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Rating: "Do you listen to Metallica?", the irritating phrase repeated thousands of times by those ignoramuses who judge Heavy metal as "senseless noise". Metallica have now become, therefore, an object of advertising, thanks to songs of questionable importance (Enter Sandman, Sad but True, Fuel, I Disappear, but especially Nothing Else Matters) that have made them, in terms of popularity, what they are today.
Many consider Master of Puppets as the album that launched them to success, and thanks to which they are now known as one of the best metal bands. Let's say that those who think this are mostly kids raised with pop group music or penny critics who believe they are "The mouth of truth of Heavy Metal". In reality, what increased the popularity of the Four Horsemen was undoubtedly their famous yet mediocre "Metallica" (released in 1991). Many were then disappointed by Load and Reload, claiming they were an unexpected surprise, given the "thrash" component of "Metallica" (a criticizable thing). Silence fell over the Los Angeles-based band until 2003, when they released the much-criticized "St.Anger". For once, all Metallica fans had a common idea: Metallica had become washed up. I can only agree with this opinion, given that Metallica's artistic vein seemed to have been amputated from their repertoire.
Now, after this explanation, I would like to introduce what actually needs to be talked about, and quite a bit. In August, the news came: New Metallica album in September. As expected, many lovers of piracy downloaded fake albums almost immediately, believing they owned the original and going around saying that Metallica had had a golden age and had written a fantastic album, not knowing the trick they had fallen for. Well now, let's cut the frills and talk about this new album, which you're probably already bored of. Well, what can I say, many surprises (not always positive) and many interesting points. Hammett, before the LP's release, had declared that he had drawn on a classic repertoire equal to that of the 1983-1987 period (it seems obligatory to NOT include the mediocre ...And justice for all), a statement parroted by many fake metalheads who judged Metallica mediocre and Slayer of the 2000s fantastic. In fact, this 80s component can be (although quite distantly) taken as a truth and it shows how true music critics are now dead and buried. Despite this, the album suffers from influences from other genres. It would be impossible to label this record as an album similar to Master of Puppets or Ride the Lightning, as these latter two were written as a "thrash metal experiment". Let me explain: to write them, Metallica did not draw on a repertoire that could already be defined as thrash metal, but rather they experimented with a union between NWOBHM and a Motorhead-style speed metal (with many Venom influences). Therefore, these albums created the "real" thrash metal. From that point many other genres originated, and all bands in the world, some more some less, were influenced by it. The era of Black and Death passed, there was a decline of primordial metal for a shift to industrial and the so-called "new metal". There was also the grunge and post-grunge movement and then ended up in the rawer and harder Metalcore. The 2000s were the decade in which all newborn bands incorporate elements of these genres into their sound. Therefore, it can be said that Metallica have assimilated Grunge or Metalcore components, but also Blues (those present in Load). And this influence is strongly present in Death Magnetic: it shows that a new golden age for Metallica is impossible. Let's move on to the tracklist;
"That was just your life": it's a real return to the old days: in Ride the Lightning, Master of puppets, ...And justice for all and Metallica, the first track began with a melodic and sappy riff, which ended in a thrash-style guitar outburst (even sleaze in Ride the lightning). And that is what happens in this song: a beginning with an acoustic guitar (even a bit grotesque) that ends with the classic hardness of Hetfield's guitar. A simple yet equally engaging riff, that gets the album listening started with a smile on your face. It certainly won't be a new Battery, but it leaves a sweet taste on the tongue.
"The end of the line": There's not much to say about this track: it is basically composed of an opening riff and a main one, and this gives a general sense of boredom (increased by an unsure Hammett)... the only glimpse of light is seen in a sudden melodic parenthesis that almost resembles that of the masterpiece To live is to Die.
"Broken Beat & Scarred": an ambiguous track, which at times almost incites headbanging, but at other times bores (quite a lot)... a very small Blues component can in any case be recognized by a good ear, and this proves how Metallica have not yet come out of the abyss of 1996.
"The day that never comes": now we have fun. Total nothingness mixed in commercialization, all in a pot called Single. Ah yes, the quartet chose just the right song to extract. I bet it will be really popular with the kids and MTV. A disaster...
