Metallica's Reviews

S & M

Awesome

First, the setlist is superb, containing a majority of their many hits and including 3 new songs: a kickass single (No Leaf Clover), a short symphonic opener (Ecstasy of Gold), and another solid rocker (-Human). With a few more hits ("Fade to Black," "Orion," and "Ride the Lightning" come to mind) it would be a greatest hits album, althought that would undoubtedly put it onto three CDs.

Metallica's playing and the support of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra are what really make the album, though. 'Tallica rips through tracks like "Master of Puppets" and "Fuel," and Hetfield roars at the crowd. The symphonic accompaniment is wonderful, though hard to describe. The orchestra beautifies each epic track ("Call of Ktulu," "The Outlaw Torn," and "Nothing Else Matters" especially) without watering them down at all; they sound like they are playing notes that you knew were there but Metallica never played. It gives the complex sounds a rich quality without ever sounding, as Amazon reviewer Jerry McCulley put it above, like "one long "Live and Let Die" outtake." You come away convinced that Metallica not only rocks hard but is composed of true musicians.

In short, this is the best album I could have hoped for from an awesome band. It will not disappoint.

Buy this album on Amazon at $22.99