Review: Metallica '72 Seasons' (heavy metal)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ส.ค. 2024
- Join Pete Pardo for a review of the new album from metal legends Metallica, '72 Seasons'. #metallica #72seasons
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You must burn is #1 song for me in this album. The main riff, the lyrics, the solo, the outro riff.. Just wow.
This is the first Metallica album I've ever listened to that is a grower. I didn't like it at first but it grows on you after 3-4 listens. It's nothing amazing but its a solid, consistent album.
It’s an 8.5 fs
It's a tough spot for a band to be in: It's trendy to love them.... and it's also trendy to hate everything they put out.
Metallica have the security of knowing that whatever they release, people will always say “at least it isn’t St Anger.”
I will take St. Anger over anything they did in the 90's.
The Black Album is miles better than St Anger.
that's why they release 'St Anger'!! it's a 50 yr plan! 🤣🤣🤣
While in fact St Anger is way better than THIS.
And the issue of people always comparing their work to the first 4 albums. It goes both ways.
Pete, I recommend covering the Dodheimsgard album that was released the same day as the new Metallica. Extremely unique progressive/avantgarde black metal.
Thanks for the review Pete. I disagree with most of what you said here, as I love the album. Metallica’s last three albums have provided so much good stuff and this is no exception. I particularly love Luc AEterna, Shadows Follow and Screaming Suicide. May there be many more Metallica albums like this!
I have 2 problems with new Metallica:
1). Songs are too long
2). Lars drumming is too simple
Because of these two aspects I think 77 min is too long. But hey, there are a lot of rock fans who like it. So I am happy for them, it is great to like music and to have your own favourite band.
3). I would also add lead solos.
Exactly the drumming is soooo simple, I mean check the new overkill 🤷🏼♂️
You make a good point about Lars.
Cut the songs in half and it would leave more energy and creativity for the drums. Same with the rest of the band.
long songs and simple drumming started on kill ‘em all,why complain 40 years later?
As long as they don't go the same route as Iron Maiden and make multiple albums of pretentious, boring, long crap.
No Metallica album grew on me as much as this one... The more I listen to it the more I like it. This album deserves a chance. I thought Pete, as you are big Sabbath fan, you will really enjoy new Metallica stuff. :) Some songs (like Sleepwalk my life away) remind me Sabotage, overall Sabbath influence is present... Groovy, heavy album with memorable harmonies. Best Metallica album in years, in my opinion.
Only Metallica album in years.....
nah theres no sabbath resemblence in this album...apart from opening riff on last track, i do like few tracks but the rest is same old same old like there last few albums (which i dont like) ps give me sabbath anydays...tho i am from bham uk....home of sabbath ha..
@@smofla13 right?? I heard a little Sabbath on the last track but nothing to write home about. Take away Kirk's wah wah for god sakes, no 5 string bass, and James needs to stop yarrrling. You know when a guy like that is using an old Elvis mic you're in trouble. I want ripping solos and gruff vocals. Lol.
You would think with all the attention to Master of Puppets recently they'd know what people want. And Stranger Things wasn't playing Load. Or even the lame Black Album. I know it sold a bazillion albums but they aren't selling that many albums nowadays. Give the fans what they want. Please.
I'm not really sure what Godsmack or Nickelback sound like but I've heard that they have the modern Metallica style taken care of.
@@captainkirk70 woudnt know meself..cant be dealin woth nickleback
Love the band. Decent modern album. I’m getting what your saying about time wise. I think the new Extreme album is shaping up sounding like what Metallica should of been aiming for. The first tracks of their new album is rocking! Nuno is off the charts here. Can’t wait for the rest.
As if Kirk could play like Nuno dream on
I like Hardwired more than 72, mainly because I've listened to it more. I find albums with lengthy songs to be more rewarding upon further listening, unless they are endless jams.
