1) Napalm Death - "Breed to breathe"
What more needs to be said. Napalm Death kick ass and this is one of the best metal tunes to emerge this year. Taken from the excellent "Inside The Torn Apart" album, this is what metal is about. Slightly more accessible than their earlier stuff but still heavy as f**k! This tune rocks and you will move involuntarily!!

2) Cathedral - "Stained glass horizon"
Cathedral are cool. Black Sabbath for the 90's! This tune sounds more like Sabbath than a lot of their tunes. Stoner rock tastic as me and my mates would say. Not mellow and not overly extreme, they rock, period. Cool guitar sound too.

3) Carcass - "Keep on rotting in the free world"
Silence please. Remember. Carcass were Britain's if not the world's greatest death metal band for years. This latest incarnation is a lot different from when they made "Symphonies Of Sickness" or their finest hour "Necroticism - Descanting..." but it is recognisably Carcass. Their final album "Swansong", where this cut comes from, is a more straightforward metal album but it still retains their trademark aggression and rocks like a motherf**ker!! Many Carcass fans are not impressed but given a chance it proves to be just as good quality as "Necroticism" or "Heartwork".

4) At The Gates - "Blinded by fear"
Taken from their final album "Slaughter of the soul" this is brutal but melodic death metal of the highest quality. Pounding fast drumming and a guitar riff that stabs at every beat make this a cracker. Some bands try for ages to write tunes as good as this but never do.

5) Godflesh - "Circle of shit"
Now here's something different. Aural terrorists Godflesh don't half write some strange stuff but this track taken from their "Songs of Love and Hate" album is a rather good tune. Mind you, the album's pretty good too. With a bass as loud as a belch from Satan himself, some rather cool and very danceable hip-hop style beats and Justin Broadrick's abrasive vocals, this song may not appeal to everyone but if you like something a little different then check them out.

6) Dub War - "Strike it"
A damn fine piece of crossover metal from possibly Britain's finest in the business. Taken from their album "Pain" this song is a live and dance floor favourite. Dub War write some really cool tunes and this is one of their finest. Hip-hop beats, aggressive vocals from Benji, really loud guitar and a banging bass make this a tune that will catch you first time and get you moving!!

7) Pulkas - "Hippy Fascist"
One of Earache's latest signings, Pulkas sound very promising. A little bit different to a lot of new bands around just now, which can only be good. They do have some similarities to the Deftones though. However, since the Deftones are not like a lot of their contemporaries in that they haven't just re-written their earlier stuff and don't sound the same all the time, they could be onto a good thing. I think this is just a demo version of this because the guitar is not well-enough pronounced and sounds hidden in the background. Probably this will be changed for the final mix.

With tortured vocals that go from harmonic to guttural screams over a catchy riff and a wicked rhythm section, Pulkas should do well.

8) Misery Loves Co. - "A Million Lies"
Now this is a band that deserve respect. Taken from their new album "Not Like Them" this song is another classic piece of industrial metal from one of Sweden's finest exports. Misery have progressed from their first album into an aggressive vicious, snarling beast that a lot of industrial bands don't even come close to. Not quite as full-on as label mates Pitch Shifter, they have a style all their own that is very impressive. I've heard the new album and it's a cracker. If you like this, you won't be disappointed.

9) Ultraviolence - "Strangled"
Having not heard any of Ultraviolence's stuff, I didn't know what to expect, but I thought I knew not what to expect. I was quite surprised to say the least!! Ultraviolence play some extremely mad thrash-metal-speed techno. This would be too mental for most techno fans. They wouldn't know what hit them. This is heavy metal done techno style!! Very interesting. I actually found myself liking this because like Prodigy, who I also like, they are something different and not your usual run-of-the- mill stuff.

