Album, and the customary length for songs was five minutes.
While I do not believe Metallica completely "sold out" (at least not at this point in their career), I find it cannot be disputed that the deliberate changes were an attempt to break out into the mainstream (although their previous album "...And Justice For All" did score a chart position of six in the US, due largely to the phenomenal single "One.") It just seems a little hypocritical of, apparently, the most anti-mainstream metal band of the eighties to suddenly become very popular, especially through music videos and singles (which they had previously vowed never to stoop to). Ironic then that "Metallica" eventually denoted five songs (nearly half the album) to music video creation. Perhaps after the death of bassist Cliff Burton in 1986 the band decided to rethink their strategies; I suppose everyone likes a bit of money to line their hair.
As for the songs, the albums is not bad at all, and if you are a fan of Metallica you should most certainly like the album; even if you are just a casual listener you will likely find this album appeals to you more than the others. Beginning with the amazing metal anthem "Enter Sandman," the album starts on a high note, and if you find yourself hating this song then you should probably have re-thought buying the album. Or downloading the MP3 which, we all know, is bad. So we are told. "Sad But True" is the second track; a slower, yet even heavier song, the repetitive nature and long pauses between verses should make this stick in your head longer than most. The riff will sound familiar if anyone happens to be a Kid Rock fan, as it was "borrowed" for the wannabe cowboy dumbass for his "American Bad Ass", most standable track he has produced, single. Track three, "Holier Than Thou", is nothing special really; although enjoyable and featuring the most harsh language on the entire album (the "c" word used to describe human excrement), the song is fairly short and nothing that hasn?t been heard before. Nice and fast though.
Possibly my favourite tracks on the album, "The Unforgiven" and "Wherever I May Roam" were also released as very popular singles. "The Unforgiven" is one of the album's two light, harmonic pieces, featuring James Hetfield's singing voice in the chorus and a clean guitar tune throughout. An amazing song that I would recommend. The latter track, "Wherever I May Roam," begins sounding similar in speed and context (with a gong "bwosh!" and slow, Asian-esque guitar tune), before speeding up into another amazing, and also highly repetitive song.
Track six, "Don't Tread On Me," is most likely my worst song on the album. Sounding like some pathetic, unconvincing protest, the song starts with a riff that, I have been told, is a homage to the classic (yeah, right) film "West Side Story." "Through The Never" is a very good song, slightly unoriginal however more so than some on this album, and acts as a very effective filler beginning the second half of the album.
Track eight is the furthest point from the beginning of an album that a song was released, and it is the very popular symphonic "Nothing Else Matters." Foreshadowing the S&M tour at the climax of the 90s, maestro Michael Kamen was drafted in to add a quiet but effective backing track to Metallica's light, clean and lengthy song. I like this song, but I have found there are many people who find the blend of partial symphony makes this the album's finest track by far. Decide for yourselves. The following track is the comedily-named "Of Wolf and Man," which is not even attempting irony at the appearance of the hairy, fanged James Hetfield at the time. Or maybe I imagined the fangs. The song is similar to the style of those from the early part of the album, featuring a heavy riff and interesting, if dubious, lyrics.
The penultimate two songs also appeal to me in a big way, and are slightly tamer than some of those on the album. "The God That Failed" is slower and bass-lead, but at no cost to the power, and features a fantastic clean riff and chorus, while "My Friend Of Misery" is a slower song in much the same style. 'Cept it's longer and it has a really good solo (my personal favourite on the album) that has, in the past, caused an overwhelming desire in me to play on the first Sonic the Hedgehog game, due to its similarity to the music from "Scrap Brain Zone." Both excellent, very often overlooked songs.
The final track, "The Struggle Within," is interesting and enjoyable; just a fast, short song with military drumming at the beginning overlaid with a guitar solo. The riff that appears briefly towards the end is very worth waiting for, and you don?t finish the album on a low, depressing note. Cool song, and bonus points for including the lyric "kicking at a dead horse pleases you."
Overall, the Black Album is a fine, landmark album, and well worth the money; the twelve tracks come in at a little over an hour. This is often viewed as the final album of Metallica's old style, or the beginning of their new. Either way, it does serve to bridge the gap, and was the only thing they released for another six years. How's that for a sales ploy? Enjoy.