I think your review is spot on Pete. I would give it 3.5 stars. I do think this is better effort than Hardwired (not a fan of that album here). You can tell Metallica tried to make this deeper and more complex album. However, it does feel bloated a bit and as you pointed our, trimming down so it is around 60 minutes would have helped. On Jimmy Fallon, they did shorter version Darkness had son that was fantastic live. Had more punch. Highlights for me are Darkness had a son (my favorite track), Ianmorata, Lux, and Sleepwalk. I think it is a little worse than Death Magnetic overall. This definitely isn't return to first five, that will never happen but it was better than I expected it too be.
Been waiting to hear what you think of this one, Pete. Hetfield, as always saves the day. Decent record, I miss that crispy old-school production so much these days, but at least the bass is audible I guess! Cheers Pete.
As a fan of Metallica since 1985. The reality is, they peaked at the Black album. Most rock and metal bands do their best creative and innovative music when they are young. Chalk it up to being hungry and not having been influenced by the business. Everything else is derivative and screams desperation to stay relevant. That's one of the reasons Sting disbanded The Police. A legendary great band. He knew that they could top what they had already produced and was best to end on top!
Great post. Was just thinking that earlier today- who are the only huge bands who made a conscious decision to forego the money and end it? Beatles, Zeppelin,Police. Some like Skynyrd and the Eagles tried and caved.
How cool would it have been if Lars and James after the black tour said - that’s it. We did it. All downhill from here.
good to see an album for all kind of Metallica fans: those who liked it and those who will get their Insomnia cured
I don't think anyone is going to fall asleep to this record!
@@colico14 I'm snoozing, it's so fucking boring and repetitive
@@errolhenderson5665 This is so repetitive it’s ridiculous. Metallica just don’t have the range to pull off an album like this. And at times it sounds like Dream Theater lite. Or any number of 2000’s metalcore type bands. B grade modern prog rock/thrash type of sound. Not very good.
I'm glad you were honest and didn't do what 99% of people are doing: gushing. It's so mediocre it's bad. 4/10
I wouldn't have minded a song like Halo of Fire placed as track 5 or 6 to change pace. Another shorter would've been nice.
Fav songs so far are 72 Seasons, Inamorata, Room of Mirrors, If Darkness Has a Son
Definitely a "grower" for me. I don't think the length is bad myself. Really like the Sabbath vibe that a lot of the songs have. For me, nothing feels like filler this time around, at least after 4-5 listens. If you look at Metallica's career in "eras" of the bass players, this is to me the best of the "Trujillo Era," for lack of a better way of putting it. Does it stand up to the classics? Probably not, but it's a solid album.
Def not
What's the deal with the lemon yellow theme in this??
So far, I like Hardwired and Death Magnetic more.
Love Death Magnetic just wish the production was better
I enjoyed this review!
I’ve been watching lots of them from people with 1000 followers to hundreds of thousands. It’s always interesting to hear the spread from blah to great.
Interestingly, my father who has always avoided MetallicA (most likely due to the fact that he heard so much of it when I was learning how to play) went to the Global Listening party with me and enjoyed a number of songs! His favorite jam was the long ass “Inamorata.” It’s cool how each album can pick up some new fans.
I’ve listened quite a few times now and as a guitar player, it’s a solid album. There are lots of riffs that I want to play because they make me move without a guitar. I find myself bobbing and weaving with many of the twisted parts.
James’ vocals are objectively really good and the harmonies are interesting. I was actually surprised by the number of key changes and also surprised to hear major chords and keys.
Kirk’s solos are less purposeful and seemingly superfluous on many tracks. In other songs he’s providing effect. Lars’ drumming serves the song. IMO if you are going to have a sh*t ton of riffology, the drums can’t be insane without detracting from the riffs.
Rob is providing a solid foundation throughout. I like HEARING the bass, and he has an amazing tone. His vocal parts really suited him as well.
As far as the packaging is concerned, I think it is arbitrary 😂 These days, people do most things digitally through streaming or DLing .wav files. The digipak took me back a bit; this package harkens back to what I used to love about album releases.
