RateItAll: The Opinion Network

No thanks on this crap.

Not the genius that was the black album, but still bad ass.

I haven't bought a Metallica album since the Black album. This one was a Christmas gift from my brother. I forgive him. I heard the "No Leaf Clover" song on the radio when this CD first came out, but even though it was surprisingly decent, I think the rest of this is just plain bad. Laziness abounds here, and the track selection is pitiful. You'd think the band and/or the orchestra would be embarrassed to play some of these songs; they simply do not fit the format. "Fuel"? "Devil's Dance"? "Memory Remains"?!? These songs are all poor examples of Metallica's music to begin with, and completely unfit to have an orchestra "embellishing" them. This band could have pulled this off before the Black record, when they still WROTE songs in an orchestrated manner. Anything written after Justice would not and does not fit with an orchestra. The older songs appearing here are executed in a very unconvincing manner as well. The band seems to have spent very little time incorporating the symphony into their songs, and it shows. It's possible that the muddy sound has something to do with it. Hetfield's voice sounds like a hick most of the time, and when he's not having the audience sing lyrics, he sounds bored singing them himself (this is noted very early on in the show, see "Fuel"). I have a Deep Purple album called The Gemini Suite (live version) which completely blows this away. The band plays live with an orchestra on this one (all original music, by the way), and Gemini absolutely shows what potential this format has. Plus, for all you youngsters out there, it was recorded nearly 30 years ago. Believe it or not, your heroes Metallica are not the "groundbreakers" many people in this review section seem to think they are. Learn your history. A waste of money and time, and another clear indication that this once great band no longer wishes to put forth the appropriate effort into their work. Avoid.

Again, another release where Metallica is afraid to write any new songs. There are some new songs, but of course theyre weak as hell.

this is a great album,every1 should buy it,unless u turned ur back on them,u can go fu#k urself then

though it is better that "load" and "re-load", it still shows that metallica is losing sight of their roots, and changing thier style in order capture a more radio-friendly appeal.

Metallica should call it a day. They haven't done anything that rocks since Master of Puppets.

Granted, Metallica hasn't put out any original releases in a while, but that doesn't mean that this CD doesn't rock! If there's one thing Metallica knows is playing a live cncert. The symphony puts in their own twists to these classics and some not so classics....but still enjoyable. Michal Kamen is one of the most famous composers ou tere wrking with such act as Aerosmith (when they didn't sell out completely), Metallica 'Nothing Ele Matters,' and Guns N' Roses 'November Rain.' The CD and the DVD will delight any Metallica fan, old or new, and any headbanger out there with a taste for the different.

A true rock epic! One of my favorite albums of all time!

Metallica sucks! rich money grubbing bastards!

This IS one of the best albums they have done. The combination of songs is awsome. James has never sounded better. I luv this band. If u have not bouhgt it yet u should. And if u diss on them then u suck hard-core. Thanks , Amber Oh yeh "gupp" u suck bad u jerk.

Hey dimwits out there, Metallica is the greatest metal band in history! S&M is them just trying something new. They are rock gods, and should be treated like royalty.

Metallica Sold Out!!!! They were afraid of not being able to retire!!! Metallica sux... and if it wasnt for newbie wannabe metalheads they wouldve never gotten the fame with such crap as S&M!!! Can you say,"Stolen from Queensryche" Anyone who thinks that new Metallica is better than the old should be shot and buried!!!

MetallicA was, is, and will be the greatest band. S & M is another classic

No you Dumbass, they get softer and softer with each album. Only people who were once metallica fans are allowed to bad mouh their new stuff - shut your face, Sizzle-Chest.

I never was a Metallica fan and from what I have heard from this new album, I will not be converting into one any time soon. Aren't these guys doing the same thing over and over again with each new album?