10) The Haunted - "Undead"
Another of Earache's new signings, this is something good. It's so good to hear a band nowadays playing fast, aggressive, heavy-as-shit music. Oh yes, I am impressed by this. Very musically competent with some cracking speed and rhythm changes. This is what metal should be like! None of this trendy, jump on the bandwagon pish. Look out for their debut album!!

11) Iron Monkey - "Big loader"
The last of the new signings, this is one band I was anxious to hear since they are playing in the nightclub where I DJ supporting label mates Extreme Noise Terror. Slow and grindingly heavy, they are in the same vein as Black Sabbath and Cathedral but with very different vocals. The lead singer sounds like he should be in a death or black metal band with that scream. This is rockin' stuff and I reckon their album will be worth checking out. They certainly show a lot of promise. Can't wait to see them live.

12) Pitch Shifter - "Underachiever"
This is a killer track from Nottingham noise monsters Pitch Shifter's latest album "Infotainment?". Aggressive in a way that no other industrial band is, Pitch Shifter write some very inspiring stuff that separates them from the crowd. "Infotainment?" was one of the most significant albums of 1995 and this tune is just one of the highlights. Very heavy yet dancefloor friendly, they are one of the most original bands around drawing on influences from many different music scenes. Go buy their "Infotainment?" album. You won't regret it.

13) Entombed - "Stranger Aeons"
What more needs to be said. It's Entombed. Taken from their damn fine "Clandestine" album and also featuring on the "Entombed" compilation, this is a classic piece of death 'n' roll that many bands could never even come close to. Entombed have to be one of the finest bands around today. You won't be disappointed by albums like "Clandestine" and their genre-defying classic "Wolverine Blues".

14) Anal Cunt - "Technology's gay"
HA! HA! HA! Anal Cunt are such a good laugh. Admittedly their music is very brutal death metal, but like Lawnmower Deth, they are all about having a big laugh. This 23-second epic is a rather amusing piss-take of sad computer nuts that have no life and spend all their time on the internet. Highly amusing. Taken from their new album "I love it when you die" which has a rather funny cartoon cover.

15) Extreme Noise Terror - "Damage 381"
Oh yeah!!! The Noise Terror are one of the original grindcore masters and this, the title track from their latest album, is one of the most brutal, unrelenting, fast as f**k and downright insane songs you will possibly ever hear. Written at the last minute, right before the recording session, it's only 40 seconds long but they've crammed in as much energy as is possible. This blows you away literally. Turn it up loud and watch your ears bleed, your speakers melt, your windows break and the neighbours run away in fear. Excellent stuff. They are one of the best live bands I've seen and their "Damage 381" album should be made a compulsory purchase.

Overall, this album is a cracking showcase of Earache's bands and has some damn fine stuff on it. I like it a lot and for only 4.99 it's a damn good buy.

Rating: **********

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Graham Lapper, that DJ dude

I don#t really know what else to say about Sevendust except that their songs are often a lot more memorable than bands you read about in the more mainstream metal press. Unfortunately, I believe this album has only been released in the US, so anyone who doesn't live there will probably not be able to get hold of it.

I wouldn't put it at the top of my lists of essential purchases, but if you've got some spare cash lying about or a birthday coming up, it wouldn't be a waste if you appreciate good music.

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Kevin

Okay, first things first. Nah, I guess OST's aren't *really* necessary, but hey, sometimes they're actually OK. It's not just for anoraks, either, though I'm sure there MUST be one sad bastard out there who does collect them all. As for not all of the songs being in the movie, does anyone care, as long as the songs are good, yeah?

How many OST's can you think of that are *actually* okay? Let's face it, there's really not that many, is there. In my (humble) opinion, there are only three in existence; THE LAST ACTION HERO, TOMMY & JUDGEMENT NIGHT, even if they *were* all crap movies!

And so, taking a leaf from the latter's book, along comes SPAWN... great comic, but seriously diluted movie. Hey Mr Movie Director, not ALL comics are for kids ya know! But hey, that's an entirely different review...