It’s almost like getting to hold the music the way you do with a vinyl record. The vinyl is nice and thick and has a good frequency capture.
I didn’t mean to leave my own review here, but I enjoyed yours and was inspired to put in my two cents.
You have a new follower 🤘🏼
The day Kirk Hammett discovered the wah-wah pedal (the Black album) was the death of good guitar solos from him.
He has a few hidden good ones on Load and Reload
I don’t like the overuse of wah-wah in general and Kirk just isn’t very good at it.
yep
Kirk has been using wah since the first album. But the difference is, he's been over using it since hardwired.
Used it in almost every Justice album solo also. That was when wah took over.
I like the album. Solid release, 40 years after the debut. That doesn’t happen very often with 3 of 4 members from the debut still around.
"Inamorata", "Crown of Barbed Wire" and the title track are my favs. It's a long album tho, but enough to enjoy for modern Metallica.
Those 3 songs are definitely the best of the bunch.
Regardless of the opinions presented here; this is by far my most favorite review I've ever watched on SOT....hilarious, spontaneous and brutally honest! the end of the video had me spitting out my coffee laughing, more of this please Pete!
I am with you. " Here's your dinner sir".😂😂😂
@@scottmcgregor4829 hahaha that was funny!
I like it enough, but I agree that it's way too long. Also, the first thing I did was put the disc in an extra jewel case that I had laying around. Screw that packaging. I do want to say that I like the new Overkill a lot more. Thanks, Pete!
I give it a solid B grade....I really enjoy the production it does not sound compressed and or distorted like Death Magnetic. Also James vocals and lyrics pulls this through as well.
B- for me
Rather take st anger so 💀/10
I like the record. Still listening to it as I will know for sure if I start humming the songs while at work then I know it's a good one.
I think it's a good album. Some really good riffs. My problem is the lead solos, they're not good and make the songs seem longer than they are.
highlights: 'Crown of Barbed Wire' through 'Too Far Gone'
LOL, that CD packaging does look wild, origami. The vinyl packaging is great, nice gatefold.
I've listened to it about 5 times since Friday and it's definitely growing on me. 'If darkness had a son' has been stuck in my head for a while now so that's usually a good sign. Lux aeterna, crown of barbed wire, and too far gone are my favorites so far. James sounds very good. Still need more time with it. Pete I agree about how I can't see the setlist without opening up the whole thing. I like how there are back to there thrash/heavy sound like death magnetic and hardwired. I thought both those albums were very good. If I remember correctly, Kirk lost an iPod with riffs a few years ago. Wonder how much of that is on 72 seasons.
I'd say none of it, he never found it. And honestly, that's either bullshit, or the most irresponsible thing he could do. He doesn't put effort into the solos anymore, so at least bring some riffs to the table. They've got a full time staff of minions. Nobody ever set up a back up service on his phone?
Does anyone believe he lost all his photos and whatnot on his phone? I sure as hell don't.
I think he just had nothing.
Petes review is spot on.I’m struggling with this album .There are some good songs however it’s too long and I find it an ordeal to listen to from start to finish.I totally agree with comments on the packaging it totally sucks
That packaging... if the prices ever come down I might take a punt on the cassette!
This is one of the few truly honest and objective reviews of this album that I’ve come across. I can always count on you, Pete, for a no BS review. Most I’ve seen were glowing slobber fests by millennial Metallica fanboys and I questioned if we even heard the same album. I just don’t trust the “Metallica can do no wrong” set.
Anyway, I listened to the album in it’s entirety when it was released last Friday at Midnight and I was basically left not feeling much other than it was too long and too samey sounding in a lot of parts. There are definitely some standout moments that caught my ear but overall I just wasn’t feeling a lot of it. I did enjoy the Sabbathy Doom vibe on a few songs but I’ve tried listening to the album a few times since then but it seems like a chore to get through it all. Favorite tracks so far are the title track, Sleepwalk My Life Away, Lux Aeterna, and Inamorata.
you've seen millennials praising this one? that surprises me. i'm right on the cusp of millennial and gen x (1981) and i can't imagine someone younger than me giving a single care about this album, or heck even this band!
