One of the most influential bands in music, ranked eighth on the list of the biggest-selling groups in history, Metallica unveils its ninth studio album, Death Magnetic. The band's
first album in five years, Death Magnetic is also its first with renowned producer Rick Rubin (Danzig, Slayer, System Of A Down,
Slipknot), first with bassist Robert Trujillo, and first on Warner Bros. Heavy and thrashy, unafraid to embrace the band's past yet move
into the future. Product Description
This album is a cornucopia of musical ideas. Many of the riffs sound pleasantly reminiscent of great Metallica albums from the past. There are, however, moments that sound a bit disconnected. Something like listening to a Metallica 'best of' collection where the songs themselves are sliced up and rearranged to form new songs. Sometimes it works well, and sometimes not so much.
The lyrics are mostly unspectacular. I suppose I have been spoiled by previous Metallica albums. At times the lyrics and delivery made me think someone let Dave Mustaine back into the band.
Overall, a good album, and definitely worth a listen.
November 29, 2008 |  | If You Only Ever Own One Metal Album |  |
Brutal, beautiful, relentless...there's cliches, and then there's archtypes...Jimi Hendrix; Pink Floyd; Black Flag; Chemical Brothers; METALLICA! Please forget the whole download massacre- if you can't feel this, then you can dine on poop! Coming from an old fart who's been around the block too many times- if you think there might be something to the metal mania- check it out. These guys are masters- think Hendrix, Floyd, the Flag, the Chem Bros.- metal is massive, and all those drug addicts/alcoholics can't be 100% wrong! At the age of 58, I have to say, these monsters rocked my world! Please, God; MORE, MORE, MORE!
I liked it a lot.
November 29, 2008 | | First half was great, but the second half was too dull (yawn!!!). | |
Well after reading a few good reviews right here on Amazon, I finally decided to buy this highly anticipated album and I must admit that after 15 times listening to this I'm still abit disappointed, yes the raw musical power is back with some great guitar work and nice drumming but none of the songs stuck out as being memorable and some of these songs were either mediocre or abit dull like the instrumental track Suicide and redemption and the second half started to lose some steam, there are some truly thrash-tastic moments where Kirk Hammet does show his stuff but it's a moot point as the vocals are still cheesy croonings over some of the most laughable lyrics imaginable and the instrumental track was too long didn't have any tempo changes which sounded too repetitive and dull. I'd point out an example but there's just too many, but the good thing about this album is the fact that when you hear it, it becomes apparent that all the problems of their truly awful and embarrassing album St. Anger have been erased. The lyrics are far less self loathing and repetitive but still bad, the arrangements are more varied and technical, the drums sound like drums and the bass is once again the holding player in midfield and the solos are back in style. This album showcases Hammett's most emotive and powerful lead work in over a decade! which when you think about it is almost pathetic. Hammet hasn't played any good riffs or solos since the Black album. Hetfield is more 'in control' than on the 2003 misfire, and the production while not exactly like the Black album, is clear and powerful. For me personally I would prefer a slightly fuller snare and less clicky bass drum but like I said the guitars and bass are really strong. I have always loved Metallica's first five albums but couldn't be bothered with the rest of their stuff so I quickly got bored with the rest, this however was decent enough with some listenable material and really good songs like All nightmare long, The day that never comes, Judas kiss, Cyanide and The end of the line. St. Anger showed the collapse of a once-great band, it was truly a piece-of-dung but this shows that they still might have the potential to come out with some strong material although it could have been alot better.......
November 27, 2008This album is about as good as Metallica could have done RIGHT NOW. The key is to go in not expecting a master of puppets II or And justice for all part II. I really like this album and I put it on par with their 90's material, which is pretty good. The main letdown for me is Kirk's solos. They sound lazy and uninspried most of the time. They're are a couple decent ones on tthe album, but most of the time he has something good going, then he'll come in with that obnoxious wah pedal and pretty much ruin the solo. Wah just sounds so out of place on a metal album like this. Also, the production is shoddy at best, but I don't think this is the band's fault really.
PROS:
-James vocals are great and it sounds like he put some thought into his lyrics.
-great guitar harmonies, something that has been missing since AJFA.
-drums are pretty good, Lars actually remembered he has toms to use.
-definatley no shortage of riffs, so the songs aren't repetitive like St. Anger.
- Album cover is cool and creative, best since Justice in my opinion.
CONS:
-The production is not very good, there is clipping abound.
-the bass ins't loud enough
-Kirk's solos are nothing to write home about, but at least there are solos this time I guess.
-I also hate how they cut a big hole in the booklet so you can't read the lyrics, very annoying.
November 27, 2008As if I needed another reason not to spend another dime on these washed up.... money grubbin' no good, cheddar cheese smellin', lousy, egotistical... etc. I hate these guy's ever since napster. Funny since napster they haven't put out anything worth spending money on. LMAO Won't spend any more money ever. Well maybe I will wait until I can buy a copy for $.49 . Take it home and smash it with a hammer.
November 27, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(834 reviews)