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[Metallus Maximus]

Metallus Maximus � Metallus Maximus Forums � Metal On Metal (Moderator: Hellboy)
...And Justice For All

[Pelata]

Cool video...listening to "Blackened" now w/ bass...

[ALF]

I always loved it second to RTL as my favourite Metallica CD.

[Auciello]

This one brings back so many memories for me.  I mean, it was almost exactly 20 years ago that it came out... September 1988, I believe.

Beyond being associated with great personal memories, what I really identify this record with is heft.  The riffs and the technicality were crushing, at least to me, back in the day.  It was unlike anything I'd heard.

On Justice, Metallica raised its songwriting and chops to new levels.  It's not that Justice is better than RTL or MOP (personally, I love all three pretty much equally), it's just that these guys were realizing their potential as musicians.  I hear more influence from this record in modern underground metal than I do any other Metallica record.

Yeah, the production is dry... but I always loved that.  Bass would have been nice.  Of course, if the original recordings are still intact, Newsted should be on there.  A remaster could finally bring his part to life, and give Lar$ some more loose change to buy more Danish expressionist art.

[Lord Vinyl Pillager]

This one brings back so many memories for me.  I mean, it was almost exactly 20 years ago that it came out... September 1988, I believe.

Beyond being associated with great personal memories, what I really identify this record with is heft.  The riffs and the technicality were crushing, at least to me, back in the day.  It was unlike anything I'd heard.

On Justice, Metallica raised its songwriting and chops to new levels.  It's not that Justice is better than RTL or MOP (personally, I love all three pretty much equally), it's just that these guys were realizing their potential as musicians.  I hear more influence from this record in modern underground metal than I do any other Metallica record.

Yeah, the production is dry... but I always loved that.  Bass would have been nice.  Of course, if the original recordings are still intact, Newsted should be on there.  A remaster could finally bring his part to life, and give Lar$ some more loose change to buy more Danish expressionist art.

[nvmbrsdoom5]

It's funny that I always hear from people who didn't care for this album, "the only song that was cool is 'Dyers Eve'".  What's funny to me about that is that it's the song on here I never cared much for!  It's an ok song, but felt forced to me at the time, like it was a last minute choice to have to put a "Damage Inc." style speedy song on the record, but it doesn't compare to the songs like that from the previous 3, the riffs weren't as catchy yet heavy as "Battery" or "Fight Fire...".  Anyhow I know it's personal opinion but just saying, I always felt like that was the weak song on the disc.  Whereas, on the contrary, a somewhat speedy song like "Blackened" felt like they were definitely taking the next step up, adding a new level of technicality and it felt fresh at the time.

The no-bass thing bothers me more nowadays than it did upon release.  The overall sound of that record was so new and different from everything else at the time, I remember being far more interested in the drum sound (funny to think about how Lars' clicky double-bass sound was often a bit of a hot debate topic back then, before that became so commonplace in metal recordings).  I knew the bass was barely present but in my 15 year old naivete' I presumed it was largely due to Cliff's absence....which I suppose in a certain way, it was.

I've heard alot of stories over the years from mutual friends/acquaintances of Jason and the other guys, regarding how they used to really give Jason a hard time.  I mean we've all heard the stories in interviews and stuff but from what I understand, they really treated him like a second class citizen, and it took them quite a while to get over Cliff's absence.  I think that was a huge reason why the bass was mixed the way it was.  Plus let's face it, Metallica have been known to make some interesting choices when it comes to the mixing and sounds they choose in order to be different (Lars' snare on "St. Anger", for instance  )

Basically, AJFA is an album I still love but I don't go back to it as often as some of the others.  For a while AJFA was my favorite of theirs but it hasn't stood up as well over time for me.  But it is a nice listen now and then when I do pull it out, it just doesn't warrant as many frequent visits anymore.

[The True Fortress]

I remember being SO excited buying this the day it came out. Never did have issue with the largely bassless sound, either. Killer songs and great performances all-round. The first four Metallica albums are masterpieces. 

[Auciello]

The first four Metallica albums are masterpieces. 

Though I've always found the debut a little too raw, too youthful... I am inclined to agree with that overall sentiment.

[Lord Vinyl Pillager]