The hype machine is in full swing with Metallica’s ninth studio album Death Magnetic. After the abomination that was 2003’s St. Anger, the California metal band had to step up their game quite a bit to please not only their die-hard fans, but other fans that dwindled away from the band after St. Anger. With new bassist Robert Trujillo in tow, Metallica has proven that they still have gas left in the tank, while working to regain some of that flame that had died out in the 90’s.

From the opening riff fest of “That Was Just Your Life,” it is evident that this isn’t the same band that gave us “Fuel” and “2X4.” The thrash metal is back in full force, most noticeably in closer “My Apocalypse,” which harkens back to the “Damage Inc.” and “Dyers Eve” days, and “All Nightmare Long.” The band does slow down for the “One”/”Fade To Black” fused “The Day That Never Comes” and “Unforgiven III,” but tracks like the ten-minute instrumental “Suicide and Redemption” and the epic “The Judas Kiss” are always around the corner to get the album back on track.

There has been a lot of criticism about the sound quality of the album. I will agree that they mixed it way too loud, especially in the drum tracks, but the songwriting is solid enough that the production doesn’t completely ruin the album, as it did with St. Anger. It is just a shame that a great Metallica album is hindered, yet again, by the lackluster production job.

Death Magnetic is the band’s first step towards redemption in the eyes of metal fans. Kirk Hammett lets loose with his best guitar performance since the late 80’s and James Hetfield sings his heart out. Hell, even Lars Ulrich does a decent job on the drums, which is a huge accomplishment in itself. Death Magnetic is Metallica’s best album since …And Justice For All and an album that will show the metal community that Metallica is back to regain their position at the top of the metal throne.

Rating: 8 out of 10
Label: Warner Bros.
Website: www.Metallica.com

By Dan Marsicano

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 11:35 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Sans Self wrote:

Actually, as much as I was dreading this review for many reasons, this pretty much exactly sums up my thoughts on the album. Very nicely said.

October 9th, 2008 at 7:39 am

DethOrgy wrote:

I give em props for even attempting to release new material after St. Anger. However, much older bands such as Judas Priest can stick to their metal roots.. Why should we give Metallica a footstool and say they need to take baby steps to come back to the Metal scene full force.

Excellent rock album, still won’t call it metal.

October 11th, 2008 at 4:07 am

DFL wrote:

the CD cover looks like a vagina

October 12th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Tabarrast wrote:

After St. Anger and seeing the documentary Some Kind of Monster I thought that I would never again have any kind of respect for this band, but hey go figure now they brought out a kick-ass CD again.

October 15th, 2008 at 4:49 am

Jerk-Off wrote:

I got sick of it before the official release. Sounds just barely a step above st. anger. Too bad they couldn’t have done this in place of st. anger 5 years ago, because, say what you will about that record, atleast they had some serious energy around that time and on that ‘03-’04 tour. They’re such a drag.

October 15th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

Thanatos wrote:

yeah… i definitely thin this album is infinitely better than st. anger… but that really doesn’t say much…

every song uses the same formula:
repetitive, awful vocals and lyrics for 4 minutes set to mediocre metal. Then at 2 minutes to the end of the song (almost exactly every time) there is an amazing guitar solo with fantastic metal riffage and no shitty vocals.

james hetfield, i hate you.

October 18th, 2008 at 6:10 pm

Jerk-Off wrote:

Yeah, I agree Thanatos. They just aren’t “there” anymore and haven’t been for atleast 15 years, maybe even 20+ years. It’s too bad.

October 19th, 2008 at 12:32 am

Joe wrote:

Think of it this way if another band had released Load/Reload and ST anger they would have been good albums for that band lets just say Linken park did it Everyone would give them Huge support for it But because it is Metallica those albums get spit upon because Metallica is a name for Greatness Granted ST Anger did suck but Death Magnetic is a Very big step up from ST Anger and it is Defenitly the best since Black

October 20th, 2008 at 7:07 pm

John wrote:

Just like joe said, Death Magnetic is close to be album that should have been after the great “black”. If you listen to it closely leaving all that “very loud” thing you should notice that the music is pretty similar to the old metallica, just change james voice (and change the lyrics a little) to that voice he had in the 80 and there you go… great work!

November 5th, 2008 at 1:01 am

Ducky wrote:

I don’t know if I agree with the idea that Metallica should be discounted merely because they had a better album from forever ago with the black album. No offense, but let’s face it, Metallica has made an incredible stride to overcome that last batch of Awful with St. Anger. Lars Ulrich even used breakdowns in the music?! It’s unheard of!!!! Being realistic here, it would be nearly impossible for Metallica to seriously top the black album, I mean come on, Black Album is to Metallica what Follow the Leader is to Korn, and they still limp forward with mild sucess.

Hard to say, but I think that it’s the best album they’ve done since the black album, and while it doesn’t outdo the black album it is a strong effort.

November 5th, 2008 at 2:07 pm

DieHard wrote:

I have been a Metallica fan for … ever. I realize that every band needs to change with the times but it was an epic fail for these guys since the black album (although Justice was the last real Metallica album, black did had some good songs on it). It took me 5 years to acknowledge black existed.

These guys finally may have gotten it right. Although thanks to the last 15 years or so of garbage they’re gonna have to do it again with another album better than this to gain my full respect.

November 8th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

bdoc wrote:

Metallica are the biggest sellout corporate stooges to ever pose as musicians. They started their crappy little careers saying “screw the critics and corporations, we’re in for the kids” and ended up saying “screw the kids and anyone who thinks they can hear our music with out paying, we’re in for the cash.” Anyone who supports this fake ass poser band is an easily brain-washed idiot without the ability to form an original thought (much like the band themselves). The ultimate irony being that the have plagiarized every Mother Goose nursery rhyme imaginable in every one of their hits. And don’t even get me started on the “I sing and dance for money, but I’m not gay or effeminate” mannerisms Hetfield uses to make sure every one knows that he’s a tough guy… (Can anyone say overcompensation?) They suck and destroyed NAPSTER and your right to trade music. Nice going…and nice going to the rest of you for supporting them….

November 9th, 2008 at 11:16 am

Matt wrote:

^^^ Still harping on Napster are ya? poor guy!

November 24th, 2008 at 9:41 am

Stumpy wrote:

I’m a huge fan from back when I was 10 yrs old and my mum bought me Kill….’ and listened inherently thru to Justice…..’ - Never thought I’d say it but Metallica have just had their day….they lost me after the so-called Black album, then Load, Re-Load and the St. Anger nonsense were just embarrassing, especially after the seeing the farce that was Some Kind Of Monster, I gave the new album a listen and whilst there are some good riffs on there, it’s as though bits were picked from the best days way back when and just re-hashed together…..almost sounding like a hetfield and co. cover band….I’ve just moved to America from England and had the chance for tickets to see them in December, sorry, but I think I’ll give it a miss and save $75 to spend on pile cream……Thank fuck bands like Motorhead and Slayer stick to their guns!!

November 29th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

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