Advantages: An album that can always be listened to Disadvantages: Not long enough
...and has a beat with Metallica written all over it. The voice of James Hetfield is at its strongest in this album and his unique sounding singing voice (quite gruff, but at the same time melodic) and the jaw dropping solo by Kirk Hammet and the drum beat of Lars Ulrich all compile to a song that sets up the rest of Metallica - "The Black Album". "Sad But True" is slightly slower than Enter Sandman, but by God it rocks! The lyrics are extremely original ... ...of the world. Whoever said Metallica was a band with no diversity? This album has the largest range of songs I have ever heard! Anyway, back to the song! The solo is very emotional and skilful, as ever! "Of Wolf And Man greets" you with a thumping drumbeat and a mean guitar riff. Metallica live up to their high expectations here and the music and lyrics hit an all time high at this point of the album (following "Nothing Else Matters"). The song is ...
DaveGriffiths 17.05.2003 (18.05.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Metallica [UMD] - Metallica
Advantages: Enter Sandman/The God That Failed Disadvantages: Er, the rest of it
...when I say I believe Metallica are one of the most overrated rock groups of all time and so is this album. Now before you scream at me "but it sold millions!! And it's got Sandman/Unforgiven/Nothing Else Matters on it!!!" In answer to both, yes I know it did, and yes I know it has. But one (admittedly brilliant) track and two fair-to middling power ballads do not make for a great record in my book. If that was the case then Heart's "Bad Animals" ... ...too long on it. Metallica seem to be caught between the devil of 10 minute tunes and the deep blue sea of FM friendly rock. Songs either drag on too long, like Don't Tread On Me, with its unneeded last verse, or are cut short for MTV consumption, as in Struggle Within, which stops just as the band are about to cut loose.
That said, there are two absolute stonkers on here, Enter Sandman is one, it is not just a great song it is one of THE great songs, ...
pinkmatchstick 17.08.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Metallica [UMD] - Metallica
...most common of the entire Metallica collection. The album in my view does have the greatest range of music on it, although i prefer the Master of Puppets album, as it is out and out "old school". The album took 14 months to produce, and anyone who has seen the "a year and a half" video, then they will know that bob rock deserves a lot of credit for the album, love him or hate him he is a hell of a producer!
The Black Album starts with the almighty ... ...days revisited, this is what Metallica do second best (1st best being live performances). This is the type of song that is perfect if you fancy going old school and just letting that long hair fly as you head bang unashamedly in your living room playing the air guitar that your mum and dad bought you for christmas. Nothing Else Matters is the slowest track on the album, and to be honest is definately lyrically one of the finest, second only to Unforgiven, ...
mr_blonde 15.09.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Metallica [UMD] - Metallica
Advantages: Some outstanding tracks of the genre. Disadvantages: Probably won't appeal to "pop kids"!
...just me! Ooops no! This Metallica album is a must-have for people who like this genre as well as hardened Metallica fans. It's a great stonking, chonking beast of an album which drills its way into your mind with heavy riffs, growling vocals and thoughtful lyrics. Little of the sexist 'Spinal Tap' type metal-stereotype crap here.
Realeased in 1991 on the Vertigo label, it is also often referred to as their "Black Album" - for the fact the cover ... ...Produced by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich (both of Metallica) with Bob Rock (well known rock producer god-type person) this is a stunner of an album.
Tracklisting:
Enter Sandman
Sad But True
Holier Than Thou
The Unforgiven
Wherever I may Roam
Don't Tread on Me
Through the Never
Nothing Else Matters
Of Wolf and Man
The God that Failed
My Friend of Misery
The Struggle Within
The band - James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich and Jason ...
blurbubble 03.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Metallica [UMD] - Metallica
Advantages: The best album ever Disadvantages: absolutely not
...youv'e only ever heard one Metallica song, then its most likely to have been this one. It is one of the best songs i have ever heard and is acclaimed around the industry, Still mentioned almost once a month in most magazines. its number one on the album for a reason. If you have not heard this track, you need to. 2: Sad But True
This track is kind of hidden amongst this awesome albums high profile track list. However, don't get me wrong, im not ... ...Holier than thou
Not many Metallica fans favourite, but i like it quite a bit!
4: The unforgiven
Oh my god, this is quality. Not heavy, but superb, simply superb. I can remember occasions where ive played this song over and over for hours! 5: Where ever i may roam
I love the intro to this track. Good lyrics and a great rhythm. 6: dont tread on me
Ok, this isnt "brilliant", but its well good which is the next catagory down!
7: Through the never
...
gavinos 13.04.2001
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