Metallica's Reviews

S & M

The Memory Remains--Forever!

There is no doubt in my mind what an amazing and passionate spirit Michael Kamen is...this only made it even more evident. The arrangements, of course, were spectacular, and I cannot think of a single song that did not benefit tremendously from Michael and his orchestra. One could hardly imagine two more different genres of music--and yet the result was such that every note, every majestic chord was exactly where it should be...as if it had been destined from the very beginning, just as Michael said in the liner notes.

I began my musical life through classical music and only later moved into rock when I heard Pink Floyd, with whom Michael collaborated--and for me, having enjoyed both genres, this is the perfect synthesis. Michael describes it as "conducting a conversation between two different worlds that share the language of music. Creating a dialogue between two worlds that celebrate the power of music. I live in both worlds...now, so does Metallica."

I will probably not ever investigate Metallica's other works...for I feel like all that I need to know is right here. This also allows me, I think, to hear this work without the biases that would come with being a harcore fan. I don't put down any songs because of what album they happen to come from. I can find beauty in both "The Call of Ktulu" and "Hero of the Day", "Nothing Else Matters" and "Bleeding Me". I don't know--maybe it's true that without Michael Kamen's "magical" touch, these songs would be nothing, but what I hear on S & M is utterly gorgeous. To hear these songs with the power of the orchestra is what truly allows me to enjoy this.

Michael himself said it best: "Imagine taking a very stark black and white picture, tough and relentless, unpredictable yet hypnotic--as black and white as a piece of music on paper...as driving and powerfully honest as pumping guitars, bass, drums and voice can be...and adding orchestral light and shade, burts of color, and surprising blocks of sound from all the incredible expressive musical instruments that have been created over hundreds of years to speak and sing our passion, our lives." And they succeeded at this. Somehow, even the song with the grimmest lyrics became part of this great celebration. And that's how I think he was...smiling even through the most difficult things including his diagnosis with multiple sclerosis in 1996. In a different way, I truly believe Michael Kamen is smiling even now. "I live in both worlds now..."

There is one fact that cannot be denied...Michael Kamen will ALWAYS be remembered. And in this great concert, I feel that I have experienced a celebration of life, a legacy of power.

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