@@cyrollan they’re all over TH-cam you can find them easily. Only two or three others were this objective. Many that I saw were hyper-positive to the point of cringe. And why do you assume Millennials wouldn’t care about this band? From what I observed those that were 10-12 years old when The Black album was released, i.e., your generation, got into Metallica big time. I think your comment is more appropriate for Gen Z or anyone born after 2000.
I love this record. There’s not a single track I feel like skipping over.
This is moderate. Not gonna give em my money. I think they should be embarrassed. Go way back to what made them Mighty Metallica or retire. They've completely lost their earlier fanbase. Sad but true.
I skip the whole album all day long
@@scottricci5063They should be embarrassed for making the music they want as an artist? That's just silly.
@@scottricci5063 most ate near dead
@@Octavian2 no, for selling out and drinking bud light.
You summed it up a decent modern day Metallica album. I listened to it last week on a decent drive to pick up my kid and I was still on the last track when I pulled in the driveway. I don't mind long songs when it's entertaining enough that I don't look to check when a song ends. I definitely looked a few times here.
I really like this album, watched the premiere in the cinema and James said that Lux Aeterna is one of the hardest songs to play because of the pace and downpicking. My least favourite song would be Crown of Barbed Wire but still listenable. If I'm still doing what they're doing when im hitting 60+ i'd be more than happy 😅
I think Metallica's problem (and by problem, I mean not being able to rekindle the magic of those original 4 albums) has been money, fame and success. Not that there's anything at all wrong with that and part of me is glad they achieved such so it could bring recognition for their early work. The problem I always feel is that if you achieve such money, fame and success you've lost the capacity and perspective on life to write songs like those early ones. The youth, angst and anger is placated by the almighty dollar.
I absolutely agree with you. The band simply became too big for their own artistic good. Once the hunger was gone, the music began to slip. They've spent the last 30+ years trying to recapture the magic of those 80s records to little avail. I admire that they're really trying to write the best records they can, but given their success, it's virtually impossible to come up with anything even approaching the quality of old Metallica. It is what it is. Credit must be given for being 60 years old and still playing fast, aggressive metal, though. Metallica aren't the Stones or Aerosmith. It's not the easiest music to play. Also, the fact that they're going strong is a big part of keeping rock music commercially alive. All in all, considering everything, I think "72 Seasons" is a relative win.
They might just be bored with thrash. Like they could feel that they and other bands wrung everything out of the genre that can be. And maybe they're right about that but it leaves them in a tough spot because their fans are always going to be dissatisfied whenever they deviate from it.
@@colico14 well said. Couldn’t agree more. And I should clarify, I don’t dislike most of their modern stuff at all. In fact I quite like it and they’re good at what they do. I just think recapturing any of the former thrash glory on a whole album is beyond them.
Most will disagree but Metallica just aren’t very good at being a rock band, which is where they went after the early thrash days. They wanted to broaden the palette, which is fine, but I don’t think they had the songwriting chops and range to really pull it off. The black album is commendable but they never recovered after it.
See; I was hoping that
Lyrically he would lay off the personal, emotional, anguish thing. I don't mind that he's gone there, but what more is there to say about it?
Look at all the bad shit going on in the world today. I'd think plenty of juicy writing material for agressive metal music.
Are they fat and happy financially? Sure. But who wasn't pissed about the handling of Covid, the conspiracy theories around it. All this woke shit, war mongers all over the planet.
For one album cycle, go back to external sources of inspiration. It may give the music a kick in the ass as a result.
I try, but it's the same vibe I got from Hardwire: very predictable and conservative. If they are not capable of great writing anymore, at least they should care about their tone. Even Load/Reload had great sound. This excerpt of Pete's review defines the whole album for me: "Kirk tosses a few bits we've heard too many times before; chorus doesn't grab... I dunno, they're trying really hard to give us something they know people really grab onto, but doesn't really work. It's ok, not terrible, not great either."
