My top 10 bands and why I chose them

This should be an interesting exercise (he says). I am going to try and pick 10 bands I can designate as favourites and explain why I chose them. This will not be an easy task for me as there seems to be a huge number of bands that I like, but as I said before, it should make for an interesting exercise...

Why the Black album when they have so much more to offer?

I listened with growing excitement to an announcement by Matt Everitt on 6 Music the other day. Download 2012 will feature Black Sabbath, Metallica and Anthrax on the same bill! After missing out completely on the big 4, could this be too good an opportunity for me to ignore (even if it does mean camping in a field in Leicestershire)...

Alas, there was a catch and for me it is something of a big one. Metallica will be using the occasion to play the Black album in its entirety. I know that for many people this can only be a good thing and should be celebrated, but for me it isn't and I will try (for reasons of catharsis if nothing else) to explore and explain why.

I actually like the Black album. For me, it stands head and shoulders above Load and Reload, but when I listen to it, though I enjoy it and though it is certainly heavy, somehow the overall experience leaves me feeling disappointed and wanting something more. But what is missing?