4 stars:
Metallica is probably one of the most loved/hated bands of all time. They formed in the early ‘80’s as a thrash metal band along with Slayer and Anthrax. Metallica was the first of those bands to be signed. By the time Metallica released their second album “Ride the Lightning,” die-hard “fans” were calling Metallica sellouts because of the ballad “Fade to Black.” When Metallica really sold out is a popular debate among Metallica fans/haters.
Me, I’m a Metallica fan/apologist. James (Hetfield), Lars (Ulrich) and Co. could have put out an album of all four guys sitting around farting and I probably would enjoy it, so long as Hetfield growls after every fart. “Death Magnetic” is different. This is not a complete return to the thrash metal days of the eighties, but this album kicks ass!
I love “Load,” and I like “Reload” and “St. Anger,” but when I see Metallica in concert I don’t want to hear any songs from these albums with the exception of “Fuel” off “Reload.” If these guys choose to play all songs from the new album on their current tour, I would not be disappointed.
The album starts off with a bang with, “That Was Just Your Life.” It seems to be written with the same blue print as “Battery” or “Blackened.” I can already see Metallica opening their set with this song. Fans of the “old” Metallica will instantly love this song. Other highlights on the album are the songs, “The Day that Never Comes,” which gives fans a new taste of the old “One” or “Fade to Black.” The instrumentals, “Suicide & Redemption,” “All Nightmare Long,” and the last song on the album, “My Apocalypse,” are all heavy metal bliss.
Highlights:
Kirk Hammet’s solos are back and as good as ever. Every song has a monster solo on it. And on more than one track there appears to be dueling solos.
The guitar riffs are as fast and heavy as ever. As a guitar player, this album makes me want to pick up my guitar and start learning these songs. Seeing these pieces played live will sure to be worth every second.
The sound and tone are great. For instance the song, “The End of the Line,” contains a very heavy, almost bouncing riff much like something from the hands of Tool or Korn. With that being said, the song doesn’t lose its signature Metallica sound. I believe that when they wrote these songs they weren’t concerned with the style of the songs. It sounds like they just wrote a bunch of music that they want to hear, with no apologies.
What’s bad?
This album is not perfect. This is certainly not the best Metallica album ever. The one low point is “Unforgiven III.” Maybe it is because I haven’t listened to the song enough, but that is the one song I find myself skipping. It’s not a horrible song; it just doesn’t do anything for me. Despite the fact that I am not in the love with the song, the solos still kick ass.
Overall Metallica lived up to and exceeded my expectations. I don’t know what inspired them the write this album. Was it bands like Avenged Sevenfold and Trivium that have clearly been inspired by Metallica? I don’t know, but I do know this, ‘Tallica’ is back baby, and I can’t wait to see these songs live.
BYLINE:
Bob Zerull is a frequent movie and concert goer who talks about his ventures to arenas and theaters more than any person should be allowed to do. Now, he puts them down on paper.
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