Perfect review. I agree with everything Pete said, except for the fact that I loved "Shadows Follow".
Thanks for the straight up review Pete. I agree with your points. 'If Darkness has a Son' feels like a classic'. On his review Martin said it would be more interesting to review the reviews! Maybe you guys could take the topic of reviews for a Fun House episode or 2?
E.g. What do you look for in reviews, or how much notice should we take of them, how entertaining/informative should they be, fave magazines for reviews, do you prefer reviews from genre specific sources or from outlets that review various genres, etc. P.s. I dig the Wednesday reviews, it's a great for us viewers to hear about new music!
I think the album is good, feels more inspired than the last few. I agree they should’ve cut some material that was unnecessary to make it more tight and focused. Songs like “Too Far Gone”, “Room of Mirrors”, and “Chasing Light” don’t do a whole lot and are forgettable. Kirk’s solos the usual wah wah and Lars’ drumming basic (with the occasional and needed fill) but the rest is good. Favorite track: 72 Seasons(self titled, opener). Not a fan of the album cover but overall a 3/5. Kind of in the middle. Stuff we’ve heard before but also some cool moments. Honestly, just glad they’re still around and will finally get to see them this October.
Just think that you mentioned 3 of my favourite songs in this record 😂
LOL The Jethro Tull shirt. I didn't even realize it until you mentioned it. As for the album, I just recently reviewed it for my website. I liked it overall and feel that James was on point lyrically and vocally on most tracks. However the album does suffer from being a tad too long and I would prefer shorter songs.
Great point about James' vocals, the album is decent, but if James ever wants to go into the studio with an acoustic and do a solo album, I'd be up for that!
@@nickvickers3486 Absolutely. He sounds invigorated on this album.
Can’t wait to hear your review on this, bought it on Sunday still trying to digest this album.
Same with me. I miss the old guitar crunch sound of classic era. Now their sound is more like AC/DC than "thrash metal"
Haven't listened to it yet, Pete, but enjoyed your ongoing commentary about the packaging and the length of the album. Will give it a listen during the next few days. Once again, thanks for these reviews. And for those reading this who don't follow Bryce Talks Metal [of SoT Hudson Valley Square 'fame'], he also gives this a thorough review on his TH-cam channel. Thanks again.
hardwired was a slog but not this one ….for me.enjoy playing this one play it everyday.out of the last 3 it’s number 2 can’t beat death magnetic for me 🤘🏻
I can tell this definitely going to be a grower. On the second listen (and that’s all I’ve done so far) it already got a little better. I certainly have some of the same issues you do (like how many sound the same) but I think some of that will disappear with more familiarity. Right now, I prefer Death Magnetic and Hardwired, which I both really dig, but wouldn’t be surprised if it eventually equals or surpasses those.
A sign that an album is good imo is when I put it on repeat - I consider it a very good sounding, well made concept album (albums I hate, that are very bad are (re)load and St. Anger).
Other latest albums I put on repeat are the ones from AC/DC and Black Box Revelation.
Why the fuss over the cover not having the band's name? Most Pink Floyd album covers are nameless and title-less. As is Abbey Road, Zep 4, In the Court of the Crimson King, to name just a few that are considered iconic.
Funny thing. The two songs you haven't liked "Shadows Follow," and "You Must Burn!" have been my favorites. That chorus on "Shadows Follow," gets me me everytime. Love it. I also love Room of Mirrors, Inamorata, and Lux Æterna. Oh well 😂. I dig it. My one complaint is that there is clearly some pro tools being used on Lars drumming on Lux Æterna. Fucking Lars, just practice and do it right. I don't mind the track lengths on here. The only song I'd lose is Chasing Light. The rest is surprisingly good and engaging, to me I guess. 😂 Hardwired felt over long. There is a kick ass 8 track classic Metallica album buried in that one. 72 seasons however, to me at least, is fine at it's current length, with the exception of Chasing Light and maybe Too Far Gone. Without those you have an excellent 10 track Metallica record. Two last notes. 1. It's nice to actually hear Robert Trujillo throughout the album. 2. I love being continually surprised by James's voice. He doesn't have a Rob or Bruce range, but he still finds cool little nuances and surprises within that limited range he has. Kudos James. I think its a solid 4/5 album.
