deepthroat101's Full Review: ... And Justice For All by Metallica
I have to say that this is my first music review here at epinions, so pardon me if I mess up while describing something or say something that quite doesn't fit. We all have to start somewhere. The first album that came to mind when I sat down in front of my computer today was the single best collection of heavy metal songs I've ever heard, "...And Justice For All".
Never before have I been so impressed by what this group has done here, expressing themes of Justice, power, and darkness in such an amazingly creative way. As usual, there's a wide range of spectacular songs from the deep and passionate "Harvester of Sorrow" to the harrowingly rapid-fire thrills of "One", this album has it all.
THE TRACKS:
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1) Blackened (6: 38)
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"Blackened Is the End
Winter it Will Send
Throwing All You See
Into Obscurity
Death of Mother Earth
Never a Rebirth
Evolution's End
Never Will it Mend"
- "Blackened" tells the sad story of how humans have poisoned the Earth, and there's a consequence to our cruelty towards nature. The chorus is fabulous, but the song falters slightly about halfway through as the lyrics are somewhat less satisfying. Nevertheless, it finishes strongly and is a great way to open the album.
2) ...And Justice For All (9: 43)
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"Justice Is Lost
Justice Is Raped
Justice Is Gone
Pulling Your Strings
Justice Is Done
Seeking No Truth
Winning Is All
Find it So Grim
So True
So Real"
- The title track is one of Metallica's finest compositions to date. Before hearing this song about a month ago (I'm surprised I hadn't found it earlier), I was thinking that a song over nine and a half minutes just wouldn't be able to sustain itself for that long. Not so here. The introduction is terrific and Metallica is speaking about the shortcomings of the justice system. "Justice" is never boring and any fan of thrash metal should get at least a couple spins out of this song.
3) Eye of the Beholder (6: 25)
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"Do You See What I See?
Truth Is an Offence
You Silence for Your Confidence
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Doors Are Slamming Shut
Limit Your Imagination, Keep You Where They must
Do You Feel What I Feel?
Bittering Distress
Who Decides What You Express"
- This is the weakest track on the album, although that's not really putting down "Eye of the Beholder" because it just can't live up to greatness established on so many other tracks. I loved the opening few minutes and thought the guitaring by Kirk Hammet was particularly memorable. All of this is accompanied by James Hetfield's familiar growls. Unfortunately the production values leave a lot to be desired in several of these songs, as the bass is barely audible. Production aside, some people may take to "Beholder" more than I did, so it's still worth a listen or two.
4) One (7: 24)
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"Darkness Imprisoning Me
All That I See
Absolute Horror
I Cannot Live
I Cannot Die
Trapped in Myself
Body My Holding Cell"
- Don't let the soft first few minutes of this song fool you into thinking it's more of a ballad, because it gets a whole lot angrier and disturbing as you cross over the four minute mark. The last two minutes or so are basically just instrumental, but you don't need lyrics to enjoy the thoroughly machine-gun pace of it. The finale is incredibly wicked and will instantly grab your attention and never let go. Some people have complained that "...And Justice For All" had too many long tracks and got dull after five minutes, but I just don't think that's the case.
5) Shortest Straw (6: 35)
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- For the sake of not running into an error message for too many words, I'll skip the lyrics until the last song. Many have said this is the album's least compelling track, but I tend to disagree with that assessment. Hetfield sings at a lightning quick pace and Lars Ulrich's drumming is astounding, as usual. Though this track has its critics, it's a very likable song if you're head banging or out exercising.
6) Harvester of Sorrow (5: 44)
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- "Harvester of Sorrow" has, in my humble opinion, the best opening of any of the nine tracks on the album. The drumming and guitars are awesome as it almost always is, but I wasn't impressed with the singing. The lyrics really don't help, but this one gets a passing grade simply because like every other song on this disc, it packs a serious wallop.
7) The Frayed Ends of Sanity
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- Another quality song. This is by far the coolest name for a song that I've heard in a while, and the music isn't bad either. Song writing is again excellent, and Ulrich shows his stuff on the drums. You may have trouble getting into this one in the beginning, but I assure you this one is worth your time.
8) To Live is to Die (9: 51)
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- Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is the longest song Metallica's ever done, edging past "...And Justice For All" by a mere eight seconds. Not once did my attention stray away. This song pays tribute to former bassist Cliff Burton (R.I.P) in a big way. The delicate beginning and ending is balanced out by some truly astonishing work in the middle. There's very little in terms of lyrics, but who needs them when all the rest is this good?
9) Dyer's Eve (5: 13)
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"Dear Mother
Dear Father
What Is this Hell You Have Put Me Through
Believer
Deceiver
Day in Day out Live My Life Through You
Pushed onto Me What's Wrong or Right
Hidden from this Thing That They Call Life
Dear Mother
Dear Father
Every Thought I'd Think You'd Disapprove
Curator
Dictator
Always Cencoring My Every Move
Children Are Seen Bur Are Not Heard
Tear out Everything Inspired"
- "Dyer's Eve" remains unsurpassed in terms of obliterating speed and furious lyrics, and is consequently my favorite song the group's ever made. Its pounding and magnificent lyrics are practically screamed out by Hetfield, but even so, you can still hear what's going on and it's not just mindless thrash. It's story focuses on overpowering parents who've sheltered away their son, who's now turned angry and spiteful because of them. This devastating track never let's up, and perfectly concludes the greatest heavy metal album ever made.
Deep Throat's Favorite Metallica Songs:
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1. "Dyer's Eve"
2. "The Struggle Within"
3. "Battery"
4. "One"
5. "...And Justice For All"
Honorable Mentions: "Until It Sleeps", "Master of Puppets", "To Live is To Die", and "Enter Sandman". Thanks for taking the time to read this review.
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