Metallica

It's been 5 months but hey, better now than never right?

I've always had an appreciation for Metallica ever since i was a wee little guy (still am...), which was around the time their self titled album, or better known as the Black Album, but i never heard the album in full, just the singles like Enter Sandman and Sad But True but i remember Enter Sandman having a big effect on me. In recent years though the Black Album has grown to be one of my favorite albums even though many "true" Metallica fans point to it as the time they "sold out." Contrary to that though, i think the Black Album has more cohesive, straight to the point songwriting. Gone are the days of the 7-8 minute epics shown on Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, and in come a more radio friendly approach to songwriting. But as i've always said, radio friendly doesn't necessarily mean bad. In fact it's quite the opposite on the Black album.

I like almost every aspect of the Black Album. The production, the drumming, the vocals, the guitar: all are top notch. The production on this album i think is some of the best ever. You can ear everything crystal clear, and most importantly, you can hear the bass! Listen to their previous album ...And Justice For All and then the Black Album right after and it's like night and day, productionwise. The sound of the drums are some of the best i've heard. I'm a guy who likes his drums loud on recordings and that's exactly what you get, best shown on their track Sad but True. James Hetfield, who does the vocals for Metallica is the best he's ever been, showing his voice is very versitle on Nothing Else Matters and his usual, and much improved i might add, raspyness also on Sad but True. Kirk Hammett provides some more memorable riffs and solos that i still find stuck in my head from time to time. Who doesn't remember the main riff to Enter Sandman?

As a whole, the Black Album ranks high up there as one of my favorite Metallica Albums and here's how each song ranks within:
1. Enter Sandman - Kicks off the album with arguably Metallica's most famous song which reached gold certification. If this song doesn't get you pumped, i don't know what will.
2. Sad But True - One of my favorites on the album. I love the dark tone of the song. This song is the measuring stick to determine how good the drum production is. Vocals are some of Hetfield's best.
3. Holier Than Thou - Never been one to love this song. Really fun to play along with on guitar though.
4. The Unforgiven - Another one of Metallica's classics and it's a good one. Really love the melody and the solo is awesome. One of my favorites and oozes soul and feeling.
5. Wherever I May Roam - I've always though of this as the indian song of theirs. Pretty good song. Not the best, but memorable.
6. Don't Tread On Me - Has a nice groovy main riff. Another than that it seems like a filler song and a pretty forgettable song. Not bad by any means but I usually skip over it.
7. Through the Never - Another filler song. Nothing really stands out to me in this song.
8. Nothing Else Matters - Can't you just hear the hearts of the fans of old Metallica fans breaking? I myself really like this song. The lyrics are great, the vocals are great and the solo is superb. Like The Unforgiven it oozes feeling. There's a reason why it's a favorite to many people.
9. Of Wolf And Man - They puck up the pace again and pick up with a good one. I really like the lyrics. It's about shapeshifting into a werewolf, what's not to like?
10. The God that Failed - I've always treated this song as a filler. Most of the time i skip it. Nothing draws me in.
11. My Friend of Misery - By far the best song on the whole album. Starts of with a great bass intro. The vocals make this song; James is a his best. The solo is the best of the album and is my favorite.
12. The Struggle Within - Ends the album well. Simple but effective riffs along with more excellent vocals. Great solo followed but an amazing riff that makes me headbang everytime.

Overall, even though there's a few filler tracks the classics more than make up for it. Old Metallica fans give it so much unneeded grief it's amazing. I definitely recommend it. Listen to it, enjoy it, blast it!