Metallica METALLICA (The Black Album) [DVD-A]

[YmSeb]

I really don't listen to the surround mix anymore for this one.

This album has always been one of my favorite metal album, and also one of the best produced ever (in the metal area). That was the time when Bob Rock was untouchable. Can't say the same when he produced the awful St. Anger from the same band !

The stereo high-rez track always leaves me in awe.

Thank you thank you Warner for this DVD-A.

Now if only they could do DVD-A's of Master of Puppets, Ride The Lightning etc.

[BananaSlug]

Are you serious? I think the sound quality is great. Listen to the snare in Sad But True for instance. You can hear the air moving.

I'd been listening to PT before I put this on and the difference was huge. I had never heard the album before so I can't compare it to the original release, but compared to the DTS track of FOABP this one falls short. Other than the hi-hat the drums sound great, but that hi-hat is obnoxious and the compression robs the music of some of its power - IMO. I understand that there is a certain 'metal' sound, and maybe that's the reason for differing opinions on this one - some people like it, others don't? But that hi-hat!

I used to be a big heavy metal fan when I was in my early/mid teens, and remember Kill 'Em All when it was new. Some time before Ride the Lightning came out I totally lost my taste for it though. I recently pulled out Kill 'Em All and Accept's Restless and Wild for the first time in 20+ years and found myself liking them again, so picked this DVD-A up. So, I'm not a big HM fan, but not anti-metal either. I'll listen a few more times before voting.

[lolbroek]

Those are perfectly valid arguments BananaSlug. And I guess I'm just happy that I don't hear that obnoxious thing about the hi-hat then

[BananaSlug]

I just listened to the first track again. This time I hadn't been listening to music of any kind beforehand. I have to say that I was much more impressed with the sound quality. Though I did notice the hi-hat, it didn't bother me as much. Not sure if it's a brain chemistry thing or that I was listening at a much lower volume. Love the mix, glad I didn't vote after first impressions.

[jarofclay73]

Have you ever heard Staind's "14 Shades Of Grey" on DVD-Audio? That is an uneven sounding album with harsh mid-range.

I understand that might be a style issue more than anything.

With Metallica's black album, guitars are clean and crunchy and drums are for the most part really good.

I even bought Simple Plan's "Still Not Getting Any..." and although I was expecting a very bright poppy album, that also had some heavy mid-range but not so much as the Staind album.

Another rock album that had really heavy mid-range - Foo Fighter's "One On One."

I think it's a style choice here but I like Metallica's sound more than any of the aforementioned albums.

[YmSeb]

I think it's a style choice here but I like Metallica's sound more than any of the aforementioned albums.

I'm with you. Metallica's DVD-A is way above - soundwise - the afore-mentionned titles. Staind's DVD-A is more or less a waste of plastic.

[filper]

The disc is beyond kick-ass.

A perfect 10.

It's what my inner metal-head needs once a month.

[Paul Cordingley]

The disc is beyond kick-ass.

A perfect 10.

It's what my inner metal-head needs once a month.

Absolutely agreed.

[gtgt]

Not a huge Metallica fan, but bought this as one of my first purchases.
I have the Acura RDX with the dvd-a stereo in it.
First impression was from the first track Enter Sandman.....
Wow! It is one of the tracks I use to show off the stereo to friends. It is possibly the best sounding song I've heard on my stereo.
That being said, I find I can't listen to the whole dvd, as I get a headache after a few songs. I must be getting old or something.

[BananaSlug]

I vote 10. Recently I've taken to listening to the first track at about concert level and it is awesome. I'm pretty protective of my hearing and I don't use the word "awesome" in general, but Enter Sandman is deserving of both. Who knows about the rest of the disc (or cares), I'm very happy with this one track.

[Bill Sherbon]

For anyone still looking for this... I noticed that the metallica online store is selling new copies of this again (for less than $20).

[The Rang]

I've seen a few in stores lately too.

[filper]

This disc is still kickin'...

[DKA]

I swear some folks here are just too easily impressed.

It's a good surround mix, but nothing at all special. Decent separation and sound quality. Pretty much right down the middle as far as retail mixes go, as far as I'm concerned.

Sorry, guys.

[timbre4]

Maybe it's the width of genres listened to; in the metal category it would rank high cause there ain't as much to compare to. I'd agree in the full rock spectrum it mostly gets the job done but not top drawer special. It would be the demo disc for your wife's cousins who don't appreciate anything else.

NP: Conversions I hadn't gotten round to

[JonUrban]

Before anyone pays big bucks on eBay, I just want to be sure that everyone knows that Metallica sells this DVD-A on their website for $18.99. It's very cool that they went back and ASKED their label to make more discs! (Why can't other artists do this?)

