The band that everyone loves to moan at. Not sure why, as they know their limitations and basically they do what it says on the tin.
This is the RSD version on red vinyl. This is definitely a return to form after the very disappointing St Anger and the poorly produced Death Magnetic, even though the songs were really good on that album. I personally think this album sits really well with the classic albums, and would have been a natural successor to And Justice. This is their 10th studio album, and the first for 8 years mainly due to the ongoing issues with James’ health and addictions. The haters can do one for all I care as this is a killer album. For those of you who are used to listening to this album on CD, the running order is slightly different so they can squeeze the tracks on the vinyl.
Opener and the title track is classic Metallica huge riffs fat guitars and plenty of chugga chugga. Atlas Rise, another monster tune and was the first single. By this time you should be bouncing round the house. Now That Your Dead is a slightly more experimental song, and a slower pace, but still a monster tune.
Over to Side 2 we go and the other single, Moth Into Flame, is ripping it up with some fast fat riffage and loading up on the chugga’s. James’ vocals are stronger than he has ever done. In fact, the whole band are smokin’. I still don’t like Kirk’s lead sound though. I think it’s too thin and too much wah wah, but that’s just me. Am I Savage is next and slows the pace right down at the intro before exploding into a slow grind. Disc 1 closes with Halo On Fire, which starts slow, and is what Metallica dish up for a ballad – with a great melodic vocal from James before reverting to big chugga’s at the middle section.
Onto Disc 2 we go and Confusion announces its arrival with staccato drums and matching fat guitars and chugga chugga’s a plenty. Dream No More with its monster Sabbath style riff is next – a huge sounding tune. ManUNkind ends Side 3, with a slow bass and guitar sequence before it gets all Metallica with a huge catchy riff and groove.
Flipping over to Side 4 with Here Comes Revenge, and there’s no let up in the quality of the songs – another huge tune. Murder One is next and it’s a fitting tribute to Lemmy with an evil riff. In the blink of an eye, the last song Spit Out The Bone is upon us, and its the song with a nod back to the early days as it’s pure old school thrash.
So don’t believe the haters, Metallica are far from finished and I really enjoyed it.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
