And I am not your average metallica listener...
358068
I am a college student in a place where there is no rock music on the radio.  My sister gave me S&M for Christmas, which has kept me satisfied because I have always liked Metallica's songs and lyrics. While I  was listening, I was so moved by the power that the symphony adds to the  already potent mixture of James Hetfield's voice and the instruments of the  band backing him up, I was tempted to go out and buy a copy for all of my  friends that share similar taste.  The music is so intense that I recommend  this album to anyone who likes hard rock, classical, or both.  Even if one  doesn't listen to this type of music usually, it is a very enjoyable  experience.
45601
I am a huge metal fan and I didn't even know who Taylor Momsen was until she graced the pages of Revolver magazine.  I generally like really hard stuff and this normally wouldn't make the cut for me.  BUT softer, more hardrock-oriented styles lend themselves better to female vocalists (and I dig good female rock vocalists, Evanescence anyone?).  I have to say that Taylor has a very interesting voice with a unique style.  She isn't ripping anyone off. In fact, I saw an acoustic version of one of the Pretty Reckless songs on Youtube out of Revolver-inspired curiosity. I had this preconcieved idea of what she would sound like and ended up being blown away.  The songs are well-written and consistently strong without being ballad heavy like a lot of female-fronted bands are.  Overall it is definately a rockin album.  I only have two critical points.  One is: Where are the guitar solos? Although as a guitar player I might be biased. Nonetheless, the songs are fine without them, but I think on at least a few songs a nice guitar solo here or there (nothing too crazy) would've really spiced things up. Perhaps on the next release (which I will definately check out).  The other thing is that the lyrical content kinda has that teenage angst, "finding myself" thing, but I'd expect that from such a young artist.  Younger people will surely latch onto this. On the other hand, it is mostly implied and some of the metaphors she uses allow you to read what you want into the lyrics--kinda like Nirvana, but more coherent.  I love it when bands do that.  The lyrics are also dark, which is right up my ally.  The lyrical subject matter is not obnoxious though (contrast with someone of the likes of Avril Lavigne who is a good song writer, albeit marginally talented in comparison, who ruined many songs on her debut with juvenile lyrics).  Moreover, there is none of that "I'm cool because I'm trying oh so hard to not be cool" type stuff.  In fact, I am very impressed with her writing ability both lyrically and musically.  It is very mature, all things considered.  I will cut her some slack because after all, she was 16 when she recorded this stuff, which amazes me.  I think that if this band stays together the albums will only get better.  Taylor is very talented and has shown that she can deliver. I hope she takes that attitude of hers and rocks even harder on the next album. Taylor, you've already impressed us, now punch us in the face!
2088407
Silversun Pickups are yet another band that I was introduced to on the Tonight Show. I didn't hear their debut EP, but I still decided to check out their full-length album, Carnavas.

Let me just say right away that this band is definitely not for everyone, as lead singer Brian Aubert's voice has a VERY acquired taste (and I really don't understand the Billy Corgan comparisons). Not only that, but he also has a habit of doing hard-rock-induced screaming at odd times during songs that aren't even loud, which ruins otherwise good tracks like "Future Foe Scenarios" and especially "Lazy Eye". But there are still good songs like "Three Seed", "Checkered Floor" and "Rusted Wheel".

The rest of the songs are okay, but there are also small slip-ups in the production department with the first and last track ("Melatonin" and "Common Reactor", respectively). The former has some bizarre instrumentation, and the latter ends with one full minute of what sounds like the kind of feedback you hear when your dial is stuck between two AM radio stations. While I don't think that Silversun Pickups are worth ALL the hype, Carnavas is still worth picking up.

