LOL I love you. Seriously. Great review. Obviously you loved it. I had some reservations about a few things, like some of the solos were WOW, and some of them fell flat. A few of the riffs sounded circus-y (the riff before Kirk's non-wah solo in the Day), but hey, it's all good. You warm up to songs.

But I have to say, when I heard End of the Line the first time, I said to myself, "This is not Metallica. It can't be Metallica. IS THIS METALLICA?" And by the time I heard All Nightmare Long, I was incoherent and dead. I mean, that fucking track right there? That's the exemplification of why this band was on top for years and was the beau of the metal community.

Here's to an amazing 10th album that beats the shit out of this one. Because if they can do that -- I repeat your sentiment: OH MY FUCKING GOD.

A really amazing album. Every fucking song Kicks Ass. They know how not to disappoint their fans.

A 30-something guy who still loves what the 40-something guys rock !

Great review, gave me chills as I had it on Flat out when I read it! Im glad the the riffs are back not just St. anger power chords flat out. It gets better every time I listen to it.

OH MY FUCKING GOD!

Listened to all the tracks. Wow, I thought great metal albums didn't exist anymore. All Nightmare long is so incredible I had to pinch myself because I couldn't believe it. I'm am so happy with this new album I could dance. The instrumental on the first listen had my excited, on the second listen I know now it will be a metal legend. Oh My Fucking God Metallica owns.

"It's the way business is done these days," Mr Ulrich said. "And there's the novelty of anyone wanting to listen to a new Metallica album."

The Metal Masters are back to reclaim their throne, All Hail Metallica! Easily their best album in many years and one worthy enough to be placed right alongside their first 4 masterworks. After 5 days and probably 15 full listens through I'm still in shock that Metallica had it in them to produce such an epic album. I guess now we can say their main problem was Bob Rock, the second they brought in Rick Rubin he was able to have them tap into their greatness. I think Bob Rock started acting like he was their fifth member, they were wise to get rid of him but one has to think what albums they could have been making these past 2 decades under thrash-savvy Rick Rubin instead. All I know I am ecstatic Metallica hasn't 'lost it' and we're all lucky to have them back -finally-

All Hail Metallica, they've come back to regain their throne!!!

HA! There's no more entity to sue(Napster), so we get the flexible mindset from Mr.Ulrich: "It's the way business is done these days,".

So...what you're saying is, Metallica is finally good again? I'd about given up on them entirely after the craptacular sound they had in the nineties.

metallica rulez for years here in the philippines!!!

I have to say i have been a fan of Metallica since i was 12 i am now 28. my mother took me to the spectrum in Philly for the black album tour in 1992/93. This is the first album since the black album that i can Proudly turn up as loud as my stereo systems can handle.

I love ALL NIGHTMARE LONG, what a song!!

This album is, dare I say, one of Metallica's best ever made. I never gave up on them and now I get my reward. All Nightmare Long is the shit. This album makes me want to buttfuck for 3 days.

this Album is better than Master of Puppets. There has to be some-one who says it. Don't be scared, it really is THAT good! Kirk would be VERY happy

This album is better than Master of Puppets!

There ya go, Peter. ;)

KillYouQuick, it's easy to say it makes YOU want to "buttfuck for 3 days" but the important thing is does it make the person on the receiving end want to?

Nothing I've heard so far indicates it's the better of MoP, Justice, or even the black album, but it's close. It sounds like where the band should have been in the Load era rather than going for the Southern-metal vibe that inexplicably came to the forefront.

im glad to say that im a diehard fan of metallica since 18 years, in this time im just not the lately young boy with a long hair in my back, im 34 years old, im working in a bank called BANPRO(IN NICARAGUA) im married, with a children forward to come in this world in a couple of months, AND IM STILL LOVE THE MUSIC FROM THIS BAND, IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF MY LIFE, AND IM SO GLAD LIKE CREAM BAND SAID IN THE PAST, " IM SO GLAD THAT METALLICA IS WITH A BRAND NEW ALBUM!!

back and better than ever

Oddly enough, "OH MY FUCKING GOD" was actually what I did say after listening to this album. More, please.

This CD is just what we all hoped St Anger would be when we were told it was a return to old school Metallica.
This CD is a riff-o-rama that only Hetfield has delivered in years past on the classics.James has always been the Riff Master and this showcases so many riffs on one or two songs alone you find it hard to believe he has more to offer up.
Love it.Have had my copy for 2 days now and must say i hope the next CD isn't 5 years in the making but if it is,it's gonna be hard to top this.

I think this effort falls in between AJFA and the Black album.This one is sure to shut critics up until the next chance they get to try and tear them down..To end with lyrics from a favorite of mine of there to all naysayers.
"When you thought it was all said and done..BOW DOWN!"

'Bout time a Metallica album with some double bass again!

Definitely not better than Master... but I have to give them credit for a slight return to form. Though, I think because of all those watered down years that they need to work harder to lose the "Southern Rock" influence. Next album they should focus purely on the Thrash w/ Hammett getting rid of that f*cking wah-wah pedal!

High Note: All Nightmare Long
Low Note: The Unforgiven III
Final Note: A Metallica CD in approx. 15 years that I wanna burn for my friends & not in my microwave!!

Not sure this album is better than MOP, maybe on the same level. It is definitely better than Black/Load/Reload/St. Anger. Not saying much though is it. I love Suicide & Redemption, 10 minutes of in your face fuck off and die. YES!!!!!

A Metallica CD in approx. 15 years that I wanna burn for my friends & not in my microwave!!

LOL! Well said, Brian.

