METALLICA [AKA: THE BLACK ALBUM]

"Enter Sandman" - Metallica - and I enjoy it! Wonder of wonders! This has way more flow to it than most of the band's previous work as far as my ears go.

"Sad but True" - As with the previous track, I enjoy this one. Hetfield still sounds angry but at least he has learned to sing more than holler. My head bobs and my foot taps - way, way better than the mindless jitterings from the previous album.

"Holier than Thou" - They have learned to keep the idea of a track to a shorter more cohesive level. I love long tracks however only when the ideas in the track are more than single minded. The time fits this well and I enjoy the statement.

"The Unforgiven" - Brilliant track which builds nicely. I remember when my son, who is a wizard on lead guitar, sat practising this one to get it right as to the way he wanted it. He did comment that it wasn't hard to play at all however he liked it - as do I.

"Wherever I may Roam" - Nice. They keep it interesting. This far into the album I haven't heard a track that I dislike.

"Don't tread on Me" - Interesting track however not an album highlight.

"Through the Never" - Don't dislike this one either however the album is starting to sound a bit samey to me at this point in the album.

"Nothing else Matters" - The perfect point in the album for this track. Another staple that my son learned to play on the guitar early on. Very nicely melodic. I really enjoy this and it is miles away from the Metallica of their previous albums.

"Of Wolf and Man" - Back to thrash territory but they keep it short enough to be interesting.

"The God that Failed" - Nice bass to open this track. Should the music mood not have been broken by "Nothing else Matters" the track wouldn't have had the same impact on me. The band have learned the nuance thing.

"My friend of Misery" - Another Metallica track that I really enjoy a lot.

"The Struggle Within" - Military band drum sound opens this. I don't particularly enjoy it although as an album closer it is ok.

This is a more commercially friendly Metallica which is more hard rock (nu metal) than thrash although it does incorporate a lot of the thrash style. Bringing thrash to the masses I guess. It is, by a long way, my favorite Metallica album which may be a little inconsistant of me in that I generally don't like commerciality in music. I dislike what Genesis became after Hackett left as I dislike, to a large extent, what Marillion became after Fish left. Rabin period Yes I can't sit through easily. This is a more melodic form of Metallica and a welcome relief after the constant drone of most of their previous albums. A solid four stars, not making five purely because I don't perceive that it is progressive enough to warrant a five here.

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