And Justice For All - Is there a good CD version ?

JohnG · 08-01-2006, 8:59 AM

I've got a new CD player so have been listening to a lot of my collection again (sorry neighbours!) and it becomes very apparent that my favourite Metallica album is poor of quality. Does anyone know if there's a better version available on CD than the standard copy of And Justice For All ?

Floodedstatue · 08-01-2006, 11:25 AM

'...And Justice For All' is a great record and one of my favourite Metallica albums (before they started to go downhill). But to the best of my knowledge there has not been a remaster released to resolve or lessen the production issues. 'MOP' and 'Ride The Lightning' were both released as gold DCC Mastersound remasters a few years ago in the 'States, but nothing similar appeared for 'And Justice...'. A shame because I think it often gets overlooked because of the production values. The main problem I think is there is no bass - no meat on the bones. It sounds hollow. The only way to get it to sound a bit beefier is to crank the sub up a bit or listen to it on some bass-heavy headphones.

Hopefully/optimistically they might consider a 20th Anniversary remaster in 2008 to address the issues!?

Nike · 08-01-2006, 12:14 PM

Source a copy from the States/Canada; they had a remaster in the early 90s.
No problem with lack of bass and I don't currently run a sub.
Mine is Elektra CD 60812 and has a silver sticker saying 'Digitally remastered from the original master tapes'.
The only comparison I have is the original vinyl, which although released as 2 LPs, was still quite poor, with 'thin' bass.
Worth remembering that there is quite an unusual bass sound on this album anyway; having a 'bowed-strings' quality to the sound in many places.

overkill · 12-01-2006, 3:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnG

I've got a new CD player so have been listening to a lot of my collection again (sorry neighbours!) and it becomes very apparent that my favourite Metallica album is poor of quality. Does anyone know if there's a better version available on CD than the standard copy of And Justice For All ?

The best hope if you want digital John, is to wait for a DVD-A version. I no longer have the CD, as I bought the vinyl version and that is infinitely superior to it, but as Nike said that isn't saying that much. However, when I recently gave it a quick blast on my latest TT setup (with a Kontra 'A' fitted), it did sound a lot better. Need more time to play it thru before giving a true re-evaluation. I looked for the CD re-master Nike mentioned but couldn't get it at a sensible price.

As the Black album has been released on DVD-A I suspect they may eventually get around to the other Metallica 'classics'.

Nike · 12-01-2006, 8:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overkill

I looked for the CD re-master Nike mentioned but couldn't get it at a sensible price.

As the Black album has been released on DVD-A I suspect they may eventually get around to the other Metallica 'classics'.

Pretty sure my copy came from Play.com. Don't know if it's still the case, but their CDs were sourced from USA/Canada.

Don't hold your breath for too long waiting for AJFA to appear on DVD-A anytime soon!

overkill · 14-01-2006, 1:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nike

Pretty sure my copy came from Play.com. Don't know if it's still the case, but their CDs were sourced from USA/Canada.

Don't hold your breath for too long waiting for AJFA to appear on DVD-A anytime soon!

Play.com? *Snarl*

My wifes still waiting after a month for one item, and I'm still waiting, after nine days now, for a *ready for despatch within 24 hrs* 'in stock' when I ordered item. Never, never, again.

I'm not Nike.

But I did hear a rumour that both Master of puppets and AJFA were pencilled in as the next Metallica releases on DVD-A, (should of course the medium survive!) by the producers.

JohnG · 14-01-2006, 1:48 PM

Cheers chaps, I'll keep my eyes open and fingers crossed for DVD-A then

Nike · 15-01-2006, 1:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overkill

I did hear a rumour that both Master of puppets and AJFA were pencilled in as the next Metallica releases on DVD-A, (should of course the medium survive!) by the producers.

Would be great if it happens. They would be discs I would play a lot. I have the 'Black' DVD-A, but it's just not an album I ever really get the urge to listen to anyway.

Floodedstatue · 15-01-2006, 4:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nike

Would be great if it happens. They would be discs I would play a lot. I have the 'Black' DVD-A, but it's just not an album I ever really get the urge to listen to anyway.

I agree, I haven't listened to it for ages. Still worth wiping the dust off it for "Nothing Else Matters" in 5.1 though!

It's been atleast 5 years I think since the black album was released on DVD-A (it was one of the first I think), so I wouldn't hold your breath for any of the other albums anytime soon