Metallica, they really put the riff in riff raff. LOL. Fuckin' awesome album, All Nightmare Long kicked the hell out of me. Oh my fuckin' God? Absofuckinlutely!

Yep, this is really, really good. Rick Rubin really worked some magic with these guys. I only wish James would stop with the "emotive" singing that he picked up with the Loads, which is luckily minimized most of the time. Yell, James, don't sing.

Why thank you Jordan...

I'm trying to be lenient here considering I do agree with Jamie B that there stuff after And Justice... up till now has sucked big time. This album is a turn for the better and they shouldn't stop here! They should keep Rick Rubin on the board, hone in on the skills by focusing on Thrash & losing the ballads. Tightening up the technical parts & not producing long tracks just for the sake of being long. Then they could tour the world with acts like Spellbound, Municipal Waste,Illogicist,etc.. AND not be considered some Retroreminiscence [<-possible coining].

I hope it only gets better from here!!!

METAL UP YOUR ASS!!

The boys had to redeem themselves from St. Anger. The Movie was a glimpse into the reasons for its lack of success( if not failure). Too much thought, second guessing etc. This album has me hooked from the beginning. Fast and hard thought provoking and ass kicking. It leaves you with no alternative...Play it again! I was curious and skeptical about The Unforgiven III,but I was surprised that the "sequel gimic" did not apply here. I have been a fan since Ride The Lightning, I did not care that they cut their hair for the Black Album. Did not understand or care why Jason left the band, or Napster etc. Bottom line I feel like they have gotten their shit together and are showing their prowess at a genre that has been regarded as old and so last decade.I say LET METAL RULE ONCE AGAIN!!!

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

in my opinion black > death > mop for best albums, unforgiven III wasnt as great as i thought it would be, but The end of the line and nightmare are wicked, day that enver comes is also pretty insane but it seemed too much like one.
overall awsome album about time a decent one has been produced

n my opinion black > death > mop for best albums

Anyone who says that the Black album & this new one are better than Master... really doesn't have a clue. Master of Puppets was a f*cking masterpiece and they will probably never reproduce such a magical moment ever again! Brandon, this has nothing to do with opinion... IT IS A FACT!!!

Anybody that has ever really listened to Metallica knows what MOP did for the Metal Community! It had massive record sales without the help of the mainstream media. It was the pinnacle of their passion,creativity & talent.
It's the only album that Dave Mustaine should ever feel regret for not beibg apart of it!!

Personally, I don't think it tops Master of Puppets. That doesn't mean it isn't a DAMN good record though. All Nightmare Long and Suicide and Redemption made me explode. I think its the 2nd strongest Metallica outing. Very good record.

Too good for words......MetallicA stepped away from their original sound for a while to experiment and i think that needs to be respected, ya Load Reload and St Anger weren't the greatest metallica cds but they were great cds, love all the songs on them.
Death Magnetic is amazing and no matter what MetallicA does i will respect them for that, they don't need to write music to please you, just themselves.

High Point: All Nightmare Long
Low Point: We going to have to wait 5 years for another cd?????

MetallicA stepped away from their original sound for a while to experiment and i think that needs to be respected

*Choke/Gag*... LMFAO!! Are you serious?

Here, let me fix this statement for you:

MetallicA stepped away from their original sound for a while to keep their recording contract & make some Jock Rock and i think that needs to be highlighted for what it really is

Respect this:

Sub-par bands back in the day used to get overlooked because of bands like Metallica and a lot of those bands weren't half bad. Somehow,nowadays, these guys managed to keep the limelight through a decade of releasing nothing but sh!t. If they really want to gather the die hard Thrash Metal fans, then they will Bleed & Sweat through original technical & punishing material! They will leave behind all that crap from the nineties or they will remain The Unforgiven...

Burl - Well said.

The more I listen to this cd the more I like it.........finally Meatallica is BACK!!......and in their best way........

u guys suck ,,, u want to take ur throne back? hell no its over.... better yet stop playing u lost millions of fan for switching music tunes,,,

METALLICA is the King of all types of METAL speed, trash, heavy, death, dark, black, brutal, grunge, hard rock, rock, post, alternative, punk, you name it. METALLICA ruled since they came out with their first masterpeice album KILL'EM ALL.

Best thing since Black, but still dissapointed after the hype. Listened, enjoyed a few good riffs and a few good moments of remenising then traded it in for a good used movie.

I love this, I did make myself two copies however.

One copy was the original and the second cut The day the never comes, putting unforgiven 3 in fourth place thus making sound like a classic 9 track 80's mettalica cd.

Awsome! Got nothin' else to say about this great album. The more I hear it, the more exciting it gets. Sometimes i wake up in the morning wanting to get to my car as fast as possible in order to hear it again!! "All nightmare long" is my favourite, second is the "Orion" fake "Suicide & redemption". After those... They are all great!
Here they come again!

I dont remember when was the last time Metallica put out an album and got such a good feedback from the audience itself.
you cant please everyone but most the feedbacks I saw were good! so as a fan for a very long time Im happy :)

In my opinion, I dont think this is their best album, definitely not better then M.O.P or R.T.L because it lacks melodic and slow parts within a particular song, which bring that speical depth that MOP and RTL songs are so characterized with. or maybee they do but I just cant hear it with Lars drumming??? cmon man, its okey for the drums to be sometimes in the backgroud of the song too :)
anyway, its a good and fast as hell metal album, no doubt something we havent heard from them for a very long time...
ohh yeah, and no matther what, I just hope its wont take another 5 years for next album to go out!

I think that this album fuckin rocks! its explosive, and it's something I can bang my head to. Its got that kick-ass thrash feel, but it also has that undeniable hard-rock melody that the black album, load, reload albums had. They took the positives from both era's and combined them to make a kick-ass album!

