Metallica with Michael Kamen conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra "SnM" Rating:*****

By Erik R.

Yes, you’re reading right. That’s symphony and Metallica. Whoever thought that would work???

In the doldrums of these days of the same ol’ same ol’, where you’re either a rip off New Kids On The Block, a Korn wannabe, an "alternative artist" (ha), or a Britney Spears, Metallica has sifted through the junk and been an innovator once again.

Just listen to the new single, the soon to be classic "No Leaf Clover". As bassist Jason Newsted says, "...it’s melancholy....and dimensia!!." Same with the other new cut, "Minus Human." Both have the same haunting qualities that have given "One" and "Fade To Black" their legendary status today. Amazing.

Throughout the CD this huge experiment works, from the lively title cut from "Master Of Puppets," to "The Memory Remains" and the more than interesting lead off instrumental, "The Call Of Ktulu." While the studio version is more than repetitive, this version is much more interesting, due to the creative string arrangement from Metallica’s old friend and conductor of the orchestra Michael Kamen.