Here's the blurb from their website and a link:

The coolest way to hear the “Black” album that you may not know about . . .surround sound re-mixed in 5.1 Audio and mastered especially for DVD-Audio and designed to kick major ass on your surround sound/home theatre system. This disc will ONLY play on your DVD player (it won't play on a compact disc player) and was released several years ago, but was not readily available. Now that home theatre equipment is more affordable and easier to find, we had the label press up some more for us and it's the best way that we know of at this point listen to this album! For you tech heads: Playback is possible on all DVD-Video or Audio/Video players - your hardware set-up determines the mix you hear: DVD-Video compatible Dolby Digital Surround or new for DVD-Audio, Advance Resolution Surround or Stereo.


http://store.metallica.com/store/sto...oductId=600284

[The Rang]

This album has passed Shania Twain's "Come On Over" as the highest selling recording of the Soundscan era.
Excellent on DVD-A

Top Ten Selling Albums Of SoundScan Era (1991 - January 2, 2011):

01. "Metallica" - METALLICA (15,620,000)
02. "Come On Over" - SHANIA TWAIN (15,499,000)
03. "Jagged Little Pill" - ALANIS MORISSETTE (14,673,000)
04. "Millennium" - BACKSTREET BOYS (12,115,000)
05. "Bodyguard" soundtrack - Various Artists (11,823,000)
06. "Supernatural" - SANTANA (11,709,000)
07. "Beatles 1" - THE BEATLES (11,703,000)
08. "Human Clay" - CREED (11,563,000)
09. "No Strings Attached" - 'N SYNC (11,117,000)
10." Falling Into You" - CELINE DION (10,785,000)

[Modern Day Warrior]

Before anyone pays big bucks on eBay, I just want to be sure that everyone knows that Metallica sells this DVD-A on their website for $18.99. It's very cool that they went back and ASKED their label to make more discs! (Why can't other artists do this?)

Here's the blurb from their website and a link:

The coolest way to hear the “Black” album that you may not know about . . .surround sound re-mixed in 5.1 Audio and mastered especially for DVD-Audio and designed to kick major ass on your surround sound/home theatre system. This disc will ONLY play on your DVD player (it won't play on a compact disc player) and was released several years ago, but was not readily available. Now that home theatre equipment is more affordable and easier to find, we had the label press up some more for us and it's the best way that we know of at this point listen to this album! For you tech heads: Playback is possible on all DVD-Video or Audio/Video players - your hardware set-up determines the mix you hear: DVD-Video compatible Dolby Digital Surround or new for DVD-Audio, Advance Resolution Surround or Stereo.


http://store.metallica.com/store/sto...oductId=600284

I was gonna post the same thing. Yeah, it's really cool of Metallica to still offer this up on their website. I only got into the DVD-Audio game about 2-3 years ago and this was one of the first ones i bought.

I also still wish other bands would still offer up their DVD-Audios on their websites also.

[callmez]

Before anyone pays big bucks on eBay, I just want to be sure that everyone knows that Metallica sells this DVD-A on their website for $18.99. It's very cool that they went back and ASKED their label to make more discs! (Why can't other artists do this?)

Very cool, I didn't know that. Thanks Jon! It kinda looks like the current version is in a digipak instead of a DVD-A size super jewel box, can anyone verify this?

Mark Z

[cupboy]

...It kinda looks like the current version is in a digipak instead of a DVD-A size super jewel box, can anyone verify this?

Mark Z

Why do you suspect it's a digipak?

I wonder if ebay scalpers are still buying from this site and reselling them.

[martin russell]

This was an exciting development - I've been outbid on eBay on this album a couple of times now, so went over to the Metallica store to get a copy.... unfortunately I can't seem to get through their account setup procedure successfully to check out with my purchase. After eight attempts I've given up. Guess it's back to eBay...

[MyCuff]

This was an exciting development - I've been outbid on eBay on this album a couple of times now, so went over to the Metallica store to get a copy.... unfortunately I can't seem to get through their account setup procedure successfully to check out with my purchase. After eight attempts I've given up. Guess it's back to eBay...

I think they only ship to the US. Tell you what. I will buy one and send it to you if you like. At cost.
Sub-Total of Selected Items $18.99
CA Sales Tax (9.5%) $1.80 (bastards!)
Shipping and Handling $7.00 (to my address - outrageous!)
Total $27.79
This was the actual price quoted (a cut and paste minus my comments) when I went through the steps to purchase.

Shipping to the UK is about $7.50 if wrapped right. So total is about $35.25. Insurance is expensive and is a bummer. Think it is like $12.00. Your call on that.
Cheers,
Mike

[martin russell]

Nice offer, Mike, much appreciated!

I have a friend shortly about to be on tour in the US so will try and get him to source it while he's there and bring it back in his luggage. If that doesn't work out, I'll pm you on it.... Re the explanation of what the problem was - we're really not "truly international" yet, are we?

Thank you again!

Very best wishes

Martin

[watsontr]

I think they only ship to the US

I bought a copy sometime ago directly from the Metallica website and had it shipped directly to Australia. It wasn't a digipak but a typical DVD-A type case. I had to join their mailing list I think at the time. Not sure the reason for the change?

[Time Lord]

This was an exciting development - I've been outbid on eBay on this album a couple of times now, so went over to the Metallica store to get a copy.... unfortunately I can't seem to get through their account setup procedure successfully to check out with my purchase. After eight attempts I've given up. Guess it's back to eBay...

I have just successfully ordered this item from the website for $32.99, including $14 for international postage to Australia. Unless they hold something against your country for recent crimes against Australian cricket I can't see why they won't send to you too.