Metallica Releases “S&M2”
Metallica 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:
- The Ecstasy of Gold
- The Call of Ktulu
- For Whom the Bell Tolls
- The Day That Never Comes
- The Memory Remains
- Confusion
- Moth Into Flame
- The Outlaw Torn
- No Leaf Clover
- Halo on Fire
- Intro to Scythian Suite
- Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God and the Dance of the Dark Spirits
- Intro to The Iron Foundry
- The Iron Foundry, Opus 19
- The Unforgiven III
- All Within My Hands
- (Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth
- Wherever I May Roam
- One
- Master of Puppets
- Nothing Else Matters
- Enter Sandman