Metallica – Garage Inc. (1998)
Artist: Metallica
Album: Garage Inc.
Released: November 24, 1998
Label: Elektra Records
Genre: Heavy metal, hard rock, cover songs
Length: 136:44 (2 CDs)
Producer: Bob Rock, Metallica
Overview
Garage Inc. is a compilation album featuring cover songs recorded by Metallica throughout their career up to 1998. It includes newly recorded covers as well as previously released B-sides and rarities. The album is split into two discs:
-
Disc 1: Newly recorded covers (1998)
-
Disc 2: Compilation of covers from 1987–1998
The album pays tribute to the band’s influences, including Diamond Head, Misfits, Bob Seger, Thin Lizzy, Killing Joke, Budgie, and Black Sabbath. It showcases Metallica’s versatility and respect for heavy metal and hard rock history.
Album Credits
Band Members
-
James Hetfield – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
-
Kirk Hammett – lead guitar
-
Jason Newsted – bass, backing vocals
-
Lars Ulrich – drums
Production
-
Producer: Bob Rock & Metallica
-
Mixing & Engineering: Randy Staub
-
Mastering: George Marino
-
Label: Elektra Records
Tracklist
Disc 1 – Newly Recorded Covers (1998)
-
Free Speech for the Dumb (Discharge)
-
It’s Electric (Diamond Head)
-
Sabbra Cadabra (Black Sabbath)
-
Turn the Page (Bob Seger)
-
Die, Die My Darling (Misfits)
-
Loverman (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds)
-
Mercyful Fate (Mercyful Fate medley: “Satan’s Fall / Evil”)
Disc 2 – Previously Released Covers (1987–1998)
-
Am I Evil? / Blitzkrieg (Diamond Head / Blitzkrieg)
-
Killing Time (Sweet Savage)
-
The Small Hours (Diamond Head)
-
Blitzkrieg (Blitzkrieg)
-
Last Caress / Green Hell (Misfits)
-
So What? (Anti-Nowhere League)
-
Overkill (Motörhead)
-
Helpless (Diamond Head)
-
The Prince (Diamond Head)
-
Stone Cold Crazy (Queen)
-
Breadfan (Budgie)
-
When a Blind Man Cries (Deep Purple)
-
Blitzkrieg Bop (Ramones)
Exact tracklist varies slightly between original and reissues.
Commercial Performance
-
Debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200
-
Certified 6× Platinum (U.S.)
-
Sold over 5 million copies in the U.S. and over 10 million worldwide
-
Popular among fans for celebrating the band’s influences and rare material
Musical Direction & Themes
-
Focus on covers: Metallica’s interpretation of classic rock, punk, and metal songs
-
Tribute to influences: Diamond Head, Misfits, Thin Lizzy, Motörhead, Black Sabbath
-
Heavy yet faithful: Maintains the band’s signature aggressive style while respecting original arrangements
-
Highlights Metallica’s musical versatility and history
Fun Facts & Trivia
-
The album title Garage Inc. refers to Metallica’s roots in garage bands and early covers.
-
“Turn the Page” features a heavy, metallic reimagining of Bob Seger’s classic.
-
“Mercyful Fate” medley is a tribute to King Diamond’s influence on Metallica’s early style.
-
“Helpless” and “The Small Hours” were previously available only as B-sides and on limited singles.
-
The album includes artwork by Andres Serrano, continuing the controversial aesthetic from Load and Reload.
Did You Know?
-
Disc 1 covers were recorded in 1998 specifically for the release, while Disc 2 collects recordings from 1987 (The $5.98 EP: Garage Days Re-Revisited) and other rare tracks.
-
Garage Inc. was the first Metallica compilation to combine both new covers and previously released covers in one package.
-
The album helped introduce fans to many bands that influenced Metallica’s early sound.
-
Metallica performed several of these covers live extensively during their tours in the late ’90s.
-
“Am I Evil?” and “Blitzkrieg” are considered essential parts of Metallica’s live set history.
Critical Reception
-
Praised for:
-
Showcasing the band’s influences and roots
-
High-energy performances of classic songs
-
Bringing rare B-sides to a wider audience
-
-
Criticisms:
-
Some reviewers noted it is mainly for die-hard fans and collectors
-
Lacks original Metallica material
-
Album Rating
8.5/10
Garage Inc. is a must-have for fans of Metallica and classic metal. It celebrates the band’s roots, delivers high-energy covers, and preserves rare tracks in a comprehensive, well-produced package.
