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Rating: In my opinion, it is very difficult, almost impossible, to give an opinion on Metallica's "black album," which I think is the most loved/hated band in heavy metal, surpassing even names (also either loved or hated) like Marilyn Manson, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park.
A few days ago I was chatting with my math teacher, a pretty good guitarist, and when I asked him if he knew how to play something by Metallica, he replied, "I play the whole black album." I continued by asking him if he knew how to play something from other albums like the legendary and beautiful "Master Of Puppets" or "Kill 'em All," he barely knew the names of the songs. Then I met my friend's guitar teacher who told me the exact opposite, he knew all the parts from "Kill 'em All" to "...And Justice For All" by heart, and 0 parts from the "Black Album" to "St. Anger." And although I am talking about just two people, globally the entire audience of true FANS (and not like me who listens to a lot of metal and has some 'Tallica records but does not consider myself a fan) of the American group are precisely divided in half: those who started listening to them with this album and those who (even the very young) will never forget the miracles of "Kill 'em All" or "Ride The Lightning." For this reason, you cannot judge the "black album," because it would be like siding with one group or the other, but I will try to give a general picture (if possible).
As many know, these 12 songs have nothing to do with what Metallica did before their turning point. Many say they went from thrash metal here to classic heavy metal: NONSENSE! Classic heavy metal is played by Maiden or Judas Priest, and these 12 tracks cannot be at all compared to that genre; they are (let's admit it once and for all) 12 pieces of mainstream rock covered with a vague and very light layer of hard rock available at the first local market sale. Despite this bad premise, the album has four fundamental classics and hits of the group's standard live set: classic number one: the most flashy of the flashy is undoubtedly "Enter Sandman," which is nothing more than the usual rock n' roll riff repeated ad nauseam, but it impresses and is very catchy! Classic number two: "Nothing Else Matters," from the frantic rhythms of "Kill 'em All" we move to a quiet (very commercial) rock ballad which is just an attempted copy of what was done on "Ride The Lightning" with the beautiful "Fade To Black," but, for some demonic reason, every time I listen to this song, I don't want to stop, and it attracts like (almost) no other Metallica song does! Classic number 3: "The Unforgiven," now you have to try to tell me that ‘Tallica plays heavy metal on this album! This track is heavy metal just like the singer of Pooh was influenced by Max Cavalera, but that doesn't mean it's bad, it simply is commercial rock that has nothing to do with metal. Classic number 4: "Sad But True," here maybe we can talk about heavy metal, even if it is naturally a very banal and simplified piece of metal/rock, just listen to the drums, even a 7-year-old child who has just started playing (like my cousin) can play those parts, but again, magic of magic, the song is pleasantly listenable until the end.
All the other songs more or less follow the same path as these 4, which perfectly delimit the boundaries within which the "black album" roams. In short, everything can be said about the "black album" except that it is heavy metal, but at the same time, we cannot say that these 12 songs are not unique because even if they are banal, rustic, and simple, they have a charm that even after 15 years still attracts many metal-fans despite, I reiterate, not being a metal album.
The only real praise that can be given to this Metallica performance is Hetfield’s voice, which I have always considered a fairly good singer and here, with this new genre of music adopted, he seems to be more comfortable than in the heavy thrash metal of the first 4 unrepeatable albums.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Enter Sandman (05:31)
Say your prayers little one
Don't forget, my son
To include everyone
I tuck you in, warm within
Keep you free from sin
Till the Sandman he comes
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to Never Never Land
Something's wrong, shut the light
Heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren't of snow white
Dreams of war, dreams of liars
Dreams of dragon's fire
And of things that will bite
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to Never Never Land
Yeah-heah!
Now I lay me down to sleep
(Now I lay me down to sleep)
Pray the lord my soul to keep
(Pray the lord my soul to keep)
If I die before I wake
(If I die before I wake)
Pray the lord my soul to take
(Pray the lord my soul to take)
Hush little baby, don't say a word
And never mind that noise you heard
It's just the beasts under your bed,
In your closet, in your head
Exit light
Enter night
Grain of sand
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to Never Never Land
Yeah, oooh!
Yeah, yeah!
Yo oh!
