Kamen, who arranged and conducted the orchestral background tracks for 'Nothing Else Matters', met the band at the 1992 Grammy award show for the first time, and after hearing the 'Elevator version' of the song, suggested the band to perform with a whole orchestra the band, however, didn't take him up on the offer until 7 years later. His love of classical music, especially of Johann Sebastian Bach, can be traced back to many instrumental parts and melodic characteristics in Metallica’s songwriting including songs from Ride The Lightning and Master of Puppets. According to James Hetfield, the idea to combine heavy metal with an epic classical approach was Cliff Burton's idea. S&M contains performances of Metallica songs with additional symphonic accompaniment, composed by Michael Kamen, who also conducted the orchestra during the concert. This is the final Metallica album to feature Jason Newsted as Metallica's bassist. It was recorded on April 21–22, 1999 at The Berkeley Community Theatre. Entertainment Weekly S&M is a live album by American thrash metal band Metallica, with the San Francisco Symphony conducted by Michael Kamen. 'Buttressed by grim strings, creaky horns, and thundering timpani, staples.creep with fearful new dimension, like an old Posada print come to life.'