The thing is, this JUDGEMENT NIGHT thing... On J.N., the (at the time) revolutionary idea of pairing Rap bands off with Metal acts was almost considered blasphemy! Before you start sending in letters about Run DMC/Aerosmith & Public Enemy/Anthrax, I mean that there hadn't been a COMPLETE album dedicated to pairing known stars of differing genres, so Rap & Rock appeared an obvious choice. Not so obvious, however, is Dance/Jungle & Rock, as is the case with SPAWN. I wonder if ol' red eyes would choose this selection himself. Somehow I doubt it.

On J.N., you get a fair few classics; Boo-ya Tribe / Faith No More & Helmet / House of Pain to name but two. Whereas on SPAWN, there are fewer moments of brillance. The Marylin Manson/Sneaker Pimps collaboration ("Long Hard Road To Hell") held a lot of promise. In reality though, it's basically a M.Manson track with the gorgeous whatshername from the S.P's on backing vocals; what a bloody waste of talent! Korn & The Dust Brothers' "Kick The P.A." is *so* unbelievably disappointing, too. Where's the slammin' riffs, the growled angst-ridden vocals, the miming to backing tapes etc.? Moving on, we have Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello teaming up with The Prodigy for the co-written "One Man Army". Surely, this one should be a cracker, I thought. Sorry guys, but moderately plodding breakbeat with Tom's fret-widdling antics, coupled with Maxim mouthing 'Face the fact of my crystal fist' (eh?), just doesn't augur well with me I'm afraid. It would have been better to utilise Tom on "Smack My Bitch Up", rather than this.

The track that I was most looking forward to hearing though, was Metallica & DJ Spooky's "For Whom The Bell Tolls (The Irony Of It All)". YES, YES, YES. It's about time Metallica were given a decent dance mix. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. >From the sound of it, this was shoved on the LP as an afterthought. Picture the scene... Kirk Hammett's just recorded his guitar part over Orbital's "Satan" for the album. There's room for one more track. 'Shit', says the producer, 'we're one short of the full monty, and we've used up all the artistes. Any ideas, Kirk?'. Kirk opens up his guitar case, produces a dusty old audio cassette, and tosses it towards the forlorn producer as DJ Spooky (in reality, he's a spotty youth on a sound engineering training scheme)looks on. Kirk says, 'I just happen to have an old 4-track version of "For Whom The Bell Tolls" with me. It's pretty fucked, but I'm sure you can do SOMETHING with it'. The producer & the kid sit in anticipation as they play the tape. The thing is so old, there's barely more than a verse and a chorus to deal with. The producer, realising all hope of a decent mix has gone, gets up to leave; 'Well, kid, you're always asking for a chance. Here it is. Try to mix this track to the mood of the record.' The kid, still in shock, stares slack-jawed at the leaving producer, 'I'm going to the all-night garage for something to eat & drink. The job had better be done by the time I get back...' And so, The Irony Of It All was born, the irony being that the geeky kid only had about 20 minutes to complete his masterpiece!! I bet it's not too far off the truth, either. The chance to do a decent Metallica dance mix is lost. It could have been so much better.

So, is there anything on the album worth saving it from the scrapheap? Well... Hmm... Emm... Yeah, I guess there is. "(Can't You Trip)Like I Do" by Filter & The Crystal Method was the first single released, and deservedly so. It's just a pity that the B-side, Incubus & DJ Greyboy's "Familiar", was JUST as good. Other favourable tracks are; the aforementioned "Satan", "Skin up, Pin Up" by Mansun/808 State, and (probably THE track of the album) "Torn Apart" by Stabbing Westward & Josh Wink. Special mentions go to; "T-4 Strain" Goldie's drum 'n bass b/w Henry Rollins in spoken word mode. Just plain weird. As for Slayer & Atari Teenage Riot's "No Remorse(I Wanna Die)", we have 100% Jungle with Tom Araya's distorted screaming vocals over the top of the mix. Just plain strange.