Just like the Beatles, they recorded their best albums within the first seven years of the band's history ...
The difference is that the Beatles knew when to stop and Metallica didn't ...
I'm lovin' the new Metallica album myself! As for the cd packaging... i agree... cumbersome. Not quite as bad as Ace Frehley's "Anomaly" cd though. Lol. 🤘
It’s a grower, the more I listen to it the more I like it
the endless complaining about the packaging had me in tears, good job :))
Great review, actually had me laughing quite a bit at your understandable frustration of the ridiculous packaging, forgetting the name of the album, etc. For me, Metallica is a long spent force that hasn’t done anything remotely exceptional in well over 30 years. I tried the last couple & experienced a similar fatigue, which I also expect with this one. Sigh, oh well.
I agree about the packaging. At first I liked it since I’ve never seen something like it, but trying to get it out while driving is a pain. Also would have like the band logo and track listing. To me musically it’s between Death Magnetic and Hardwired. I’ve listened all the way through 4 times and it’s still growing on me. Hoping we don’t have to wait so long for the next one.
Man, I love room of mirrors, maybe the best song on the album.
I definitely like it. James' vocals are the best they have sounded in awhile (i.e. inspired)
Glimpses of old hetfield from the 80s area in tiny bits
Metallica is definitely pushing this album release. Good review and I think they should remix ...And Justice for All like Rush did with Vapor Trails.
I listened to the whole thing. I like it. I haven't listened to all of their latter cds. Lux is a great song to work out to.
I agree Pete, i am really bothered by the M in the corner. Why not the full MetallicA in black across the cover?
I wrote this off on first listen but on repeats it is really starting to shine. It's a very dense album for sure but the more I listen the more I like. Hardwired had more variety but also way more clunkers and I grew tired of it pretty quickly but this is starting to stick and I keep finding interesting new things that has me going back. If it keeps growing on me like this it may surpass Death Magnetic...
Hey Pete where do you rank this album in their discography ?
Ask me in a few months...I've only had the CD for 5 days.
Love old Metallica debate whether to give this one a try I just might just don't want to be let down again Thanks Pete
It's a decent album I prefer death magnetic forsure.
To me it’s another “you took 7 years and THIS is what you came up with?!”
Didnt listen to it yet, but the perspective of listening to 80 minutes of Lars drumming is already making me feel sad
Jethro Tull shirt would have been a good joke if you wore it on purpose Pete.
Forgot what the album title was😂😂 that’s hilarious, great Video Pete👍😂
The packaging is a bit annoying, but the album is easily my favorite of the year - and I believe it will remain so. After the first three listens, I currently have this ranked right in the middle - below Justice, Ride, Puppets, Hardwired, and Magnetic, and above Kill, Load, Reload, Anger, and Black. The last song is my favorite!
above KEA and BLK album... no way. tho thats your opinion..i rank it above st anger/magnetic and hardwired tho.
Always count on you for an honest review. Thanks.
Lux eterna and 72 seasons I really like. sounded great live as well in Montreal this past weekend. Their non repeat concert tour is Awsome! I recommend all Metallica fans to go if they come to your city
"It's a slog to get through..." 3.5/5 You are being very generous here Pete lol.
i have not listened to metallica since st anger!! wrapping it up is a puzzle lol !! i gave the album 4.0minus stars, i thought it was pretty good!! i would slot it equel to load , in that area, it is overlong , clocking in at 70plus minutes, my fav songs are sleepwalk my life away, and you must burn!!it actually was a litter better than i expected, but if metallica fans were expecting early sounding metallica , that band is gone for good!! the shark has been jumped , Cheers!!🐯🐯
I was waiting for this video. Love your reviews
just purchased a shirt, Pete! never noticed the merch link before
It's been there for about 3 years on every video!
