Album Rating: 3.4 | Sound Off

I'm not defensive in the least. I'm curious, with all of these strong opinions, where is the actual follow-through?

Clearly this site is far from dead lmao

Album Rating: 3.5

Yeah the lower ratings are pretty suprising to me. This album is nothing amazing, but I just listened to HW last night in comparison and this is way better. HW disc 2 is soooo fucking dull and boring and uninspired. This has way more energy.

"I'm not defensive in the least. I'm curious, with all of these strong opinions, where is the actual follow-through?"

why does this matter lol all they said was they like the overkill album more than this

Album Rating: 3.4 | Sound Off

--Some ppl hate hyperbole smh re: worst metal art ever --

That gets me going more than anything else.

--Dear accomplices, is it not the music critic's raison dasein to call cowshit on this and emphasise that one rich man's profit does not need to come at the expense of the bystander's listening hours? What even is the purpose of the critic's calling of they invest above all in defending the interests of the artist and the market above those whom they should be serving? --

You're very idealistic, to say the least. The music critic exists to talk about the music not to attack or defend the artists on a personal level. Once the review is over, the music critic is free to elaborate and discuss whatever they want, just like everyone else. We were discussing why it is no one in Metallica's bubble can get them to change their ways. The answer is what you quoted. It's not a 'defense', it's literally the answer whether you like it or not.

-- why does this matter lol all they said was they like the overkill album more than this--

It matters in the context of our overall discussion. Metallica makes a 'mediocre' album while Overkill makes a masterpiece (apparently... I haven't heard it yet), and they're not getting any attention. Anyone that could be trying to hype it up is on the Metallica thread discussing the pros-and-cons of the color yellow. My point being that it doesn't matter what Metallica releases or how it compares to anything else that's released because they're so far into their own league that they suck everyone in whether they like it or not. Furthermore, why doesn't it matter? Overkill made this phenomenal album but people want to discuss the nuances of Lars' cymbal sound.

Album Rating: 3.0

He talks about the music.

Album Rating: 3.4 | Sound Off

Nostalgia colors every part of most people's enjoyment of this album. The music and the nostalgia are irrevocably intertwined. Nostalgia is even the most responsible element for the people that seem visibly upset that this album even exists and that Lars and Kirk don't give a shit; they remember a different, better, Metallica and they're pissed that it isn't this.

Edit: I love you, Pizza ;)

Album Rating: 3.5

I made the Overkill comment to try to persuade you guys to listen to it. We all know that they can’t compete with Metallica from a popularity standpoint. The album slays and I want everyone to hear it because the quality is high.

Album Rating: 2.5

Metallica is more popular than Overkill? Since when? 1983? Of course this album is more polarizing.

@Celestinaught

Music consumption does not take place in a vacuum.

Nostalgia, prejudice etc., are key factors in the said respect.

So if anyone wishes to elaborate on those factors defending them or not, whether in review or in comments, he/she is totally free to do so.

how bout you doth suck deez nuts

Album Rating: 3.5

i think that was a trump impression lol

Album Rating: 3.4 | Sound Off

My Overkill comment wasn't clear. It was off-the-cuff and not all that thought out, but since people are running with it... One, I wish the people that don't like this and do like that would expend some of that effort into writing a review for that album. It doesn't have to be great, the Sputnik user review bar is not high and it would give people a place to discuss it. Two, Metallica is in a league of their own and regardless of what they release it's going to garner more attention and love (and hate) than anything else released regardless of the other album's quality. It is what it is, and they know that, it's why we'll never get another phenomenal Metallica release again.

Album Rating: 3.0

"These critics, they always try to make it personal, attacking or defending the artists. It's not about that, it's about the music. Believe me, I know a lot about music. I have the best music, people tell me all the time."



Talks about critics making it personal/about them, then immediately goes on to make it personal and talk about how great and knowledgeable they are about music.

Album Rating: 2.5

@Willie Fair enough

Album Rating: 3.4 | Sound Off

--Dear professor, I am far as from disagreement as could be with that statement, and yet does the clearly personal involvement that nostalgia doth entails not instantly undermine your previous claim that "The music critic exists to talk about the music not to attack or defend the artists on a personal level"--

I mean attack the artists themselves on a personal level. Their income levels, their opinions on how to solo in 2023, whatever aspect of their personal lives someone wants to talk about instead of their music. The reviewer should absolutely include their own personal identity in their reviews. It's how you stand apart from the crowd. I'm not so good at that part, even all these years later... and much like 2023 Metallica, I don't think I'll ever get any better at it.

Album Rating: 2.7

What’s your favorite moment on the record, Willie?

Album Rating: 3.3

If only they limited their albums to 45-50 minutes. Hardwired and especially this one IMO would have been a lot easier to sit through.

Album Rating: 3.4 | Sound Off

--What’s your favorite moment on the record, Willie?--



There's a few. The Alice in Chains worship starting at 3:40 on "You Must Burn", and that instrumental section with the sliding bass line starting at 4:40. All of "Shadows Follow" but especially the vocal cadence and riff in the verses. The riff at 0:39 mark on "Barbed Wire" and the segue to the rhythmic part at 0:56, and the dirty chorus at around 1:40. The main riff on "Chasing Light" and the vocal part/riff that starts at 1:50 (the "Lean on Me" shout... or whatever he is saying). The section starting around 5:30 on "Inamorata" and especially the "My Friend of Misery" solo at 6:40.

Overall, my favorite moment is probably "Inamorata" starting at 5:30 until end.

Album Rating: 3.5

yeah that moment in inamorata is probably the best part of the album