Metallica

Description

After And Justice for All, Metallica decided that a simplification and streamlining of their sound was in order. While the assessment made sense from a musical standpoint, it also presented an opportunity to commercialize their music, and Metallica accomplishes both goals. The best songs are more melodic and immediate, the crushing, stripped-down grooves of Enter Sandman, Sad But True, and Wherever I May Roam sticking to traditional structures, while the crisp, professional production by Bob Rock adds to their accessibility. The Unforgiven and Nothing Else Matters avoid the slash-and-burn guitar riffs that had always punctuated the bands ballads. Metallica is a good, but not quite great, album, one whose best moments deservedly captured the heavy metal crown, but whose approach also foreshadowed a creative decline. ~ Steve Huey