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??
77 -
Jordan Richardson
Sep 16, 2008 at 7:06 pm
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.
78 -
Jordan Richardson
Sep 16, 2008 at 7:11 pm
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.
79 -
james
Sep 16, 2008 at 7:13 pm
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.
81 -
Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Sep 16, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Yea,but, your comment was still disparaging and you do contradict yourself...
82 -
Awesomeface
Sep 16, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Brian aka Guppusmaximus - Internet Tough Guy
83 -
k2lx2
Sep 17, 2008 at 2:25 am
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 ;)
84 -
vizier87
Sep 17, 2008 at 3:43 pm
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..
85 -
S
Sep 17, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Metal the only musical genre where even the hardcore fans don't know which bands are metal.
Deal with it
86 -
Mad Max
Sep 17, 2008 at 11:50 pm
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.
87 -
vizier
Sep 18, 2008 at 12:21 am
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.
88 -
Jordan Richardson
Sep 18, 2008 at 12:27 am
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.
90 -
vizier
Sep 18, 2008 at 4:42 am
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.
91 -
Rj
Sep 18, 2008 at 2:19 pm
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.
92 -
Orange Julius
Sep 19, 2008 at 3:45 pm
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!
93 -
gelo
Sep 20, 2008 at 5:39 am
"all nightmare long" rocks!!! i would say that this is their best one since black album, modern day "justice for all". MetallicA!!!!!!
94 -
James Vincent
Sep 20, 2008 at 3:07 pm
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!
95 -
ajay
Sep 21, 2008 at 1:44 am
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....
96 -
Peehatt
Sep 22, 2008 at 9:52 pm
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!
97 -
Wickedashtray
Sep 24, 2008 at 5:43 pm
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.
98 -
Tone
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:21 am
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.
99 -
Trunk
Sep 28, 2008 at 10:58 am
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.
100 -
djboogie
Sep 29, 2008 at 10:52 pm
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
101 -
djboogie
Sep 29, 2008 at 10:55 pm
if the black album is pop, then im fucking dutch!!!
best metal album made........period
only mindless thrash arseheads thinks its pop
102 -
djboogie
Sep 29, 2008 at 10:58 pm
people hate the black album, omfg, blame the LA strip for kiling metal
Id love to stab poison
103 -
Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Sep 30, 2008 at 7:53 am
*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!
104 -
JUJUMAN
Oct 19, 2008 at 9:31 am
METALLICA THE FUCKIN GRETEST BAND EVER FORMED..death magnetic THE ALBUM BY METALLICA IS THUS DAMN GOOD..ITS ROCKIN NEPAL TOO..
105 -
Sven
Oct 25, 2008 at 4:07 am
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.
106 -
brad
Nov 29, 2008 at 6:13 pm
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.
107 -
me
Jan 17, 2009 at 3:15 am
BORING! James just drones on and on and... zzzzzz
108 -
Juan
Mar 08, 2009 at 7:57 pm
The Metal masters? Just three words: What The Fuck!?
A good band of heavy metal? Yes, but they were better in their trash metal days.
Their best album? You've got to be kidding me!
This is just an average album, they could do better. But hey! at least it's not that St. Anger crap.
Best metal band? Hahaha maybe if you compare them only to american bands, but they have no chance in Europe... Iron Maiden anyone?
I still like Metallica, but I'm not a blind fanboy... So go ahead and flame, I won't even come back to read comments =)
109 -
Krs
Apr 18, 2009 at 8:25 pm
DEATH MAGNETIC It's a fuckin'amazing album,THE BEST along with Master of puppets...
OH,MY FUCKING GOD...
110 -
Mal Mac
May 16, 2009 at 8:18 am
I have been listening to these guys since 1988, not after their Master of Puppets album. I have to say that even tho I appreciate all Metallica have done over the years I was disappointed slightly sfter about The Black Album sighting that they went too commercial. Robert Trujillo Has been the majic find for me (no offence to Jason he was great) but robert brings back the edge that mettalica sourced when Cliff was there (and please I dont mean to make comparisons) but he base sound and feel is awsome! Has this bought new life ot an old dog? Fuck yes of course it has! I swear James feels it and after St Anger this Album is true progression. In fact this should have been the album following ...And Justice for All but of course it couldn't be because water needed to pass under the bridge first. The instrumental threatens to disappoint as well but it soon turns into a masterpiece of vocal-less brilliance which if you can possibly listen to all that's going on will saturate your senses. The actual sound they have achieved with the recorded guitar sound could not possibly suit the rhythms and overall songs better...if you listen hard it's plain to hear a slightly distorted sound (and i'm not meaning the overdrive effect) ....totally deliberate and awesome! The change in feel and "mood swings" of the tunes are reminiscent of the old days but in a much much more mature and constructed way but yet with kirk doing some seemingly "One style" improvised solo's which give the songs a balance. I can't believe I have raved on so much but in my opinion, yes, this is their best offering ever...period. This album is true progression that I'm sure all bands seek to find but few will ever achieve and it just reward for years of perseverance (during years of mega success I must add) but still I'm sure the band must be hugely satisfied with this one. Metallica, in my lifetime you are my band, my beatles, or whatever other comparison I could make. Thank you for so much pleasure to my ears and my mind!
