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List Price: $20.35 | | Label: Elektra/Asylum
Salesrank: 27901
Released: August 17, 2004 |
| Our Price: $18.49 |
| Used Price: $13.99 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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| Features:
Color DVD Explicit Lyrics Live NTSC | |
Editorial Review:
There's little doubt that this two-volume concert and documentary package will appeal to die-hard Metallica lovers--given its more than three-hour length (two and a half for the concert segment alone), the band's predominantly white male fan base (repeatedly addressed as "man" by singer-guitarist James Hetfield) will be--in fact already are--ecstatic. But one wonders, especially given the erratic history of rock-cum-orchestra experiments, whether S&M will win Metallica any new aficionados. The fact is that the presence of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, conducted by composer Michael Kamen, adds texture but not much else of significance to the Metallica sound. The band is so loud that it tends to overwhelm even a 100-plus member orchestra; what's more, Metallica's crunching, fist-pumping, riff-laden metal music lends itself less to genuine orchestral adornment than to superfluous bombast. And while the sound quality is excellent, it's still basically just a filmed concert, with little in the way of additional visual interest. Still, there are some cool moments, and all involved are clearly having a great time. There are also two new Metallica songs, "No Leaf Clover" and "Minus Human." (Note: also available is an edited version, sold at a slightly lower price, which corresponds to the popular PBS broadcast. The longer version carries an explicit content advisory label, due to much casual profanity, especially in the "making of" documentary.) --Sam Graham
S&M (Smartpak) Reviews:
What a waste! 
2009-11-30 - The Award goes to Hetfield and his mates:
the Band and Songs are great, like we know them.
Orchestration is pathetic, quite obviously aiming for the Wagnerian,
but to no avail.
Mr. Kamen has yet to learn that in order to sound like Wagner,
you've got to write like Wagner.
Pity the poor Orchestra...
A Great Experiment 
2009-09-14 - Say what you will about what late bassist Cliff Burton's attitude would have been with regards to Metallica's artistic direction in the '90s, but he would have certainly approved of this experiment with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. As illustrated at one point in the entertaining 40-minute documentary included with this release, Burton was an enthusiastic fan of classical music, and the concert on these two DVDs is a great example of how the two genres -- at first seemingly opposed -- can meld instead of clash.
I'd like to take some time to review Sam Graham's review for Amazon.com, showcased above. In it, Graham cites Metallica's fan base as being predominately white and male. That's factually on-target; even the concert footage confirms this. However, there are many female fans in the audience as well, some in the front row no less -- not to mention millions of female fans, then and now, all over the world. It demeans them to imply they're nearly nonexistent. And here are certainly many fans who are not white; why race even enters into Graham's review is a mystery, as is the seeming offense at James Hetfield's calling the audience "man." It's called a colloquialism.
As for Graham's assertion that the orchestra "adds texture but not much else" to Metallica's sound, I beg to differ there as well, but only in regards to certain songs. True, on some songs (mostly from the Load-ReLoad era), there's not much the orchestra can do -- they offer some moments where they just follow the guitars. 'Fuel' is an prime example of this. That song's inclusion is strange, since it is essentially a song about going really fast in a car, which is not something that lends itself to violins and a harp playing in the background.
Where the orchestra really shines shows when the "old stuff" is performed. One needs to only listen to the S&M version of 'Call of Ktulu' to see this executed. Far more than "superfluous bombast",'Call of Ktulu' is the perfect song for this concert. In the documentary, Hetfield mentions how members of the orchestra were surprised to see such complex song arrangements from a rock band (though he wasn't specific on the songs they meant, I doubt they said it regarding 'Devil's Dance'), and it's during these arrangements that the concert excels. The version of 'The Thing That Should Not Be' here is even better than the version found on Master of Puppets, almost to the point where you might feel like the band originally intended an orchestra for the song. It's a real shame that other classic Metallica songs like 'Fade to Black' and 'Sanitarium -- both of which would certainly be enhanced by an orchestra -- didn't make it on the setlist.
Weirdly, Graham says the show is "...basically just a filmed concert, with little in the way of additional visual interest." What sort of additional visual interest did Graham envision? Explosions, maybe? That wouldn't be practical, given where the concert took place. Everything else was done that night to make the visual experience entertaining as well: the lighting changes follow the mood of the songs (at one point during 'For Whom the Bell Tolls', they shut off completely), there are multiple dynamic camera angles (a few humorously close to the mic), so what else could have been added? Furthermore, the DVDs allow for multi-angle views for select songs -- follow the band member of your choice.
Graham has at least one part right: the sound quality is excellent. In addition to the superb mix, the option exists for the viewer to virtually mute either Metallica or the orchestra. This addition alone makes the purchase worthwhile. If you'd like proof of the fallacy that the orchestra doesn't add much, turn off Metallica for awhile (just a little while, of course). Hear for yourself their contributions to the concert. And yes, Graham also correctly points out that most everyone filmed seems to be having a great time. It's especially entertaining to see members of an orchestra, normally an austere group, getting excited.
Basically: take Graham's review with heaps of salt. This DVD set is a necessary addition to any Metallica fan's video library, and something that can perhaps bring lovers of both metal and classical music to the same room to actually enjoy a concert at the same time. (But not for long after. Soon enough, the metal fan will want to talk about Ride the Lightning and the classical fan will want to chat about Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, and the two will probably part ways.)
NEW AND FAST SHIPING
2009-09-07 - EXELENT BUT I RETURN BECAUSE NO CODE TO PR . I CANT SEE DVD. IM COMUNICATED WITH DE SELLER AND HE EXPLAIN ME THE SITUATION FOR THE CODE. THE SELLER SAY ME NO PROBLEM WITH RETURN ITEM(DVD) IS A GREAT SELLER.
What Fun!!!
2009-08-26 - Aside from the amazing combo of Metallica music with the full symphony, it is such great fun to watch the classical musicians reaction to the headbangers in the audience. You just know in all the years these people have performed, they have never had screaming, headbanging fans losing their minds, pressed against the stage and roaring their appreciation.
Metallica Rocks!
2009-08-17 - I had never listed to Metallic's music prior to 1 year ago. A friend at the office let my borrow this dvd and now I am HOOKED! I do believe they are the best heavy metal band of all times. I saw them in November but I was a Metallica virgin then, now I appreciate them even more and have great hopes they will be back in my area in the near future. They truly are geniuses - up there with Gershwin in their music arrangements. If you are unfamiliar with them, this is the dvd to see!
