Metallica
Hardwired

"Hardwired"...

The perfect blend between the stale "thrash" of Death Magnetic, the lack of articulation found in works like "Metallica" or better known as the "Black Album" contrasted with the introduction that might bring to mind the progressive/thrash elements of "...And Justice For All"...

The introduction gives hope, punctuated by powerful palm muting, but hope fades as the initial riff begins to expand in all its essence, and especially disappointing is James's vocal performance which no longer scratches a note with his once-crystalline voice, in my opinion, lacking impact.

Lars proves to be in good form, but the sound of the drums is too clear and sharp to sound "thrash-like," yet he shows he still has plenty of drive.

In my opinion, Kirk is very lackluster, delivering a very short solo that in certain parts seems just a jumble of poorly played notes and in others old solos stitched together; it might have been better to do without it, as the song would have benefited.

The video is boring, showing Metallica engaging with their instruments while the lights in the room they're playing in flicker on and off continuously—essentially, a video that communicates and conveys no emotion or message.

This single is virtually supposed to represent the title track of the album that will be released shortly under the name "Hardwired...to Self Destruct" (both the album cover and the single cover are really ugly).

To sum up,

"Hardwired" is a single with some interesting ideas but poorly developed and really not very valid in my opinion. The chorus, for example, I believe is one of the least appealing ever created by the four horsemen, and the solo is truly unnecessary and poorly played. Metallica has taken a direction that I don't like at all; I can't comprehend how one can play old-school thrash metal with hyper-compressed guitars and a clear and always distinguishable drum sound amidst the general chaos, not to mention the voice without the slightest smudge...

Call it what you want, but don't call it thrash metal, if only out of respect for the old masterpieces.