Hard rock's hardest-working band, Metallica, never cease to amaze or amuse us.

 After a prolific run of studio albums, the loud and fast-playing kingpins of heavy metal decided to record a live double CD of their classic songs -- with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Kamen. (He's also known for his soundtrack work with Bryan Adams.)

 The combination actually works, although Metallica fans may wonder if their favourite band has fallen on its collective head. My guess is that the group, working again with longtime producer Bob Rock, will win more than a few new fans for their troubles. Even the most sensitive of music lovers may discover a new appreciation for Metallica music despite the presence of the warning sticker: "Contains language which may be unsuitable for some listeners."

 Working best on CD 1 are the strictly instrumental The Ecstasy Of Gold and The Call Of The Ktulu, which could both fit work as movie scores -- think James Bond. Also exhilarating is Master Of Puppets, which includes the first of many symphony chorus shout-outs alongside James Hetfield's growl and Kirk Hammett's chugging guitar. Check out too Of Wolf And Man, the stunning Fuel, the always reliable The Memory Remains, complete with audience singalong, and Bleeding Me.

 CD 2's best offerings includes almost all 10 tracks, but if I have to choose I'll go with the obvious -- Nothing Else Matters, Until It Sleeps, For Whom The Bell Tolls, Wherever I May Roam, Outlaw Torn and, of course, Enter Sandman.

 As for the two new songs, No Leaf Clover is about as dramatic as Metallica gets, but it lacks the punch of their classic songs, while Human scores big time.

 The album was recorded at the Berkeley Community Theatre in Berkeley, Calif., over two days in April. Metallica just repeated the symphonic performance this week at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Track Listing
Disc 1
1.The Ecstasy Of Gold
2.The Call Of Ktulu
3.Master Of Puppets
4.Of Wolf And Man
5.The Thing That Should Not Be
6.Fuel
7.The Memory Remains
8.No Leaf Clover
9.Hero Of The Day
10.Devil's Dance
11.Bleeding Me

Disc 2
1.Nothing Else Matters
2.Until It Sleeps
3.For Whom The Bell Tolls
4.Human
5.Wherever I May Roam
6.Outlaw Torn
7.Sad But True
8.One
9.Enter Sandman
10.Battery

Disc 1 / Total Time: 66:58
Disc 2 / Total Time: 66:13