As for the tracks I haven't already mentioned, they didn't move me either way. After all that, I DO like this album. If you have at least 2 out of the 3 OST's I've already mentioned, go out and buy this too. If you seriously HATE all forms of dance music, then avoid this, it's your worst nightmare come true...

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THE ICEMAN SPOKETH

"Soul Searching Sun", Life Of Agony's 3rd long player, contains 13 tracks that are progressive in one sense, and a complete rip-off in another. Having seen the band at their last Glasgow gig (Feb.'96@ The Cathouse), I understood the band to be your typical NY (maaan!) hardcore bunch of angst-ridden angry young men. The new album has a more introspective feel about it, and it is this trait that qualifies it as progressive.

Now for the rip-off bit... Unfortunately, the musical style is somewhat different to their previous efforts, "Rivers Run Red" & "Ugly", resembling something close to Alice In Chains. In fact, probably closer than AIC could get right now!

"Weeds", the first single from the LP didn't do too well over here, but it should have. Keith Caputo's vocals coming over all Layne Stayley, as is indicative of the entire album. If Roadrunner have any sense at all, "My Mind Is Dangerous" will be the follow-up to it, as it is clearly the highlight of the 53 minutes. Other tracks of note are; "Angry Tree" - More balladic, laid-back & mellow. Slightly reminiscent of The Police in their halcyon days. "Hemophiliac (sic) In Me" sees LOA definately going grunge, as it sounds like happy Soundgarden. The trippy guitar solo bridge ripped off almost directly from "Black Hole Sun". With "Desire" though, you can soon expect to see LOA on MTV unplugged (I kid ye not!), and by the time the album revolves around to the final track "Whispers", the listener is left wondering...

Is this LOA or AIC?

Is Layne straight enough to sue for plagiarism?
Does he really care anymore?
Does ANYONE?
Is LOA sounding like AIC such a bad thing after all?

THE ICEMAN HAS SPOKEN

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Iceman

However if this, the first single off the album, is anything to go by, then you'll soon be wiping your tears away while reminiscing about the good old Load days. To put it bluntly this is shite. Shite I tell you. James, Lars and CO seem intent on trying to write the next installment of Kashmir while single handily failing on every musical level. First of all, as a song the track lacks imagination, any kind of hook and the guitars seem to be a poor rehash of The Outlaw Torn. I remember thinking that Until It Sleeps was a poor choice for a first single but if this is the best Metallica have then you might as well forget about Reload. However leaving aside the weakness of the song, there is one major flaw that stands out so clearly that surely someone on the bands label or even a close friend must have pointed it out. That is Marianne Faithful's impression of an 80 year old drunk trying to sing along. This is really too terrible for words. Remember incredibly unfunny child molester Pee Wee Herman? I would rather have him ranting over the top of the song than have to sit through the drunken slurring Faithful spews forth. Basically for a band that used to write some of the most impressive metal songs ever this is poor showing.

However there is a shining beacon of hope in the shape of Fuel for Fire on the B side. This shows Metallica getting more riff happy and dare I say it, a little bit heavy. There's one section were Hetfield shouts the lyrics and although lasting only about 2 seconds it reminds you of the reason you like Metallica, and that is their sorely missed Fuck off Attitude. Surely this would have been a better choice as first single, as it's probably the heaviest and best song that Metallica have done since the Black Album. This all leaves me confused on what to think about Reload. Certainly The Memory Remains is probably the worst song the band have written but Fuel does bring back memories of a Metallica that didn't give a fuck about the media and current musical trends. If only they had decided to go against the grain once more and fuck up TFI Friday with an impromptu version of Metal Militia, leaving ginger twat Chris Evans in serious trouble with Channel 4 execs. Then possibly Reload would be an essential purchase but as it stands I guess we'll have to wait and see.

