Cunning Stunts
Metallica · 1998
129 min · 20 tracks · heavy metal
A relentless blend of heavy riffs and powerful melodies that captures Metallica's live energy and raw intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Creeping Death Start here — This track exemplifies Metallica's ability to create epic narratives within their music, with driving rhythms that amplify the song's themes of struggle and liberation.
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Nothing Else Matters — A standout moment showcasing the band's softer side, this track highlights emotional vulnerability wrapped in powerful instrumentation, making it a fan favorite.
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Enter Sandman — As one of Metallica's most recognizable songs, its inclusion demonstrates how they blend catchy hooks with dark themes, leaving a lasting impression on audiences.
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Hero of the Day — This track balances heaviness with introspection, reflecting the band's evolution while still resonating deeply with listeners through its relatable lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album captures Metallica's live energy well but lacks some cohesion due to its extensive tracklist.
What we noticed
- Several songs are extended with improvisational sections, particularly in the guitar solos, adding to the live energy.
- The setlist includes fan favorites and deep cuts, creating a dynamic flow that keeps the audience engaged throughout the performance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic peaks and valleys
- powerful live energy bursts
- cathartic sing-along moments
- late-night adrenaline fuel
- extended tracks for deep immersion
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone songs
- seek gentle, soothing sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Captures the energy of live performances, appealing to dedicated Metallica fans.
- Themes
- raw concert energy· heavy metal anthems· late '90s excess
- Career context
- Released in 1998, Cunning Stunts captures Metallica during a period of massive commercial success following their self-titled album in 1991. This live album showcases the band's prowess in concert settings, featuring performances from their '96-97 tour, cementing their status as one of the leading acts in heavy metal.
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 So What 5:34
- 2 Creeping Death Start here 7:38
- 3 Sad but True 6:50
- 4 Ain't My Bitch 5:20
- 5 Hero of the Day 4:18
- 6 King Nothing 5:32
- 7 One 8:35
- 8 Fuel 4:38
- 9 Bass Guitar Doodle 2:44
- 10 Nothing Else Matters 7:16
- 11 Until It Sleeps 4:46
- 12 For Whom the Bell Tolls 5:23
Disc 2
- 1 Wherever I May Roam 7:16
- 2 Fade to Black 10:33
- 3 Kill/Ride Medley 16:54
- 4 Last Caress 2:18
- 5 Master of Puppets 3:42
- 6 Enter Sandman 11:19
- 7 Am I Evil? 3:23
- 8 Motorbreath 5:43
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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