This is a pseudo-sequel to the story that was written about Cliff's survival of the accident. However; in this case, please do not reprint this story, in any case whatsoever, without my permission.

"Have your heroes disappeared?" - Some band claiming to be METALLICA. (1997)

by Primal Scream

Cliff awakens in a bewildered state. He is in a bed. A bed he realises, that is nothing like what he has been experiencing the last twelve years. As he sets himself in an upright position, his red hair falls casually past his shoulders. And then he sees him. The creature, the entity, that he dreaded seeing twelve years ago; the distinct figure that towered over him and told him he could live no more. Death.

Death proceeds to tell Cliff that he has been placed in a strange situation. A situation that happens rarely at best. He has been allowed to return to earth. He is allowed to live again. For a limited time.

"Why?" Cliff asks solemnly.

"You have something to hear. Something to witness", Death replies just as solemnly.

Death hands Cliff a record-shaped piece of plastic. A CD, Death calls it.

"Listen", orders Death. "And react."

Suddenly Death is gone, and Cliff is left in what must be in a hotel room with nothing more than the disc and a CD player. Cliff looks at the cover. It says Metallica on it. Metallica. A strange sense of pride and anxiety rushes through Cliff, knowing this is Metallica’s latest offering.

He notices the cover seems to a blood-soaked mess. He equates the photo with fire. The caption under the fire-like design reads simply, LOAD

As Cliff looks at the cover longer, he realises Jaymz’s razor-sharp logo is gone. It has been replaced with a weak presence. Only the M and last A are somewhat pointed. A disappointment. But Cliff realises it is not the artwork, but the music that counts. He reminds himself of the KILL `EM ALL packaging.

Cliff presses "Play" with an anticipation he has never felt before. The rollercoaster ride of emotion is about to start.

The first song, titled "Ain't My Bitch" commences. Cliff is shocked. Shocked at the tawdry title, shocked at the weak riff Jaymz has composed, shocked at the ill-written and meaningless lyrics that follow. The Master of Puppets is clearly heartbroken. He realises one song does not make an album. He continues his experience.

He listens to the rest of the album and is completely crestfallen. What has happened, he wonders to himself. What the fuck has happened? He is disgusted by the booklet, in which he views he former bandmates. Kirk with makeup and tattoos. Lars with the equally disgracing makeup wearing tight leather pants and outlandish costumes. Even Jaymz, his blonde mane gone, is different. He is phoney. He is posing. Something Cliff never wanted in Metallica photo-shoots. Only Jason, Cliff’s successor, seems to be embedded in the spirit of Metallica. Cliff can see Jason’s passion and integrity in his eyes. But alas, Jason has given no input in the creation of LOAD. He has no songwriting credits. Cliff knows the autocratic fury of Jaymz and Lars, and knows what fate has befriended Jason.

Only two songs out of fourteen have captured the Metallica spirit on this album... and not even fully. A track called "House That Jack Built", and the finale, "The Outlaw Torn". Jaymz’s integrity and passion can be clearly heard in the vocals. It seems these tracks have been missed by the record companies, and the greed attached to the business.

Cliff ponders the situation. The band that had always refused to conform... did. The band that cared not about the business, but its fans... no longer did. The band that displayed unrelenting fury and aggression was now... weak. Cliff can listen no longer. He sits and cries. Cries at the death of Metallica.

RIP

1981-1995

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