I think this is a great album. I do not buy in to all the hate surrounding the mix of the album. This half speed mastered version in the box set sounds just fine and dandy to me. What was more important, was that Metallica were back!
After the disappointment of Load and Reload, then the not that great St Anger which was recorded while the band were falling apart, it was great to hear that the band still had fire in their bellies to record a kick ass metal album. To me, this album would have been a natural successor to And Justice For All – as style wise, I think it slots in there perfectly. In fact, I’ll stick my neck out and say that there is not a bad track on the whole album. I would put it above Justice in the Metallica league table of albums recorded.
The opening track, That Was Just Your Life, actually could have been recorded at the Justice sessions – a killer opening track. The End Of The Line has a great groove and riff, and is where new meets old Metallica – I really love the ending. What is also interesting is that Bob Rock, who has been handling production duties since the black album, had been replaced by Rick Rubin – who loved old school Metallica. Broken, Beat And Scarred has an interesting riff that sounds very Seattle at times – but way heavier – and it really grooves when the song gets going. The lead off single was The Day That Never Comes, and is as close as Metallica get to a ballad. It does remind you of The Unforgiven and One – well, at least until the peddle most definitely hits the metal.
All Nightmare Long is next and I think it was the second single from the album. It has a much heavier vibe than the previous single, and has a great groove and riff. Cyanide was the first track I heard from the album, and it’s the one I love the most from the record. It’s the one with the catchiest riff and beat, and could have been from the Ride The Lightning sessions. Great track! The Unforgiven 3 follows and is the full on production with strings and everything. Yes, it’s a ballad, and we all know how they are not my favourite form of musical expression, but this is as heavy as a ballad can get. The Judas Kiss brings a return of the heavy, and what I would call a trademark Metallica riff. For me, this is a close second for best track on the album. Suicide & Redemption is the penultimate track, and is the latest of killer instrumentals that the Metallic ones have recorded through the years. It’s just shy of 10 minutes, and is the longest piece on the album.
The album closes out with My Apocalypse, and just as we came in, we go out with a bang. Superb ending to an album, and you don’t want it to end. Everyone is on top of their game here, especially James – it’s great to hear him sounding so good.
This is an easy 10/10 from The Grooveman.