Anthony Rupert
1277538
I like the music...not predictable.  I am not a 'vocals' person.  So, to me the screaming can be a little overbearing at times.  However, if you like angry metal, with good musicianship and a TON of high volumed screaming, this is for you.
1331434
I must admit, my first four or five listens to this album, I didn't get it; I was scared. I questioned my ability to understand true art, pondering if I was nothing more than a philistine. But then, on my sixth or seventh listen.... It dawned on me. You have to listen with much more than just your ears, you need to listen with your SOUL. After this revelation, I would often lie awake at night, dwelling on the beautiful melodies and the poetry with which Mr. Reed blessed my being. To anyone that listened to this and thought it's "an old man talking over Metallica demos", I IMPLORE you to try it again.... Breathe in the words of Mr. Reed. I promise you, once you understand it, you WILL not be the same person you were before.... You will understand true art.
4353552
I was going to write my review freely until I saw a critical review posted.  As far as that goes, the average music fan (i.e. those who listen to bands commonly heard on the radio) probably won't understand the CD.  Music fanatics, however, will dig it.

Now, I must confess; I wasn't a huge fan of Jacob Bannon's vocals on this album.  However, the musicianship demonstrated on this album is AMAZING.  I've heard their newer stuff, it's cool; and I've seen them live and that was beyond awesome.  However, this album contains many ideas that p-l-e-n-t-y of other bands took inspiration from.  The music itself is climactic and the drums are best described as brilliant (it's too bad more drummers in metal don't understand the concept of smart, technical drumming as opposed to blastbeating something to death.)  I say that the while the singing isn't conventional, it definitely serves a purpose as far as the music goes and if you can dig and pry beyond the surface, you'll see what many of the newer bands coming out have been listening to.

I recommend this for all fans of hardcore and metal.  I also recommend this for music snobs that want to have a "metal" album to show their friends that doesn't involve "jumping the f--- up!"
470237
I WILL BE HONEST, WHEN IT COMES TO HEAVIER MUSIC MY TASTE TENDS TO LEAN TOWARD CREATIVE OR COMPLETELY UNCOMPROMISING. AND SINCE I AM ALITTLE OLDER THAN MOST OF THE FANS OF THIS BAND AND OTHER NEW ROCK BEING PLAYED ON THE RADIO I DIDN'T KNOW AWHOLE LOT ABOUT THIS BAND OTHER THAN WORD OF MOUTH. OR IF I HAVE HEARD A SONG ON THE RADIO. BUT IN THAT CASE I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN ANYWAY BECAUSE I TEND TO CHANGE THE STATION WHEN EVERY SONG STARTS TO SOUND THE SAME.(DON'T BELIEVE ME JUST CHECKOUT SOME OF MY OTHER REVIEWS.) SO I START TO LISTEN TO THIS PARTICULAR ALBUM, AND I WILL HAVE TO ADMIT THE FIRST FOUR TRACKS ARE GOOD IN FACT BORDERLINE KILLER SH*T. BUT THEN COMES THE FILLER. AN OBVIOUS ATTEMPT TO GAIN A MORE MASS AUDIENCE TO SELL MORE RECORDS. BUT BASICALLY ALL THIS DOES IS COMPREMISE WHAT THE START OF THIS ALBUM WAS BRINGING, WHICH WAS SOME GREAT HEAVY FU*KING MUSIC. SOME BANDS CAN PULL THIS OFF WITHOUT SOUNDING LIKE THEIR SELLING OUT. I THINK SLAYER PULLED IT OFF ON THEIR ALBUM SOUTH OF HEAVEN, AND METALLICA DID ON SOME OF RIDE THE LIGHTNING. BUT IN THE SAME BREATH IT STILL HAD THAT DARK AND GRITTY EDGE TO IT SO THAT YOU KNEW ALL THEY WERE DOING WAS TRYING TO TAKE YOU TO A DIFFERENT PLACE IN THAT DARK WORLD THAT THEY WERE CREATING FOR THAT SPECIFIC ALBUM. SORRY ABOUT THE RAMBLE I USUALLY TRY NOT TO DO THAT. AFTER LISTENING TO THE FIRST 4 TRACKS I HAD ALLREADY MADE UP MY MIND TO GIVE THIS ATLEAST A 4, OH WELL THE SEARCH CONTINUES!!
974785
Where is my METAL? I have to admit I'm not a long time fan of Dream Theater.  I do like Heavy Metal and Progressive Rock.  I heard "Pull Me Under" off Images and Words on the radio and was quite impressed.  I bought that first album and liked it.  Picked up Train of Thought also, very good and similar to I&W.

