Metallica

Wow. The thought of going to the record store on the release day of a new Metallica album was always an occasion. Sometimes it even called for going to the store the day before at midnight. When I hit the record store on November 18, 1997, I didn’t know which new release to get. I didn’t know if I should go for the new Metallica or the new Wham greatest hits package? Both seemed equally as heavy. I went for Metallica. Wham may have been the better choice. What was once a fine progressive hard band has turned into Bon Jovi for the 90’s. The kinder, gentler Metallica needs to be put to rest. A trend that started on Metallica (the black album) with "Nothing Else Matters" (apparently nothing but a hit single) continued onto Load. Load was slickly produced and offered nothing but watered down pop metal from four exceptionally talented musicians. It was a disappointment to end all disappointments. No one minds a directional change. But blatant poppiness is an insult. Years from now, people will still be talking about the greatness of Master of Puppets, and will regrettably talk about Load and ReLoad as some of the vilest "loads" of crap since Stryper. More of Load is not what was needed. Songs like "Fuel" (starts well, then defecates on itself when they start getting melodic), "The Memory Remains" ("Sad But True" riff continued), "Unforgiven II" (once was enough - if I want ballads I’ll buy Celine Dion), "Carpe Diem Baby" ("Master of Puppets" part 2- c’mon guys a tinge of originality is not too much to ask for), and "Low Man’s Lyric" (too dull) on ReLoad suck so hard that you can’t believe Metallica would do this to you. Granted, metal is a dying genre, but that’s no reason to pull a Pat Boone and go pop. Metallica should definitely change and grow. But I think the key word is grow. Their change of direction (thanks a lot Bob Rock) primarily with Load was anything but musical growth. Avoid this album at all costs unless you want your parents asking you what that nice music playing from CD player is called. - Bill Gunsmith at www.spinalcolumn.com

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