Metallica Returns With Powerful New Release: Death Magnetic *Updated

This summer on Now Public and on my own site, I've been following Metallica cross-country to their only two live US appearances at Bonnaroo and at Ozzfest. Ozzfest marked the 15th time I've seen the band live and Metallica has never sounded better. With their group therapy and rehab demons exorcised (all on film of course) Metallica has teamed up with legendary uber-producer Rick Rubin to produce its ninth studio album Death Magnetic. I've been absorbing the new album for about 24 hours now..

 First Impressions:

 I'm holding the new Metallica album-Death Magnetic in my hands. I have one word: Brilliant

 The debate will never end amongst the salty Metallica fans and the 'haters' on message boards everywhere will never be satisfied, but seriously- Metallica is decidedly back and so are guitar solos. Drummer Lars Ulrich has also located his snare drum apparently, fans rejoice! Some of the biggest complaints across the board on St. Anger (the bands previous effort) were the 'garbage-can-lid' drum sound, the detuned mess, and elimination of guitar solos. At least they didn't break up, right?

 I don't think it's an overstatement to call Death Magnetic a landmark album for Metallica. It combines the very best sounds and arrangements from their early albums with an obviously evolved, mature, and cohesive group of musicians. Phil Towle- (Metallica's performance coach, featured in the film Some Kind Of Monster) would be proud.

 Death Magnetic marks a return to skillful, metal, musicianship. There is a reason Metallica is one of the biggest bands on the planet and their skills as musicians really shine here. Rick Rubin gets credit for that- according to recent band interviews. The band was forced to learn each of the new songs perfectly before setting foot in Rubin's recording studio. The resulting 10 tracks are stunning.

I constantly hear critics and the 'mulleted' masses criticizing Metallica for selling out, not playing fast enough, going soft, ETC.  I don't hear anything like that on this album. It's fast, heavy, and relentless in its tempo and energy. Death Magnetic certainly is not a modern re-hash of eighties metal.  

(on a side note: In my opinion: music is art, not a competition. not every drummer must perform to the level of Neal Peart to deserve respect, ok?  And besides- I wouldn't want any other drummer sitting behind Metallica. Lars Ulrich's drumming style is one of the band's trademarks and I have nothing but respect for the guy, I'd certainly take his gig for a day!)

 The tracks are lively, crisp, and the Bob Rock 'gleamy' production-value is history.  I love this album so far. Thanks to the addition of Robert Trujillo on bass guitar, Death Magnetic truly thumps because there is finally audible bass. My subwoofer is grateful.

My favorite track by far is  'Broken, Beat, and Scarred. This track has some of the coolest rhythm guitar sounds I've ever heard. The riffs are so precise and quick that they almost sound robotic. The final track on Death Magnetic is called 'My Apocalypse.' This track could easily be from any of Metallica's early catalog. It may be what the Black album would've sounded like if Metallica had never hired  Bob Rock. Whatever the case, this album rips: through and through.

PS:

For Me, It's Still CD

 I'm all for digital music and I buy tons of music online. But there are some albums that I'd rather just physically own. After striking out in an attempt to find Death Magnetic on sale following work, I finally ventured out and picked up the album at Target.

 Most young music consumers don’t remember a world where fans waited in line outside Tower Records at 12:01AM waiting to buy the latest GNR or Metallica album. Times have changed for sure, BUT!

 I will always prefer the CD format because it offers the very best sound quality for my hi-fi gear AND it leaves me -the consumer- with the choice of how and where to digitize the material for playback on an Ipod or Mp3 player.

The buzz has been building around this album and from what I've heard so far Death Magnetic should leave fans satisfied and ready to break stuff.

 
Nice work gentlemen