Article comments
76 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
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??
77 - Jordan Richardson
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.
78 - Jordan Richardson
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.
79 - james
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.
80 - Mark Saleski
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.
81 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Yea,but, your comment was still disparaging and you do contradict yourself...
82 - Awesomeface
Brian aka Guppusmaximus - Internet Tough Guy
83 - k2lx2
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 ;)
84 - vizier87
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..
85 - S
Metal the only musical genre where even the hardcore fans don't know which bands are metal.
Deal with it
86 - Mad Max
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.
87 - vizier
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.
88 - Jordan Richardson
An honest point, vizier, and one that has prompted me to pull out St. Anger again and give it another listen.
89 - El Bicho
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.
90 - vizier
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.
91 - Rj
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.
92 - Orange Julius
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!
93 - gelo
"all nightmare long" rocks!!! i would say that this is their best one since black album, modern day "justice for all". MetallicA!!!!!!
94 - James Vincent
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!
95 - ajay
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....
96 - Peehatt
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!
97 - Wickedashtray
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.
98 - Tone
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.
99 - Trunk
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.
100 - djboogie
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
101 - djboogie
if the black album is pop, then im fucking dutch!!!
best metal album made........period
only mindless thrash arseheads thinks its pop
102 - djboogie
people hate the black album, omfg, blame the LA strip for kiling metal
Id love to stab poison
103 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
*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!
104 - JUJUMAN
METALLICA THE FUCKIN GRETEST BAND EVER FORMED..death magnetic THE ALBUM BY METALLICA IS THUS DAMN GOOD..ITS ROCKIN NEPAL TOO..
105 - Sven
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.
106 - brad
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.
107 - me
BORING! James just drones on and on and... zzzzzz
108 - Juan
The Metal masters? Just three words: What The Fuck!?
A good band of heavy metal? Yes, but they were better in their trash metal days.
Their best album? You've got to be kidding me!
This is just an average album, they could do better. But hey! at least it's not that St. Anger crap.
Best metal band? Hahaha maybe if you compare them only to american bands, but they have no chance in Europe... Iron Maiden anyone?
I still like Metallica, but I'm not a blind fanboy... So go ahead and flame, I won't even come back to read comments =)
109 - Krs
DEATH MAGNETIC It's a fuckin'amazing album,THE BEST along with Master of puppets...
OH,MY FUCKING GOD...
110 - Mal Mac
I have been listening to these guys since 1988, not after their Master of Puppets album. I have to say that even tho I appreciate all Metallica have done over the years I was disappointed slightly sfter about The Black Album sighting that they went too commercial. Robert Trujillo Has been the majic find for me (no offence to Jason he was great) but robert brings back the edge that mettalica sourced when Cliff was there (and please I dont mean to make comparisons) but he base sound and feel is awsome! Has this bought new life ot an old dog? Fuck yes of course it has! I swear James feels it and after St Anger this Album is true progression. In fact this should have been the album following ...And Justice for All but of course it couldn't be because water needed to pass under the bridge first. The instrumental threatens to disappoint as well but it soon turns into a masterpiece of vocal-less brilliance which if you can possibly listen to all that's going on will saturate your senses. The actual sound they have achieved with the recorded guitar sound could not possibly suit the rhythms and overall songs better...if you listen hard it's plain to hear a slightly distorted sound (and i'm not meaning the overdrive effect) ....totally deliberate and awesome! The change in feel and "mood swings" of the tunes are reminiscent of the old days but in a much much more mature and constructed way but yet with kirk doing some seemingly "One style" improvised solo's which give the songs a balance. I can't believe I have raved on so much but in my opinion, yes, this is their best offering ever...period. This album is true progression that I'm sure all bands seek to find but few will ever achieve and it just reward for years of perseverance (during years of mega success I must add) but still I'm sure the band must be hugely satisfied with this one. Metallica, in my lifetime you are my band, my beatles, or whatever other comparison I could make. Thank you for so much pleasure to my ears and my mind!
111 - Metallica The Day That Never Comes Download
I pretty much agree with Guppusmaximus. Nice to see them moving back towards MOP, at least. Can't wait for the next one.
112 - howdy
A really crappy album..I was finaly lookin forward to hear them again, but this is aweful, some of the worst riffs in metal history.