A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Metallica - S&M (1999)

S&M

The San Francisco Symphony, over one hundred men and women blended together to create such divine sounds. Sounds that enhance the beauty of music altogether, music that calms every nerve running through your body. This rowdy mixture of classical instruments forms such a beauty for the ears to hear. Such instruments like trumpets, violins, tubas and percussion. The harp player even advertises tattoos and biceps of steel on his body.
The whole concept of mixing this breed of music with rock is not an idea rotting at the bottom of some drawer. A quick look at songs like Zeppelin's 'Kashmir' and much of Emperor's work figures that one out. Although it's hard to imagine the likes of speed thrash metal to be mixed with classical music, such an event took place in April of 1999.
Four brothers, as they like to be known rose up to the eclectic challenge that was placed before them to create such an epic concert known as S&M, the band was Metallica. When it comes to a live audience you don't fuck around, trying something new in the music business is always risky, but upon listening to the concert the result was breathtaking, it's such a collection of powerful performances from both Metallica and the Symphony.
The initial thought is that Metallica would have chosen their softer tracks but they didn't hold back, all the classics are in there, with more of a pulse than ever. The selection of songs is part of what makes this CD such a masterpiece. It contains hits like 'One' and 'Nothing Else Matters', but in no way does it shy away from tracks that never made it off the studio version. 'Devils Dance' and the instrumental 'Call of the Ktulu' are two admirable songs were never branded singles. The album also has two new songs on offer, 'Minus Human' and 'No Leaf Clover'. It’s so gratifying to see a concoction of tracks ranging from the bands early 1984 material to 1997's Reload album.
The album does such a great job of sampling Metallica's entire career without overemphasizing any one album or period. There is no best song on the album or even a song that doesn't seem to fit in. Although this album is not a hard heavy metal album, it’s got the power and the talent to be up there with the best, take it with a pinch of salt and accept it for what it is, a musical experiment. It would be interesting to see some heavier material portrayed with classical music, maybe one day Opeth or Slayer might give it a go, who knows?
Reviewed By - Danny Packer

Slay The Masses Score...7/10

Back To Top

Mindgrinder - MindTech (Nocturnal Art - 2004)

Mindtech

These norsemen have created an arse-kicking record, truly a great headbang-fest! Signed to the Nocturnal Art records label run by Samoth (emperor/zyklon) himself. He has discovered a band with fire in their bellies, and a passion for music that will get them far in the world of metal.
Mindgrinder. The name suggests some crusty grind band that have as much originality as my little finger, but what we have here is calculated, sophisticated, industrialy influenced extreme metal. Many have pointed out (it may have been the band themselves!) that MG have a certain groove running through their music. This is definitley so, the music flows with a certain completeness, no jumbled transitions or breakdowns, just crushing riffs, grooving melodies and powerful percussion.
You picture three guys with long hair windmilling away, and headbanging as if there is no tomorrow, and guess what - this is exactly what you get! the video for 'Fire & Equanimity' is supplied and it is exaclty expected. The face of Cosmocrator (vox) appears with some computer generated effect and you feel like you have dropped far too much acid and are trapped in an old-school sci-fi/Dr.Who nightmare! A fantastic video!
The influences are there and Zyklon and Fear Factory are the main contriubutors, but MG defintiley have their own sound.
The opening tracks are a little weaker than the ones that follow, but that is a minor quibble with an otherwise good album. Buy this an induce some serious neck injuries with the headbanging that will ensue!!
Reviewed By - Hail Erebus

Slay The Masses Score...7.5/10

Read the Slay The Masses interview with the band...

Back To Top