Can someone please tell me what the positives were from the albums that Metallica released in the 90's??

I agree with most of the above comments that this is the best Metallica album in decades, but the 90's era still holds a special place for me because I feel that was their most creatively risky area. Songs like "The House Jack Built" and "Where the Wild Things Are" are very experimental and risky songs for a metal band to attempt. All in all, I think every album Met has done has merit in some shape or form. Their albums have always been better overall than most other bands I've heard. That plus their affinity for cramming as much music on a record as possible (74 mins instead of the 45 that other bands stick to) makes up for the few shortcomings of their experimentations.

DM rocks hard and that's all that matters right now.

It sounds even better live, just heard 5 songs on BBC Radio 1. I recommend downloading the podcast of the show if you can, broken,beat and scarred sounds fukin Humungus

as usual the fanboys will lap this up (like they did with St Anger at the time although most of them will not admit to it) while anyone seriously into metal will ask himself what the hype was all about.

This album is seriously tedious and lacklustre. Let's rehash some old Metallica riffs, make long songs that consist mainly of repetitive, tedious riffs that are totally unrelated and people will be fooled again into buying another shitfest. The production is terrible, with the main culprit being Lars, who seems to have discarded most of his drums apart from the snare and bassdrums and put them WAY high in front of the mix. If he had practiced as much as he talked bullshit, he would have been half a decent drummer, alas...instead we get this boom-takka-boom rubbish. You'd think that Kirk would have tossed his wah out of the window after all the criticism he received, but guess what: it's back with a vengeance...ALL THE FUCKING TIME. And what about the production? Gone is the thump of yore (even though the Black album was a major letdown to most people, at least the production was HUGE).
No, they have totally lost it. Where other oldies like Exodus, Testament, King Diamond and even Maiden have managed to recapture their magic and release great sounding and relevant albums, Metallica have become a poor coverband of a once great metal phenomenon. Sad thing is, like St. Anger (does anyone openly admit they have it anymore?), the new one will most likely sell millions of copies again.

I think this a great album and I also think it is great that a band can stir up this many feelings from its listeners.

Let face it the 90's had some dull moments, but I think they did what they had to in order to survive the changing trends and crap that came out in that period, I mean really would Nirvana mean as much today if they were still going. Pearl Jam are still good but are now lost in the sea of imitators that followed them. Metallica, love or hate them have always remained on the top shelf (top concert draw and all that) and that is why we are here arguing over the merits of this album. I have made one load album based on the two that were released and it is not bad at all, different Metallica sure, but still distinctively Metallica and still better then the half arse metal bands that have come out of the last ten years.

I don't think anyone could pull off a song like "wasting my hate" like Metallica and be taken seriously, that is what is special about them, they can do a song like that and make it feel like it is for anyone unlike GNR or Smashing Pumpkins who just come off as whingers singing "poor little me" songs. And have another look at the Load booklet( sure I cringed when I saw it ) but did any one carry on when U2 did it first with Actung baby.

So love or hate the last 15 years, just be grateful that there is still some real music in the world. These guys have never followed formula or trend, nor have they done a paint by numbers exercise (despite what some have said of this album). They have changed, grown and experimented, as I have, over the last twenty five years which is why I have always been a fan and always will be. The same kid who banged along to Master of Puppets know has a son who finds comfort in Enter Sandman and Wife who cried the first time she heard Nothing Else Matters. I have been able to share this music with others because Metallica have provided many options for those who may not enjoy the odd thrash to connect to their music.

So to all who are picking the bones, I say get over it, some of us aren't young anymore and can't do what we did 5, 10, years ago but that doesn't mean we should get ridden off or scrutinized does it? I for one am just grateful that in this American Idol landscape, Metallica are still around giving us alternatives to this and other shite like Coldplay etc

Luke just summed it all up right there. Times change, people change, music changes. lets just be grateful that metallica have always strived to produce great music, which requires thought and talent and dedication. they are a refreshing break from the constant stream of emo/r&b/ bling bling glock glock music and pop rock. keep thrashin metallica

Ilove Death Magnetic...

Metallica represents several things to me:

-Telling the truth in a place full of liers.
-Wearing Jeans in a store full of expensive pants.
-Having a big ugly scar... but making it look good
-fucking say "if I beat the hell out of you, is because you fucking deserve it"
-4/4 signature time at its best
-forever trusting who we are, that is, to never show remorse or repent
-authenticity is what Hefields voice cries out in every verse

I agree with Luke.

God can you imagine if they were still churning out the same albums, how boring. The format was getting a bit tedious by Justice in my opinion.

There are a lot of great artist who stay the same and they suck ( Jack Johnson, Counting Crows etc), buy one album and you own them all;who wants that.

Artists like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Cowboy Junkies etc have stayed relevant because they have changed keeping our interest spiked along the way.

Even the Beatles did it, Let it Be is worlds removed from Love Me Do. As Luke said get over it; If you don't like it, don't listen.

Awesome album excellent move by Metallica, definitely will empower the genre and teach some people you can retake essence and glory learn from mistakes to gain freshness and novelty combined with the elements that made those first four records such classics.

Response to comments: #45,#46,#48

You obviously don't listen to much metal especially with references to f*cking Bob Dylan & Neil Young!!

So love or hate the last 15 years, just be grateful that there is still some real music in the world.

Yea, like:
Iced Earth
Opeth
Porcupine Tree
Illogicist
ARSIS
Neuraxis
Testament
Death Angel
Sadist
Sceptic


I'm just saying that Metallica has a lot of work in front of them in order to make the next album a real crusher!!

