... AND JUSTICE FOR ALL

For new fans of Metallica; this is an album you will not understand or even hate. Twenty years ago; Metallica was a brutal thrash metal band. Incredible, but true.

Metallica started in the beginning of the '80 as a crossover between Punk and NWOBHM. This sound has later got the name speed metal. In the beginning; Dave Mustaine, now Megadeth, did the guitars. He was kicked out just before the release of Metallica's highly influential debut album Kill 'Em All. Metallica's new line up was Lars Ullrich (drums), Cliff Burton (bass), James Hetfield (guitars/vocals) and Kirk Hammet (guitars) which had just joined Metallica from Exodus. Albums like Ride The Lightening and Master Of Puppets followed. All their albums was very different from each other. They also inspired a whole generation of musicians. Cliff Burtoon died when the tour bus landed on the top of him in a ditch during a tour in Sweden. Jason Newsted from the brilliant Flotsam & Jetsam replaced him. Enter .....And Justice For All.

This album was written in the aftermath of Cliff Burton's death. The band was confused, hurt and very angry. Metallica also felt that they had to prove that they were good musicians, after the reviews of their last album Master Of Puppets in the mainstream press and media. They did not feel that they had got credit for their musical abilities by the media. All these factors created ...And Justice For All. This is a very technical, aggressive and epic album. At the same time; very dark & moody. The title track are the masterpiece on this album. A technical, epic and dark ten minutes long song. The dark and haunting Cliff Burton tribute To Live Is To Die is also a masterpiece. The opening track Blackened and Harvester Of Sorrow is also superb. Metallica's hit single One is best forgotten. Unfortunate, ..And Justice For All was the end of an era. Their other outputs after this album is best forgotten. But ...And Justice For All is a superb album. Twenty years later, I do think it is a bit dated and has lost it's spark. But I sometimes gives it a spin. I have also become twenty years older and I notice that the album is too noisy for me now. I prefer some prog rock and a cup of tea while I am keeping a tab on my retirement funds. But this is still a strong 4 stars album.

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