Paris (AFP)

A taste of metal?

Yes, but for the better with the 30 years of Metallica's "Black Album", a full-bodied aperitif with a spicy comeback, like the association between Laurent Garnier, legendary DJ, and the rocker-researchers of Limiñanas.

Released mid-August 1991, the "Black Album" (remained under this name for the black color of the cover) allows Metallica to break the glass ceiling.

A pure product of the metal scene, the Californian quartet therefore placed its titles on generalist radios and TVs, exploded sales and filled stadiums with a large audience.

To celebrate the hits "Enter Sandman", "The Unforgiven" and "Nothing Else Matters", two discs are scheduled for September 10th. Besides the awaited "Black Album" reissued / remastered, "The Metallica Blacklist" allows more than 50 artists to revisit this founding opus. We can hear Miley Cyrus (with a pinch of Elton John for the backing vocals), Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) and even two French people, SebastiAn and Izïa.

On September 24, radio and platform playlists will resound with Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", an iconic track from the shock album "Nevermind" released 30 years ago that day.

The celebrations around this cult record are still unclear.

Krist Novoselic, the former bassist of the group (dissolved with the suicide of its leader Kurt Cobain) just promises surprises to come, according to his teasing in Uncut magazine.

- Hear Charlie Watts again -

Also in the anniversary department, we can cite The Specials.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of their hit "Ghost Town", the flagship ska group released "Protest Songs 1924-2012" on September 24th.

It's a collection of high-dose covers of social / political chronicles.

We hear in particular a rereading of "Freedom Highway" (1965) by the soul group of the Staple Singers.

Another forties, the "Tattoo You" of the Rolling Stones - best known for "Start Me Up" - will be released on October 22, embellished with 9 unreleased tracks from the time and a live at Wembley in 1982.

James Hetfield, lead singer and guitarist for Metallica, on January 24, 2019 in Nashville, TN Jason Kempin Getty / AFP / Archives

The opportunity to hear again the metronome Charlie Watts, recently disappeared, behind his drums.

With them, a record that smacks of road-movie and cheering swerves: Laurent Garnier hooks up with the Limiñanas for "De Pelicula", scheduled for September 10.

Not so surprising: these are artists who have always refused chapels.

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts on February 16, 2016 in Montevideo, Uruguay Pablo PORCIUNCULA AFP / Archives

- Mad scientist and divas -

Garnier has already ventured into regions far removed from techno.

And the Limiñanas, alchemists of a rock-garage browser, are not at their first attempt, since they have already collaborated in the past with Etienne Daho or Peter Hook (ex-bassist of Joy Division and New Order ).

And when we speak of mad scientist, the name of Damon Albarn necessarily pops up.

That's good, the ex-leader of Blur, thinking head of Gorillaz, returns solo with "The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows" on November 12th.

Imany also reappears with "Voodoo Cello" on September 3, a spellbinding album of covers carried by eight cellos.

the singer Imany at the Francofolies de La Rochelle, July 11, 2021 GAIZKA IROZ AFP / Archives

Back, it is also about with two divas.

Little Simz, English rapper and quite simply one of the best MCs on the market, tumbles with "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert", also on September 3rd.

And in an era lacking in glitter, disco queen Diana Ross opens a suitcase of new songs with "Thank You" on September 10th.

The whole thing was produced by Jack Antonoff, the producer-magician behind the sublime last albums of Lana Del Rey.

© 2021 AFP