Metal was meant to be shared with your buds not with the wife & kids!! [unless your wife loves Metal] Who cares if they don't like it. I'm 34 & I still create time to listen to my favorites even if my wife despises it. I'll never give up this music for anyone!

HELL, I'm going to see Opeth at the Palladium towards the end of September!!

Brian, I think what those other posters have to offer that you don't is an open mind to the changing dynamics of an aging metal band and an appreciation for musical growth. You keep listing these bands to bolster your metal credibility, but they all really just sound the same.

I think what the above posters are suggesting is more reasonable: who wants 25+ years of the same thing? Metallica isn't AC/DC, after all.

Hey Jordan... Why don't you actually listen to those bands before making uneducated remarks.

Brian, I think what those other posters have to offer that you don't is an open mind to the changing dynamics of an aging metal band and an appreciation for musical growth.

You obviously don't know who your talking to or have any clue what you're talking about,so, I will forgive your clouded & unintelligent mind for not filtering the bullsh!t that rolled out your mouth.

Brian, I've heard every single one of the bands you've listed.

You are right about one thing, though. I don't know who I'm talking to. I do know that you have a tendency to self-censor your profanity (F!CK it all, anyway!) and that you have a pretty significant stake in real metal and pretty much disparage any attempt at heavy music that doesn't meet your criteria.

You obviously don't listen to much metal especially with references to f*cking Bob Dylan & Neil Young!!

Oh, and you also assume that somebody can't "listen to much metal" if they combine some Bob Dylan with their Neuraxis. Well, sh%t, Brian.

geezuz brian, what gives? i just don't see the point of the "this music is obviously 'better' than that music" line of reasoning?

people enjoy things for all sorts of reasons and 'talent', however you choose to define it, may not even make the list.

i listen to Neuraxis and can hear the obvious athleticism in the music...but then the "singing" starts and it sounds like somebody having a problem after one too many burritos at taco bell.

it's just not my thing...so why does it matter that i enjoy the new Metallica more?

*Oh Shit!!*

Here we go again with this subjectivity crap!!


Oh, and you also assume that somebody can't "listen to much metal" if they combine some Bob Dylan with their Neuraxis.

Yea.. I'd say it's a pretty damn good assumption! How about some Pink Floyd with your Opeth or some Dream Theater with your Grover Washington, but I've never met anyone that could make the Dylan to Neuraxis transition especially when one of Dylan's fans(Mr. Saleski) thinks the vocals are basically shit!! And when a Neuraxis fan(myself) thinks that Dylan's voice sounds like an inebriated retard on crack.

...so why does it matter that i enjoy the new Metallica more?

Hmm..Maybe cuz in the world of Metal you like sub-par recordings??

Jordan,

How could Porcupine Tree sound anything like Sceptic?? I wanna know...

what the hell does Dylan have to do with this. seriously man, that chip on your shoulder is causing damage.

sub-par recordings, eh? hmmm, i quite liked the last Porcupine Tree cd i bought.

Brian,

If you're uncomfortable with the subjective realm of this discussion, perhaps you'd like to move it into objective territory.

Also, the point wasn't to suggest that the bands you listed sound the same when compared to one another. The point is to say that their recordings sound the same, they don't evolve, they make the same brand of music over and over again. Perhaps the rare exception there is Porcupine Tree and I will admit to having made a rather general comment. However, that doesn't change the subject or context of this discussion, which was Metallica and how they have evolved.

You make all of these absolutist comments about metal as though you own the property:

Metal was meant to be shared with your buds not with the wife & kids!!

You obviously don't listen to much metal especially with references to f*cking Bob Dylan & Neil Young!!

Master of Puppets was a f*cking masterpiece and they will probably never reproduce such a magical moment ever again! Brandon, this has nothing to do with opinion... IT IS A FACT!!!

And so on.

It seems to me that you have this idea of what "true metal" is and you aren't willing to expand or stretch that for anything. You're passionate about metal, which is great, but you tend to journey into absolutism and strange objectivity which really represents a pretty closed mind. And that's what I was referring to in #51. Bands change, people change, music changes.

Metallica does not need to make the same music they did in the 80s in order to be great.

the point is to say that their recordings sound the same, they don't evolve, they make the same brand of music over and over again.

Goes to show that you really haven't listened to those bands. Prime example:

Opeth Deliverance & Damnation were made in the same recording sessions and don't sound at all alike.



BUT,you are correct...We're getting off topic.
You can try to psychoanalyze me & degrade my point of view all you like[that's usually what people do when they are on the losing end] but it still doesn't change the fact that Metallica in the 90's wasn't evolution... It was pure adulterated shit!! It was watered down, easy to play rock that made them some quick money. And if, that "evolution" was so great why are the mighty Metallica trying to revert back to what they used to be??

"Metallica does not need to make the same music they did in the 80s in order to be great."

"Metallica is back in a big way with 2008's implausibly exceptional Death Magnetic. Their best album in 17 years..."

"The bashing and hammering is reminiscent of their late-80s insanity"


You contradict yourself quite a bit...

It was pure adulterated shit!! It was watered down, easy to play rock that made them some quick money.

and that is pure, unadulterated opinion.

not fact.

Brian, none of those statements of mine that you quoted were contradictory.

Metallica does not need to make the same music they did in the 80s in order to be great.

They don't.

Metallica is back in a big way with 2008's implausibly exceptional Death Magnetic. Their best album in 17 years...

It is and they are.

The bashing and hammering is reminiscent of their late-80s insanity

It is.

Where are the contradictions?

