9. Carpe Diem Baby (ReLoad, 1997)
http://youtu.be/hsHoGBWDK9A You dont have to have been a person-about-town to know that the Load/ReLoad album series was more than a little unwelcome and maligned. Both summoned the tiresome cry of SELL OUT! from fans too dim to know any better and were consequently relegated to the sidelines over the course of the intervening years. Cast aside your prejudice and try digging a little deeper. Sure, the music might not be as fast or heavy anymore, but how long can you keep up the angry young man routine before you look pathetic? The beauty of the Load/ReLoad series is in the introspective, more considered and thoughtful lyrics proving that Hetfield was more than just a walking beard. Carpe Diem Baby lived up to its name and threw a swaggering, bluesy riff over Hetfields retelling of a seemingly apocalyptic landscape.
Joseph Viney
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Currently undertaking NCTJ (journalism qualification), do a lot of music writing and very interested in literature, film, current affairs and anything else in between. Find me on Twitter - @jjviney
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