Spring Break
'Death' breathes new life for Metallica
Brent Busby
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: The Edge
In 2003, Billboard magazine stated that Metallica's "St. Anger" was the most anticipated album since the Beatles' "Abbey Road." It didn't take long for listeners to realize that "St. Anger" could also be considered the most disappointing album in history. It has been five years since that disastrous event and Metallica is back with an amazing new album, "Death Magnetic," to make everyone forget what happened in 2003.
The new album's success didn't come without a little change though, as the San Francisco four piece had to let go of the producer who brought them into the mainstream: Bob Rock. After saying goodbye to Rock, the band hired a new producer, Rick Rubin (the same man responsible for remaking Johnny Cash a star), and the band reintroduced guitar solos into the mix after cutting them from "St. Anger." Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett was released from his cage, using 12 years of built up solo rage to shred through "Death Magnetic"'s tracks. To top things off, Lars Ulrich's snare drum no longer sounds like a lead pipe being slammed against steel.
"Death Magnetic" is made up of 11 songs that each deal with death in one way or another. Eleven songs doesn't seem like much, but with most songs running in the seven to eight-minute range, "Death Magnetic" is actually quite lengthy. Most songs take several minutes to even get to the first verse, almost as if they were just jamming out, having fun, and realized they were writing a song.
The album's sound mixes the old-school, speed metal Metallica sound with the '90s sound of "Load" and "Reload." The song "My Apocalypse" is just as brutal as "Damage, Inc." was in the '80s, and "Death Magnetic"'s first single, "The Day That Never Comes," is very reminiscent of the band's 1989 hit "One."
To be fair, though, "Death Magnetic" is not a copycat CD of Metallica desperately trying to win back fans by returning to their roots. The influences from their older music are present, but it won't hit listeners over the head. Old-school 'Tallica fans who still cling to their "Alcoholicas" shirts and swear allegiance to "Master of Puppets" may not like "Death Magnetic," but then again, they seem more concerned about front man James Hetfield's haircut than they do about the music anymore.
The one gripe the album offers up is that Hetfield's voice clearly suffers from its age, but only during the more daring vocal lines. It doesn't stop the album from being a great comeback for what would appear to be a future rock and roll hall of fame band. "Death Magnetic" is the perfect apology for "St. Anger" and a great way to tell fans it is time to move on.
The new album's success didn't come without a little change though, as the San Francisco four piece had to let go of the producer who brought them into the mainstream: Bob Rock. After saying goodbye to Rock, the band hired a new producer, Rick Rubin (the same man responsible for remaking Johnny Cash a star), and the band reintroduced guitar solos into the mix after cutting them from "St. Anger." Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett was released from his cage, using 12 years of built up solo rage to shred through "Death Magnetic"'s tracks. To top things off, Lars Ulrich's snare drum no longer sounds like a lead pipe being slammed against steel.
"Death Magnetic" is made up of 11 songs that each deal with death in one way or another. Eleven songs doesn't seem like much, but with most songs running in the seven to eight-minute range, "Death Magnetic" is actually quite lengthy. Most songs take several minutes to even get to the first verse, almost as if they were just jamming out, having fun, and realized they were writing a song.
The album's sound mixes the old-school, speed metal Metallica sound with the '90s sound of "Load" and "Reload." The song "My Apocalypse" is just as brutal as "Damage, Inc." was in the '80s, and "Death Magnetic"'s first single, "The Day That Never Comes," is very reminiscent of the band's 1989 hit "One."
To be fair, though, "Death Magnetic" is not a copycat CD of Metallica desperately trying to win back fans by returning to their roots. The influences from their older music are present, but it won't hit listeners over the head. Old-school 'Tallica fans who still cling to their "Alcoholicas" shirts and swear allegiance to "Master of Puppets" may not like "Death Magnetic," but then again, they seem more concerned about front man James Hetfield's haircut than they do about the music anymore.
The one gripe the album offers up is that Hetfield's voice clearly suffers from its age, but only during the more daring vocal lines. It doesn't stop the album from being a great comeback for what would appear to be a future rock and roll hall of fame band. "Death Magnetic" is the perfect apology for "St. Anger" and a great way to tell fans it is time to move on.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Marko
posted 9/17/08 @ 6:43 AM CST
I don t know what are you speaking about?
Death Magnetic have 10 songs.
Where did you listen to the 11-th?
The net is full of review made by incopetents. (Continued…)
Ian
posted 9/17/08 @ 2:14 PM CST
i just bought this cd, it has 10 songs, and personally in my opinion the whole cd does not sound like metallica at all. honestly, it is a waste of $13. (Continued…)
Brad
posted 9/19/08 @ 9:29 PM CST
The 11 tracks is either a typo or you didn't listen to the CD (or even read the tracklisting), let's hope it's just a typo. Either way, this album blows St. (Continued…)
kutti
posted 9/20/08 @ 7:09 AM CST
the album rocks!!!!! after d below avg in d last album... these guys have really pulled up their sox n made sure to let the music flow into ur head... (Continued…)
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