That this concert is going to be different from anything else Metallica have ever offered on DVD before becomes immediately apparent - as the 'Ecstasy of Gold' (the theme tune from 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly' that has accompanied a great many Metallica concerts since the 1980s) is played live by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.
Call of the Ktulu follows, and one can only imagine just how tremendous the performance would have been to experience live, judging from the DVD. However, it is not only the instrumental and 'lighter' songs, such as Hero of the Day and Bleeding Me, that work well with the orchestra - classics such as Master of Puppets and Battery - where the whole of the introduction is played by the orchestra, before the band return to the stage for an encore, also work very well.
Clearly, Metallica have a great many songs to choose from, and so the setlist does not disappoint. Although there is nothing from Kill 'Em All, highlights from Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, And Justice for All, Metallica, Load and Reload all appear, and the orchestra generally adds to the experience nicely. Nothing Else Matters, Bleeding Me and Memory Remains are particularly worthy of a mention, as these really come alive in this performance, and Michael Kamen should take some credit for writing a beautiful score to accompany the guitar parts in these. It is, however, difficult to find a favourite song, given this array of best ever performances of each.
The quality of the recording is excellent, with the orchestra and band levelled very nicely, and it is worth noting that Hetfield's vocal range and tone is particularly pleasing throughout. Furthermore, the wide range of camera shots (including the ability to focus on particular band members for some songs, such as Enter Sandman and Sad But True from just behind Lars) and well-synchronised lighting and effects make the DVD very enjoyable to watch, and well worth having. Other than this, however, the DVD has no real extra features worthy of mention, but is worth buying for the concert alone.
This is comfortably my favourite live performance, and the DVD does it great justice. There can be little doubt that the DVD offers an insight into a great piece of Metallica history, and is a must own for any Metallica fan.
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Music / Performing Arts, Comedy - Director: Trevor Nunn, Geoffrey Posner - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, Parental Guidance - Starring: Duncan Preston, Celia Imrie, Julie Walters, Victoria Wood, Jim Broadbent
A 2-Disc Set covering the entire 150-minute concert plus incredible extras. Metallica ... more
never resting never ceasing to innovate or amaze returns with an extraordinary document of their concert with the San Francisco Symphony. Metallica's select favor...
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Advantages: Sees another side of Metallica and hear their music in a different light Disadvantages: Could be seen as selling out as they play their more commercial songs
Advantages: S&M is a completely new concept , no other band has ever done anything like it, great sound Disadvantages: It has a lack of songs from the first album Kill em all and is missing some classics which would have been interesting to hear such as fade to black and orion
Advantages: Sees another side of Metallica and hear their music in a different light Disadvantages: Could be seen as selling out as they play their more commercial songs
Advantages: S&M is a completely new concept , no other band has ever done anything like it, great sound Disadvantages: It has a lack of songs from the first album Kill em all and is missing some classics which would have been interesting to hear such as fade to black and orion
![Metallica - S And M [DVD] [1999]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/69765228.jpg "Metallica - S And M [DVD] [1999]")
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