THE STAR WARS GRAPHER

A new era of Metallica is born.  Gone is bass player extrodanaire Cliff Burton.  Fresh to the band is Jason Newsted who somehow manages to keep a good deal of Burton's raw energy.  What we get in Justice is Metallica unleashed.  Released in 1988 their fourth studio album captures the old with the new.  Their new bassist was more or less of a guy plucking on strings on this album mostly out of respect for Burton, who's legacy is felt on this LP.  A concert favorite, Blackened leads the list and is one of my favorite songs to hear in person.  What follows is more raw energy, led by Hetfield and Ulrich. 

1. BLACKENED
2. ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
3. EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
4. ONE
5. THE SHORTEST STRAW
6. HARVESTER OF SORROW
7. THE FRAYED ENDS OF SANITY
8. TO LIVE IS TO DIE
9. DYER'S EVE

Also featured on their fourth LP is ONE.  It's a fan favorite and the one track on this LP that stands out with fans.  It's a song about war and if you've ever seen the boys live in concert the song is typically introduced by pyrotechnics including mini explosions and loud bangs.  I can remember one tour where the stage would partially collapse.  It's truly one of the boys masterpiece songs and is something I look forward to hearing in person.    

While the boys had firmly established themselves as rock gods by 1991, the Black Album firmly solidified their place in rock-n-roll history.  This is the album that changed it all for Metallica.  Prior to the release of Black the boys were just a part of the landscape, after Black  they were the landscape.  With the help of producer Bob Rock and flawless execution by the Four Horseman it's no wonder the album has sold over 14 million copies since it's release.  Most fans like to think that Metallica died with the release of this album.  A portion of the old school fans, still grasping the bands three releases prior to 1986 was unwilling to accept the bands new, diversified album.  A fan favorite and probably one of the bands most played songs in concert, Enter Sandman leads the long list of tracks that Black supplies it's listeners. 

1. ENTER SANDMAN
2. SAD BUT TRUE
3. HOLLIER THAN THOU
4. THE UNFORGIVEN
5. WHEREVER I MAY ROAM
6. DON'T TREAD ON ME
7. THROUGH THE NEVER
8. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS
9. OF WOLF AND MAN
10. THE GOD THAT FAILED
11. MY FRIEND OF MISERY
12. THE STRUGGLE WITHIN

From one through twelve this album supplies it all.  The lyrics cut deep like in track 2, Sad But True,  "I'm your dream, make you real I'm your eyes when you must steal, I'm your pain when you can't feel, Sad but true.  I'm your dream, mind astray, I'm your eyes while you're away, I'm your pain while you repay.  You know it's sad but true."  It's safe to say I have those lyrics memorized by heart.  Supporting Black was also a major task.  The band toured for what seemed like years....they did!  One of the greatest albums ever recorded, Black is a fan favorite and an album that I will never tire listening to.

Following up the Black album was no easy task.  The boys knew this better than anyone.  After touring, and touring some more, then taking some much needed rest Load was released in 1996.  At the time I was working at a hard rock radio station in Chicago.  I can remember the excitement leading up to the release of the album.  I remember visiting the program director about a month and a half before the release of the album.  He gave me a sneak peek by playing some of the highlights.  I was blown away.  Not by the content, not every song hit me hard but I was blown away by the diversity of what was presented.  My two favorite songs on the album, King Nothing and Ain't My Bitch always get me pumped up.  This album saw James evolve in terms of singing power.  He killed on this album and it shows.  He never sounded better and I would definitely argue he will never sound like this again.  Kirk Hammett, for all he's had to endure through the years, was a star on this album especially on Hero of the Day.  The band grew leaps and bounds in this album.  Some would argue that they 'sold out'.  Get over it losers, change is a necessity in life.  Your wife beaters and job at the 7-11 are getting old.   I'm sure I will draw the ire of Metallica fans worldwide, but I loved Mama Said.  If diversity was something that the boys were looking for, this was it. 

1. AIN'T MY BITCH
2. 2 X 4
3. THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT
4. UNTIL IT SLEEPS
5. KING NOTHING
6. HERO OF THE DAY
7. BLEEDING ME
8. CURE
9. POOR TWISTED ME
10. WASTING MY HATE
11. MAMA SAID
12. THORN WITHIN
13. RONNIE
14. THE OUTLAW TORN

Not long after the release of this album I had a chance to spend a night with James and Lars. I remember it well.  It was Monday, June 30, 1996.  The Boys had just finished playing their third night on the Lollapalooza tour and they were visiting the radio station where I worked to do a syndicated radio show.  Following the show, they each sat down with our show to tape some interviews.  Time seemed to stand still that night.  While I don't remember every question or response from both, I do remember being in heaven.  I spent the most time with James, over two hours and we talked about everything from music, to stalkers to past tours and what they do in their spare time.  Though it lasted just a few hours it was one of the highlights of my life. 

