Album Review: Metallica – … And Justice For All (30th anniversary re-release)

So, Let It Be Written…

… in the language of the mad, and while chomping down chocolate Buttons and a Flake.

In 1988 B.C. (before computers) I purchased Metallica “…And Justice for All” on cassette, see Fig.1, and hands up all those who remember the glory days? I also bought a video cassette, see Fig.2 (mean anything to you reprobates?) wherein our hero Lars quite eloquently talks about the story behind the song “One” and then the video is played in its entirety. My dad had a double cassette player, see Fig.3 (we were posh), and I used to listen to my cassettes on this.

Those were fun times, but now with CD’s, DVD’s, MP3’s, Bluetooth, Blu Ray (who’s he?), downloading, streaming (I mean WTF man) life is a little more complicated.

Rant over, I am in celebratory mood as I am cradling in my mitts the 30th anniversary re-release of “…And Justice For All” and I will impart the benefit of my wisdom and experience to you, dear readers.

Aesthetically gorgeous, using the same photos and artwork from the original (oh, wherefore art thou, Jason?), my heart is beating like a charging rhino and I’m only reading the track list.

Away we go with “Blackened” and you, my friends, will be seated atop said charging rhino for the remainder of this journey, sans safety harness. New bassist, Jason Newsted has had to fill some hefty boots, but this was the start of a fruitful relationship.

This album is wall to wall carnage with the title track “Justice is lost, justice is raped, justice is gone” you are pulverised and petrified as these guys have you pinned, and they will show no mercy.

What I love about Metallica songs is the arrangement, you think you know where the song is going but then you are wrenched out of your comfy seat and thrown across the room. The song “Eye Of The Beholder” is typical of this sort of composition, sterling musicianship from everyone involved.

With “One” you have one of my favourite lyrics

“Hold my breath as I wish for death” it is a war song like no other and asks the most rudimentary yet soul crushing question “What is democracy?”

The lyrics are an horrific read, but they are honest and are sung with conviction and a conscience. It is a superb example of how thirty years on we are still plagued with the same criminality, the same oppression, the same corruption and the same suffering. Perhaps it is why we need songs like this, they may not change the world, but they will undoubtedly leave a legacy that will remember and honour the efforts that were made to make the world a better place for us all.

Up next is “The Shortest Straw” which is unyielding in its approach and deadly in its delivery and it is swiftly followed by another of my favourites “Harvester Of Sorrow” a song that has a slower, heavier beat but still hurts like hell.

My sanity was already frayed; I didn’t need to read these words

“birth of terror, death of much more”

Metallica know how to tell ‘em. Their songs often punctuated with single words, like a hail of bullets or a lunatic knife thrower who just loves his job.

“To Live Is To Die” is composed mainly of riffs that were written by Cliff Burton (RIP) before his death. It is an instrumental track for the lion’s share, with just a few words incorporated courtesy of German poet Paul Gerhardt.

“When a man lies, he murders some part of the world.”

This is a stunning piece of music, anyone who argues will be shown the door.

These songs offer sustenance, shelter, and companionship to those who need it. They offer a voice to those who cannot or are too afraid to speak. The struggle for justice on every level will continue.

The album closes with an ode to parenthood, “Dyer’s Eve” is a song that is utterly relatable to me. Every word is a bitter pill and swallow it you must for it is a truth; a seed that germinates within and heaven forfend the being that is ultimately created.

I urge you, my friends, allow yourselves the freedoms that we should enjoy. Allow yourselves to breathe, to grow, to care, to give, to dream, to be, to live.

Allow yourselves Metallica.

Azra Pathan

Metallica- . And Justice For All (30th anniversary re-release) out now on Blackened Recordings.