S&M (Metallica album)

Occupation

  • Vocals, Guitar: James Hetfield
  • Guitar: Kirk Hammett
  • Bass, vocals Jason Newsted
  • Drums: Lars Ulrich
  • San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

S & M ( Symphony and Metallica for short ) is the name of Metallica's ninth album, which was recorded in April 1999 for two concerts live together with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in Berkeley ( California).

Genesis

The idea to work together a metal band with a classical orchestra, written by the composer Michael Kamen, who also wrote the orchestral parts to and participated in the performances as a conductor. Already with his first band, the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, founded in 1967, the classically trained Kamen gained experience to blend of rock and classical music, and developed by its co-operation, inter alia, with David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd and Queen over the years a reputation as a specialist for such projects. Since he also collaborated with Queensrÿche, which was also represented by the Metallica management Q- Prime, recommended Q- Prime Kamen, as for the studio recording of Nothing Else Matters ( the black album ) an arranger was sought for the orchestral parts.

The name is a pun on the abbreviation for sadomasochism, in this context, however Symphony and Metallica. The S on the album cover is formed of a written backwards treble clef while the M comes from the classic Metallica logo.

The album was later released as a video on DVD and VHS.

Music style

On S & M Metallica play as usual their own pieces (two of them, Minus Human and No Leaf Clover, first published ), while the symphony orchestra spreads around it, in between mixes, or frontally against it alludes. The best results, which confirmed James Hetfield in an interview, were thereby achieved with pieces that seem too massive and complex not heard of the house, so that there is enough space for the orchestral additions remains.

Reception

Publish time was partly considered as commercially motivated. S & M meant the final arrival of Metallica in the mainstream for some Metallica fans. Others saw the album with its blend of rock and orchestral elements, however, as successful.

Laut.de criticized addition to the commercially motivated publication date, " that Metallica in the song selection does not necessarily indicate careful to arrange exactly are the songs on the album, the best to come across in the orchestral environment." But it was " amazing how everything arranged so was that nothing sounds put. "

Title list

CD 1

CD 2

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