I said that they don't have to go back to their 80s sound to be great. And they don't. If I said that DM was, in my opinion, their best album in 17 years, it takes us back to what? 1991? And what was released in 1991? Certainly not an 80s style thrash record, I can tell you that. But it was a great album.

Their best album in 17 years...

Where's the part that states it is your opinion??

After attempting to sound "raw" on St. Anger and dropping two records of hard rock sanitation prior to that...

Where's the loyal "experimentation" defense??

The bashing and hammering is reminiscent of their late-80s insanity

Utilizing a fact about their masterpieces to bolster your review about an album you love!

Face it.. You contradict yourself, you just don't realize it. DM is a decent attempt for a DEMO & should've been released 17 years ago! It still needs a lot of work! You take a rather harsh stance in your review to put DM on a pedestal but you get upset if someone points out the obvious about their mess of a career in the 90's including that craptastic Black album!!

The truth is, they've put their issues to bed and are trying to recapture the brilliance that they had recorded on RTL & MOP! Unfortuantely, there are plenty of weak spots on this CD and,again, they need to work on a lot of things.

Where's the part that states it is your opinion??

See the thing at the top that says REVIEW? That's a clue...

Where's the loyal "experimentation" defense??

Um, what? Why would I defend an album I didn't like?

Utilizing a fact about their masterpieces to bolster your review about an album you love!

Utilizing my opinion about other albums to contribute to my opinion about an album I love, yes.

Are you approaching a point anytime soon, Brian?

You contradict yourself, you just don't realize it.

It seems to me that you need to find a dictionary and look the word up before you start batting it around. None of what you're even describing is contradictory.

You take a rather harsh stance in your review to put DM on a pedestal but you get upset if someone points out the obvious about their mess of a career in the 90's including that craptastic Black album!!

I'm not upset in the least, Brian. In fact, the only point I've made in this discussion is what I said previously:

You make all of these absolutist comments about metal as though you own the property.

After that, I've been skirt-chasing all of your tangents. See #59 again, read it again, and address the points made. Or don't and carry on rambling.

Whatever.

I'm not upset in the least, Brian. In fact, the only point I've made in this discussion is what I said previously:

You make all of these absolutist comments about metal as though you own the property.

Then whose rambling?? If you can't see how you contradict yourself, it's not my job to uncover your eyes.

You say, that Metallica doesn't need to make the same music in the 80's to be great,yet, that's what makes this album the best in 17 years. That includes the Black album...HELLO!

By your standards... I'm done rambling.

Brian, I'm going to lay this out as simply as possible.

that Metallica doesn't need to make the same music in the 80's to be great

They don't! They can be great tinkering with other genres and broadening their horizons, too. They're a great rock band. They don't need to rehash the 80s thrash in order to be great. Much like U2 doesn't need to recreate The Joshua Tree to be a great band, Metallica doesn't need to redo Master of Puppets to have made a great record. Got that? It's really quite a simple point, dude.

that's what makes this album the best in 17 years

It's part of what makes this album the best in 17 years, yes. But they don't need to go this route in order to make great music.

That includes the Black album...HELLO!

Hello?

Wow...I was giddy when I heard the first few songs. Expectations were low to be honest. Right up there with ...And Justice. I think the guitar riffs on "Broken, Beat & Scarred" are as cool as any record I can think of. "End of the Line" jams too.

I'm 35 and have been following Metallica since Kill Em' All. The reason I had a problem with the Black album is because my girlfriend and mom started to like it. Not cool. Anyhow, to put things in perspective here's how I rank em'.

1. MOP
2. ...And Justice
3. Ride the Lighning
4. Death Magnetic
5. Kill Em' All
6. Okay....Black

[quote]and one of the best pure metal albums of the millennium finds the band cutting a fierce swath of diabolical thrash metal through 10 superb tracks of metal brilliance[/quote]

I respect the fact that you like the new album. But to call it one of the best pure metal albums of the millenium? Either you have low standards or you don't listen a lot to metal (nothing wrong with that, i listen to loads of music). I can easily name 25 better metal albums from this millenium.

I DO think that Metallica really tried this time, but it is so apparent they are so out of touch with modern metal that it's almost pitiful. Anno 2008 you can't get away anymore with drumming of the level of a beginning rock drummer (let alone metal drummer). The poor production is inexcusable for today's standards (thin guitar sound, drums way high in the mix to the point that the snare drum overpowers everything and makes the album clip and distort with every hit. Where has the Black Album-era HUGE thumping sound gone? The songs seem to have various good ideas milked to the point they become boring and repetitive (honestly, songs do not NEED to be 8 minutes long).

And people, stop making the 'Metallica have lasted so long, they are so old now and still rocking blah blah'...tell that to Exodus and Testament, who have been around just as long and are able to make great modern albums.

I would have respected them more if they released another Load or reLoad as opposed to this mess of an album.

I can understand that fans will like this album as a step in the right direction after St Anger, but to call this 'one of the best pure metal albums of the millennium' is as much of a stretch as nominating George W Bush for Mensa membership.

Ok for Metallica standards, but hopelessly out of touch with modern metal.

I can easily name 25 better metal albums from this millenium.

Do it. And remember, I have to agree with you or you know nothing about metal.

Arggggghhhhhhhhh!

Please do, name 25 better "metal" albums from the new millenium. Better yet, name me 25 guitar players from the new "metal" millenium who don't suck who can play up there with Kirk Hammett or have any kind of Master of Puppets type classic album. The metal scene SUCKS big time now...you young ones have no idea what it was like to see the likes of Slayer, Testament, and yes even Metallica in their prime.

way to twist my words. Should i have written IN MY OPINION? Oh wait, you didn't either.

