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From the Vault...
02/08/1998
#563 |
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info
Metallica
"Metallica"
© Elektra Records
Year of Release: 1991
Rating:
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track listing
Enter Sandman
Sad But True
Holier Than You
The Unforgiven
Wherever I May Roam
Don't Tread On Me
Through The Never
Nothing Else Matters
Of Wolf And Man
The God That Failed
My Friend Of Misery
The Struggle Within
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WSVNRadio Archives
Metallica related sites:
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Metallica "Metallica"
From the dark corners of hardcore rock, Metallica
finally received the recognition they deserved with
their 1991 self-titled release, Metallica. Since
their debut album in 1983, the self-titled Metallica
put the group on the map as one of the many Monsters of
Rock, and became a huge success in the area of hard rock.
What can't be said about this album, other than it
being one of the very best in the area of hard, hard rock?
Enter Sandman starts the album with a huge kick,
as it was probably the main song that would stand out as
THE song for this album. But not only does the Sandman
tune represent great status, so does the rest of the album.
Sad But True is another 'grab your guts for attention' tune.
The Unforgiven was another radio favorite, as it slowed
down the usual hardcore rockin' style that Metallica represents.
Holier Than Thou may not be best remembered, but like
the many hard-rockin' songs, it follows the tradition of
Metallica being a band that knows how to present kick-butt
hardcore rock.
And then there's Wherever I May Roam -- a song that
received radio airplay and video exposure, yet it is another
great kick-butt tune.
The remaining tunes are songs that didn't receive any real major
airplay, but it follows the previous tunes' style of hard-driving
crunching guitar hardcore rock, with the exception of
Nothing Else Matters, a slow-paced ballad type song,
like The Unforgiven. Some of these songs did get
some video exposure on the late-night MTV program, The
Headbanger's Ball, where many videos by other hardcore
metal bands displaying their so-called "gloom and doom" rock.
The fact is that Metallica's lyrics focus on obsessions
most people don't like to talk about, like anger, drugs,
fear, violence, and death. Where most people may not
understand the loud, screaming lyrics in the songs, the
Metallica album contains lyrics for each song, which to
most people (like myself), is a big plus. And, I as browsed
through the lyric sheets, the songs do feature those obsessions.
Only rock musicians can sincerely express these issues best,
in their own musical ways.
Of the hard-driving rock tunes, they do give you somewhat
of an eerie feeling. They could be used for one of those
late night, midnight showings of horror films. This hardcore
music also brings out the 'bad' image (or even worse, the evil)
in all of us. Where most fans of hardcore rock display their
long hair, leather jackets, and love for sex, drugs and rock
and roll. (Well, maybe not in that order.)
And, you can't help but to raise your fist in the air, and
present your best Beavis & Butthead imitation, boppin' your
head up and down to the driving music. Likewise, playing
your best air guitar, and again, imitating Beavis and Butthead
singing out the loud guitar parts.
The Metallica album defines the true meaning of pure hardcore
guitar-driving rock. Closely related to such groups as Black Sabbath
(with and without Ozzy Osbourne), and Deep Purple, Metallica is a band
that will keep your ears ringing, both in music and its lyrics.
Be aware--Metallica may not be suitable for most people.
It's from that darkest corner of rock, and it is a force that
is not to be ignored. It's dark, it's loud, it's energized,
it's METALLICA.
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Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Elektra Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
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