METALLICA [AKA: THE BLACK ALBUM]

The best selling album of the last 2 decades, this may be one of the most controversial as well. Not from it's reviews or sales, but this is the album where Metallica "sold out". I used to be on the boat, but then started to waffle on it. After much thought all I can say is, Metallica did indeed sell out. Was it for the money? Was it honest experimentation? I think so, we may never know for sure but I think they were dedicated to mixing it up and trying new things. However, sell out is sell out.

There is nothing progressive about this album at all. However, while this was also the case with Kill em All there that was a great listen for metal fans. This is not. This album is flat out boring. There are SOME cool riffs, though most just sound generic. There are cool parts, some variation but it is not enough to hold my attention. Enter Sandman and the Struggle Within (which is fairly thrashy) are the only songs that I can actually listen all the way to the end without issue. Every other song is difficult to make it through, and some I can't at all.

It's a shame because they are some captivating moments. I find the lyrics and story behind The God that Failed pretty intriguing and honestly captivating, but I simply feel my head sagging and eyes closing during it. Through the Never starts well, and is pretty captivating though it gets a bit old. Nothing Else Matters is a ballad but without the heavy. It is nice sounding but again boring overall,though I do like the ending. That is really the case with this whole album.

So, there is nothing really good about this album for a progger, but there is nothing really good for a metal head either. In fact, while all technicality and musical talent was thrown away for even greater mass appeal, the album is mellow. Too mellow for a metal head like myself. While my prog side kind of likes that, it is just too boring and generic to hold any interest. No prog at all, no metal, just generic bleh.

Metallica: 1981-1991 RIP

Two Stars