The Unforgettable Collaboration of Metallica, James Hetfield, and Lars Ulrich in S&M

As a music enthusiast, it's impossible not to appreciate the unique combination of genres that Metallica achieved in their album, S&M. The album, which features the band's hit songs played in collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, was a bold move that paid off. In this article, we'll explore the story behind S&M and how it became a testament to Metallica's mastery of their craft.

Metallica's S&M

S&M is a live album by the American heavy metal band Metallica, accompanied by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. The album was recorded on April 21–22, 1999, at The Berkeley Community Theatre. It was released on November 23, 1999, through Elektra Records. The album features songs from previous Metallica albums, including "Master of Puppets," "Enter Sandman," and "One."

S&M is a unique album that combines the power of metal music with the elegance of classical music. The album is a testament to Metallica's musical evolution and their willingness to experiment with different genres. The collaboration between the band and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra was a groundbreaking move that paved the way for future collaborations between metal bands and classical orchestras.

Metallica's music evolution and their collaboration with classical music

Metallica's music evolved significantly over the years, starting from their debut album, "Kill 'Em All," in 1983. The band's early music was heavily influenced by thrash metal and punk rock. As the band matured, their sound became more polished and sophisticated. Metallica's use of complex riffs, fast guitar solos, and intricate drumming set them apart from other metal bands of their time.

In the early 1990s, Metallica was at the height of their popularity, having released several hit albums, including "Metallica" (also known as "The Black Album"). It was during this time that the band started experimenting with different genres, including blues and country music. However, it was their collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra that truly showcased their willingness to push boundaries and try something new.

The making of S&M: the story behind the collaboration

The idea for S&M came from Michael Kamen, a renowned composer and conductor who had previously worked with Metallica on their song "Nothing Else Matters." Kamen approached the band with the idea of performing their songs with a full orchestra, and Metallica was immediately interested.

The band spent over a year preparing for the collaboration. They reworked their songs to fit the orchestration and even wrote a new song, "−Human," specifically for the performance. The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra also spent months rehearsing with the band to ensure that their performance was perfect.

The two-night performance at The Berkeley Community Theatre was a massive success, with fans and critics alike praising the unique blend of metal and classical music. The performance was recorded and released as a double album, which was also accompanied by a DVD of the performance.

The tracks and performances in S&M

S&M features 21 tracks, including hits like "Master of Puppets," "Enter Sandman," and "One." The songs are played with the full backing of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, adding a new dimension to the music.

The performances on S&M are nothing short of breathtaking. The addition of the orchestra adds depth and complexity to the songs, making them sound even more epic than before. The standout performances on the album include "The Call of Ktulu," "One," and "−Human."

The significance of S&M in the music industry

S&M was a groundbreaking album that paved the way for future collaborations between metal bands and classical orchestras. The album showed that metal music could be just as sophisticated and elegant as classical music, and that the two genres could be combined to create something truly unique.

S&M also helped to further cement Metallica's place in music history. The band had already established themselves as one of the most successful metal bands of all time, but with S&M, they showed that they were also one of the most innovative and experimental.

The impact of James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich in the creation of S&M

James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich played a significant role in the creation of S&M. The two band members worked closely with Michael Kamen to ensure that the orchestration matched the metal sound that Metallica was known for. Hetfield and Ulrich also spent a considerable amount of time reworking their songs to fit the orchestration.

Hetfield's vocals are particularly impressive on S&M. His powerful voice is perfectly complemented by the orchestra, making the songs even more emotional and powerful. Ulrich's drumming is also noteworthy, as he manages to keep up with the complex orchestration while still providing the driving beat that Metallica is known for.

The legacy of S&M and its influence on Metallica's later works

S&M had a significant impact on Metallica's later works. The album showed the band that they could push boundaries and try new things without alienating their fan base. Metallica continued to experiment with different genres in their later albums, including blues, country, and even electronic music.

S&M also helped to further cement Metallica's place in music history. The band had already established themselves as one of the most successful metal bands of all time, but with S&M, they showed that they were also one of the most innovative and experimental.

The critical reception of S&M and its commercial success

S&M was a critical and commercial success. The album received generally positive reviews, with many critics praising the unique blend of metal and classical music. The album also performed well commercially, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 8 million copies worldwide.

Behind the scenes: the making of the S&M documentary

In addition to the album, Metallica also released a documentary about the making of S&M. The documentary provides an in-depth look at the collaboration between the band and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. It also features interviews with the band members and behind-the-scenes footage of the rehearsal and performance.

S&M as a testament to Metallica's mastery of their craft

S&M is a testament to Metallica's mastery of their craft. The album showcases the band's willingness to experiment with different genres and push boundaries. The collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra was a groundbreaking move that helped to cement Metallica's place in music history.

S&M is a unique album that combines the power of metal music with the elegance of classical music. The album is a testament to Metallica's musical evolution and their willingness to experiment with different genres. The collaboration between the band and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra was a groundbreaking move that paved the way for future collaborations between metal bands and classical orchestras.