RAVE! Metallica - Death Magnetic review
Here is my review of the latest MetallicA offering called ‘Death Magnetic’. This is my favourite band of all time and I thought I’d throw in my review for what it’s worth.
Now I’ve been listening to this album for over a week now, thanks to some dodgy Frenchmen leaking the album on the internet, I’m in no way condoning illegal downloading, but I have spent over $250 on purchasing the limited edition coffin shaped box set which should arrive shortly, so there is my justification for it.
If there is one thing that strikes me about this album straight away is the amazing guitar work, the riffing and guitar solos are amazing, it’s good to hear Kirk being let loose again. James Hetfield’s voice really sounds like he has come straight off of recording “And Justice For All”. Lars Ulrich’s drumming is back to its solid dependable sound that we are used to from Lars, although it will be good to hear him play some of these songs live and see if he can match the ferocity of the studio.
A quick track by track review:
That Was Just Your Life
From the onset this song feels like it should have been on Master Of Puppets, quite epic, very musical and catchy as all hell, definitely a great opener for the album. It sets the standard for the entire album with great pace, superb guitar work, solid bass line and great drumming. If this song doesn’t excite you then you are most probably dead!
The End Of The Line
This is one of your classic fast/slow/fast track, with fantastic lyrics and superb solos (Thanks Kirk), it hooks you with a fast paced beginning, slows you down to catch your breath, then finishes you off. One of my favourites on the album, this is the kind of song writing that we have known and come to love from Metallica, good to see it coming back!
Broken, Beat & Scarred
Listening to this track it almost feels like it should be on St. Anger, thanks to the lyrical content, however the production is way better. The guitar work is once again killer; the song has the possibility of becoming a live favourite, akin to Seek & Destroy.
The Day That Never Comes
This is the track we are all most familiar with, as it is the first single off the new album. This song for me is “One” (...And Justice For All) all over again, and believe me that’s a good thing. This track proves that Metallica still have what it takes to produce a killer track that starts of deliberate and melodic and slowly starts to force its fist down your throat ending in a fury of riffing and drumming. An amazing song!
All Nightmare Long
This track starts of quite un-assuming but soon picks up pace and hooks you in with a very catchy rhythm. As the song starts to take shape the guitar work is once again brought to the fore, demonstrating once again why James Hetfield is one of the best riff creators in the genre. The chorus on this track is like your average flu, catchy as all hell!
Cyanide
The song has been played live by the band quite a few times recently and has gone down very well with the fans. It’s nice to hear some bass line standing on its own, I have been wondering what impact the addition of Rub Trujillo would have on the band in its writing/recording phase, glad to hear that it has worked so well. This track is very catchy, although halfway though it sounds like they get a wee bit confused, loose track and try and get back on it, although it does work in a weird kinda way. Personally I reckon this track would have been just as good if it had 2 minutes chopped if it.
The Unforgiven III
Take everything you expect this track to sound like and throw it out the window. This is a completely different song from its two predecessors; the only common bond is the name. This is the most relaxed song on the album with a beautiful chorus, the lyrics on this track are powerful and make for a fantastic ‘sing-along’ track. This is the track that could be the most radio friendly, however coming in at 7 minutes and 46 seconds it probably won’t get the airplay it deserves.
The Judas Kiss
This is the motorcycle riding track! Wow, really catchy amazing chorus, fantastic guitar work and James’ vocals are a mixture of ‘...And Justice For All’ and ‘Load’. I can picture craving up the twisties with this track blaring through the iPod. This track will be amazing live and a favourite in the mosh pit for sure. Checkout the amazing solo from Kirk at roughly the 5 minute mark, it goes on for roughly one and a half minutes and does a great job of reminding everyone what a bloody good guitarist he is.
Suicide & Redemption
The instrumental track has made a triumphant return. I know I shouldn’t but I am comparing this track to its 3 instrumental predecessors (The Call Of Ktulu, Orion & To Live Is To Die), and it’s right up there, although a lot slower and sounding more like a jam, but it sounds like they are having fun and enjoying themselves when they recorded this song, which is exactly what this is all about, you can almost hear the passion and happiness coming through the speakers. Clocking in at 3 seconds short of ten minutes it is quite lengthy but a solid track none the less.
My Apocalypse
They saved the best for last! This track pulls you through the speaker, drills a hole in your head, beats you up and spits you out. This track is fast paced, mosh pit friendly with great chugging riffs and doesn’t let up to give you a breather, I’d love to see this become a permanent fixture in their live set list. Everything about this song is on par with other great speedy Metallica thrash anthems, such as Damage Inc and Dyers Eve. A great way to end the album.
Overall this album delivers the goods, people who hated St. Anger will love this album. People who hated everything after “...And Justice For All” will love this album. This album will hopefully silence the critics and the sceptics and bring back all of the ‘fans’ who left after Metallica hit the big time. It shows a return to form with great production (compared to its predecessor) and the tried and trusted song dynamics are back.
Buy it. Listen to it. Love it. Ride to it!
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