Metallica's Metallica (33 1/3)

If you need to know everything there is to know about Metallica, then you need to read this book. I’ve published a book on Metallica myself, Metallica and Philosophy: A Crash Course in Brain Surgery, and so I thought I knew it all about Metallica in general and the Black Album in particular. I was wrong. Masciotra’s book includes new interviews with all the band members and Bob Rock. A couple of examples of what I learned: “Fade to Black” shares sonic similarities with “Free Bird”; Hetfield was listening to Lennon and Dylan while writing the lyrics for the Black Album; “Wicked Game” was an influence on “Nothing Else Matters.” There is much more. Masciotra does a terrific job of highlighting lots of the great lyrics on the Black Album that too often are overlooked by older fans who were bothered by the commercial sound of some of the songs. You won’t agree with all of Masciotra’s views—I disagree that “Don’t Tread on Me” is a weak link—but you will be moved to think more deeply about Metallica and the struggle within.

A decent and brisk run through the recording of the album, but unfortunately suffers badly from the relatively close release of the best books on Metallica I've read, Into the black and Birth.school.Metallica.death which spend some time on the black album.Nonetheless, the 33 1/3 book contains some interesting material from extensive interviews of the various band members, and I found it informative.

Masciotra tells the reader everything you would ever want to know about Metallica, and does it with a smooth readable style that makes this book impossible to put down.

ezreviewer’s take is spot on.

Im an original old school metal fan...Around when it all began...Zeppelin Sabbath Purple Priest Maiden ..on and on until the great likes of Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and others grabbed the torch and Thrashed into existence ...I have read Masciotras' 33 1/3 book Metallica (The Black Album) and loved the record but never had the information on the thoughts ...creativity ...planning and emotional feelings from Lars, James, Kirk, Jason, and producer Bob Rock about how this great record came to be.... until now! In depth interviews with the band and great twists on words and phrases make this tiny 118 page book and exciting read! I couldn't put it down....Being a musician my entire life I have a much greater appreciation for this record and the emotional roller coaster the band brings to the pages through Masciotras intense scrutiny of their lives and their personal feelings toward the Black Album!..Its a quick read..enjoy every page. There are many visuals as you read on..This book may have different meanings to different Metallica fans...but as Ulrich is quoted at the very beginning of the book right on page 1..."If you line up 20 different Metallica fans against the wall, you are going to get 20 different responses about what Metallica means".... So ...read and enjoy the great facts in this book and take it for what it is. And when your finished crank up the Metallica Black album...and listen to it on a whole new level....

Not a huge fan of this music genre but having seen the Metallica movie I wanted to check out this book. Very glad I did. The author takes us through the entire process of the making of this album from start to finish. This is done from the perspective of the band members and the producer. You are also given an inside look of the changes the band went through during this time and after. Great read whether you are a hard core metal fan or a novice like myself. Highly recommended.

Well written and researched book covering the cultural and musical impact of one of not only the biggest albums in the history of metal but music itself. The author had unfiltered access to the musicians and producer. I wish this series would cover more metal lps, because the quality of writing is top notch.

i've never written a review before, but i've never read a book that I felt was such a complete waste of money. Sorry but this book is STUPID. It's a pointless opinion piece, not factual journalism. It's just an overlong congratulatory message to Metallica. It is not 'critical' at all... every song is a masterpiece, no filler! I have some news... There are bad songs, and there is filler. It's not even Metallica's best album. Come on! I personally like the Black album, that's why I bought this book. So I don't know what's more annoying, the total sycophantic point of view, or the unnecessarily grandiose and obfuscating heavy writing style (see what I mean). Sure, the writer has access to the band, his proverbial golden goose, how dare he jeopardise it by writing anything possibly negative. Here is a golden nugget:"...Hammett's guitar is right there with him. Like a snake charmer of the spirit, with his six strings, he's summoning the emotional avidity and complexity of the song. The second verse performs an autopsy of Kierkegaard's allegorical corpse."are you serious? How pretentious is this? It's "The Unforgiven". It's a rock song. It's o-kay... it's not the 9th Symphony.. The whole book is filled with ridiculous metaphors and imaginary insights in case you may have mistaken it for just a heavy rock album.At least give us some insight into the techniques or processes of the recording, of which there is very little, and all of which has already been covered in other books or videos. You will learn more watching the Metallica:Classic Albums DVD or even A Year And A Half In The Life. Seriously I have read almost all the other Metallica books out there. This is by far the most unnecessary and tedious. Sorry man, but this is dumb and it's a total waste of money. Sad but true