S&M2
Metallica · 2020
143 min · 47 tracks · heavy metal
Metallica's heavy metal anthems soar with orchestral grandeur, blending ferocious riffs with symphonic arrangements in a powerful live setting.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Ecstasy of Gold Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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The Call of Ktulu — This instrumental track exemplifies Metallica's ability to fuse intricate musical storytelling with orchestral dynamics, showcasing the synergy between band and orchestra.
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The Unforgiven III — As a continuation of the Unforgiven saga, this track’s emotional depth is amplified by the orchestral arrangement, adding layers to its narrative complexity.
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Nothing Else Matters — This iconic ballad transforms into a sweeping orchestral experience, highlighting the contrast between intimacy and grandeur that defines S&M2.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The orchestral integration elevates familiar tracks but the extensive length affects cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album features orchestral arrangements that intertwine with the band's heavy metal instrumentation, creating a layered sound.
- Several tracks are extended versions of previous songs, incorporating symphonic elements that enhance their original structures.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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 progression with orchestral peaks
- epic soundscapes for focused listening
- wave-like pacing with emotional depth
- immersive experience for live fans
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification from music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases Metallica's continued vitality and ambition in their later career.
- Themes
- orchestral grandeur· live concert intensity· San Francisco Symphony collaboration
- Career context
- Released on August 28, 2020, S&M2 marks Metallica's return to the stage after nearly two decades since their first orchestral collaboration. Following their successful 1999 live album S&M, this project showcases the band's evolution and resilience, especially following a series of health and touring challenges faced by frontman James Hetfield.
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 The Ecstasy of Gold Start here 2:41
- 2 The Call of Ktulu 9:14
- 3 For Whom the Bell Tolls 4:36
- 4 The Day That Never Comes 8:26
- 5 The Memory Remains 5:42
- 6 Confusion 6:41
- 7 Moth Into Flame 6:17
- 8 The Outlaw Torn 10:02
- 9 No Leaf Clover 5:30
- 10 Halo on Fire 8:19
Disc 2
- 1 Intro to Scythian Suite 5:16
- 2 Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God and the Dance of the Dark Spirits 3:39
- 3 Intro to the Iron Foundry 1:02
- 4 The Iron Foundry, Opus 19 4:15
- 5 The Unforgiven III 8:19
- 6 All Within My Hands 6:13
- 7 (Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth 7:27
- 8 Wherever I May Roam 6:32
- 9 One 9:23
- 10 Master of Puppets 8:29
- 11 Nothing Else Matters 6:39
- 12 Enter Sandman 8:47
Disc 3
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The Ecstasy of Gold Start here
- 3 The Call of Ktulu
- 4 For Whom the Bell Tolls
- 5 The Day That Never Comes
- 6 The Memory Remains
- 7 Confusion
- 8 Moth Into Flame
- 9 The Outlaw Torn
- 10 No Leaf Clover
- 11 Halo on Fire
- 12 Intro to Scythian Suite
- 13 Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God and the Dance of the Dark Spirits
- 14 Intro to the Iron Foundry
- 15 The Iron Foundry, Opus 19
- 16 The Unforgiven III
- 17 All Within My Hands
- 18 (Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth
- 19 Wherever I May Roam
- 20 One
- 21 Master of Puppets
- 22 Nothing Else Matters
- 23 Enter Sandman
- 24 Behind the Scenes (Making of the Show)
- 25 All Within Mys Hands (Promo)
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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