"All nightmare long": finally! For the only time since 1986, I am proud of these musicians. This is the song that shows how Metallica, especially Hetfield, can still give a lot. The problem is they're too busy hosting MTV and recovering from alcoholism. A western beginning celebrates this "epic of post-2000 metal". The rhythm guitar is really a force: incredible speeds and a more than valid solo from a Kirk Hammett until now left in the shadows, make this song a turning point in the sound of the Four Horsemen.
"Cynaide": it's one of those many blues metal ditties full of stops and syncopated themes...
"The Unforgiven III": a track made with only the aim of attracting attention, being the third chapter of a "series" of songs (actually, they are 3 arrangements of the same song). Despite this, it is pleasant to listen to and, among other things, it is the first song in which Metallica uses the keyboard.
"The Judas Kiss": can be defined as a Reload song (watch out folks, this album is very different from Load) sped up to Speed Metal tempos. It leaves a certain sense of disappointment, but listening to it over and over, it is actually a good song, worthy of giving merit to Death Magnetic.
"Suicide & Redemption": an interesting title is a disappointing song. Oh yes, this is truly Nu Metal. A riff repeated and repeated to nausea, with some harmonic riff thrown in. No frills: it's a useless song.
"My Apocalypse": finally a more than interesting song: a fast riff reinforced by a power beat (really well done) of an already aged Lars Ulrich, a high and raw Hetfield singing, to then conclude with a splendid performance from Hammett, who manages to incorporate funk, blues and thrash metal in one solo.
Now, do not misunderstand my criticisms of some songs, also because if they had released Death Magnetic in 2003, I would have been much more satisfied with the horsemen, who would have managed to bypass Load and Reload without a transition album (which is St.Anger). Further credit goes undoubtedly to Rick Rubin, who supported the Los Angeles quartet like a fifth member (this time positive, unlike the sell-out Bob Rock). I would say this is enough... it's definitely an album worth listening to.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 That Was Just Your Life (05:04)
Like A Siren In My Head That Always
Threatens To Repeat
Like A Blind Man That Is Strapped
Into The Speeding Driver’s Seat
Like A Face
That Learns To Speak
When All It Knew Was How To Bite
Like A Misery That Keeps Me Focused
Though I’ve Gone Astray
Like An Endless Nightmare That
I Must Awaken From Each Day
Like Conviction
A Premonition
Not Worthy Of
So I Deny
I Deny
I Blind My Eyes
And Try To Force It All Into Place
I Stitch Them Up
See Not My Fall From Grace
I Blind My Eyes
I Hide And Feel It Passing Me By
I Open Just In Time To Say Goodbye
Almost Like Your Life
Almost Like Your Endless Fight
Curse The Day Is Long
Realize You Don’t Belong
Disconnect Somehow
Never Stop The Bleeding Now
Almost Like Your Fight
And There It Went
Almost Like Your Life
Like A Wound That Keeps On Bleeding
To Remind Me Not To Think
Like A Raging River Drowning When
I Only Need A Drink
Like A Poison
That I Swallow
But I Want The World To Die
Like A Release From Prison
That I Didn’t Know I Was In
Like A Fight To Live The Past I Prayed
To Leave
From Way Back Then
Like A General
Without A Mission
Until The War Will Start Again
Start Again
I Blind My Eyes
And Try To Force It All Into Place
I Stitch Them Up
See Not My Fall From Grace
I Blind My Eyes
I Hide And Feel It Passing Me By
I Open Just In Time To Say Goodbye
[Solo]
Like A Touch From Hell To Feel How Hot
That It Can Get If You Get Caught
Like A Strike From Heaven Turns That Key
And Brings You Straight Down To Your Knees
Like A Touch From Hell To Feel How Hot
That It Can Get If You Get Caught
Like A Strike From Heaven To Reprieve
That Brings You Straight Down To Your Knees
Almost Like Your Life
Almost Like Your Endless Fight
Curse The Day Is Long
Realize You Don’t Belong
Disconnect Somehow
Never Stop The Bleeding Now
Almost Like Your Fight
And There It Went
Almost Like Your Life
That Was Just Your Life.
03 Broken, Beat & Scarred (04:02)
You rise.
You fall.
You’re down, then you rise again.
What don’t kill you make you more strong.