Anyway, since i am such a good sport, here's a list:

Testament - The Formation of Damnation
Exodus - The Atrocity Exhibition - Exhibit A
Iron Maiden - A Matter of Life and Death
Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor
King Diamond - Give Me Your Soul...Please
Gojira - From Mars to Sirius
Aghora - Formless
Behemoth - Demigod
Nile - Annihilation of the Wicked
Dark Tranquillity - Fiction
Opeth - Watershed
Candlemass - King Of The Grey Islands
Suffocation - Suffocation
Deicide - The Stench of Redemption
Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet
Machine Head - The Blackening
High On Fire - Death Is This Communion
Opeth - Ghost Reveries
Meshuggah - ObZen
Arch Enemy - Wages of Sin
Katatonia- The Great Cold Distance
Death Angel - The Art of Dying
Strapping Young Lad - Alien
Necrophagist - Epitaph
Municipal Waste - The Art of Partying


All my opinion of course :)

#70 i Said: 25 albums that are better than Death Magnetic.

And about Kirk Hammett, i doubt there are many guitarists that are proficient in the pointless overusage of the wah pedal to the point the solos become annoying. But then again, i guess you have never heard of Bill Steer, Michael Amott, Mohammed Suicmez, Paul Masvidal, Jeff Loomis, Alex Skolnick etc. either. ( Had you mentioned Hetfield i would have agreed he is one hell of a rhythm player)

I didn't twist your words, my friend.

There's a difference between saying "this is my opinion" and saying "this is my opinion and if you don't agree with me, you don't know anything about metal."

I think there are many people here that need to learn that their opinions are not made more valid by disparaging those who do not agree with them.

i didn't say "if you don't agree with me, you don't know anything about metal".

Don't want to go into semantics here, but i said that if you honestly thought Death Magnetic is one of the best metal albums of the millenium, [b]you must not have high standards or you must not listen to a lot of metal[/b]. This wasn't meant in a way of 'you don't agree with me', nor was it meant as a personal insult.

It was more meant as a comment how poor i think Death Magnetic is compared to modern metal music. It may be a step up for Metallica compared to St. Anger or Load/ reLoad (hey i liked The Black Album), but Metallica falls so short of modern metal standards it's not even funny.

You like it a lot, fine with me. Just be careful with blanket statement like that ;)

I certainly won't get it, as i think there is so much more interesting music out there. Guess it just drives me up the wall the amount of shit Metallica gets away with. (i got into similar arguments about St.Anger by the way...look at how it is seen now). I hate to see the bloated corporate monster they have become.

Well, There's your 25... Nice List.

I would include:

ARSIS - We are the Nightmare
Dream Theater - Train of Thought
Illogicist - The Insight Eye
Gorod - Leading Vision
Neuraxis - Trilateral,The Thin Line Between
Darkane - Layer of Lies
Opeth - Blackwater Park

F*ck...3 Opeth albums versus Metallica's 1.
LMFAO

I think there are many people here that need to learn that their opinions are not made more valid by disparaging those who do not agree with them.

Yet he says:

I think what those other posters have to offer that you don't is an open mind to the changing dynamics of an aging metal band and an appreciation for musical growth. You keep listing these bands to bolster your metal credibility, but they all really just sound the same.

Disparaging?? Maybe my grammar is incorrect...Right, Fanboy??

It was more meant as a comment how poor i think Death Magnetic is compared to modern metal music

So why not just say that instead of assuming things about me or those who disagree with you?

Surely you see the difference between saying "Man, I don't think Death Magnetic stands up compared to modern metal" and saying "If you think DM stands up to modern metal, you don't know modern metal or must not listen to much of it..."

Anyway, this conversation is dumb.

Brian, in your incessant need to spot contradictions, you're missing the fact that I'm actually referring to you in the second quoted portion. And my comment had nothing to do with your opinion regarding the music and more to do with the way you act towards people who disagree with you.

These arguments have been about" metal" when what we really are talking about is MUSIC!!!!!

Lumping something into one basket instantly makes the argument lopsided with little room to move.

Brian loves his metal so he should stick to it. If Metallica are no longer your cup of tea then move on, enjoy the 80's Metallica's for the masterpieces they are and leave it there.

For my part I like music that says something and that has a real core. Check my Ipod anytime and you will see Bob Dylan, Metallica, The Clash, Hank Williams, Muddy Waters, Iron Maiden, Ryan Adams, John Coltrane, Black Sabbath etc

To me it is about music not genre and I feel sorry for those who don't have an open mind in this regard especially those who carry on like a pack of bitches cause their favourite band aint putting out anymore the way they want them to.

i was going to put in a vote for Dopesmoker by Sleep, but i just remembered i had to flip over my Poison record.

sorry.

Yea,but, your comment was still disparaging and you do contradict yourself...

Brian aka Guppusmaximus - Internet Tough Guy

When I first listen to this album I said to my self...shit this is much better than any metallica album after Black.....when I listened to this ablum for a second and third time....i shit my pants!

This album is not as good as MAster, but is on the same level!! And loving the fact James yelling and angry as hell...as he he should be ;)

hey... i think black wins the pop approach... black is definitely much more organized.. the solos are clearer. DM is a lot more freely expressed in terms of the rhythms, which contains spoilers sometimes.. but anyway it doesnt affect much of songs though.

i was surprised when i read another blog stating that he wished unforgiven 3 was never recorded.. lol that was my fav with that was just ur life. broken beat n scarred sounds like a repaired version of shoot me again.. glad they did it..

Metal the only musical genre where even the hardcore fans don't know which bands are metal.

