METALLICA - DEATH MAGNETIC - The "Disposable heroes" show us how to kill em' all...again!!!

After the embarrassment that was "St. Anger" and the big screen look at the band tripping over themselves, strangely titled "Some King Of Monster", i watched the one time metal heros fall apart. I really could not understand how a band of this magnitude could or would release an album that had so many flaws. Even records like Load and Reload, although changing drastically in sound, had great production, and great performances by all. Losing Jason Newsted no doubt had its effect, sure, and then of course we have James Hetfield's long bout with rehab, that seemed in the movie anyway, to take his balls away. Understandably, he needed to get the help and we are all glad he is clean and sober (Well I am) and honestly, no band, not even Metallica is worth doing, if 

1. You have to be a junkie.

2. You get clean, and then you lose your ability to kick ass, musically.

So, St. Anger comes out, I guess it does somewhat well, but nobody wants to say the obvious...Metallica sounds tired, uninspired, and desperate to fit in with bands like Korn and the rest of the Nu-metal piss ants of current hard rock radio.

Now, after a few long years, the band announced a new album. The rumor is that Rick Rubin is producing it, and that the band pulled a ton of riffs out for this. Rumor also had stated that the band was going back to classic Metallica sound. Yeah right, im not falling for it again!!!

Then, I heard the new album in its entirety. Yeah thats right Metallica, I "downloaded it"

And I could not believe what i heard!!!!

METALLICA - DEATH MAGNETIC

Here, in 2008, nearly 30 years after their emergence, Metallica delivers one of the BEST records of their entire career!!! Not only are the rumors true, but the album gave way to so much more than I had originally suspected. Gone are the annoying whinings of "St. Anger", gone is the annoying snare drum. Gone is the nu-metal "need to be current" on this record Metallica goes back to what they do best...fast paced, heavy as hell, old school speed metal/rock. Songs clock in at the 7 or 8 minute range. There is tons of progressive moments, ala the first 4 albums. There is even a third "Unforgiven"!! Rick Rubin clearly put some sort of ass whooping on this project for sure, I am so glad that this band will bounce back, and yes they will most certainly with this record. Like U2, no other band has had this long of a career, went #1, fell back down to earth, got old, and still managed to climb back up. This record is going to do great things for Metallica, no doubt!!! The production and the performances on this record bring to mind the band "Mastodon". Sonically, the guitar and bass have a classic sludgy tone to them, but the playing is fast and thrashy. It is funny how when a band of this caliber just sticks to what they do best, and with the right production, they can sound, not only modern, but urgent, even with the indie rock stuff that rules airwaves. Farewell Bob Rock!!!!There are plenty of Kill em' all style moments. Once and a while it sounds a bit like Black album. Musically, this album fits snug in between ...And Justice For All, and Black album. Maybe even the record to follow Black. I don't know, and i don't care, it just kicks so much ass.

One thing i HAVE to mention, is the turn around performance of James Hetfield. Vocally, his voice has not sounded this good since Black album. His melodies on this record are soaring. He has got that gruff of his youth back too, and the great thing is it sounds naturally, almost like he tried not to sing good in the past 10 years of albums. Weird, but I am proud to say, James is the highlight of this record, where I felt he was the flaw of the last record!!!!!

Hands down BEST Metallica record since 1991, and I am so not exaggerating here.

Metallica (2008) 

Lars, who still hasn't learned how not to look like a douche!!

Track list:

1. That Was Just Your Life

2. The End Of The Line

3. Broken, Beat & Scarred

4. The Day That Never Comes

5. All Nightmare Long

6. Cyanide

7. The Unforgiven III

8. The Judas Kiss

9. Suicide & Redemption

10. My Apocalypse