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Metallica: Metallica (DVD-AUDIO)
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
1. Enter Sandman
2. Sad But True
3. Holier Than Thou
4. The Unforgiven
5. Wherever I May Roam
6. Don't Tread on Me
7. Through the Never
8. Nothing Else Matters
9. Of Wolf and Man
10. The God That Failed
11. My Friend of Misery
12. The Struggle Within
One of the metal band's most commerically successful albums (a.k.a. "The Black Album" due to its dark cover) the release is now available on DVD-Audio, with a review of the sound below.
The DVD
SOUND: Frankly, I was amazed by the quality of the 96khz/24bit DVD-Audio 5.1 presentation that's included on this edition of the album. In terms of the kind of heavy, powerful rock that the band is capable of, I would think that strong recording quality would be essential so that the guitars, drums, bass and vocals never threaten to drown out one another, and that's certainly apparent here as each instrument is certainly well-defined in the mix, especially the powerful drumming of Lars Ulrich.
Speaking of the drums, that's what impressed me most about the audio quality on this DVD-A release. Every drum hit by Ulrich sounds like thunder and is delivered with such tight force that I could practically feel the sound, even at low volumes. I also liked the way the album was mixed, nicely positioning the various instruments around the viewer and although surround use is very agressive, I never found the way that the music or vocals moved about the room to be distracting. In fact, effects like the occasional background vocals that are put into the surrounds during "Enter Sandman" and "Whereever I May Roam" really add a great deal to the haunting quality of the songs. Hetfield's gruff vocals were also kept very well placed in the proceedings, staying front and center, coming through with all the clarity and force that was intended.
I've listened to several DVD-Audio titles recently, and although I've found the quality that they've offered thrilling, I haven't encountered a title that presents the music this smoothly and with such outstanding clarity and detail. Or volume, as well. This is an extremely loud, dynamic, powerful and fierce sounding presentation with some low bass that's pretty serious. If you have neighbors, this is one of those things that may bring on some complaints if played loud enough (which, in this case, isn't even that high in terms of volume).
Also included is a 96k/24bit stereo DVD-Audio presentation, which sounds quite good as well in terms of clarity and detail. Of course, it lacks the envelopment and energy that the 5.1 presentation contains. Although I'm not a fan of the band, the 5.1 presentation sounded like I was front row at one of their concerts. For those who do not have a DVD-Audio capable player, there is also a Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation included.
Extras: An entertaining sneak preview of the upcoming "Classic Album" special focusing on the band, which I believe will be on VH-1 as well as credits.
Final Thoughts: Although I've never really been a fan of the band (and some folks seem not too thrilled with the band's war on Napster), the DVD-Audio release of one of the band's biggest-selling albums sounds absolutely incredible on DVD-Audio. Those who are fans will likely be thrilled with this release.
2. Sad But True
3. Holier Than Thou
4. The Unforgiven
5. Wherever I May Roam
6. Don't Tread on Me
7. Through the Never
8. Nothing Else Matters
9. Of Wolf and Man
10. The God That Failed
11. My Friend of Misery
12. The Struggle Within
One of the metal band's most commerically successful albums (a.k.a. "The Black Album" due to its dark cover) the release is now available on DVD-Audio, with a review of the sound below.
The DVD
SOUND: Frankly, I was amazed by the quality of the 96khz/24bit DVD-Audio 5.1 presentation that's included on this edition of the album. In terms of the kind of heavy, powerful rock that the band is capable of, I would think that strong recording quality would be essential so that the guitars, drums, bass and vocals never threaten to drown out one another, and that's certainly apparent here as each instrument is certainly well-defined in the mix, especially the powerful drumming of Lars Ulrich.
Speaking of the drums, that's what impressed me most about the audio quality on this DVD-A release. Every drum hit by Ulrich sounds like thunder and is delivered with such tight force that I could practically feel the sound, even at low volumes. I also liked the way the album was mixed, nicely positioning the various instruments around the viewer and although surround use is very agressive, I never found the way that the music or vocals moved about the room to be distracting. In fact, effects like the occasional background vocals that are put into the surrounds during "Enter Sandman" and "Whereever I May Roam" really add a great deal to the haunting quality of the songs. Hetfield's gruff vocals were also kept very well placed in the proceedings, staying front and center, coming through with all the clarity and force that was intended.
I've listened to several DVD-Audio titles recently, and although I've found the quality that they've offered thrilling, I haven't encountered a title that presents the music this smoothly and with such outstanding clarity and detail. Or volume, as well. This is an extremely loud, dynamic, powerful and fierce sounding presentation with some low bass that's pretty serious. If you have neighbors, this is one of those things that may bring on some complaints if played loud enough (which, in this case, isn't even that high in terms of volume).
Also included is a 96k/24bit stereo DVD-Audio presentation, which sounds quite good as well in terms of clarity and detail. Of course, it lacks the envelopment and energy that the 5.1 presentation contains. Although I'm not a fan of the band, the 5.1 presentation sounded like I was front row at one of their concerts. For those who do not have a DVD-Audio capable player, there is also a Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation included.
Extras: An entertaining sneak preview of the upcoming "Classic Album" special focusing on the band, which I believe will be on VH-1 as well as credits.
Final Thoughts: Although I've never really been a fan of the band (and some folks seem not too thrilled with the band's war on Napster), the DVD-Audio release of one of the band's biggest-selling albums sounds absolutely incredible on DVD-Audio. Those who are fans will likely be thrilled with this release.
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