These are some reviews I have written of CDs I own. I have many more bootlegs/rare releases and anyone who wants to trade should take a look at my trading list and e-mail me.
All reviews written by David Perri
CLIFF 'EM ALL (1987)
• Sound: During Shows: 4.5/6 • During Interveiws, etc: 6/6 • Visual: During shows: 4/6 • During Interviews, etc: 6/6 • Cover: 5/6 • Overall: 6/6
When Cliff Burton died in 1986, the whole Metallica "family" was shocked. Cliff, the red haired bass playing virtuoso would play no more. After the fatal accident, Metallica wasted no time in finding a replacement for Cliff. They did this so soon after his death because "We knew he would be the first one to kick our ass if we didn't continue on".
This video pays homage to Cliff with bootleg footage, interveiw outtakes and cool pictures of him. Although some of the bootleg footage isn't that great, it is really cool to see them playing with Cliff on classics like "Master" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls". He was amazing! The other footage includes Cliff joking around with the band, his best solos and rare pictures of him (getting out of bed). This video is great. If you find it in stores, you should buy this piece of Metallica history.
THE UNFORGIVEN - CD single (1991)
Cover: 4/6 Sound: 6/6 Overall: 5.5/6
Track Listing:
- The Unforgiven (TBA version) - Killing Time (1991 version) - The Unforgiven (Demo)
Although released in 1991, I just picked up this CD recently. I bought it for another version of "Killing Time" as opposed to the version I already have. Putting it in my CD player for the first time, I skipped The Unforgiven (I have heard that song SO many times) and went to "Killing Time". What I found was an amazing, crystal clear version of a killer track! I recommend this CD to any Metallica fan for "Killing Time" alone. The demo is pretty cool. Jaymz's singing is a little ragged, but that doesn't really affect the song. In the linear notes it says something like, "the demo has a folksy feel". This CD is definitely worth the money!
A YEAR AND A HALF IN THE LIFE OF METALLICA PARTS 1 AND 2 (1992)
• Sound: 6/6 • Cover: 5.5/6 • Overall: 6/6
Have you ever wondered what Metallica did after they went offstage, or the tedious work that went into the recording of the Metallica album (a.k.a. "The Black Album")? You find all this and more in this video compilation.
The first video is of the "Metallica Sessions" commencing in October 1990 and ending in 1991. You watch as demos turn into finished songs and finished songs get mixed. Along the way, Virgil Hetfield (Jaymz's dad) speaks about Jaymz as a kid, the band finds that they hate the camera and Bob Rock and the band have countless arguments. ("I'm sick and tired of arguing" says Bob. To which Jaymz replies, "No you're not" with a grin). This video is an inside look on the recording (and the frustrations of recording) a major album.
The second video takes a look at the "never ending tour". The band learns in this video that they hate the camera even more. (Kirk: "I hate having a glass eye shoved up my ass"). It not only takes a look at the backstage activity, but the guys on their days off, in their plane and generally having a good time. It also takes a look at the "Guns n Metallica" tour and the frustrations that accompanied it. Also featured is a segment on the infamous "Montreal Incident". Highlights include Jaymz and Jason making fun of Def Leppard, Lars dancing to an early 80s dance track (during the credits) and Kirk shopping for guitars. Needless to say, these segments are all extremely funny!
These videos include all promotional videos made for "The Black Album". This set is definitely worthwhile and eye opening. "Haven't you guys shot enough for your documentary?" - Lars.
ONE - CD single (1994)
Single from "Live Shit: Binge and Purge" UK release
Sound: 6/6 Cover: 5/6 Overall: 5/6
Considering that you can get two of these tracks on official Metallica releases, the sole reason I bought this CD was for the demo version of "One." It is pretty cool. It was taped on Jaymz's four-track, thus there is no bass. This was taped the day after Jaymz wrote One and Kirk had only heard the song once before! Jaymz hasn't finished writing all the lyrics (he repeats certain verses). It is interesting to hear how a Metallica song "comes together".
Track listing:
"One" (...And Justice For All version) "One" - (demo version) "One" - (Live Shit: Binge and Purge version)
SUCKING MY LOVE (BOOTLEG)
DEMOS AND LIVE PERFORMANCES
Track listing: • 1) Sucking My Love (March 1982) • 2) The Prince (March 1982) • 3) Jump In The Fire (March 1982) • 4) Am I Evil (March 1982) • 5) Whiplash (March 1983) • 6) No Remorse (March 1983) • 7) Breadfan (Live - August 1989) • 8) Trapped Under Ice (Live - November 1984) • 9) Am I Evil (Live - Lars Vocal - February 1992) • 10) Disposable Heroes (Live - September 1985) • 11) Hit The Lights (March 1982)
Sound: Tracks 1-4 - 3/6 • Tracks 5-6: 4.5/6 • Track 7: 6/6 • Track 8: 2/6 • Track 9: 5/6 • Track 10: 5/6 • Track 11: 3/6
This CD is incredible. It not only features Metallica in its earliest inception, but some real live gems. Sucking My Love is the rarest Metallica song, with Ron McGovney having the only master copy. The rest of the tracks taped in March 1982 were also played in Ron's garage. Despite poor sound quality, it is very interesting to hear these tracks.