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Gory Spice

Arcturus is, apparently, made up of members of various Scandinavian death metal bands. The mere mention of such bands is enough to strike terror into my innocent little heart ("Oh God, no. I hate that stuff."). This is different. Arcturus straddle the line between Gothic darkness and horror-movie cheesiness, and that between classically-influenced Gothy death metal and completely inaccessible headache-inducing unenjoyable noise, with great skill.

Here we have delicately ornate piano, sad soulful violin, doleful.organ chords and eerie filtered vocals driven by powerful drumming. Filling the room and your head, the sound is majestic, textured and spacious.

The lyrics are incredibly peotic. In facts two of them are poems: one taken from Edgar Allan Poe and another translated from the work of Jorn Henrik Svaeren. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to make them out because of the vocal filters.

Cradle of Filth eat your heart out. This is divine darkness.

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Wolfbitch

From the moment Souls At Zero starts, everything that is Neurosis is present. The samples, the wall of sound, the multiple vocal attack, the endless songs, are all represented in abundance. Perhaps the most interesting thing about Souls as an album is it's relative commercial aspect compared to 96's Through Silver. That's commercial in a snuff movies of babies being raped way (Hang on, that might do quite good trade amongst members of the clergy). The commercial sound comes from more lead guitar work and a generally more conventional song structure. However don't let that put you off. In a way it is actually better than the band's later work as you don't need a degree in metal to work out where the band are coming from, but you do miss some of the challenge and eventual reward. With Neurosis it is a case of the more you put in the more you get out. You have to concentrate fully on the songs to hear all the intricacies that the band weave into every chord. Indeed very few bands can spend as much time and energy working on their songs as Neurosis do.

These albums are extremely impressive in the manner in which the band meld different rhythms into each other while maintaining the overall flow of the material ( Every 2 bars seems to be different). Sound wise Neurosis are either the greatest inventors of all time or the master criminals of the music world. Really there is nothing ground breaking on either album but it's the way the band puts it all together that sets them apart from everything else. This is their great strength and their weakness. While listening to a few songs causes you to believe that every other form of music is light weight and throwaway, once you get down to listening on album level the length and complexity of the material does tire you out and makes you long for any other form of music no matter how superficial.. Indeed for a band that meld so many styles into their music their songs all do sound very similar. Don't get me wrong, Neurosis are good in a very special way but I want you to know exactly what you'll be getting yourself into.

Enemy of the Sun showcases a more familiar, if not quite as good Neurosis with it's long political style rants and unusual guitar framework. Indeed as far as samples go this is the best selection Neurosis have come up with. However the album sits uncomfortably between Souls and Through Silver with some of the songs becoming lessons in alternative unlistenability. That's right, Neurosis are truly an alternative band unlike the sub standard grunge cak being thrown at us at present. Basically you get two crushing albums for the price of one and that can't be bad, but be warned, if you like your music to be easily digested, rather like a summer blockbuster, then Neurosis isn't for you. If however you enjoy searching out those obscure foreign films and are looking for something really challenging then just buy the goddamn things. And if that weren't enough I think the front cover of Souls has a still from "The Wickerman", and if that doesn't scare you nothing will.

Rating: **********

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Gory Spice

Picture The first time I heard Gravity Kills was on the most excellent Mortal Kombat soundtrack, where the eighth song on this album first made it's appearence. As with most songs on that soundtrack, Goodbye really is excellent, with it's vocal melodies, dance beats, crunching guitar, and multitude of samples. Unfortunately though, as is the case with at least one other track from the soundtrack (Type O Negative's Blood & Fire), the album version isn't actually quite as good. A minor niggle...

Their watered down version of industrial works really well, and this is actually one of the few recent albums I've heard on which I actually recognise the songs very quickly. The second time you hear a song you are left thinking 'Do I not know this song from somewhere else?'. They're that memorable. That's not to say they are all excellent, but there are many highlights such as Guilty, Down, Enough and Goodbye (yes, every track has a one word title). For a debut it shines of experience and quality, though I think it'll take another album or two for them to reach their peak.