We're off to Never Never Land
(Take my hand)
We're off to Never Never Land
(Take my hand)
We're off to Never Never Land
We're off to Never Never Land
We're off to Never Never Land
02 Sad but True (05:24)
Hey (hey)
I'm your life
I'm the one who takes you there
hey (hey)
I'm your life
I'm the one who cares
they (they)
they betray
I'm your only true friend now
they (they)
they'll betray
I'm forever there
I'm your dream, make you real
I'm your eyes when you must steal
I'm your pain when you can't feel
sad but true
I'm your dream, mind astray
I'm your eyes while you're away
I'm your pain while you repay
you know it's sad but true
sad but true
you (you)
you're my mask
you're my cover, my shelter
you (you)
you're my mask
you're the one who's blamed
do (do)
do my work
do my dirty work, scapegoat
do (do)
do my deeds
for you're the one who's shamed
I'm your dream, make you real
I'm your eyes when you must steal
I'm your pain when you can't feel
sad but true
I'm your dream, mind astray
I'm your eyes while you're away
I'm your pain while you repay
you know it's sad but true
sad but true
(2x)
I'm your dream
I'm your eyes
I'm your pain
you know it's sad but true
hate (hate)
I'm your hate
I'm your hate when you want love
pay (pay)
pay the price
pay, for nothing's fair
hey (hey)
I'm your life
I'm the one who took you there
hey (hey)
I'm your life
and I no longer care
I'm your dream, make you real
I'm your eyes when you must steal
I'm your pain when you can't feel
sad but true
I'm your truth, telling lies
I'm your reasoned alibis
I'm inside open your eyes
I'm you
sad but true
03 Holier Than Thou (03:47)
No more!
The crap rolls out your mouth again
Haven't changed, your brain is still gelatine
Little whispers circle around your head
Why don't you worry about yourself instead
Who are you? Where ya been? Where ya from?
Gossip is burning on the tip of your tongue
You lie so much you belive yourself
Judge not lest ye be judged yourself
Holier than thou
You are
Holier than thou
You are
You know not
Before you judge me take a look at you
Can't you find something better to do
Point the finger, slow to understand
Arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand
It's not who you are, it's who you know
Others lives are the basis of your own
Burn your bridges and built them back with wealth
Judge not lest ye be judged yourself
Holier than thou
You are
Holier than thou
You are
You know not
(yeah! who the hell are you?)
Holier than thou
You are
Holier than thou
You are
You know not
Not!
04 The Unforgiven (06:27)
New blood joins this earth
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules
With time the child draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on and on he's known
A vow unto his own
That never from this day
His will they'll take away
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
they dedicate their lives,
to running all of his
He tries to please them all
This bitter man he is
Throughout his life the same
He's battled constantly
This fight he cannot win
A tired man they see no longer cares
The old man then prepares
To die regretfully
That old man here is me
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
[instrumental solo]
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
You labeled me
I'll label you
So I dub thee unforgiven
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
You labeled me
I'll label you
So I dub thee unforgiven
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven...
05 Wherever I May Roam (06:44)
... (And the road becomes my bride)
And the road becomes my bride
I have stripped of all but pride
So in her I do confide
And she keeps me satisfied
Gives me all I need
... And with dust in throat I crave
Only knowledge will I save
To the game you stay as slave
Rover, wanderer
Nomad, vagabond
Call me what you will -- yeah!
No -- but I'll take my time anywhere
Free to speak my mind anywhere
And I'll redefine anywhere
Anywhere I roam
Where I lay my head is home - yeah!
... (And the earth becomes my throne)
And the earth becomes my throne
I adapt to the unknown
Under wandering stars I've grown
By myself but not alone
I ask no one
And my ties are severed clean
Less I have the more I gain
Off the beaten path I reign
Rover wanderer
Nomad vagabond
Call me what you will -- yea will!
But I'll take my time anywhere
I'm free to speak my mind anywhere
And I'll never mind anywhere
Anywhere I roam
Where I lay my head is home -- yeah-yeah!
guitar solo 1
But i'll take my time anywhere
I'm free to speak my mind
And I'll take my find anywhere
Anywhere I roam
Where I lay my head is home -- thats right!
guitar solo 2
But i'll take my time anywhere
I'm free to speak my mind anywhere
And i'll redefiine anywhere
Anywhere I roam
Where I lay my head is home
Carved upon my stone
My body lie, but still I roam -- yeah yeah!
Wherever I may roam (3x)
Wherever I may roam - yeah!
Wherever I may wander wander wander
Wherever I may roam - yeah-yeah!
Wherever I may roam - yeah-yeah!
Wherever I may roam (3x)
06 Don't Tread on Me (04:00)
Don't tread on me
So don't tread on me
Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail
Once you provoke her, rattling of her tail
Never begins it, never, but once engaged...
Never surrenders, showing the fangs of rage
So don't tread on me
So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score
Touch me again for the words that you will hear evermore...