You rise.
You fall
You're down, then you rise again.
What don’t kill you make you more strong.
Rise, fall, down, rise again
What don’t kill you make you more strong.
Rise, fall, down, rise again
What don’t kill you make you more strong....
Through black days
Through black nights
Through pitch black insides
Breaking your teeth on the hard life comin’.
Show... your... scars.
Cutting your feet on the hard earth runnin’.
Show... your... scars.
Breaking your life, broken, beat and scarred
But we die hard.
The dawn,
The death,
The fight to the final breath.
What don’t kill you make you more strong.
The dawn,
The death,
The fight to the final breath.
What don’t kill you make you more strong.
Dawn, death, fight, final breath.
What don’t kill you make you more strong.
Dawn, death, fight, final breath.
What don’t kill you make you more strong.
They scratch me
They scrape me
They cut and rape me
Breaking your teeth on the hard life comin’.
Show... your... scars.
Cutting your feet on the hard earth runnin’.
Show... your... scars.
Breaking your life, broken, beat and scarred
But we die hard
[Solo]
Breaking your teeth on the hard life comin’.
Show... your... scars.
Cutting your feet on the hard earth runnin’.
Show... your... scars.
Bleeding your soul in a hard luck story.
Show... your... scars.
Spilling your blood in the hot sun’s glory.
Show... your... scars.
Breaking your life, broken, beat and scarred
We die hard.
We die hard.
We die hard.
05 All Nightmare Long (06:00)
Luck. Runs. Out.
Crawl from the wreckage one more time.
Horrific memory twists the mind.
Dark, rutted, cold and hard to turn.
Path of destruction feel it burn.
Still life… incarnation.
Still life… infamy.
Hallucination. Heresy.
Still you run, what’s to come, what’s to be?
Cause we hunt you down without mercy
Hunt you down all nightmare long
Feel us breathe upon your face
Feel us shift, every move we trace
Hunt you down without mercy
Hunt you down all nightmare long
Yeah!
Luck. Runs. Out.
You crawl back in,
But your luck runs out.
Luck. Runs. Out.
The light that is not light is here
To flush you out with your own fear
You hide, you hide but will be found
Release your cript without a sound
Still life… immolation.
Still life… infamy.
Hallucination. Heresy.
Still you run, what’s to come, what’s to be?
Cause we hunt you down without mercy
Hunt you down all nightmare long
Feel us breathe upon your face
Feel us shift, every move we trace
Hunt you down without mercy
Hunt you down all nightmare long
Yeah!
Luck. Runs. Out.
You crawl back in, but your luck runs out.
1, 2, 3, GO!!!
Then you crawl back in,
Into your obsession.
Never to return.
This is your confession.
Hunt you down without mercy
Hunt you down all nightmare long
Feel us breathe upon your face
Feel us shift, every move we trace
Hunt you down without mercy
Hunt you down all nightmare long
Yeah!
Luck. Runs. Out.
You crawl back in, but your luck runs out.
Your luck runs out.
06 Cyanide (03:42)
Sleep and dream of this
Death angel's kiss
Brings final bliss
Come believe me!
Empty they say
Death, won't you let me stay?
Empty they say
Death, hear me call your name?
Oh, call your name!
Suicide, I've already died
You're just the funeral I've been waiting for
Cyanide, living dead inside
Break this empty shell for ever more
Wait, wait patiently
Your death-black wings
Unfolding sleep
Spreading on me
Empty they say
Death, won't you let me stay?
Empty they say
Death, hear me call your name
Oh, call your name!
Suicide, I've already died
You're just the funeral I've been waiting for
Cyanide, living dead inside
Break this empty shell for ever more
Say, is that rain or are they tears?
That stained your concrete face for years
The crying, weeping, shedding strife
Year after year, life after life
A narrow freshly broken ground
A concrete angel laid right down
Upon the grave which swallows fast
It's peace at last
Oh, peace at last
Empty they say
Death, won't you let me stay?
Empty they say
Death, hear me call your name
Oh, call your name
Suicide, I've already died
You're just the funeral I've been waiting for
Cyanide, living dead inside
Break this empty shell for ever more
Forevermore!
Forevermore!
It's just the funeral I've been waiting for!
