Metallica

It’s always very difficult to review a band that has contributed something impressive to the Metal genre. When that band is Metallica, you need to choose your words carefully. After St. Anger was released in 2003, many fans felt Metallica was growing a bit softer and was moving away from the 80s intensity of Kill ‘Em All, Master of Puppets, and …And Justice for All. I agree with these sentiments, though I was never a die hard fan of Metallica I still thought St. Anger was good, but lacking that old Metal style.

Enter Death Magnetic, a long over due reminder of what this band CAN do! The album starts off with a quiet start, almost eerie. However, as soon as the song truly begins my mindset changes completely. The start’s style is almost that of a hidden message… one that says: “We’re back and we’re going to brutally kick ass more than you know”. Every one song from start to finish flows in a kick-the-door-down adrenaline rush. Metallica really takes their older musical stylings (and roots) and made something truly awesome for us today.

The single “The Day That Never Comes” reminds me of one of their greatest songs “One”. A softer beginning telling a solemn tale with a solo like you can’t believe. Though this seems to be the most popular song off the album with mad radio and internet play, my favourite has to be “All Nightmare Long”. It starts off in such a dark way and yet progresses to be a totally evil, thrashing song that the sadistic metal head in me tends to enjoy quite a bit.

I have listened to this album in its entirety numerous times by now. Whether I’m playing video games, studying, or driving (note: driving with this album playing induces a speeding adrenaline mentality. You have been warned), Death Magnetic is a welcome, rejuvenated, and much needed Metallica that i can’t stop replaying. I assumed the album would just be another St. Anger, just another disappointment… Boy am I glad I was so wrong.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. That Was Just Your Life
02. The End of the Line
03. Broken, Beat & Scarred
04. The Day That Never comes
05. All Nightmare Long
06. Cyanide
07. The Unforgiven III
08. The Judas Kiss
09. Suicide & Redemption
10. My Apocalypse

Run Time: 74:41