Don't tread on me
Love it or leave it, she with the deadly bite
Quick is the blue tongue, forked as a lightning strike
Shining with brightness, always on surveillance
The eyes, they never close, emblem of vigilance
So don't tread on me
So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score
Touch me again for the words that you will hear evermore...
Don't tread on me
So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail
Once you provoke her, rattling on her tail
So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score
Touch me again for the words that you will hear evermore...
Don't tread on me
08 Nothing Else Matters (06:28)
So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters
Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters
Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know
So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know
Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters
Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters
Never cared for what they say
Never cared for games they play
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
And I know
So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
No, nothing else matters
09 Of Wolf and Man (04:16)
Off through the new day's mist I run
Out from the new day's mist I have come
I hunt
therefore I am
harvest the land
taking of the fallen lamb
Off through the new day's mist I run
Out from the new day's mist I have come
we shift
pulsing with the earth
company we keep
roaming the land while you sleep
shape shift nose to the wind
shape shift feeling I've been
move swift all senses clean
earth's gift back to the meaning of life
bright is the moon high in starlight
chill in the air cold as steel tonight
we shift
call of the wild
fear in your eyes
it's later than you realized
shape shift nose to the wind
shape shift feeling I've been
move swift all senses clean
earth's gift back to the meaning of life
(guitar & drum solo)
I feel a change
back to a better day
(shape shift)hair stands on the back of my neck
(shape shift)in wildness is the preservation of the world
so seek the wolf in thyself
shape shift nose to the wind
shape shift feeling I've been
move swift all senses clean
earth's gift back to the meaning...
Of wolf, and man yeah
10 The God That Failed (05:08)
Pride you took
Pride you feel
Pride that you felt when you'd kneel
Not the word
Not the love
Not what you thought from above
It feeds
It grows
It clouds all that you will know
Deceit
Deceive
Decide just what you believe
(Chorus)
I see faith in your eyes
Never you hear the discouraging lies
I hear faith in your cries
Broken is the promise, betrayal
The healing hand held back by the deepened nail
Follow The God That Failed!
Find your peace
Find your say
Find the smooth road on your way
Trust you gave
A child to save
Left you cold and him in grave
It feeds
It grows
It clouds all that you will know
Deceit
Deceive
Decide just what you believe
(Chorus)
I see faith in your eyes
Broken is the promise, betrayal
The healing hand held back by the deepened nail
Follow The God That Failed!
Pride you took
Pride you feel
Pride that you felt when you'd kneel
Trust you gave
A child to save
Left you cold and him in grave
(Chorus)
Follow The God That Failed!
Broken is the promise
Betrayal, betrayal, yeah!
11 My Friend of Misery (06:49)
You just stood there screaming
Fearing no one was listening to you
They say the empty can rattles the most
The sound of your own voice must soothe you
Hearing only what you want to hear,
And knowing only what you've heard
You...you're smothered in tragedy,
And you're out to save the world
Misery!
You insist that the weight of the world
Should be on your shoulders
Misery!
There's much more to life than what you see
My Friend Of Misery!
You still stood there screaming!
No-one caring about these words you tell
My friend before your voice is gone
One man's fun is another's hell
These times are sent to try men's souls
But something's wrong with all you see
You...you'll take it on all yourself
(Remember), Misery loves company
Misery!
You insist that the weight of the world
Should be on your shoulders
Misery
There's much more to life than what you see
My Friend Of Misery!
Misery!
You insist that the weight of the world
Should be on your shoulders
Misery
There's much more to life than what you see
My Friend Of Misery
My Friend Of Misery!
You just stood there screaming, oh
My Friend Of Misery!
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Other reviews
By cliffburton86
You can’t mosh to it anymore!
Surely the black album may not be as powerful, fast, and pounding as the previous masterpieces, but personally, I believe it is undoubtedly a good album endowed with a decent melody and a very high level of listenability for any individual.
By Vic Sorriso1
The most "known" song, absolute crap without question when it comes to metal, is "Enter Sandman".
Metallica represents metal crap in the absolute sense.
By Jack_85
The black album. A true stroke of genius. That’s what this record represents.
An album that doesn’t need comments. Just listen to it. Long live the chaos.
By Edgar Allan Poe
"I consider the 'Black Album' a great Hard Rock work; it includes a very catchy single like 'Enter Sandman', which has certainly brought many newcomers to listen to Metallica."
"'Nothing Else Matters' is one of the group’s best ballads. I’ve heard it defined by someone as a song made to sell... but have you ever translated the lyrics?!"
By pep 92
"Enter Sandman"... 'hell breaks loose' with fierce guitars that force you to thrash around like mad.
"Nothing Else Matters"... a devastating and pure guitar solo that makes you feel forgiven and noble.
