Review Summary: Metallica definately deliver the goods with a triumphant near return to old glory
Having seen Metallica perform at the Leeds Festival this year, and having been blown away by their nothing short of epic performance, I went out and purchased their hugely anticipated album Death Magnetic. I admit, I wasn't the biggest fan of Metallica. Previously I'd heard their hits such as 'Enter Sandman', 'One' and 'Master Of Puppets, but I had never gone out to buy an album. Now i know what I've been missing.
After listening to Metallica's previous albums, and especially after listening to 'St. Anger', I know why the expectation surrounding this album was so gigantic.
1. That Was Just Your Life - An amazing opening track which is on par with 'Battery'. It's guitar riffs are magnificent, James's singing is brilliant, Kirk finally brings back a guitar solo to tremendous effect and Ulrich's snare finally shuts the hell up a bit. The pace of the track is fantastic too, fast and hard. If this song was just my life, I'd be a happy man.
5/5.
2. The End Of The Line - This is very much like the opener. Again, fast, hard, fantastic, but little difference to '..Your Life' makes this song regretfully a skipper most of the time.
3.5/5.
3. Broken, Beat & Scarred - Much better! You can't Help but sing & growl along with James here. 'Show Your Scars' will get in your head. However, I feel the track could be improved a lot. Bit longer? More solos? Maybe I'm just picky...
4/5.
4. The Day That Never Comes - The first single off the album. When I first heard it in the Leeds Festival I was very impressed. Some people say it's much like 'One'. Nothing will ever be like 'One', ever. However, this is one of my favourites on the album. Great clean guitar for an intro and huge riffs throughout accompanied by blistering solos. The only things wrong with this song are the structure, it's all over the place I guess, and James's lyrics have to be questioned - "Love is a four letter word". Shock Horror. An awesome song nonetheless.
5/5.
5. All Nightmare Long - Lame title? Yes. Lame song? No way. One/if not the best song on the album. The intro is superb, but what makes this song so good is the chorus and James's singing along with a great riff. Definately a mosh pit song, although I wouldn't want to be in it. A return to former glory here.
5/5.
6. Cyanide - The band played this at Leeds too, and it was very well recieved. A great bass intro which is still hard to hear (turn your speakers/amp well up). Another of my favourite tracks, Cyanide is fantastic, but in other reviews some users don't seem to like it, and i don't know how and why. It's got everything, riffs, solos, fine drumming and bass (although in-audible most of the time). The lyrics on this song are probably the best on the album, they're really well put together and timed, especially the chorus.
5/5
7. The Unforgiven III - Huge Expectation on this song. I think it delivers to an extent. The piano intro is melodic and then James kicks in with his singing. I thouht he could've sang a bit softer at first, but after more listens you realise his singing on this track is sublime. Great lyrics and a magnificent solo from Kirk really make this song, along with James's singing. However, I always feel here they could've done better.
In short, better than Unforgiven I, worse than Unforgiven II.
4/5.
8. The Judas Kiss - If you had joined Mission: Metallica beforehand, you would've heard the riff already. Stunning guitars, and again really sublime lyrics and singing - "Bow down, sell your soul to me, I will set you free". Try not singing along. Again, one of my favourites on the album. Hell of a song.
5/5
9. Suicide & Redemption - An instrumental. I've never liked instrumentals, but this one changed my mind. Epic. And better then 'Orion'.
4.5/5
10. My Apocalypse - Not my favourite song, so I can't really comment on it. Not the best album closer. Although It's worth a listen.
3/5
Death Magnetic delievers to all Metallica fans who have wanted the 'old' Metallica back, and it's also gained them new 'mainstream' fans. Although it's not as good as 'Master', 'Justice' & 'Black Album' you can't expect it to be. Metallica were in their prime back then, and the failure of 'St. Anger' hit them hard. Death Magnetic will definately give them renewed confidence, and hopefully the new record (whenever that'll be) will be on the same level as 'Master'. But for now, Metallica have definately done the buisness and have gave us a excellent album filled with blistering guitar solos, sublime singing and better lyrics. Lars's drums are miles better too, although still probably too loud. However, if you've noticed, there's hardly any mention of Rob Trujillo. This is because you can't hear him, he is redundant (with the exception of cyanide).
Regardless, if for some manic reason you haven't bought this album already, do so...now.
Pros: Solos are back, James's lyrics & voice are much better, Riffs are incredible.
Cons: Rob who? Production isn't the best, sometimes you feel there's a lack of creativity.
Download:
That Was Just Your Life
The Day That Never Comes
All Nightmare Long
Cyanide
The Judas Kiss
First review btw, not the best, but go easy. Thanks for reading.
