Review: METALLICA's 'So What' Journal Pairs Well With 'Monster' Documentary

Bob Gendron of the Chicago Tribune has reviewed METALLICA's first-ever official book, "So What! The Good, The Mad And The Ugly" (view cover here),due in August via Broadway Books.

"The genuine treasures are found in discussions with the group's members, particularly in a series of round-table interviews conducted between 1996 and 2004 by editor Steffan Chirazi," Gendron writes. "What emerges is a picture of a band that never truly confronted its problems or personal barriers, but instead resorted to self-deprecatory remarks, jokes or random interruptions when topics turned heavy. A March 2004 interview depicts a quartet that hasn't just changed artistically and cosmetically but one that's learned how to become more human, respectful and focused — as well as one that allows its members to finish their sentences.

"Inklings of the deal-breaking rift between Newsted and METALLICA appear as early as February '96, during the first group chat. Newsted's frustrated with Ulrich and Hetfield's control, and apprehensive about introducing musical ideas. Feigning forgiveness, Hetfield remains upset over Newsted's involvement in a side project. Everyone dances around issues, responding to probing questions only when prodded. Most tellingly, the band begins to refer to Chirazi as 'Dr. C' midway through the meeting, prompting Ulrich to prophetically exclaim, 'It's like [expletive] therapy, isn't it? We should do this once a week!'

"More tension surfaces during ensuing self-evaluations and reflections. There's a decided shift in tone or mood when Newsted's name comes up. At the same time, conversations show Newsted progressively withdrawing from the band. Thinking back on the selection of cover tunes recorded for the 'Garage, Inc.' album, Newsted divulges, 'My choices for songs . . . I didn't even bring them up.' But when asked 'if [the band reads] this, it'll be the first time they'll even have heard you wanted [to cover] Bill Withers?' Newsted replies: 'Yeah.'" Read more.