Been enjoying the album a bit more after one week. Also been enjoying new Overkill more with each listen.
I agree with you when popping the CD in a car, I bought it from B&N it was kind of confusing at first. Packaging is not that impressive.
Hetfield is a beast on this record. It's the "Drummer" that drags it down.
Has a lot of New wave of British heavy metal influence on it.
72 seasons, Screaming sucide, lux eterna and room full of mirrors are really good. They just got to trim alot of that grove metal they like jamming to on the others.
The packaging and cover suck.
3.75 out of 5.
It's good could be better with a drummer not afraid of fills and rack toms.
Pete if you had to do your Metallica album ranking today or was this album? PS I love that ranking episode you did with Steve
...Hey Pete! Nice work as always...hopefully you are making copys of your cds for the car. I "lost" several CDs over the years in my seat rail when pushing my seat back. 🙂
Well no need to make copies of anything cause my new car doesn't have a CD player!
Thanks for listening & Reviewing Pete, I'm not going Anywhere Near this....
Feels like no matter what Metallica does, people will bitch about it a lot.
I agree totally with Pete regarding Lux, that should've been the template for the album. It was one of the catchier thrashy songs that they've released for a while and the perfect length. Then when they dropped Screaming Suicide which to me sounded like a backing track for Jet Moto on the PS1, I knew there was going to be some trouble.
I personally think James sounds old and tired in this (which he probably is) His voice doesn't seem as dynamic as it used to be. The mature sounding James that showed up on songs like One, Sad but True, Roam or even from the Load era where he used that lower register in his voice like on Until it Sleeps and Outlaw Torn has all but vanished. He now stays in this weird area most of the time and his delivery has been hit or miss for the last 20 years. His vocals and lyrics do seem a little more cohesive on this album compared to Death Magnetic and Hardwired, where he would spit out any random string of words as fast as he could with the only requirement being that it had to rhyme. That's been one of the issues I've had with post 2000 Metallica.
There are points where it feels like James is channeling his inner Iommi, only for that riff to fly by after a few seconds and be replaced with something less memorable. The high points are when the riffs are melodically layered with twin guitar. That's always been the case with Metallica, and they don't do it near enough. Lars and Kirk are completely phoning it in on the drums and leads but that was to be expected.
After hearing the singles, there was no chance of me spending 77 minutes listening to more of the same. These days, I pretty firmly believe no album should be more than an hour long. I don't remember the last time I heard one longer that couldn't have been pared down and made better for it.
👍🏻 45 minutes are enough. The best albums are even shorter. OK, Kill Em All is almost an hour and has 100% hits on it, but that's an exception.
Give it a couple listens from start all the way through a couple times. I bet you you will come around.
The singles are by no means indicative of the album. The top 3-5 were not singles
I'm not a die hard fan...just interested in new music...I really like this new album. I've read a lot of reviews and rankings and no two new song rankings are the same...I think that's a good sign
I'm on board with your synopsis. It was okay... I suppose, but then I heard Overkill's new release. Now THAT one is fire!
It’s definitely growing on me with each listen
Let's face it; from 83 through 86 (some would argue till 88 or 91 - not me) they were one of the fresher more influential bands of the last 40+ years (but certainly not the best metal band ever - that would have to be Motorhead :). That was between 32 and 37 years ago. There are very few bands that could stand up to that level of fame and production for that long without getting watered down, or worse, unless you change with the time - which is something they have really never done. 72 seasons is fine for an average band, but certainly nothing to get excited about - from supposedly the greatest heavy metal band of all time (NOT)!
An equivalent album from Motorhead would be "Sacrifice". Are we under the impression that is some kind of immortal classic??
Just got this yesterday but have not listened to it yet. Looks good,Pete!
