So What!: The Good, the Mad, and the Ugly

This book really could have been called "Written Sh*t: Binge and Purge", as it's really the literary equivalent to Metallica's live music box set. Like the box set, it's a bloated, excessive and sometimes self-serving overload to the senses, and it's up to the individual's tolerance for the personalities in the band that will determine whether or not that this a good thing or not.The book is beautifully put together. Tons of pictures on high-gloss paper make this a feast for the eyes. The articles are of varying quality. Peppered between the yearbook and scrapbook looking sections -- usually put together using notes, pictures and art created by the band - are some of the best interviews of the band in the last 10 years (particularly the round table discussions which, in light of Jason Newsted's departure, are quite revealing). There are even glimpses of James Hetfield's struggle with his demons before going into rehab, that in hindsight should have been pretty obvious to everyone. Weak are the Q & A sections (the band never seems to give straight answers), a lack of great detail in events in the pre-Load era (understandable as these items are pulled from the fanclub magazine started in the mid-'90s), and Lars Ulrich making love to his ego (haters like to say how much the band has changed, but Lars and his ego have remained pretty consistent over the years, if you ask me). Complaints are relatively minor. Metallica fans that have been members of the Metclub since it's inception will pretty much have all the items in here already (from So What!, the fanclub magazine). The magazines don't look nearly as good as the book though, but it may not be reason enough to buy this for some. At times, the self-indulgence can get a mite irritating, but the honesty and candidness makes up for a lot. The band at times seems more relaxed and sincere in some of the interviews, more so than they have for industry magazines and the press, although any fan with an axe to grind will find plenty of fuel to feed their accusations that the band has sold out, only cares about money and have sucked since (fill in the blank). Those who don't will find quite a lot of revealing details on what makes their favourite band tick - even if one has to be read between the lines sometimes.As we're not likely to see any autobiographies from the band anytime soon, So What! is the only source for words straight from the horse's mouth and something that fans won't be able to resist.

Not to sure what to think? I'm buying the book of course and I've been a fan a long time! 85/until now... Just saw them "10/06/04" in Toronto, Canada but think they have to much ego or it's been to long (or if only buy default of each other) to show things to be, good, mad, or ugly? There is nothing to lose but their pride, and a massive (for a long time) self-bulit ego? After selling 90 million records who can say anything but great about them??? I'm sure it's tuff but they've got it now? Hope the can be truthful and show the real facts as they are/were...

I bought this book the first day it came out and it was well worth the $29.95 I paid for it. It starts you off by telling how the band formed, and actually takes you inside the minds and thoughts of one of the best metal bands ever. Included are some segments of Metallica's fan club magazine and full color photos from shoots and from concets. Each member of the band has a section all about them from birth - today including a whole section on the late Cliff Burton. If you are like me and love this band as much as I do, SO WHAT! is the perfect addition to your Metallica shrine.

290 pages of personal Metallistuff. Everything from never before seen introspective interviews, to amusing one-offs and doodles by some of the greatest heavy metal rockers of our time. Personal photos, letters, and some extensive QandA with fans, all collected here in this impressive hardcover volume. And when I say tons of photos, I mean TONS of photos. You get to see the boys in pics spanning all over their 20+ year history. Good stuff, with some truly excellent and even moving moments. Metallica has blazed a trail against the grain for over two decades now. From inventing thrash, to consistently giving everyone and everything a big F*** Y** and doing things their own way. Here in this book we get a broad view of our Metallicats, up close and personal. Not to be missed. -- Is it an awesome book??? - James would say, "Yeah Yeah!!"

I bought the book today by default because the mighty Metallica has always been my favorite band. But to my suprise this book was truly an awesome glimpse into the last 15 years of the greatest rock band of our time. buy buy buy it now or else!