I am continually researching bands/music on the internet, and then buying that music, mostly off Amazon.com  When I saw Dream Theater was coming out with a new album, I thought "Great, can't wait to pick it up."

Well, was I ever disappointed!  The first couple of times I tried listening to it, I think I must of fallen asleep.  Each time I would come away with the same impression: A bunch of Symphonic crap!  What happened to the Progressive Metal band known as Dream Theater?  Now, I know bands "evolve" and change over time, but come on.  This was ridiculous.

Octavarium starts off OK, the first track rocks just enough to put the listener to ease, makes you think "OK, they still have it, this sounds pretty cool, but I hope it gets better."  Next thing you know they go into a full Ballad.  Nothing but a Piano and Orchestration!  It just goes downhill from there.  By the 4th track I'm having visions of Dream Theater being featured on late night TV programming for one of those Faith-based, Christain Rock music programs with shots of hundreds of people singing in unison with their hands in the air!  I do realize (now) that DT is considered a Christian Rock band, but it used to just be no more than an "undertone", now it's up front and "in your face".

Panic Attack is a little more heavy, pretty close to the Dream Theater of old.  Never Enough is OK.  But, by track 7 they're letting me down... again!  Too much orchestration, just mindless and repetitive.

Finally, we get to the great Octavarium, a four part, 24 minute epic.  The first few minutes evoke memories of Pink Floyd's - Wish You Were Here.  This just isn't the type of DT that I want.  This stuff has already been done, by other (better) bands!

This is Definately my LAST Dream Theater album.  Systematic Chaos - NO Thanks.  I've already read enough reviews that say it is simply "more of the same".  What a Pity.  At least I still have my Porcupine Tree cd's to enjoy.
2232641
This album is not what I was expecting but after some listening I started to accept the songs and then enjoy them very much. It also made me see how many good songs were released after the former classic formation ( Mustaine, Ellefson, Friedman and Menza ) was over. It made me see why Megadeth is my number one band.
2507186
I am normally not into female fronted metal, because I personally do not feel the female voice "fits" metal. Then again, sometimes change is needed. First off, the guitars and drums on this album are sick! If you are a musician, you will appreciate the high level of skill displayed.  I even heard an interview with the lead guitar player, who said he has only been playing for seven years! From a guitar player who has been playing twice that long, that blows me away! Then there is the vocalist...she said in an interview her favorite vocalist is Alison Krauss, and claims she had never even heard of Metallica before dating the guitar player Cruz. So it is obvious she is not influenced by anything resembling metal, but therein lies the beauty of her performance. It almost doesn't fit the super fast technical thrash/power metal, employed by the band. But it grows on you, and then you begin to love it! I give her big props for doing her own thing on an otherwise straight up metal album, and making it sound beautiful. Also, check the song "Kardia" where she gets to really grow into her own and sing the way she naturally wants to. The singer Matt Smith from Theocracy (America's other great power metal band) joins in to do backing vocals. Very impressive!
888548
I have been a part of the Metallica Army for many years now, and when I first found out that the guys were going to play with a symphony, my heart leapt into my throat.  Being a former musician for eight years, I have a deep love and appreciation for classical music, and the overall sound of a symphony orchestra.

Being a Metallica fan since the 1980s, I have a deep love and appreciation for their awesomely bombastic music and ability to take simple musical notes, and weave a song that hits hard and deep on the emotions.

That said, I purchased the CD of the S&M concert, and immediately fell in love.

The fact that the concert opened with Enrico Morricone's "The Ecstacy of Gold" was more than enough for me.  When the first bell tone hits, and the solo trumpet plays along with the swelling roar of the crowd... it's enough to give you goosebumps.

Then, at the climax of the song, you hear the crowd scream their heads off... that's because James is entering the stage, solo.  I would have done the same thing myself.

So, after an amazing performance of "Ecstacy", I get to hear something I didn't expect at all - "The Call of Ktulu."  From what I understand, this was the first time the guys had performed Ktulu live.  Well, let's just say that that song is an awesome one in itself, and the addition of the symphony orchestra just made it thousands of times better... I loved how Ktulu and "Master of Puppets" were seamlessly transitioned.  It was truly awesome.

