One of the Greatest albums EVER
Written: Jul 18 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Some of the best Metal and Metallica songs ever produced
Cons: no epic instrumentals like the Call of Kthulu
The Bottom Line: This album is one of the Finest ever produced, trust me this album isn't just for Metal heads, this album is for everyone
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| ingtar33's Full Review: Metallica by Metallica |
Ah yes, Metallica's “Black” album (so named due to the black cover and lack of an official name). This is the album which launched Metallica from the realm of underground Metal band into mainstream rockers. This album was first released in 1991, and its first single “Enter Sandman” was a huge hit, giving the land of heavy metal its first true breakthrough song (this is disputable due to the fact that such bands as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath (pre-80's) were considered the founders of Heavy Metal, and were huge successes in the arena rock scene of the '70's; however their sound can only be truly qualified as classic-hard rock by modern standards). That's right, I just succeeded in placing Metallica's name in the same sentence as such giants of rock as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. The reason that I graced them with that comparison is that it's now been 20 years since their inception and while their sound has changed over the years, they are still producing top 10 hits consistently.
The “Black” album is, while not my favorite Metallica album (undisputedly Master of Puppets will always hold that distinction with me) is one of the greatest albums I have ever had the honor of listening to. If only I were possibly able write down all the times one of my pop music loving friends scrunched their face up at the idea of listening to metal, then watch their face turn to a look of wonder at this absolute master piece Id be able to write a book.
This album is what happens when everything goes right in the creative process, the guitars of Hetfield and Hammett rock ceaselessly throughout, blending with the great bass of Newstead and the drums of Ulrich to create not just a great heavy metal sound but a great harmonizing organized sound which is missing from most of the world of heavy metal. That is probably the reason why this album rocks so well, with none of the unconstrained chaos that is so prevalent throughout the metal world, Metallica fires on all cylinders throughout this album to create great Metal song after great metal song. In short these are songs you'll want to sing along to at the top of your lungs. The best part about this album is that there are no real weak points; no songs that make you want to cover your ears and no songs you want to skip. That's right, this is one of those rare gems in the music world, an album you can listen to front to back. Somehow, through all of this Metallica is able to keep this whole album a Heavy Metal album.
The play list:
Enter Sandman: what more can be said about the most popular Metallica song ever? This song is a rollarcoaster ride of unbridled energy, with one of the most recognizable opening guitar riffs in the world. Despite this song being overplayed, that opening riff still brings people's heads up and smiles to their faces. Between its hard-edged sound and Hetfield's ability to sing metal in understandable lyrics this song is an undisputable classic.
Sad But True: a great metal song with a catch tune, this is the song that Kid Rock ripped (with Metallica's permission) for his song American Badass, and while I'm not a fan of kid rock I still liked that song if for no other reason than it had an amazing tune. This is a song which more than pleases even the heaviest metal fan with its slamming bass and pace.
Holier than Thou: This song follows on the heals of Sad but True and where Sad but True was slow and methodic, this song is fast and furious. This is a great song which really is made and distinguished by Hetfield's vocals.
The Unforgiven: This song will always find its way into my top ten Metallica song list if for no other reason than the fact that they were able to successfully create a ballad out of a straight up heavy metal song. There is nothing soft about this song, except for the bridge, where it is not soft as so much as it is lacking the growling guitar of Hammett.
Wherever I May Roam: This is perhaps the most popular song on the album amongst hard-core Metallica fans (fans who followed the band through their first 4 albums). It is highlighted with a trademark opening riff, and some of the most powerful lyrics on the album.
Don't Tread on Me: A tremendous metal song with great motion, this song has a swaying sound that is intoxicating to hear. For those of you truly interesting in something… I think that this was going to be the title track for the album, if you look closely at the bottom right hand side of the album cover you'll see in a different shade of black a curled snake, the same snake that appeared on the revolutionary war battle flag, which contained those same words (don't tread on me) in bold letters.
Through the Never: This is a classic metal song which could have come off of any of Metallica's previous albums.
Nothing Else Matters: This is the first true ballad that Metallica produced (Fade to Black and One were not really ballads) and it turned out to be one of the most popular songs from the album. This song is a real highlight of this album, and it is punctuated by some great lyrics.
Of Wolf and Man: This song is a classic metal anthem, and is another favorite of the serious Metallica fans.
The God that Failed: This is a tremendous song that could have been found on any number of Metallica albums such as Master of Puppets or And Justice for All, not to mention the tremendous guitar work by Hammett throughout this track.
My Friend of Misery: This is another song in the style of The Unforgiven, a ballad/metal song, only it really isn't all that good of a song, and is probably the only weak point on the album.
The Struggle Within: This is a tremendous way to end an album, with was must be one of the more epic songs on the album; this is a great speed metal song right out of Metallica's past, and it sails all about the spectrum. In short this song has a little bit of everything Metallica
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Waking up
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Epinions.com ID:
ingtar33
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Location: Grand Island, NY
Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Huge fan of Modern/Classic Rock, History Grad Student
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