Album Review

In the midst of the hair metal and glam pop rock that emerged in the 80’s, along came Metallica, proving you didn’t have to unleash a can of Aussie or screech high-pitched vocals in order to make your presence known. They became a giant success simply by going where no band had gone before; they provided a diversity of loud, thrashing metal with deep, groaning vocals and then threw in a few smooth, melodic tempos to mix it up.

Over the past twenty-five years, Metallica has unveiled several storied albums, some better than others, but Death Magnetic will soon be making its mark in music history. As soon as the heavy, electrifying riffs of “That Was Just Your Life” drone out of your speakers, it becomes quite apparent that Metallica is, indeed, back in full force. Ladies and gentlemen, Jesus has now risen from the dead.

Death Magnetic is the band’s first album working with legendary producer Rick Rubin, after parting ways with Bob Rock, who has been behind the scenes since the release of the Black Album in 1991. The new set is strong from start to finish, with powerful solos, intense rhythms and passionate vocals. The tracks are much longer (most over seven minutes long) and include extended jam sessions versus the typical radio single.

In addition to the first single, “The Day That Never Comes,” two other singles have also been released, “My Apocalypse” and “Cyanide,” both of which reflect what Metallica is really made of, although the fast pace of “My Apocalypse” seems to close the album with an intense feel that only leaves you feeling hungry for more.

“The Unforgiven III” is a bit of a surprise, after all, how can one live up to the legendary original? Nevertheless, it’s still pleasing to the ears, as is the melodic guitar lines of “All Nightmare Long” and the crushing drums solos of “The Judas Kiss.” “The End of the Line” is a wailing rocker filled with guitar screams galore and different segmented pieces that build up like chapters in a novel.

Metallica may have taken a hiatus from their original hardcore roots, but rest assured, Death Magnetic is living proof that the kings are back in action and ready to rock. Even die-hard Metallica fans will be in awe of the album’s undeniable consistency of power and it serves to remind us of why the world fell in love with Metallica in the first place.

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