Back in the late 80's/early 90's Metallica held 3 HUGE concerts. 1 in San Diego, 1 in Seattle and another in Mexico City. They released the 3 concerts on a VHS Boxset, with Mexico City on a CD. Then a DVD version was later released again, with Mexico City on CD. This is a review of the Mexico City show, not the San Diego and Seattle shows. The Mexico City show took place after the released of 1991's "METALLICA" (more commonly known as "The Black Album" ). The show was roughly 3 hours long, due to no opening act. It was a night of all Metallica. The Mexico City show is on a whopping 3 disc set with a total of 24 Tracks. This is a long review, so sit tight and I'll try to keep track descriptions short.
DISC ONE:
Track 1- Enter Sandman (7:27)
Features the classic Metallica concert opener with the opera-like song. Then it cuts into the opening riff of Sandman and lets go. At the time this was their most famous song, and a great way to open the concert.
5/5
Track 2- Creeping Death (7:28)
Back to the Ride the Lighning days, this song was epic. Based upon the movie "The Ten Commandments" the song talks about the final plague that Moses set upon the Pharaoh of Egypt. It sounds amazing when you hear the crowd chanting "die, die, die" during the bridge.
5/5
Track 3- Harvester of Sorrow (7:18)
Man, I love this song. Its one of my favourites of all time. This version of it is perhaps the best version of the song I've ever heard.
6/5
Track 4- Welcome Home (Sanitarium) (6:39)
This one gives the crowd a chance to calm down after 2 hard hitting songs. Another classic Metallica song, and it'd have to be since its off of Master of Puppets. However, this song wasn't anything special.
3.5/5
Track 5- Sad But True (6:07)
Another recent hit for the band at the time of the concert. Also, a good song. Great job.
4/5
Track 6- Of Wolf and Man (6:22)
I personally never really enjoyed this song, or much of the Black Album really. Again, I dindn't really enjoy this one live.
3/5
Track 7- The Unforgiven (6:47)
Features a nice acoustic solo by James just before beginning. Once it cuts into the opening riff the crow goes nuts (not that they already weren't). Sounds amzing and I miss the days when James could sing like this.
5/5
Track 8- Justice Medley (9:38)
I don't know who came up with this idea, but I love it. I was disappointed when the entire song of Blackened wasn't on there, as it is one of my favourites. But this is just a fantastic medley. It features Eye of the Beholder, Blackened, And Justice For All and the Frayed Ends of Sanity. A terrific Medley.
5/5
Track 9- Solos (Bass and Guitar) (18:48)
This is the sole reason why the first disc has so little tracks. The doodle is a nice long one. This is actually what got me into bass and I love just lounging around playing the improvisation that Jason does over the My Friend of Misery riff. Partway through Kirk takes over and has his fun with it, another great solo.
5/5
DISC TWO
Track 1- Through the Never (3:46)
Another song off of the Black Album that I didn't really enjoy all that much. Again, didn't like it live.
3/5
Track 2- For Whom the Bell Tolls (5:48)
I don't know what it is about this song, but at every concert they play it the crowd loves it. I love listening to this song too though, sounds amazing live. They really do feed off of this song.
5/5
Track 3- Fade to Black (7:12)
You'd have to be insane to not like this song. Its one of Metallica's best. It sounds so great live too.
5/5
Track 4- Master of Puppets (4:35)
Well, this is considered Metallica's best song. I'm not sure why they do this, but they finish at the end of the 2nd chorus and move onto the next song. Which sucks, cause that means no solo.
4/5 (NO SOLO!)
Track 5- Seek and Destroy (18:08)
Man, this is another song that gets the crowd nuts. Maybe its because it used to be String's theme when he entered the wrestling ring, but it gets the job done. They like to take pauses during the song for some reason, to get the crow worked up. Near the end James actually goes down into the auidience and has members in the crowd sing the chorus. An awesome song live and on studio. Ontop of that, it features the lovely vocals of noneother than Jason Newsted.
5/5
Track 6- Whiplash (5:33)
A great song way back from their Kill 'Em All days. James and Jason share vocal duties on this song. Whenever I show it to people they always comment on James' counting in the beginning.
4.5/5
DISC THREE
Track 1- Nothing Else Matters (6:21)
The fans needed this one to calm down, especially when they just endured Puppets, Seek and Destroy and Whiplash all in a row. A really great song too, I can just imagine how many lighters were lit during this one.
4/5
Track 2- Wherever I May Roam (6:32)
This song is another one that gets the crowd going, the Sitar intro is a nice touch too. Sounds great live too, but James could've tried harder.
4/5
Track 3- Am I Evil? (5:41)
I love this song. A homage to Diamond Head and a great song to boot. This song is such an awesome song to just rock out to as well, just great.
5/5
Track 4- Last Caress (1:24)
They just had to follow up Am I Evil with a Misfists cover, and since Green Hell wasn't very good they chose a good one. Its pretty damn short, but its there for fun I guess.
Track 5- One (10:26)
Pyrotechnics galore! You can hear them in the recording, plus if you've ever seen Metallica live in a stadium concert like this you would know exactly whats goin on. One of Metallica's greatest songs too. I fall in love every time I hear it.
5/5
Track 6- Battery (10:04)
Battery, the classical music intro, the thrash content. Such an awesome song. Not to mention it was also good enough to open for Master of Puppets.
5/5
Track 7- The Four Horsemen (6:07)
The controversial little song (due to Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine having rights to it). Its not one of their best songs, a good song but still. It sounds great live too.
4/5
Track 8- Motorbreath (3:14)
Like the Four Horsemen (and pretty much every song off of Kill 'Em All) Dave Mustaine held writing credits for this. However, this song is still one of the best off of the original album. Sounds great in the show.
4.5/5
Track 9- Stone Cold Crazy (5:32)
Sadly, this was the finale. I peronsally think that ending on a cover of Queen wasn't the greatest idea, but hey it worked. The song sounds great, and its a nice length.
4/5
In my opinion, this is the best Live album ever released, but I'm super obsessed with these guys so thats probably why. However, it is still a great album and you should ALL get it (despite the hefty price tag).
Overall score: Perfect 5/5