Gravity Kills will undoubtedly go a long way, try to find them before everyone else does. If you're not sure whether you'll like them or not, Buy the MK soundtrack! Not only will you hear one of their songs, but also countless other excellent tunes from bands you probably (with a few notable exceptions) won't have heard before.

NB: Listen to this with the volume UP, it's much better.

Rating: **********

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Kevin

Picture Industrial. Not a genre I normally actively seek out myself, being the kind of person who avoids Industrial nights in clubs like the plague. I'm not a fan of music based around rather dull eighties drum machine and weird samples, and is not catchy or imaginative, which is a fair description of bad industrial music. Like the little girl with the little curl in her forehead, when it's bad it's very, very bad. Not my cup of tea, my dear, apart from the occasional slice of NIN.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I find myself bouncing round the living room to this rather groovy little album. This is precisely the kind of thing to liven up any dancefloor: nice singalongable choruses, atmospherically nasty vocals, real instruments mixed in with the requisite weird industro-noises (piano, cello, violin, even ice-cool saxophone -- bliss), meaty guitar riffs and a general intuitive feeling for what really works musically.

My favourite song is probably "White Lightning" a bluesy country, Deep South pool-hall piece, which has a deliciously sleazy atmosphere to it, like most of the songs on this album. In fact, what characterises this album is its slighty dirty, nasty-but-rather-exciting edge, rather like illicit sexual acts in semi-concealed corners. You can almost taste the sweetness of Temptation's apple... raw, forbidden pleasure...lost innocence with no hope of redemption....mmm.....

Now, where was I? Oh, Metropolis. Right. There are obviously many musical influences drawn from to produce the songs on this album: jungle, rhythm and blues, metal, dance, ballads. This is a rich work.

I'm being far too complimentary and gushy about this album, so I'm going to end this before SMG's collective head gets too swollen.

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Wolfbitch

The full EP has many more tracks on it, this is just a sampler. The whole thing is basically a preview to their forthcoming album, SIN (Pecado). Judging by this release, the album should be quite good.

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Kevin

Picture
I, being just a young thing, had not heard of The Great Kat until I was emailed offering me a review copy of her latest CD and video. Iceman however isn't quite so youthful (though he'll hit me for saying it) and has heard of Kat's previous reputation. He laughed.

I was intrigued by her various descriptions, boasting of her 'Juilliard School training' and various other high profile claims. She started out as a child in Swindon (England) playing the piano at age 7 and violin at 9, before winning a scholarship to the aforementioned school. I thought this sounded very interesting for someone who claims to play modern speed metal. After listening to the CD I realised that wasn't quite true...

She insists 'classical music is dead', and 'metal is dead' and that she is resurrecting the metal scene with something new and innovative. Bold claims I thought, a mixture of classical and metal could be really good if done properly: a small number of bands have already demonstrated this to a certain degree. With Kat however, this is not the case. The classical songs on this CD are almost passable. They're kinda cool in their own little way. But that's as far as it goes I'm afraid. Her own songs appear to be cack (sp?), basically mid 80s speed metal ala Anthrax only without any of the good bits. Fast, confusing, and apparently no skill. I don't understand how someone who appears to have such musical talent (in writing) can sound like this: I think it must be for American tastes.

Shadow Thief by Jag Panzer has just come on my CD player: COOL ALBUM

Her video is basically two and a half minutes of leather, cleavage, blood, screams, noise and domination. Fun, if you like that kind of thing.

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Kevin

This makes the songs very powerful and aggressive and "my own summer.." is a storming piece of genius. Second track "lhabia" is another right off the bat storm of aggression and rage that pummels you into submission.