I have been looking for the Am I Evil with the altered lineup (Lars - vocal, Jaymz - drums, Jason - guitar, Kirk - bass) for a long time. This is not quite how I expected it (I thought Lars would be a little less Bruce Dickinson like) but it is still very amusing to listen to (especially Lars' 5 minute "speech" before the song while the band gets restless).
Trapped Under Ice is of terrible sound quality but it is the only known recording of this song live... in this case, sound is not of utmost importance.
If you are a fan of Metallica, buy this CD if you can find it!
GARAGE SESSIONS (BOOTLEG)
Early demos and the Garage Days EP (81, 82 - 87)
Sound:
Tracks 1-2: 4/6 Tracks 3-9: 4.5/6 Tracks 10-14: 6/6 Cover: 5/6 Overall 5.5/6
This CD is a must have for any Metallica collector. Not only does it include the original versions of Killing Time and Let It Loose with Lloyd Grant on lead guitar, but No Life Till Leather (the demo they used to get their contract) and the out of print "Garage Days Re-revisited". As you can iamgine this CD has a lot hard to get material, and is definitley worth the money.
Killing Time and Let It Loose are extremely cool despite the sound quality (you can tell it is a demo). Jaymz sings with a high voice (as opposed to his low growl) and they sound on the whole, very young.
The No Life Till Leather Demo has the "in-progress" songs that appear on Kill Em All. Alhtough they are full songs, quite a bit was changed from this demo to the actual recording of KEA. The sound quality here is better than Killing Time and Let It Loose, but still leaves something to be desired. It was great to finally hear this demo after looking for it for some time.
I already had GDRR so I knew what it was like. Although the songs from Garage Days are completely out of order on this CD, this is one of the best parts of the disc. The sound is studio quality and it is Metallica at its best.
Tracks:
1) Killing Time 2) Let It Loose 3) Hit the Lights 4) The Mechanix 5) Motorbreath 6) Jump In the Fire 7) Seek and Destroy 8) Metal Militia 9) Phantom Lord 10) Helpless 11) Crash Course in Brain Surgery 12) The Small Hours 13) Last Caress/Green Hell 14) The Wait (labelled as The Waith)
WELCOME TO THE BALL (BOOTLEG)
Live performance and demos
• Sound: 5/6 • Cover: 6/6 • Overall: 5/6
This CD includes a show from the "Ride the Lightning" tour as well as the "Ride the Lightning" demos. The live perfomance is Metallica at its aggressive peak!
The demos are great but for some reason it sounds as if Jaymz is not the one singing. The Call Of Ktulu is called When Hell Freezes Over on this CD (its original title) and though the demos are raw, they stand out as some of the better Metallica demos out there.
Overall, this is a worthwhile and enjoyable CD.
THE METALLICA INTERVIEWS VOLUME 2 (ISSUED IN 1992)
Interview with Lars Ulrich recorded in 1986 somewhere in Europe.
Sound: 5.5 / 6 Cover: 4.5 / 6 Overall: 5.5 / 6
This CD contains no music, but something almost as great... a 45 minute interview with Lars, just after the release of "Master Of Puppets". The funny thing is, Lars talks on and on (typical) and the interviewer does not even get many questions in. Lars actually starts asking the interviewer questions!
On this CD, Lars basically talks about how he feels "Master" is their best to date and how he really likes the way the songs vary in style (i.e. Battery to Santitarium). Lars goes in depth on how he is really excited about touring with Ozzy Osbourne. The interviewer also asks him about the "Metallica suicide" (someone killed themself over Fade to Black in the 80's) and he gets into the subject of "middle class America". He also discusses how Metallica write their songs, and how they try and be very original with each of them. This CD is really great overall and it is very interesting to compare Lars' opinions in 1986 to those in 1996. Considering the relatively low price, (I paid 12 dollars) I would reccomend this CD to any Metallica fan.
Apocalyptica - "Plays METALLICA By Four Cellos" (1996)
Finnish band who released this CD of Metallica covers.
• Sound: 6/6 • Cover: 5.5/6 • Overall: 6/6
• Track Listing: • 1) Enter Sandman • 2) Master Of Puppets • 3) Harvester Of Sorrow • 4) The Unforgiven • 5) Sad But True • 6) Creeping Death • 7) Wherever I May Roam • 8) Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
Have you ever wondered what Metallica would sound like without the guitar crunch and the provocative lyrics? If you have, your wondering is over. Apocalyptica plays Metallica using four cellos. When I first heard of this I was surprised, but then came to the conclusion that the complex rhythms and tempos performed by Metallica could successfully be transfered to classical music.
The Metalli-classics on this CD (i.e Master Of Puppets, Creeping Death Enter Sandman) sound odd at first, but become better and better with each new listen.
"Apocalyptica Plays Metallica by Four Cellos" is a very interesting and enjoyable CD.

Click here to view my trading list
Click here to go back to the main page

This page hosted by GeoCities Get your own Free Home Page