08 The Judas Kiss (05:39)
When the world has turned its back
When the days have turned pitch black
When the fear abducts your tongue
When the fire's dead and gone
So what now?
Where do I head?
When you think it's all said and done
When you are the ostracized
Selfish ridden dead goodbyes
Twisting of the tourniquet
When the pieces never fit
So what now?
Where do I head?
When you think it's all said and done
Bow down
Sell your soul to me
I will set you free
Pacify your demons
Bow down
Surrender unto me
Submit infectiously
Sanctify your demons
Into abyss
You don't exist
Cannot resist
The Judas Kiss
When the storm has blacked your sky
Intuition crucify
When the ego strips your reign
Assassinate the living flame
So what now?
Where do I head?
When you think it's all said and done
Venom of a life insane
Bites into your fragile vein
Internalize and decimate
Patronize and complicate
So what now?
Where do I head?
When you think it's all said and done
Bow down
Sell your soul to me
I will set you free
Pacify your demons
Bow down
Surrender unto me
Submit infectiously
Sanctify your demons
Into abyss
You don't exist
Cannot resist
The Judas Kiss
Judas lives, recite this vow
I've become your new God now
Followed you from dawn of time
Whispered thoughts into your mind
Watched your towers hit the ground
Lured your children never found
Helped your kings abuse their crown
In the heart of feeble man
Plant the seed of my own plan
The strong and powerful will fall
Find a piece of me in all.....
Inside you all,
So, bow down
Sell your soul to me
I will set you free
Pacify your demons
Bow down
Surrender unto me
Submit infectiously
Sanctify your demons
Into abyss
You don't exist
Cannot resist
The Judas Kiss
10 My Apocalypse (04:09)
Claustrophobic
Crawl out of this skin
Heart explosive
Reach in, pull that pin
Fear thy name: extermination
Desecrating hail of fire
So we cross that line
Into the grips
Total eclipse
Suffer unto my apocalypse
Deadly vision
Prophecy reveal
Death magnetic
Pulling closer still
Fear thy name: annihilation
Desolating hail of fire
So we cross that line
Into the grips
Total eclipse
Suffer unto my apocalypse
My apocalypse
Go
Crushing metal, ripping skin.
Tossing body, mannequin.
Spilling blood, bleeding gas.
Mangled flesh, snapping spine.
Dripping bloody valentine.
Shatter face, spitting glass.
Split apart
Split apart
Split apart
Spit
Spit it out.
What makes me drift a little bit closer?
Dead man takes the steering wheel.
What makes me know it’s time to cross over?
Born to repeat until I feel.
See through the skin, bones they all rattle.
Future and past, they disagree.
Flesh falls away, bones they all shatter.
I start to see the end. In. Me.
See the end in me.
Claustrophobic
Crawl out of this skin
Heart explosive
Reach in, pull that pin
Violate, annihilate
All wounds unto my eyes
Obliterate, exterminate
As life itself denied
Fear thy name as hell awakens
Destiny inhale the fire
But we’ve crossed that line
Into the grips
Total eclipse
Suffer unto my apocalypse
Tyrant awaken my apocalypse.
Demon awaken my apocalypse.
Heaven awaken my apocalypse.
Suffer forever my apocalypse.
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Other reviews
By farmit
"Death Magnetic would undoubtedly win the Grammy for the most talked-about album ever."
"Welcome back, Metallica!"
By Anatas
"They should have titled the album 'Jamescantameglio' instead of 'Death Magnetic.'"
"'The Unforgiven III' sounds really bad, it's ugly, pathetic, pitiful."
By Psycroptic
With this album, the rediscovered Four Horsemen ride high again on the treacherous paths of Thrash Metal.
Death Magnetic is better than the infamous Black Album, which I never considered more than a good album.
By Descanting
"Robert Trujillo represents one of the two main strengths of the work; incidentally, the other is the rhythm guitar."
"If the entire CD had been at the level of 'The Judas' Kiss,' one might have even been moved by such well-crafted metal in these dark years for the genre."
By Rabbia88
Many of the solos on this CD are poorly played or lack imagination, and James’ voice... is just too high and not very suited to this type of music.
Not a complete flop like 'St Anger', not as poor as 'Reload', but still too little, too little.