Deal with it

Look at all you retards. Now that they've released something that could have been released after Justice or Black and you start ramming them up their asses? How about the die hard fans that not only grew up listening to Kill Em All and Master Of Puppets who love Load, ReLoad and St Anger as well? Sure St Anger was shit, but we still respected it and waited patiently for the day they released Death Magnetic. Now look at all you Bandwagon followers. You aren't real fans. You are a joke. Only liking them during their high time. I'm sure they love taking all your money.

funny though. does anybody here even listen st anger properly? 'sure st anger was shit' and all that. if you compare SA to the other albums you'd knew they still had that metallica thing in them. just the drums and bad lyrics make all that shit. If u are critical listeners u knew that only 3-4 songs really suck. the rest are ok. i like sweet amber and the unnamed feeling. and invisible kid.

penny for metallikids' thought.

An honest point, vizier, and one that has prompted me to pull out St. Anger again and give it another listen.

I know I will lose all my street cred, but I actually liked a number of songs on St. Anger. Sure it wasn't Master of Puppets, but then I didn't need it to be. I already have a copy. Plus, it's not 1986.

well.. of course each 'ok' song had their spoilers.. that's what made people call it suck. but it had a fair amount of unique riffs worthy of metallica.

Jordan I agree with every thing you've said. Very nicely articulated. The Metallica of the 80's was in my opinion, the best days of Metallica, however, that is NOT to say that the Metallica of the 90's wasn't amazing in its own right. They have always done what is best for THEM, and if we like it great, if we don't, we can walk away. In my humble opinion, the black album, load, and re-load were great albums, amazing albums even, and in a completely different way than Kill 'em all, RTL, MOP, and justice. A band that can evolve as much as they have and still keep my interest deserves as much respect and admiration as I can give them. St. anger may have not been the greatest of their albums, however, the law of averages says one of the bunch isn't going to be a gem. I mean they are experimenting, branching out, not everyone is going to appreciate the result. I, however, appreciate the fact that they are doing it, trying to evolve, trying to create something new. In that right St. Anger was a success.

As far as Death Magnetic goes, the fact that it sounds more like the 80's style music is once again THEIR choice, still evolving, still changing, just in a way paying homage to themselves, they have come full circle. And i love it, every bit of it. But by Jordan saying that this is their best album in 17 years, that in NO way means that the albums within those 17 years weren't amazing, great albums. Just that this particular one earns even higher marks in his book. There is no contradiction there. This is all about opinion and I believe his overall point illustrates that, to keep an OPEN mind, not to just rattle off reasons why they aren't as good as band X or band Y.

After listening to several of the leaked tracks on YouTube and whatnot, I did not really have high hopes for this album. Now that I've bought the CD and listened to it a couple times thorugh my home stereo and in the car...

I love it.

Metallica will NEVER be able to top the first four albums. EVER. No artist can produce awesome work after awesome work into perpetuity. They had a great run there and we should be greatful both that they produced it and we are able to enjoy it.

My opinion of Death Magnetic is that it is very good album from start to finish with only a couple hiccups. I don't really care for "The Day...," "Unforgiven III," or "Judas." But then again, MOP is probably the ONLY Metallica album made that I can get into every track.

I absolutely love tracks 1,2,3,5,10 on DM. It's got speed aplenty, great riffage on several tracks, it's got some groove and it's got that signature Hetfield down stroke power. I think several of these songs will become concert staples and come off great in a live setting.

All Hail Metallica!

"all nightmare long" rocks!!! i would say that this is their best one since black album, modern day "justice for all". MetallicA!!!!!!

I am a 39yr old, longhaired , tattooed Metalhead. I have been listening to Metal since the mid 70's and I feel that Metallica is one of the greatest bands of all time. I saw them in concert 7 times and I can honestly say that they are absolutely the best live band on the planet. No band can follow them onstage, in my opinion.... As far as what I think about the new disc, I like it. I dig all the songs and as a poet myself, I really enjoy some of the lyrics. Sure, some of the stuff here is very cliche, but I don't mind. I'll be listening to this music when I'm an old man. I don't wanna get into what I think about each song or the production and all that stuff right now, suffice to say I like the record. If I had to list my favorite Metallica albums in order, my list would be( from favorite to least favorite):
1) Master Of Puppets
2) Ride The Lightning
3) Death Magnetic
4) Kill Em' All
5) ...And Justice For All
6) Metallica
7)St.Anger
8) Reload
9) Load

I guess my biggest complaint about Death Magnetic is the artwork on the album cover. I don't get it. I think a big brown hole in the cover looks stupid. remins me not of a grave as much as an outhouse! ha ha ha! But, what the hell do I know? I ain't an artist or much of a critic either, but my opinion is still valid, ain't it? Rock On & Rock Out! Metal Rules!

at last my wish has come true,that was just your life reminds me of the mighty hetfield when he used to play battery........i rate this album near master of puppets....

Great work for sticking your neck out Jordan.
I totally agree with re: music evolving etc... If i wanted listen to music that sounds the same as it did 20 years ago i'd either listen to a record from the 80's or alternatively any "Megadeath" album! haha Not everything has to stay the same for ever!

To the 25 better albums poster: I would like add a couple to your very well compiled list...

Killswitch Engage - End of Heartache
Soilwork - Natural Born Chaos
Unearth - The Oncoming Storm

of course this is only my opinion and for the record i love DM and think it's great, infact my #1 album of the last few years. I Don't think it's in the league MOP or Justice! They were revolutionary albums that altered Metal music for ever and i just can't see DM changing the face of Metal like they did!

