It might not make any sense to review a CD that was mixed for me, because no one else (except maybe the friend who gave it to me as a birthday present) has a copy. But as this is my only real exposure to metal, I’m reviewing it track-by-track.
1: Metallica Dyers Eve
The friend who burned me this disc may or may not have been thinking when he put "Dyers Eve" first. It started me off listening to the rock-and-roll stereotype of bitter, angsty rages about the unfairness of authority figures (do as I say not as I do). I found myself strangely attracted to this song, but it left me completely unprepared for...
2: Metallica Low Man’s Lyric
Where “Dyers Eve” was raw and angry, stereotypical rock and roll, “Low Man’s Lyric” was almost somber and repentant. The music is almost as heartbreaking as the lyrics, although how this was managed with traditional rock instruments amazes me. Despite the sheer bizarrity of a rock song being sad and contemplative (I've been raised on the stereotype that all heavy metal is bad) I adjusted the idea and "Low Man's Lyric" quickly became one of the highlights of the disc.
3: Metallica Nothing Else Matters
I found “Nothing Else Matters” strangely refreshing after the mix of emotions brought on by “Low Man’s Lyrics”. I liked the lyrics and the music, but couldn’t get into the song itself, which saddens me. The words seemed mainly positive (it’s all relative, really) but the lead singer’s voice still had serrated effect. I shall attempt another review later.
4: Metallica One
I have not yet reviewed this track.
5: Metallica Unforgiven
This song sedates me for reasons I can’t understand. The lyrics tell the story of a man’s life told predominantly through third person (the last verse is in first person and says that it is the singer’s experiences reflected in the words). It was more stereotypically rock than “Low Man’s Lyric” and “Nothing Else Matters” but was mellower than "Dyers Eve". Metallica’s guitarist continues to impress me in this unusually good version of a stock theme (a child with a bad life).
6: Metallica Unforgiven 2
"Unforgiven" and "Unforgiven 2" are both excellent songs. The musicians matched them nicely, from the identical opening chords to the repetition of "What I've felt, what I've known" in the choruses and the end of "Unforgiven" as the background vocals for the end of "Unforgiven 2". I also found that "Nothing Else Matters" for some reason seemed to go well with "Unforgiven 2" in the themes of trust. Of the song itself, “Unforgiven 2” has made my favorites list. I find it to be, while somewhat depressing (like most of the songs burned for me), weirdly erotic.
7: Metallica Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
I have not yet reveiwed this song, as I have been unable to force myself to listen to it all the way through. Do not expect more than a few positive things from me about it.
8: Metallica Master of Puppets
This song was extremely entertaining. It held the same raw, smashing energy as “Dyers Eve” but in a way that to me felt more fun. Despite being very strange and very destructive, this song left me uplifted. The bizarre themes of sadomasochism run through it. It pleased me enough to make a place for itself as one of my AIM away messages, and I plan to include it on my "Dominance" mix tape. On a weird note, the end of "Master of Puppets" seemed to melt into the beginning of...
9: Metallica Don’t Tread on Me
“Don’t Tread on Me”, while not a bad song, felt particularly forced. The composers couldn’t seem to fit what they wanted to say in the chorus into the flow of the song. As a result, “Don’t Tread on Me” feels choppy and rushed. The guitar work continues to hold strong, and at several points I thought I heard a person talking or screaming and upon listening closer discovered it to be the guitar and the bass. The music impressed me, the words did not.
10: Nightwish She Is My Sin
Ah…a song that promises to offend almost any parent. That is, if you could understand what the lead singer of this Finnish band is trying to say. The instruments are sound and the singer has a wonderful semi-operatic style that, while unique, makes it near impossible to decipher the lyrics. Just as well, for I think my parentals would be shocked and angry with the friend who burned my CD if they understood the inherant naughtiness of this wonderful tune (I do envy the sinners). It makes to be one of my favorites on the album, and for reasons unbeknownst to me makes me slightly sad.
11: Nightwish The Kinslayer
I have not yet reveiwed this track (sounds promising, though, doesn’t it?).
12: Nightwish 10th Man Down
“10th Man Down” is far easier to decipher the words of than “She Is My Sin”. This may be because the lead singer isn’t the only one doing the singing. A bandmate (or possibly a synthesizer, the voice is so deep) provides background vocals as well as the main vocals for the last verse. A high-quality song that left me contemplating war from the opposite end of the spectrum of Metallica’s “Don’t Tread on Me”. I would recommend this song not only on its musical merits, but on the fact that hearing someone with a Finnish accent say “ain’t” is almost hysterically funny in the small hours of the morning.
13: Nightwish Elvenpath
I was amused when I could identify all the literary references in this incredible song. The lead singer begins the song speaking to the accompaniment of some low-key instrumentals, which gives the listener ample time to appreciate her amazing voice (and cute accent). Once the song itself begins, the lyrics are a little difficult to hear through the rush of the music. I didn’t consider this to be a loss as the music is as good, if not better, than the words.
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