Blog → Review - Death Magnetic

In most ways Death Magnetic delivers, but in others it doesn't. This is without a doubt their best effort in eighteen years (Simply put, since ...And Justice for All), but at times, it hauntingly harkens back to Load/Reload. The vast improvements over St.Anger are enough to overlook this, but overall this is deeply disappointing. While the album certainly has it's share of promising tracks (Thrash-wise), it seems that once they went radio-friendly hard rock, they're gonna have a hell of time shaking that off, if they ever completely do.

Thrash is evident in tracks such as "All Nightmare Long" and "My Apocalypse", but that simply isn't enough to save the album. The album has a high degree of catchiness, especially in opener "That Was Just Your Life" and middle track "All Nightmare Long". I find the words stuck in my head long after finishing the album. That, due in part, I think, is what ultimately saves the album.

This is Metallica's heaviest album in eighteen years, they have definitely proven themselves as capable musicians. Kirk, simply put, is a beast. In Death Magnetic he and James provide some of the most intriguing guitar-work I've heard in any Metallica album, and his solo-work is absolutely amazing. After an absence in St.Anger, solos are back, and I think anyone can say this with confidence, and back with a vengeance. This is Metallica's first album featuring new bassist Robert Trujillo, of Black Label Society and Ozzy Osbourne fame. It must be noted, throughout the entire record, you can barely catch any of the bass-work. The bass' weakness is painfully evident in "Cyanide", where in sections of the song the bass gets singled out. Not only that, it just doesn't sound like a bass. This also happens in instrumental "Suicide and Redemption", but sounds more like a bass.

Many hated the drum production of St.Anger, I was not one of those people, but I can understand why. Instead of a snare, it sounded like Lars was beating on a metal barrel, which is enough to make you flinch. Fortunately, the production of Death Magnetic is a vast improvement over St.Anger. The drums sound more natural, as they should, but, seemingly, it comes at a price: distortion. While not relatively prevalent in the album, its definitely there. Listening the more intense parts of "The Day That Never Comes" there is obvious distortion, in the heavier guitar/bass-work and snare-work. Its really not a major problem, but one worthy of noting.

Top Picks: The End of the Line - The Day That Never Comes - All Nightmare Long - Suicide and Redemption

Tracks
1. That Was Just Your Life - 10/10
2. The End of the Line - 10/10
3. Broken, Beat, and Scarred - 10/10
4. The Day That Never Comes - 10/10 (Comments: This song is truly amazing)
5. All Nightmare Long - 10/10 (Comments: This has got to be one of the best songs on the album)
6. Cyanide - 8/10 (Comments: What drags the song down is the weak bass)
7. The Unforgiven III - 7/10 (Comments: While an excellent song, its too much like Load/Reload)
8. The Judas Kiss - 9/10
9. Suicide and Redemption - 10/10 (Comments: This is without a doubt Metallica's best instrumental)
10. My Apocalypse - 9/10

Metallica