While the thrash pioneers might have cleaned themselves up with shaves and haircuts,
Metallica
get their sound cleaned up even further on
Piano Tribute to Metallica
. Transforming the band's epic thrash metal compositions into brooding piano arrangements, the album presents a more stately picture of their music. Given how intricate their songs are in their original state, classic tracks like "One" and "Master of Puppets" translate surprisingly well, and the drama inherent in the music definitely shows the classical influence at work in
's songwriting. While these piano tribute albums are by no means essential listening, they usually prove to be, at the very least, an interesting change of pace, and
's entry into this tribute pantheon is no different. ~ Gregory Heaney