January 22nd, 2021 - A Double Dose Of The Black Album... And Nothing Else Matters Right Now

 

Hello and happy Friday head bangers and craft brew freaks!  The Meista here getting the weekend off right with another great pairing for you... I give you Metallica's self-titled album (aka "The Black Album") and a spicy The Black Album Imperial Black Rye IPA from Level Crossing Brewing Company's Red Feather Small-Batch Series! 

Album Info: 

• Artist: Metallica
• Title: "Metallica" (commonly referred to as "The Black Album")
• Recorded: October 6th, 1990 through June 16th, 1991 at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California
• Release date: August 12th, 1991 (5th full-length studio album by Metallica)
• Record company: Elektra Records
• Production: James Hetfield, Bob Rock, and Lars Ulrich
• Album cover art: Don Brautigam
• Personnel: Kirk Hammett (lead guitar on all songs except "Nothing Else Matters"), James Hetfield (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar on "Nothing Else Matters"), Jason Newsted (bass), and Lars Ulrich (drums and percussion)
• Additional musicians: Michael Kamen (orchestral arrangement on "Nothing Else Matters")
• Musical style: Heavy metal with elements of thrash metal and hard rock
• Sound: This may be blasphemy to some of you, but in my humble opinion, this is the last really good Metallica album (not great), but really good.  I bought the album on cassette tape (pictured above) the day it was released.  I remember thinking, "this isn't thrash metal!"  I actually was rather disappointed and somewhat upset when it was originally released.  However, I've grown to like it quite a bit now.  This was the transitional album between the "old" and the "new" sound of the band.  The band focused on a more straight-forward approach to songwriting and execution.   What really stands out on this album for me is Hammett's stellar guitar work!  His tone is dead on and he branches out with a more experimental approach, but still shreds the hell outta of it!
• Major themes: Abandoning their politically-driven and more occult lyrics, with "Metallica", Hetfield's lyrical focus became much more personal and introspective.  Themes include nightmare, isolation, depression, the death of his mother, loss, missing someone, werewolves, emotions, etc.  Of the album's themes, Hetfield stated the he wanted "lyrics that the band could stand behind – but we are four completely different individuals. So the only way to go was in."
• Tracks:   
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"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Level Crossing Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.levelcrossingbrewing.com/ 
• Brew:  The Black Album Imperial Black Rye IPA
• Style: Imperial Rye India Pale Ale (RIPA) / Black IPA / Cascade Ale
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 9.2%
• Ingredients: Caramel Rye, Flaked Rye, Midnight Wheat, Spring Rye, White Winter Wheat, and Roasted Rye with Motueka, Citra, and Amarillo hops
• Pour: The Black Album pours an ink black color with a billowy, 2+ finger, dark mocha head with excellent retention and lots of sticky, intricate spider web lacing.
• Nose: The nose is roasty, malty, spicy, and dank.  There are aromas of spicy toasted rye bread, grapefruit rind, pine resin, burnt toffee, light coffee, dark chocolate, black pepper, and hints of dark cherry.
• Taste: Following the nose, the taste of The Black Album is a blend of roasty, toasty, spicy, and hoppy flavors.  There are notes of peppery rye bread, pine, grapefruit, black tea, fresh herbs, black coffee, dark chocolate, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and moderately carbonation, the mouthfeel is thick, slightly bitter, yet smooth with a dry, slightly peppery finish.

Overall pairing: Well, this pairing is pretty darned obvious.  The brew was literally named in honor of the album.  In fact, "Nothing Else Matters" is printed on the can as well.  That said, the Black Album is a very spicy and malty RIPA with complex and inviting flavors that go great with the rockin' musical prowess, depth, and honesty of all that is Metallica's "The Black Album"!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Horns raised!!