Metallic Attack: Metallica - The Ultimate Tribute 
 by Zane Ewton

Metallic Attack: Metallica - The Ultimate Tribute 
Rating: 
 

Tracks: Whiplash - Motorhead Damage, Inc - Flotsam & Jetsam Enter Sandman Trapped Under Ice - Death Angel Nothing Else Matters Motorbreath - Page Hamilton/Scott Ian Master Of Puppets - Whitfield Crane Holier Than Thou - Chuck Billy/Alex Skolnick Eye Of Th Beholder Creeping Death - Dark Angel

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The ultimate tribute?  There’s not a single tribute album that should be able to call itself “the ultimate”.  That is the first sign that this is probably no the ultimate in albums designed to give tribute to Metallica.

This tribute album does boast some impressive names who have lent their talents.  The most notable is Motorhead, who provide the lone standout cover of “Whiplash”.  Most of these tracks were performed by makeshift bands, excluding Motorhead, Flotsam and Jetsam who contribute “Damage Inc.”, Death Angel with “Trapped Under Ice”, Life After Death performing “Eye of the Beholder” and Dark Angel with “Creeping Death.”

The other tracks feature several names that come together for a song.  Tommy Victor of Prong, Nuno Bettencourt, Joey Vera of Armored Saint and Scott Travis of Judas Priest provide a piano-tinged “Enter Sandman”.

Joe Lynn Turner from Deep Purple, Bruce Kulick from Kiss and Bob Kulick, who also produces, perform “Nothing Else Matters”.  Page Hamilton and Scott Ian team up for “Motorbreath”.  Chuck Billy and Alex Skolnick from Testament, Doug Aldrich from Whitesnake and Eric Singer from Kiss contribute “Holier than Thou”.

“Master of Puppets” must have been recorded a few years ago as it features Randy Castillo, Mike Inez, Rocky George and Whitfield Crane.

There is nothing too special on this tribute album and the tracks are offered without any real variation from the originals.

“Whiplash” is done in typical Motorhead fashion, which is a good thing.  They make it seem effortless.  The keyboards and slower tempo of “Enter Sandman” may have been an attempt at mystery, but it failed.  “Nothing Else Matters” is melodramatic.  The rest of the tribute doesn’t fare much better.

The only distinguishable characteristic is that the vocals are not James Hetfield.  The production is mechanical.  The only notable attribute is the lack of songs from Load, Reload and St. Anger.  I guess not even the friends of the band enjoyed those albums enough to show some love.