Album review - Metallica's "Death Magnetic"

Don't know how many metal heads (or just plain Metallica fans) we have here, but....

I'm a big Metallica fan. They've been putting out mostly disappointing music for about the last 17 years. I like the Black Album, but even that sound was somewhat different from what Metallica started out as..... a bit too polished sounding perhaps as well.

Prior to the release of their new album, I had heard a few snippets of some of the new tunes. They really got my hopes up. Bought the album, popped it in the CD player and by 30 seconds into the first track I was smiling.

The old school thrash is back. They must have finally realized that they became huge because of where they started. I'm a believer in the saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The band returns to around the ...And Justice For All era.

Is the album perfect? No. Is it worth buying? Absolutely. The biggest complaint I have read from those who have given this record a negative review is that Hetfield's voice doesn't sound like it did 25 years ago. Well, duh. Singing for a metal band for nearly 30 years will do that to you. The bottom line is that his vocals serve their purpose on Death Magnetic. He can still growl and scream; just don't look for "Seek and Destroy" type vocals. The other complaint that the negative reviews have is that the lyrics/sounds feel recycled. I don't feel that is true. There are similarities to their old tunes, but nothing feels redone. People are funny...on one hand they want music that sounds just like "band X's" heyday, but also completely different. I'm glad that Metallica sounds like Metallica again.

Musicians age, just like everyone else. Some people seem to get upset when a singer no longer has the range or power they once did. I would give my pinky (maybe a thumb) to see Robert Plant belt out "Dazed and Confused" circa 1970. It just ain't gonna happen. Brian Johnson sounds pretty darn good on AC/DC's new single considering how long he's been doing it.

All in all, Death Magnetic is a great album. My favorite tracks are "That was just your life", "The day that never comes", "All nightmare long", and "My apocalypse". "My Apocalypse" is one heckuva way to close out the record. Fantastic.

If you've been longing for the return of the Metallica of old, this may be as close as we ever get, and that ain't bad.

4/5 stars.

holy carp you read my mind !! I'm an old school thrash fan but after St. Anger blah
this album is great not quite a return to form in my opinion but great nonetheless.
haven't really digested the whole thing yet but here what i see :

James does sound "restrained" throughout missing some passion IMHO but he does "sing" now
some of the lyrics are just bad (what doesn't kill.. makes me more strong) wth
the songs are too long. some of the time changes/riffs sound disjointed to me almost forced. that being said the guitar work is soo much better than anything they've done in a long time. and SOLOS yay ! but the rythmns/melodies don't sync all the time.

the production is TERRIBLE I was expecting so much more from them working with Rick Rubin (maybe more listens will change my mind) funny thing is the Guitar hero version has better sound quality (less compressed not pushed to max volume)
My Apocalypse,All nightmare Long my early favs so far
overall a much needed if somewhat forced sounding at times attempt to return to the old
unfortunately other older thrash bands have done better recently : Exodus (last 2 CDs) , Overkill (never deviated from the course) , Annihilator (check out Schizo Deluxe, All for you) Testament (Formation of Damnation is AWESOME) and the "new metallica" Trivium almost does old school metallica better than metallica does lol

great album, good Metallica album thankfully Bob Rock is GONE
wow now I may have to start a metal thread here

Heh, Road, nice work. My thoughts in a nutshell on DM:

1. Instrumentally, they're back. Kudos.
2. Lyrically, wow. Uhm... hiring the writing out to 5 year olds are we?
3. Primary downfall imho: Zero passion. Very mechanical album.

I'd say it's worth listening to, but I wouldn't pay for it. There are far more talented metal acts out there that deserve your dollar. Metallica is still a long ways from being in that camp.

...but thats just my opinion!

cheers.
t.