Metallica Releases “S&M2”

Metallica: S&M2Metallica has returned with a new album and concert film of epic proportions. S&M2 is their second live release alongside the San Francisco Symphony is taken from a set of concerts last year marking the 20th anniversary of the original. Recorded at the Chase Center in San Francisco, the two-night evening was full of surprises. Bassist Robert Trujillo told Kerrang! that “it was one of the most powerful experiences that I’ve ever had.”

The iconic metal band tore through their catalog with the aid of the symphony, adding new dimensions to classics like “The Call of Ktulu” and “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” as well as more recent songs like “Moth Into Flame.” The symphony performing a set of classical music to make it a truly collaborative performance. Trujillo is on fire the entire night, though San Francisco Symphony principal bassist Scott Pingel got to steal the spotlight for a jaw-dropping rendition of Cliff Burton’s “(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth” on the electric upright bass. The ever-humble Trujillo gave props to Pingel in his chat with Kerrang.

“It was a tremendous statement. I just love the power of the acoustic bass and any acoustic instrument,” he said. ” Scott came in to basically present the idea. Scott is a tremendous musician on all fronts and this is his arrangement. He put his time and energy into this piece, which has not just Cliff’s solo itself, but he’s incorporated classical elements of that instrument into this piece, so there’s a very collaborative spirit in it. Originally we were going to do something where I was involved as well and I said, ‘The statement you are making sounds so powerful and beautiful, I don’t need to be a part of this.’ I meant it respectfully, it’s incredible. I was like, ‘You and Lars need to do this. This is your moment.’ Scott and I became friends after that. He’s a well-rounded musician with a rich history – not just of classical music, but an appreciation and player of jazz and also someone who has the utmost respect for Cliff Burton. The musical statement that he made was a highlight of the show.”

You can see part of Pingel’s solo in the trailer for S&M2:

S&M2 is available now in a deluxe box set and on CD, vinyl, DVC, Blu-Ray, and as a digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).

S&M2 Track List:

  1. The Ecstasy of Gold
  2. The Call of Ktulu
  3. For Whom the Bell Tolls
  4. The Day That Never Comes
  5. The Memory Remains
  6. Confusion
  7. Moth Into Flame
  8. The Outlaw Torn
  9. No Leaf Clover
  10. Halo on Fire
  11. Intro to Scythian Suite
  12. Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God and the Dance of the Dark Spirits
  13. Intro to The Iron Foundry
  14. The Iron Foundry, Opus 19
  15. The Unforgiven III
  16. All Within My Hands
  17. (Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth
  18. Wherever I May Roam
  19. One
  20. Master of Puppets
  21. Nothing Else Matters
  22. Enter Sandman

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