Metallica “Death Magnetic” Review
As Death Magnetic slowly begins, an interesting similarity arises between the introduction of “That Was Just Your Life” and that of Slayer’s “South of Heaven,” the first song from the second of the band’s albums produced by Rick Rubin. Both songs build slowly before commencing with an album’s worth of commercial thrash; a slower thrash in the case of South of Heaven and a seasoned thrash in the case of Death Magnetic. Additionally, both songs come from albums with which Rubin’s influence was clearly intact. He was there, helping elevate Slayer with Reign in Blood and twenty years after South of Heaven his imprint is evident as Metallica releases their ninth studio album; the band’s first under Warner’s imprint (though Warner now owns Elektra, Metallica’s prior label) and its first in seventeen years without producer and fill-in bassist Bob Rock.
Funny then that one of the main criticisms of Death Magnetic has been that it is self-plagiarizing, a term that could equally apply to a band like Slayer. It hasn’t though, primarily because Slayer has pretty much stuck with the same formula from the get-go; likewise, no one’s criticizing AC/DC for sounding too much like AC/DC with their new release, are they? So just what makes the criticism valid in Metallica’s case? For starters, the band’s return to speed comes after over a decade of “soul-searching” and “experimentation” (code: a string of easily dismissable albums spread out over far too many years). This might be why Pitchfork’s Cosmo Lee suggested that Death Magnetic is the musical equivalent of a mid-life crisis. It is after all an attempt by an aging band to return to their glory days by recapturing the sound and attitude that made them famous (exception: bassist Robert Trujillo who has continued to prove his diversity and prowess since first kicking it with Suicidal Tendencies back in the late-80’s). Even aesthetically the band has returned to its classic logo, one scarcely used since The Black Album. Fact is, Death Magnetic is an attempt at recreating Metallica – at that, the band has succeeded.
Rolling Stone’s Brian Hiatt attempted to define the vibrancy of the new sound in his recent review, “‘What don’t kill ya make ya more strong,’ Hetfield sings, with enough power to make the cliché feel fresh.” While partially true and a tad amusing, the description fails to capture the blinding truth that no matter what Metallica does at this point in time, it is going to be branded cliché. Had Metallica released another album’s worth of Load-sounding filler it would have been called cliché. Had the band gone further back into a grittier sound reflective of Kill ‘Em All it would have still been called cliché. At this point in time though it isn’t the music, but the band that is the cliché.
Even so, after St. Anger the odds of getting a solid album from Metallica were on level with the odds of drawing blood from a rock. But on the record James Hetfield sounds like the cocky frontman he was during the band’s heyday and both he and Kirk Hammett exchange solid riffs without a hint of “The Memory Remains” to be found. Maybe “The Unforgiven III” is a bit unnecessary, but at least it’s no “Unforgiven II.” And maybe the ten tracks on the album push the limits of human patience, all landing somewhere between five and ten minutes long, but they all ring true to what Metallica should be about. They’re loud, they’re heavy, they’re full of capable riffs and solos and for the most part they’re really good.
If the band had disappeared after 1993 only to reappear now with this release it would probably be openly received and accepted without the disdain that accompanies it given it’s history. Unfortunately we all know the details: Napster, Jason Newstead’s departure, rehab, psychiatry, etc. But to continue the comparison, Slayer fans want to hear Slayer when the band sounds like Slayer and Metallica fans love hearing the band when it sounds like Metallica. Death Magnetic sounds like Metallica; but it also sounds like it was written and recorded by a band of aging celebrities in its forties who are trying to relive their Scarface. But it also sounds better than most anyone expected it would and certainly far better than it should.
WELCOME BACK METALLICA, I MISSED U.
THIS IS THE BEST COMEBACK I HAVE HEARD.
THANK U FOR MAKING METAL RULE AGAIN..
THIS ALBUM WILL BE THE BEST SELLER EVER.
METALLICE RULES
Here are the full lenght and recap videos of the Berlin press conference:
Full length http://tinyurl.com/4az55n Recap: http://tinyurl.com/3kr654
Chris, good to have you back! Love the new features!
You’re very brave. Watch out for the Slayer fans, though, trust me, they’re crazy (in a good way).
As for the album. Hmmm. Let’s hang sometime soon.
- Steve
What’s so scary about Slayer fans? (PS, you’re right, I hope to see you around soon!)
it is fucking amazing. it, like all other metallica albums sounds different than any other, but yes, more borrowed than others,and better than anything since ‘91 maybe earlier. thank you world.
oh and I hear just a hint of slayer on the album and they have awesome fans
welcome back metallica ..
really missed your metal.. your music is reallt different than any rock..metal is power..hahaha
this album fucking rules , the amount of hard and heavy riffs makes me want to listen to it again and i also love the drums in it.
The Solos are amazing , the bass is disorted and sounds good and makes me think that cliff is playing again.
rock on metallica , your ace.
Every great band has albums which sound different. Metallica isn’t afraid to experiment. They are back in a good way. I love slayer but their last 4 albums sound exactly the same.
To some degree though, I thought Christ Illusion had a little more “kick” to it…maybe that was just me.
Also, for anyone interested – IGN has ranked Metallica’s albums…putting St. Anger in last place and Death Magnetic slightly behind The Black Album.
METALLICA RULEZ!!!
tq for come back to rulez metal sound. Raws, heavy and awesome bass sound. Like Cliff still alive.
metallica ruled the world
I just seen these guys jam in moline,illinois.They sounded fuckin awesome!!! Long live the METALLICA FUCKIN DISEASE!!!!!!!!!
tanx METALLICA….you all is the best metal icon in the world forever…..keep on ROCK…
Metallica is awesome- and the majority of bands that play metal would give their right nut to have recorded St.Anger (and have little chance of recording something as good as Death Magnetic.) I search all over the web and can’t find metal this good…so stop pissing on St. Anger already.
unreal man. this album is f@#king awesome! just heavy ass riffs,sick solos, crazy drums and great vocals. this is by far one of their best albums beside master. METALLICA!!!!
that was an excellent review that was absolutly true.
yes, the band sounds it age and the lyrics are far from poetry, but it rocks more than metallica has rocked in 16 years. compliments go out to Rob and Rick for helping ignite a dying fire and recapturing the essence of the greatest metal band all time. even if it is cliche’.