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Metallica - S&M2 (with San Francisco Symphony) (Live) (2020)
Tracklist, Album Image Covers, Info and Fun Facts
Metallica – S&M2 (with San Francisco Symphony) (Live) (2020)
Artist: Metallica & San Francisco Symphony
Album: S&M2
Released: August 28, 2020
Label: Blackened Recordings
Genre: Symphonic metal, live album
Length: ~143:25
Producer(s): Greg Fidelman, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich
Overview
S&M2 (short for Symphony & Metallica 2) is a live album and concert film capturing Metallica’s performance with the San Francisco Symphony at the Chase Center in San Francisco in September 2019. It was recorded to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the band’s original symphonic collaboration from 1999 (S&M), and serves as both a celebratory follow‑up and a milestone event in Metallica’s career.
The show reunited the band—James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo—with a nearly 80‑piece orchestra under conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, with additional conducting by Edwin Outwater. It was also part of the grand opening of the Chase Center arena.
The release is available in many formats: 2CD, 4LP vinyl, Blu‑Ray/DVD, deluxe box editions, and digital download/streaming.
Album Credits
Metallica
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James Hetfield – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
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Kirk Hammett – lead guitar
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Robert Trujillo – bass
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Lars Ulrich – drums
Orchestra & Conductors
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San Francisco Symphony – full orchestra
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Michael Tilson Thomas – conductor
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Edwin Outwater – conductor
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Orchestral musicians of strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion
Production
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Produced by: Greg Fidelman, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich
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Label: Blackened Recordings
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Recording: Live at Chase Center (San Francisco) – September 6 & 8, 2019
Tracklist (Live Recording Highlights)
The live set spans two discs and includes 20 tracks combining Metallica classics with orchestral compositions:
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The Ecstasy of Gold (Intro)
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The Call of Ktulu
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For Whom the Bell Tolls
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The Day That Never Comes
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The Memory Remains
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Confusion
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Moth Into Flame
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The Outlaw Torn
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No Leaf Clover
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Halo on Fire
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Intro to Scythian Suite
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Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God and the Dance of the Dark Spirits
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Intro to The Iron Foundry
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The Iron Foundry, Opus 19
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The Unforgiven III
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All Within My Hands
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(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth (orchestral solo)
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Wherever I May Roam
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One
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Master of Puppets
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Nothing Else Matters
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Enter Sandman
(Ordering varies by format, but this represents the core two‑disc tracklist.)
Significance & Impact
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Celebration of the original S&M: S&M2 honors Metallica’s first symphonic collaboration from 1999 by performing many of the same classic tracks with updated arrangements.
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Venue milestone: These performances were part of the grand opening of the Chase Center in San Francisco.
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Symphonic integration: The album blends heavy metal with orchestral textures, showcasing Metallica’s compositional depth and the symphony’s adaptability.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Some tracks like Scythian Suite and Iron Foundry are purely orchestral pieces selected by the San Francisco Symphony’s Music Director, adding classical depth to the set.
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The orchestral rendition of (Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth features the symphony bassist performing Cliff Burton’s iconic bass solo tribute.
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The concert film of S&M2 played in theaters worldwide as a special event prior to its album release.
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The release includes remixed/remastered audio distinct from the original theatrical showing.
Did You Know?
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The shows were attended by fans from over 70 countries, reflecting Metallica’s global reach.
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S&M2 includes material from Metallica’s more recent albums (Death Magnetic, Hardwired… to Self‑Destruct) adapted for symphonic performance—something not possible during the original S&M era.
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The collaboration highlights the connection between classical orchestration and heavy metal structure—a relationship Metallica has explored since the 1999 S&M shows.
Critical Reception & Legacy
Critics and fans generally praised S&M2 for its ambitious scope and emotional depth. While some felt the production closely mirrored the original S&M experience, many highlighted standout moments like orchestral solos and the dynamic synergy between band and orchestra.
Album Rating
⭐ 9/10
S&M2 (with San Francisco Symphony) stands as a landmark live release—ambitious, dramatic, and a worthy follow‑up to the original S&M project. It blends the intensity of Metallica’s metal with the grandeur of orchestral music, creating a powerful listening experience for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
