A Brilliant Combination Of Classical Elegance And Metal Fury
(Rated this album with 10 out of 10) Reviewed by
Alci Rengifo
from El Paso, Texas United States
Out of the weird 80's only Metallica really survives as an essential metal band with a decent amount of influence over artists such as Creed and Korn (for better or worse). Yet they have not been brushed off into the dusty shelves of rock trends that came and went, Metallica still sounds pretty damn good and those who attacked "Load" and "Reload" were deaf to the idea that Metallica can actually play complex, dare I say wonderful-sounding songs. The "S&M" album, their live collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and composer Michael Kamen (who's fame comes mostly from his film scores and hit movie songs such as "Have You Ever Really Love A Woman," I hope that tidbit doesn't make Metallica fanatics cringe), is artistically their most accomplished work because it manages to take the heavy, sometimes voraciously heavy, elements of Metallica's brand of hard rock and elegantly mix it with classical music like no other metal band has ever done. One reason it works so well is because Metallica's songs have never been confined to the borders of their time, like Led Zeppelin they have a sound and lyrical identity that helps them still retain their impact decades after the original release dates. A lot of the arrangements here are epic and grand, such as with "Nothing Else Matters," Metallica's most powerful ballad which here takes a great classic quality, like a wonderful song to listen to in the evening. "The Call Of The Ktulu" also feels like a symphonic blast while "The Memory Remains" has a visceral edge brought-on by the atmospheric violins, this is the same with "Until It Sleeps" which feels more emotional here. James Heatfield's snarling and sometimes meditative vocals along with the band's crunching sound nicely compliment the orchestra's grand brushstrokes. If anything, the orchestral elements make the songs even better than they first were. Even "Sad But True" still sounds threatening with an orchestra back-up as well as "Master Of Puppets." Metal, at least good metal, has always had a kind of symphonic stamp, consider how guitarist Kirk Hammett's fingers dance around the strings. The "S&M" album is for Metallica fans and rockers who enjoy good MUSIC aside from the energetic vibe, it is Metallica's artistic gem and one they can feel proud of when retirement comes (if it ever does).
