There's Only One Metallica

So I bought the newest Guitar Hero game and as luck would have it, it is completely about Metallica!

The Actual Game

If you’ve played one guitar Hero game you’ve played them all.  The setup is much like guitar hero 5 and allows you to hook up drums and microphones to it.  It gives you the option to play as a band and the connections are usually very good.

The Songs

Some great choices of songs, some new and a lot of older ones.  I would have enjoyed a few more S&M versions though.  Unlike what some people think, it is not completely Metallica Songs.  About half of the songs are original songs from Metallica covers, most noteably from Garage Inc.  Songs like Turn the Page, Tuesday’s Gone and Merciful Fate are featured in this catagory.

The Graphics

I was pleasantly surprised by the graphics in this game.  As always with guitar hero it gets repetitive and the characters do the same stunts a lot.  THe actual characters are really well done and they look just like the guys.  One wish that was never granted though was that I could play them in diffrent looks, like when they had long hair.

Extras

There are a few pretty cool extras in the game that you are able to unlock through continuous play.  There are a few movies of the guys with the motion sensor suits on playing the game.  There is also a good extra about two great collectors that were invited to meet the guys while they made the game.

Conclusion

A good game for those who enjoy Metallica’s songs.  There are a few good extras and the graphics are very cool.  Of coarse there are a few things that I wished they included and quite a few good songs they left out.  My vote is that they could have just taken out the two St. Anger album songs but oh well.  I recommend this Game to the avid fan.

No comments »

Introduction

I bought Death Magnetic the first week it came out.  I was nervous when I bout this album because St. Anger, their last one, was one of the worst albums I had ever heard.  For more about why I hated St. Anger see my post about it.

Death Magnetic, however, surprised me.  Just the first song “that was just your life” opened me up to the album.  Soon I was acctualy singing along with a new Metallica album!  Something I never thought I would get to do again.

Songs

That was just your life - a slow intro leading to heavy power cords and great solo riffs from Kirk.  The lyrics are a little disapointing at first, since they still sound a little like St. Anger lyrics.

The day that never comes – their “single” of the album.  They released a music video of this song where they look like their in Iraq or Afghanistan.  This is fitting since the song deals with abuse and a woman’s troubles.  The song is really good with some catchy riffs.  Those that read my blog often will know that I love the moral songs better so it makes sense that this one is my favorite.

The unforgiven III – A good attempt at a third part to the Unforgiven trilogy.  However, this song doesn’t quite live up to the legacy.  I was really excited to see it on the back of the case when I bought it but the song does not really work out the way it should have.  Though I didn’t like it as much, the guys definitely worked hard and incorporated some interesting ideas (like the piano at the beginning).

The Judas Kiss – a great, heavier song.  I find it impressive that at their age they can come up with new riffs, chords, and lyrics like this.  It certainly is a harder song to play and is faster than what they usually do now a days.  This song sounds like it would be with the Master of Puppets album!  Which is a huge triumph since “New Metallica” doesn’t hold a candle to “Old Metallica”!

Cover

A cool looking cover that definitely interests perspective buyers.  It shows a coffin radiating power, which is fitting to the songs in the album.  The pictures are good and show a dedicated group still intent on preforming for their adoring fans.

Conclusion

I was pleasantly surprised by this album and, though it isn’t my favorite album, it is definitely in the top 5.  The riffs are new but remind me of their older songs, the lyrics are original (though a bit still like St. Anger) and their presentation is solid.  I only wish that their was a song that delved into a story or ballad like their cover song Turn The Page did.  I liked this album and hope Metallica will continue their work for the fans that love them.

1 Comment »

These songs express and show that Metallica is not just loud music with head bangers.  It is a smart band that have used their popularity to express important messages through their songs, while still keeping a loud and metal theme!  The following songs best show Metallica’s ability to express important messages in their work…

Fixxxer – Reload

The last song on Metallica’s album Reload is a melody of emotion and passion.  The songs deals with child abuse and invites the listener to understand and appreciate the horrors of this cruel act.  James unleashes his soul while singing and you can truely tell he is feeling the anger and sadness that he is expressing.

Until it Sleeps – Load

Written shortly after James’ mother died from refusing life-saving medication because of the belief that “God would save her”.  James shows the arrogant stupidity of these claims.  This song plays with the conflicting ideas between science and religion.

Hero of the Day – Load

Written to deal with the media, this song caters to those that choose role models like Brittany Spears and Lindsay Lohan.  They ask the listener to respect and admire true hero’s like firefighters and the police, and not look to media heros as role models.

Disposable Heros – Master of Puppets

A great song when thinking of the war.  Metallica mocks the political leaders by immitating their apparent wishes.  Claiming that, “one soldier down, mothers son, but he served us well” is catering to the idea that government leaders must be woken up to the horrors they are inflicting, for usually their own personal gain.  Disposable heroes deals with the fact that some treat our heroes as disposable.

King Nothing – Load

Materialism is not left unchecked by Metallica.  King Nothing expresses the important fact that, although those with power and material objects feel in charge or important, they are no more important than anyone else.  This song also deals with pride and personal egotism.  Lyrics like “where’s your crown king nothing?” show that although these people feel like kings, they have no honor or real importance.

1 Comment »