I can't understand how people can compare them to bands such as Korn and Coal Chamber when they sound nothing like them and are far superior. I would have to say that they sound more like Helmet than anyone else especially on the title track with it's grinding opening riff and rage-inspiring chorus. This is what separates them from the pack of new breed bands. Following straight on from this is the crushingly heavy "rickets" which just powers along like nothing they have ever done. If more of these new bands out there would realise that trend means temporary, they would possibly do much better and write much more original material.

One of the most interesting songs is "headup" which has ex-Sepultura man Max Cavalera on guitar and vocals. This song has a rather cool riff that for some reason reminds me of the Stone Temple Pilots song "Sex Type Thing". Judge for yourself.

This album is so awe-inspiring, aggressive and melodic within each song, with lots of twists and turns and every song is something completely different. There has been so much feeling and emotion put into writing it and the result is explosive. I was thoroughly impressed with this album and I can't wait for them to tour here again.

Rating: **********

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Graham Lapper, King of High Marks

This album has already received pladits like the one above. European monthly mag Mental Hamster gave it 8 out of 10. Even local fanzine Backslide (*as featured in Mental Hamster) are rumoured to be giving it 4 out of 5. I have just three words for both of them........
EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES.

You know the story (sure, ya *do*, honest!). There's this underhand tailor brought in to give the emperor a new outfit. He makes this "magical" robe that only intelligent people can see. Of course, *every* member of his staff comments on his "wonderful" new threads, when actually, ol' empy is stoating around butt naked. It's only when a child in the street points it out, that the emperor realises he's been had.

DON'T let this happen to you...

The people who give this LP great reviews are the 'fans' who brown-nose the band at every opportunity. Well E-ziners, I *too* am a fan, and I know that Jaymz, Lars & co HATE brown-nosers with a passion. To put it bluntly, I'm not happy at the crap we're being dealt here as an excuse for a Metallica album.

Now, I've been a fan longer than most, but shorter than others (round about 'And Justice...'). I was one of the few who thought "Metallica" (91) was a good career move, one of the even fewer who thought "Load" (96) essentially still *sounded* recognisably Metallica.
And thereby hangs the rub...

The opener "Fuel" is probably the best Metallica track since the Black album. We know they can still do it, *they* know they can still do it, but this is where it starts to go bad...
"The Memory Remains" (the first single) is track 2. As a single, on it's own, it IS crass. Strangely enough, though, as part of the LP it's not half bad...
If my memory remains, track 3 ("Devil's Dance") was premiered at Donington in 1995 along with "2 x 4" from "Load". It's not bad, either. "The Unforgiven II" scrapes by the post, merely because it's a sequel. Once again, on it's own, it tends to fall flat.

And that's it I'm afraid. The rest of the album tracks tend to drift by like innocuous lift muzak and before the LP's end, you realise something is missing. As "Low Man's Lyric" drifted in one ear (& out the other), my passing thought was; 'Shane MacGowan would be better off singing this...', and that's when it hit me:
James' vocal talents are upfront in the mix as usual, but the vital difference is that everyone else is turned way down in the mix. Even Lars' usual booming drums are put at a peep in the production. He's not playing softer, either! Not even calling a track after this hallowed E-zine could save them. "Reload" just doesn't SOUND like Metallica, and that is this album's biggest failing. I could say that "Metallica have reloaded & shot themselves in the foot" (ba-dumm... Ksssh), but why bother. Instead, I'll just say that Metallica were the wolves of the music scene for many years, but like any old dog, they've lost their teeth. Any animal that loses it's teeth can only suck, that's exactly what this album does. Is it terminal?... Time will tell.

If you feel strongly about the new release (good /bad / or indifferent), why not tell 'em about it. The website is at http://www.metclub.com and you can E-mail them at metclub@aol.com . This site isn't run by faceless quangos, but by the band's management, so drop them an E-line. Don't stop there either, while you're at it, send us a copy too... attitude@weirdness.com. I'm sending this entire review by E-mail to them, and I hope the boys will visit our little E-zine to see the review go out over the web.

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Iceman