The Memory Remains [Single] - Metallica (CD 1997)

The Memory Remains was the first single released from Metallica s Re-Load endeavor. Call me jaded, but none of the newer stuff [post Master of Puppets] really moved me like their older stuff. Was it the ego s? Money? Enormous fan base? Who knows so if you like them that s cool if not hey, that s cool too.

The United States single was released November 11, 1997 while it s cousin the European version was released October 11, 1997. Serious collectors were almost instantly bombarded with over 12 different copies for trade or sale. The US version contained only one song, The Memory Remains while the European versions contained never before heard songs, live tracks, promotional stickers and posters and even a CD promo released in Mexico [under Polygram] that is considered the most collectable single version of this song / CD. As one can expect, the multitude of fake releases, bootleg copies and underground sales of stolen CD s helped to fuel the fire of hype behind the release of this CD single. While it can t be proven, some hard-core fans believe that some of this press may have come from the band themselves hoping to get a little free media attention. My opinion? Why bother to release a CD single with one song on it at all? Even in the golden age of cassette singles consumers at least got two songs.


The Memory Remains 4:38

The premise of the song is simple a star rises to the top of his or her game hits the roof then plummets to the ground but they can t let go of the image they once projected. In their mind they are still stunning and captivating still fresh in the minds of their fans.

As far as the song goes, it s Metallica. I wish it would have had a little bit more of the old school feel to it but hey, I wasn t consulted. This is the same version that appeared on Re-Load so don t expect anything different from that version. The song seems to drag on at the beginning before picking up a little speed. Again, call me jaded but all their newer stuff sounds the same to me.

Marianne Faithful contributed additional vocals on this song that is if they can be called vocals more like incoherent na na na na na na na ramblings would be a more fitting term.

[This was also the first time someone other than a member of Metallica got credit for vocals]

Heavy rings on fingers wave
Another star denies the grave
See the nowhere crowd
Cry the nowhere cheers of honor


For Whom The Bell Tolls Various Times [see below]
[Taken from the 1984 Metallica release Ride The Lightening]
DJ Spooky Remix

Depending on which version you have [real or black market] you will have one of two versions on your CD. One that runs for 4:38 and another that runs for 5:13, the latter is the one remixed by DJ Spooky [see more details below]. This remix is hard, fast paced and neck breaking. I hate to say it but 98% of this fury was done post-production with the wonders of editing, mixing and looping. That s not to say the song isn t spectacular because on a techno level it most defiantly is. However, I don t know that many Metallica fans that into house / techno and visa versa. Where they were hoping to go with this is beyond me but it s a refreshing change of pace.

Now, just to make things a bit more confusing for you there are several different remixes of this song and the black market versions do not have DJ Spooky credited but rather the group Prodigy. This is a great way to spot a fake CD it doesn t mean that it s not a great CD to have in your collection but it s not an original CD single. All the ones that are labeled Spawn Remix are also black market copies. Sorry.

Take a look to the sky just before you die
It is the last time you will
Blackened roar massive roar fills the crumbling sky
Shattered goal fills his soul with a ruthless cry

[Again, this song is only available on the European Import Single, not the one released in the United States.]

Hang On, If You Don t Like Them Then Why Did You Buy This?

Simple answer and I won t lie. I looked at it from an investment standpoint. With all the chit chat about the different singles on the market and the impending fall of the band from the line up on Re-Load I bought several copies for posterity and profit. Why several copies? One to open, four to keep sealed. If they are going to make money off us, why not make money off them? Sorry Lars, that s the bottom line I m just repeating your own words.

What it all boils down it is knowing your facts, being an educated consumer and dealing with someone that isn t going to rip you off. If you simply want a regular CD single with one song on it then make sure you don t pay more than $4.99 plus shipping and handling for it. Now, if you want the one with all the extras and gimme s then that will cost you a little more [or a lot more in some cases]. Depending on the version you track down you could pay anywhere from $9.99 to over $100.00 so do your research and don t spend what you can t afford. There s no promise that any CD release will ever be worth a huge amount of money years from now so there is a risk involved.

Packaging

Parting from the standard Digipak that most artists have completely crossed over to Metallica broke new ground with the eco pack . This new design form uses 50% less cardboard than Digipaks and is made from 80% recycled goods [cardboard and plastic]. Even after all that eco stuff blew over you have to admit it does have a nice look to it. They aren t as stable as the older jewel cases so if you decide to buy one of these don t start whipping it around the house trying to kill flies with it.

My Personal Opinion

As I mentioned before, why bother to release a CD single with one song on it, no extras [stickers, posters, insert cards etc] and charge the same price as a regular CD single that has a few little perks? Unless you think the band members are deities or human gods and worship the ground they walk on this CD will disappoint you. Even hard core fans were left scratching their heads about this. I figured that maybe the US single would have a hidden track on it or maybe be part of a set that when all arranged a certain way would spell out the meaning of life alas no such luck.

If you are a fan and want to track this down, use your brain. Don t bit the first hook that s thrown your way and always deal with reputable dealers of brokers if buying off the internet. While I own the US single and the import I mentioned above I can t really recommend either version unless you are a dedicated fan and even that is pushing it a little.

Release Date
US Release 11/11/97 [Elektra]
European Release 10/11/97 [Vertigo]
Run Time Varies
Number of Tracks 1 on US, multiple on European
Released Under Different labels / different regions
UPC 075596 412 62
Extras None, European versions have tons of perks.

As always, thanks for reading ^V^ Freak ^V^