The entire concert is full of energy, as you would expect with Metallica, and the orchestra just seems to pump them up.  It's a two-way effect.  The orchestra keeps pumping up Metallica, and Metallica pumps up the orchestra, and the fans are feeding off it all, simultaneously.  And the fans keep Metallica and the Orchestra going.

Okay, so, after I bought the CD and wore out both discs in my car stereo... I had to see if the concert was video taped.  Thank God, it was.  I ordered the DVD immediately, and when I got it, I watched it continuously.  I loved it so much.  Seeing them live and hearing the music was almost too much for me.  I still love it.  In fact, a friend of mine borrowed my DVD, and he lost it, so, I'm ordering another one as soon as I finish this review.

If you are a fan of Metallica, buy this CD, and buy this DVD.  If you like classical music and are open to new experiences, buy this CD and DVD.  You won't be disappointed.

I would give this 1 million/1 million stars if I could. 5 ain't enough.
4026485
first i listened to 3 tracks and i was like gawd they're trying to be metal and it's just so wussy. what is the producer's problem making it sound so wack? doesn't he know this is supposed to be metal? then i came back for more a couple weeks later and i'm like ok i guess i could listen to this. and now a month later i finally get it. like they aren't really trying to be metal, it's hard rock except with elements of death metal playing techniques so it's just really weird and original. i still don't think any of the songs are great, but this isn't like anything any other band is doing. my favorite song is the one where they successfully aim for brutality, This Too Shall Pass. it's this album's Burning Bridges.
1549898
Obviously if you are not a fan of Metallica this will not appeal to you.  FYI...my young daughters are starting to get into rock music....there was...IMHO....suprisingly little foul language in this...which is a good thing if you want younger ones to hear the music.  In a preconcert scene in the very beginning, a fan in the parking lot drops several MF bombs, but once you are past that the language was not noticable.  The mini-adventure film woven in here was a bit distracting, but added some interesting visuals to break up the concert fotage (again, young ones attention spans actually appreciated the breaks).  Overall a solid effort.
4559893
I never really got into Tool. I wasn't a huge fan of the anti-god messages and such, but I did enjoy a few songs. Upon listening to the leak of this album a couple weeks ago, I really didn't like it. However, I kept going back and listening to it again and again. I didn't know why, but the more I listened the more I wanted to listen. It's like an addiction of sorts, and the more I listened the more I liked what I was hearing. It is now to the point where I have never liked a piece of music as much as I like this album. From start to finish it is an expierence, and is highly experimental. Definetly get this, and really give it a chance.
2454738
When I was still searching for new music that could elevate my soul to newer heights, I came across this band. I listened to a couple of tracks online and went out and bought the CD. It's a good CD but for some reason it didn't have too much replay value to me...this cd is not for real metal fans...this is more for nu-metal people or people who are into Slipnot. I'm in no way trying to belittle people here...we just all have our own groups.
1073821
I've not been following too much new American metal since I had a college radio show.  So this was a pleasant surprise, especially since it was out of the context of the 'Hipster Metal' everyone seems to be so fond of complaining about.

Definitely the kind of music that you love it or hate it.  Me, I laughed out loud the first time I heard "Kevin Bacon", and have been entertained since by most of their songs.
4486554
About three years ago i got a lend of 'Ride the Lightening' from a friend. I didn't really like it at first because i had no idea why James was singing so badly!  but after a while i realized what metal was realy there  for; absolute aggression! however i was embarresed any time my family or  friends, those that did not understand metal, heard me playing metal  albums. This was mainly because the lyrics were bad. chanting die,die,die  doesn't appeal to me. Then i was handed the 'Soulfly' album. It was the  first time i heard aggression without the mindless or hypocritical lyrics  of other metal bands. Soulfly made sense. It ripped through grief and the  destruction of the rainforests with mind blowing riffs and powerfull drum  beats. I do not agree with everything that is said on this album ( i don't  believe in god), but i am no longer in the least bit ashamed to say that i  listen to heavy metal. I think this album is even better than 'Roots'(which  i bought two months ago) and i hope that their next album intigrates more  tribal sounds. Great work Soulfly, Metal with direction = Bliss