I wasn't a fan of theirs "back in the day" nor was I crazy about their 90's/2000's set of recordings. i do like Death Magnetic though. While Hetfields lyrics are horribly corny ("sanctifyyyyy your de-mons!"......ugh) the music takes up the slack. Theres been a lot of ink spilled trashing the band over this album but, taken for what it is, its fine listening.

Well good for Metallica they are in a better form now.

Blogs aren't important....just self indulgant rantings to be honest. But heres my 10p worth.

Sadly, Im not really in much favour of them. I think its good for the kids who haven't had the chance to listen 1st time around.

Frankly speaking though, for longer term appeal, Megadeth has it for me and Im not even what I call a "fan".
Cant stand this modern wannabees like Trivium as they just seem a bit too vain if you ask me.

Metallica is striking the hammer again for shure. Cant say I love the sound/melodies to be honest. It just reminds me that I always preferred megadeth --- who are less "mainstream" and didnt quite sell out to this market or have such public personality crisis, which frankly is a bit of a joke.

Metallica were always the more popular in school...going back some 15 years at least.
They lost the point somewhat by going all "bon jovi" with their alignment to the music industry (dont get me started on him)

The guys need to remember - they aint young anymore and have nothing to be angry about either. They are loaded. They dont need my money.

I prefer megadeth because they are a melodic band, much more intrinsic and complicated and more like german/european metal.

But regardless, well done to Metallica for regaining their form.

DM is a fantastic album. It's a return to form. Metallica shines best when they develop that peculiar medieval modal orchestration, (re:Orion) and that appears once again on this album. I understand it's hard to stay hungry when you're rich, but somehow they are clearly shacking that mindset now, and focusing on the one thing they can aspire to, namely, their craft. Having said that there are only two things I find problematic with DM, one, It's quite clear that when these songs were written, they were not envisioned as whole songs, (EG, in MoP, in the arrangements, every part subtly reflects or references other parts of the song, there was a continuum that made those epic arrangements fit as a solid block of song) and tacked together sections of other songs put together- I find a discontinuity of vibe there as a result, giving an overall dissipation in the intent of them. Second and last issue, the Mastering for the CD (here in Europe) is totally clipped and full of digital distortion.

But F*ck it. I can live with it because it's a gutsy effort, and it sounds like they really wanted to play this stuff. It ROCKS!

Finally, I think Rick Ruben was an excellent choice of producer,although, I think he should have insisted on writing from complete ideas, chasing the intent of a song more, than the tacking bits together element evident in DM.

The next album could be their zenith! there's a lot of fucked shit going on in the world than ever before at the moment, so inspiration cannot be to hard to find.

DM 7.5 outta 10.

the BEST album metallica ever made was the black album. I am always amazed by how much people say "it wasnt thrash" blah blah. Neither was "seek and destroy" or " fade to black" or "ride the lightning" the list of songs goes on and on. The black album doesnt have a SINGLE bad song, its pure and out a METAL album, not catagorized by some dumb death, trash mindless genre.
The people that claim the black album is crap, also probably think iron maidens best album is the number of the beast(not the VASTLY superior piece of mind)
nuff said

if the black album is pop, then im fucking dutch!!!

best metal album made........period

only mindless thrash arseheads thinks its pop

people hate the black album, omfg, blame the LA strip for kiling metal


Id love to stab poison

*Duh..I'm a mindless thrash arsehead...Uh-Duh*

Still, The Black Album sucked gym sack,was pop & ended Metallica's reign on Thrash! If I wanted a supposed "pure and out METAL album" back then I would've popped in Symbol of Salvation from Armored Saint! Would someone please tell me how the f*ck can a band go from the ballsy And Justice.. to that shite??

Oh and btw, Bob Cock,er..um, Rock(Bon Jovi,Motley Crue) produced that sh!t. That's why it sux big f*cking teat!

METALLICA THE FUCKIN GRETEST BAND EVER FORMED..death magnetic THE ALBUM BY METALLICA IS THUS DAMN GOOD..ITS ROCKIN NEPAL TOO..

Death Magnetic, I have to say is awesome except for the track Cyanide. I don't know why comment #71 reckons A Matter of Life and Death is better than Death Magnetic, I reckon most Maiden (not all) since The X Factor is crap. Also, Testament's "The Formation of Damnation" is the most overrated album I have ever heard, it's kind of weak and boring most of the time except for More Than Meets the Eye. I'd rank the tracks up from DM like this:
1. That Was Just Your Life
2. All Nightmare Long
3. The Unforgiven III
4. The Judas Kiss
5. The End of the Line
6. My Apocalypse
7. The Day That Never Comes
8. Suicide and Redemption
9. Broken, Beat and Scared
10. Cyanide

Metallica's albums are ranked up like this IMO:
1. Master of Puppets
2. ...And Justice For All
3. Death Magnetic
4. Ride the Lightning
5. Black Album
6. Kill 'Em All
7. St. Anger
8. Load
9. ReLoad

The only albums released this millenium that are better than DM are:
1. Black Sabbath - The Dio Years (Even though it's a compilation, there's 3 new songs)
2. AC/DC - Black Ice
3. Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution

Only a couple of other albums released this millenium have even been good such as Whitesnake's Good to be Bad, Judas Priest's Nostradamus, Evile's Enter the Grave, Cavalera Conspiracy's Inflikted, Megadeth's United Abominations and Motley Crue's Saints of Los Angeles.

Im glad they got rid of bob c... er, i mean Rock.

probably the only better pick than rick rubin to produce death magnetic would have been Flemming Rasmussen or Johnny z.

you know what though, the black album has a huge, well produced fat sound to it.

but it was like bob rock was the 5th member of the band. he had way too much involvment since black.