Metallica will never record another RtL or MoP. Sometimes, they are close (Spit Out the Bone, All Nightmare Long, maybe some of the new tracks, do not know yet), but their masterpiece pick (that ended for me on Load/Reload) is gone and not gonna happen again. When you realize that, when you take it as it is, without prejudice, then it starts getting better and you can enjoy their music again and suddenly, modern Metallica stands out of a crowd and you start appreciating that they have riffs, songs and Hetfield the others can’t match.
My take exactly! To expect another Ride/Master/Justice is ridiculous. Metallica caught lightning in a bottle with those records. They are some of the greatest albums ever written. You can’t top or compete with that, which is why I think they went in a different direction for a while. But the last three albums have been as close to a return to form as one could expect at this point in their careers and I appreciate them for what they are. Not classics but really good listens.
This album rocks!!. I have no problem with the lenght of the album. Why should I spend $15 for an lp that's 40 minutes?. Get more for your buck!
Most Metallica albums are long. Hardwired was 77 plus a third disc. ...And Justice was 65. Death Magnetic, Load, Reload, St. Anger...all over 70 minutes. I finally got my cd last night and listened to it in one sitting. Didn't seem like a long slog at all to me. I was actually surprised at how well it moved along based on the lackluster reviews I've watched. Metal Voice totally bashed it. I think it rocks. Some of the bashing has almost had a gang mentality about it. Like just piling on. Very odd.
And I think the album is great, no fillers and some song that stand proud along the best of metallica (the last 4, the title song, the second one).
Hey Pete what you said was spot-on it reminds me of hardwired to self destruct and death magnetic sprinkled in with a little bit of reload. For me I personally like hardwired to self destruct better
Great review, Pete! I really enjoyed this album from the very first listen. I don't listen to Metallica nearly as much these days as I used to, and I'm not one of those fans who just thinks every single thing they've released is the best thing ever. But this one was very enjoyable for me from the get-go. I've enjoyed the last 3 albums quite a bit, and I do believe this is their best album since "...And Justice for All" (I've never been a huge fan of the highly overrated Black Album). James sounds great, and the songwriting is really solid. I've probably played it about 19 or 20 times through since its release. It would rank #5 in their catalog, just behind the 4 classics, for me.
I have been patiently waiting for this review
I love this album. Nice long and heavy. Works for me.🤘
Tremendous thorough review. I agree with a ton that you said. I go 3️⃣.7️⃣5️⃣ out of 5️⃣. WOW/ I did not know you got a new car. =. Zero CD 💿 player. Lol. We are in same boat. Great review. Thank you 👍💯
Hey Pete. Been out of the loop from your site for an eternity it seems like. Its great to be back listening to your reviews again and the new METALLICA is the album I was hoping you would review before I put my money down on it. HMM. It's like you say 3.5 . Nothing spectacuar going on here. Been a long time fan of this band since their demo days and I think Death Magnetic is far better effort . Your right it's to long and sounds thrown together with leftovers from other albums. Anyways maybe it'll grow on me .? Nice to see you again Pete, keep up the great reviews. ROCK ON!!. I'll be watching . IAN.
The packaging section of the review reminded me of nigel tufnel trying to fit his ham in the small bread slices..and the tull t shirt, funny stuff cheers i needed a few laughs.
Chasing light is the most unique song in my opinion, funny how people hear such different things
I was laughing so hard at the criticism of the packaging
Sam I am
I had no idea the packaging was like that. Mix in all that yellow with the burnt toys, haggard faces, and Jethro Tull shirt, I was laughing through the entire video😂
I hate it when artists sometimes have neither name nor album title on the front cover, it never made any sense to me it can only confuse consumers, I remember in the past going through racks coming across albums and initially you'd have no clue who it was.
@@perpetualmotion357 Yeah it's like everybody's worse ideas were put together and they said : Let's go with that!
@@stephanea5364 Those rich, board room people are always out of touch and at this point I think Metallica may be too. It's the old "Metallica are an entity amongst themselves, they don't even need a logo anymore" thing..