Is this Metallica's greatest album?  No.  It's basically what they couldn't fit on Load and some new tracks.  As a fan, and someone that followed the bands every move, I was certainly excited to buy this album and listen to every song as fast as I could.  Do I listen to this album often, not really.  That doesn't mean I don't like it, but it didn't blow me away.  Obviously there are a few keepers here, including Fuel, which is a kick ass way of saying, hey if you don't like what we have to offer, "F-U!" 

1. FUEL
2. THE MEMORY REMAINS
3. DEVILS DANCE
4. THE UNFORGIVEN II
5. BETTER THAN YOU
6. SLITHER
7. CARPE DIEM BABY
8. BAD SEED
9. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
10. PRINCE CHARMING
11. LOW MANS LYRIC
12. ATTITUDE
13. FIXXXER

I must say the Boys never surprise me and The Memory Remains, remains one of my favorite songs.  With help from the errie sounding Marianne Faithful this song works for me.  It's still a concert favorite, though the band doesn't visit much of this album when playing live gigs. 

I would have to describe this album as fun.  It's a tribute album by the boys, as they pay homage to some of their inspirations in the music biz.  The album Garage Inc., which was released on November 24, 1998 was supported by a five day tour.  I can remember going to see the boys on a Thursday night in Chicago at the legendary Aragon Ballroom (Brawlroom). I actually had a difficult time believing that the boys were going to play such a cozy and legendary venue.  I can still remember not knowing a few of the songs and watching as James struggled with some the lyrics, reading his lyrics on stage from time to time.  Some of my favorite covers appear here, including Breadfan.  One of the greatest songs the boys have successfully covered.  Originally recorded by Budgie, Metallica gave the song a bad ass feel.  A few years ago I met the lead singer from Budgie who was sitting a few seats from me on a flight from Chicago to Allentown.  I told him I just loved the song, what I didn't tell him is that I liked the Metallica version better. 

Disc 1 Track List:

1. FREE SPEECH FOR THE DUMB
2. IT'S ELECTRIC
3. SABBRA CADABRA
4. TURN THE PAGE
5. DIE, DIE MY DARLING
6. LOVERMAN
7. MERCYFUL FATE
8. ASTRONOMY
9. WHISKEY IN THE JAR
10. TUESDAY'S GONE
11. THE MORE I SEE

Disc 2 Track List:

1. HELPLESS
2. THE SMALL HOURS
3. THE WAIT
4. CRASH COURSE IN BRAIN SURGERY
5. LAST CARESS / GREEN HELL
6. AM I EVIL?
7. BLITZKRIEG
8. THE PRICE
9. STONE COLD CRAZY
10. SO WHAT
11. KILLING TIME
12. OVERKILL
13. DAMAGE CASE
14. STONE DEAD FOREVER
15. TOO LATE TOO LATE

Did I know every song when I saw them that night.  No chance but I knew enough.  For years the boys had ripped through So What, Am I Evil?, Breadfan and Stone Cold Crazy.  Those sounded great as usual.  I also enjoyed Turn the Page (how odd a Bob Seger song?) and Free Speech For The Dumb.  All in all a fun album filled with two cd's of tributes and thanks.

Released in 1999, S&M (stands for Symphony and Metallica) was the bands collaboration with composer Michael Kamen.  Recorded in the boys adopted home town of San Francisco, the album continues to exploit the boys diversity.  I'm upset I wasn't able to attend this one in person.  Mixing a real life symphony and cutting edge hard rock the blend is perfect.  The first time I listened I was in awe and i'm sure being there in person was the ultimate experience.  Ecstasy of Gold, used by the boys as an intro was played live.  How cool!!!!  The usual suspects are on this one, including a mind numbing, soul blasting version of Battery. 

Disc 1

1. THE Ecstasy OF GOLD
2. THE CALL OF THE KTULU
3. MASTER OF PUPPETS
4. OF WOLF AND MAN
5. THE THING THAT SHOULD NOT BE
6. FUEL
7. THE MEMORY REMAINS
8. NO LEAF CLOVER
9. HERO OF THE DAY
10. DEVIL'S DANCE
11. BLEEDING ME

Disc II

1. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS
2. UNTIL IT SLEEPS
3. FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
4. - HUMAN
5. WHEREVER I MAY ROAM
6. THE OUTLAW TORN
7. ONE
8. ENTER SANDMAN
9. BATTERY