S&M - Metallica > Reviews

Advantages: See above.
Disadvantages: See above.

This is the final album to be released on the Vertigo label after the recent parting of Jason Newstead from THE BAND. For some swansong work with the rest of Metallica, the fans rejoiced that this release was not just the same old hits bashed out unenergetically. OH NO. This is a CD where two very different musical styles met. On 'S&M', the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra under direction by artiste,conductor and composer Michael Kamen worked with ... Read review

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...monster of a jam session. S&M is the result of that meeting - and a damn fine album it is too. ~~The Tracks~~ ~~Disc 2~~ (reviewed first because it is infinitely better than Disc 1) ~Nothing Else Matters(Metallica)~ Whoever told Metallica that they should create a ballad should have been shot at dawn...without the blindfold option. Nothing Else Matters is Metallica’s first ballad, from the ‘Black’ album, and ... Read review

Advantages: Familiar songs with a new twist
Disadvantages: A couple don't work to well

Where exactly James, Lars and Co. got the idea to do this I don’t know (Well, actually I do – Conductor Michael Kamen contacted the band and suggested it) – but I’m glad they did. It’s very rare that a live album manages to capture the energy of the actual performance but Bob Rock, the producer, has managed it. Metallica, not reputed for being the fastest writer’s of songs even managed to pen two new songs to play with the orchestra. In the main ... Read review

Advantages: 2 Disks, 21 Tracks in total
Disadvantages: Not every Metallica fan will like this

S & M: Success & Masterpiece Metallica consist of four members James Hetfield - Guitar and Vocals, Lars Ulrich - Drums, Kirk Hammett - Lead Guitar and Jason Newsted - Bass (present time the bassist is Robert Trujillo) Anyway Metallica's albums are normally recorded with just the four of them but this one has a twist it was recorded live with the San Francisco symphony orchestra. When I bought it the sound was beautifully crafted with all there ... Read review

Advantages: Big Sound, Great New songs
Disadvantages: Old songs may bore some

...most memorable metal songs and S&M is their latest effort. I've been bought up on Heavy Metal music since a toddler and Metallica is my most favourite of all bands. This album was released after their live performance at the Berkley Community Theatre in California, it has always been said that Metallica's live performance have always bettered anything they put down on tape. This is no exception but it has had it's critics- me among them. It is ... Read review

Advantages: Compromise with parents, great compilation, great music
Disadvantages: lacking heavy power chords

S&M.... quite an enigma ain't it?? Only for people who don't know Metallica it is! This album holds every success of the greatest HMetal band together with an `alternative orchestra`. On purchasing this album (and completing my collection, may i add :-) i had a sudden sense of fullfilment flowing through my veins... ...putting it on the cd player i was drawn to the music, but strangely enough, so were my parents and grandparents! They begun ... Read review

Advantages: new, exciting and hot
Disadvantages: some songs sound strange

In the break between songs James Hetfield asked 'Did you hear about rock band playing with the simphony?' No-one often heard abou that. This is really somethin new. It proved that Metallica ain't just simply heavy metal group. It is wider than just rock. Besides, not all songs sound great. Slow ones, like 'Nothing else matters', or 'Bleeding me' are perfect, but some fast and heavy such as 'Master of Puppets' or 'Battery' are a little strange ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful, powerful music enhanced by the orchestra
Disadvantages: Don't expect anything like Nu-Metal noise.

...(S&M original). This is why S&M works as an album. Since it came out, I have heard many of my friends mock Metallica for "doing a Spinal Tap" by performing with Michael Kamen (from movie score fame, with Highlander as one of his many credits) and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. But, and everybody has to concede this, you can't perform with an orchestra if your music is nothing but noise. I may not know the technical terms, but Metallica's ... Read review

Advantages: A "Greatest hits" to buy even if you already have all the songs
Disadvantages: It's not trendy "nu-metal"

A live show with a difference. Instead of just playing their songs as per usual, Metallica enlist the help of a full orchestra to play specially arranged versions of their songs. It's not as original as you may think. Back in the early '70s, Deep Purple released their Concerto For Group And Orchestra, and during the 90s, Apocalyptica released two excellent albums featuring Metallica songs played on cellos. OK, so it's not groundbreakingly original, ... Read review

Advantages: New twist to original classics
Disadvantages: Not all tracks work amazingly well with the orchestra

Wow, this album is incredible. I am a huge Metallica fan and when I discovered that Metallica were performing with an orchestra I was very disturbed and thought that it must be a joke. I instantly believed this to be a bad idea and didnt think that they could pull this off.........but I was VERY wrong. Not only does the addition of a perfectly conducted orchestra amplify the quality of each track, it also adds a whole new feel to Metallica's tracks, ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting crossover
Disadvantages: Doesn't always work

No, not Metallica's new porn video, this is an audacious collaboration between hard rock's most successful outfit and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. It has been attempted before by others of course, but this seems to be the most successful effort yet. To be honest, the orchestra often seem extraneous as the power of the band overwhelms the strings of the classical musicians, and it could almost be a straight 'tallica album at times. Certainly ... Read review

Advantages: This album offers something to everyone, with great musical talent and support from the orchestra.
Disadvantages: I can not think of anything negative about this

In my opinion this is the best that i have EVER listened to. I personally am not really a huge fan of the 'metal' genre of music but i think that this album is just outstanding. Deciding to combine their raw and meaty guitar riffs and drums with the stunning vocals with an orchestra was a fantastic move. This album, in my opinion, is a must for the hardened Metallica and Metal fan but also for those who appreciate good music, something you can rock ... Read review