Twenty-one years after they teamed up with the San Francisco Symphony for their 1999 live album and video S&M, Metallica and their local orchestra have collaborated again for S&M2 (CD, digital, vinyl, Blu-ray audio, Blu-ray, DVD). And like the original, this second collection of orchestrally-augmented Metallica has many moments of might and magic…and a couple that are misfires or just mushy.
Like the ones they released for Kill ‘Em All, Ride The Lightning, and Master Of Puppets, Metallica have packed a ton of stuff into the Deluxe Box Set reissue of their 1998 album …And Justice For All. Unfortunately, this 11 CD, 6 LP, 4 DVD collection doesn’t have everything a hardcore fan would want, and a lot they don’t need, a dubious distinction given that this costs more than buying all of their other albums combined.
Ronnie James Dio was one of the most iconic singers in rock history. His soaring, almost operatic vocals were always distinctive, be it with his early band Elf, his stints fronting Black Sabbath and Rainbow, or leading his own band, Dio. Now his friends, fans, and disciples — well, the ones who play music professionally, anyway — are honoring the man and his music with the tribute album Ronnie James Dio: This Is Your Life (CD, digital, vinyl). And while it’s a mixed bag at best, it was clearly made with love and respect.
Metallica have announced that their recent concert film, Through The Never, will be released on DVD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, and as two different limited editions on January 28.