Reissued its classic : "…And Justice For All" on v

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:46 pm

METALLICA has reissued its classic 1988 album "…And Justice For All" on vinyl as part of the ongoing series that will eventually see the entire catalog available again. "Justice" is now available in North America as a two-disc package for the 33.3 version, and in a box for the four-disc, 180 gram, 45 rpm edition. Check out your favorite local record shop or just head over to the METALLICA store to pick up a copy. Look for the re-release on vinyl in the rest of the world on December 1.

METALLICA's fourth album, "…And Justice for All", was originally released on August 25, 1988 through Elektra Records. It was the band's first studio LP to feature Jason Newsted, who replaced the group's former bassist Cliff Burton. The album's dark subject material, featuring references to nuclear apocalypse, injustice in the law system, limited freedom, war, insanity and hate, was accompanied by what were the most complex song structures in METALLICA's discography at the time of the LP's release. The album is also noted for its near lack of bass guitar and dry production and therefore has been called a "slightly flawed masterpiece and the pinnacle of METALLICA's progressive years" by AllMusic.com's reviewer.

The front cover depicts the statue of Lady Justice cracked and bound by ropes, with both of her scales filled with dollars and both of her breasts exposed. The words "…And Justice for All" are written in graffiti to the right. The cover is made by Stephen Gorman after a concept by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich.

The album has sold over 8 million copies in the U.S. alone, according to the RIAA and was the best-selling METALLICA record upon its release.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:41 am

I have a fair amount of vinyl and a decent Nu-Mark turntable, and while nothing sounds better than vinyl, I dont think I'll waste my time.
I had the original Justice on vinyl and it didnt sound any better than cassette or cd.
That's just a poorly mixed album period.

Wonder if they will have a box set in another 20 years consisting of:
And Justice for All
St.Anger
Death Magnetic

There's a trio of sonic pleasure for you!

They can call it Rock & Rubin.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 1:32 am

They have released Death Magnetic on vinyl. I'm curious as to what it sounds like compared to the CD. I agree that Justice was just a badly mixed album; but I'm a bass player, so of course I'm going to complain.

I always dug Newsted's pre-Load tone (his tone got too warbly for my taste on Load and ReLoad).

I really do need to get a turn-table, though.

Plastered Bastards · Post by **Plastered Bastards** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:57 am

I have had the vinyl since it came out in '88.
No need to waste the money,when I can just listen to the originals

tornandfrayed · Post by **tornandfrayed** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 1:03 pm

The "Death Magnetic" album has a little more bite to it then the CD version. I am afraid that the mastering techniques used today and the ideology of mixing are what is changing the sound quality. The newer releases on Vinyl just don't seem to have the same qualities as the older releases. Is it Rick Rubin or production in general? I don't know....

I do think the "Queen - Cosmos Rocks" vinyl is heads and tails above the CD version though, IMO. But a little more Bad Company then Queen....

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 1:21 pm

I know that Rick Rubin doesn't actually do any fiddling at the board, so I'd be hesitant to say that he's involved in the mastering process too. I think he's more involved in the song writing and arrangement aspect of production. I don't know for sure whether the ultra-compressed sound of Death Magnetic is his doing or not. I'd say that half of my all-time favorite albums have been produced by Rubin (he's my favorite producer), and none of them do the ultra loud, ultra compressed thing, even when that production technique was coming into vogue.

I do think that Death Magnetic is a huge step above St. Anger. Honestly, I think that St. Anger has some pretty cool songs, but the production on that album is just...I don't have any words to describe it. It's horrid. Kill 'Em All blows it away in terms of production. I like how raw Kill 'Em All sounds, because it's raw due to being a debut recorded on a shoe string budget. St. Anger was a high budget album that was supposed to sound raw and "modern." It sounds contrived to me. I think that you can make an album that's both slick yet raw and aggressive at the same time. Many of the New Wave of American Metal/Metalcore/whatever-the-hell-you-want-to-call-them bands are showing that with their records.