Death Magnetic: Like it or not?

[MACD23]

Please vote on just the music, ignore perceived or real production issues on the CD.

[mdc3000]

Amazing album! They're back.

[panchor]

They are back! I was just listening to it today in the morning. You can put That Was Just Your Life or Borken, Beat & Scarred in And Justice For All and they will fit perfectly.

[macnorton]

I am right in between amazing and meh. It is way better than the stuff they did in the 90's, but it isn't even close to the original thrash of the 80's. However, they certainly have the fire back. If there is one thing that I could change, it would be the mix. To me it sounds muddy. Outside of that, this is a 4 out of 5.

[Rypro 525]

I voted they're back. Although the production is meh, mainly because of the distortion and clipping in placing, the gh version does sound much better, but i would buy a remix/remastered version.

[Maxflier]

I am right in between amazing and meh.


Same here.

[Josh-da-man]

DM feels like a bridge between AJFA and the black album, more than anything else. It's almost like they disregarded everything they did since 1990 and started over again.

On a scale of one to ten, I would rate their albums as follows:

Kill'em All - 8/10
Ride the Lightning - 9/10
Master of Puppets - 10/10
...And Justice for All - 7/10
Metallica - 4/10
Load - 5/10
ReLoad - 4/10
St Anger - 1/10
Death Magnetic - 7/10

[KillerCannibal]

Aside from the fact that the production leaves a little to be desired, it's a kick ass album with some of the best material they've written since '91.

Here's how I'd rank their catalog:

Kill 'Em All - 10/10
Ride the Lightning - 10/10
Master of Puppets - 10/10
...And Justice for All - 10/10
Metallica - 8/10
Load - 5/10
ReLoad - 4/10
St. Anger - 4/10
Death Magnetic - 8/10

[Jacoby Ellsbury]

there should be an IMDB for cd's

I dont know how you could rate the black album a 4. If it wasnt their most mainstream album I wonder if you would have a different view. Maybe you see it as the beginning of the end. I remember people getting upset that they cut their hair prior to Load.
As people have said the new album sounds good but it does seem like hetfield is the weak link this time around as the lyrics dont match the instruments on this album. Hetfield has held his own in past albums though

[The Cow]

I am right in between amazing and meh.
This.

[Damed]

This.

Same.

[MACD23]

DM feels like a bridge between AJFA and the black album, more than anything else. It's almost like they disregarded everything they did since 1990 and started over again.

On a scale of one to ten, I would rate their albums as follows:

Kill'em All - 8/10
Ride the Lightning - 9/10
Master of Puppets - 10/10
...And Justice for All - 7/10
Metallica - 4/10
Load - 5/10
ReLoad - 4/10
St Anger - 1/10
Death Magnetic - 7/10


4/10 on the black album? really? Its all subjective of course, but I don't see that.

Kill 'Em All 7/10
Ride the Lightning 9/10
Master of Puppets 9/10
...And Justice for All 9/10
Metallica (Black album) 8/10
Load 7/10 (this is good music, just not Metallica's traditional style).
Reload 5/10
St Anger 2/10
Death Magnetic 8/10

[foofighters7]

I like the new album but it didnt blow me away.

Kill'em All - 7/10
Ride the Lightning - 6/10
Master of Puppets - 8/10
...And Justice for All - 6/10
Metallica - 9/10
Load - 8/10
ReLoad - 6/10
St Anger - 6/10
Death Magnetic - 6/10

[panchor]

I like the new album but it didnt blow me away.

Kill'em All - 7/10
Ride the Lightning - 6/10
Master of Puppets - 8/10
...And Justice for All - 6/10
Metallica - 9/10
Load - 8/10
ReLoad - 6/10
St Anger - 6/10
Death Magnetic - 6/10

C'mon, I know everyone has their own opinion but St Anger is as good as And Justice For All and Ride The Ligthning? And Load is the second best Metallica album?

[Mordred]

Kill 'Em All - 9/10 <- the version with Blitzkried and Am I Evil, the original would be an 8/10
Ride the Lightning - 10/10
Master of Puppets - 11/10 <-- I consider this the greatest metal album of all time
...And Justice for All - 10/10
Metallica - 8/10
Load - 5/10
ReLoad - 6/10
St. Anger - 4/10
Death Magnetic - 8/10

[SkullOrchard]

I like the new album but it didnt blow me away.

Kill'em All - 7/10
Ride the Lightning - 6/10
Master of Puppets - 8/10
...And Justice for All - 6/10
Metallica - 9/10
Load - 8/10
ReLoad - 6/10
St Anger - 6/10
Death Magnetic - 6/10
Yikes!

[foofighters7]

thats right I think Load is their 2nd best, I love the writing of that album, and I put it 2nd just because I think Metallica has more depth.

I didnt say St. Anger was as GOOD as And Justice For All. I rated them the same but they were both rated 6 for different reasons. I dont think AJFA is a TOP album by them, yet I like enough about STA that I rated it that high.

I think the drums in STA are completly different than anything Lars had did and I thought it was a great sound, the writing wasnt tops but I liked things about it. I would put AJFA much higher up on a list of best albums than STA if rated against other albums, but Im rating them within themselves, not compared or up against other albums by other artist.

[starseed1981]

Kill'em All - 9/10
Ride the Lightning - 10/10
Master of Puppets - 10/10
...And Justice for All - 8/10
Metallica - 6/10
Load - 4/10
ReLoad - 3/10
St Anger - -1/10
Death Magnetic - 7/10

[Darth Maher]

As people have said the new album sounds good but it does seem like hetfield is the weak link this time around as the lyrics dont match the instruments on this album. Hetfield has held his own in past albums though

This is why is my opinion as well. I'm loving the music, but when Hetfield kicks in, it kind of tears me away. I'm still waiting for it to grow on me more.

[ardathbey]

I went with amazing but I don't think they ever went away. I for one love the Black Album and the Loads.

[sauce07]

I didn't like the album that much, so I voted sucks. Maybe i'll like it more on a repeat listening but it just doesn't cut it for me.

[MACD23]

thats right I think Load is their 2nd best, I love the writing of that album, and I put it 2nd just because I think Metallica has more depth.

I didnt say St. Anger was as GOOD as And Justice For All. I rated them the same but they were both rated 6 for different reasons. I dont think AJFA is a TOP album by them, yet I like enough about STA that I rated it that high.

I think the drums in STA are completly different than anything Lars had did and I thought it was a great sound, the writing wasnt tops but I liked things about it. I would put AJFA much higher up on a list of best albums than STA if rated against other albums, but Im rating them within themselves, not compared or up against other albums by other artist.

What kills me is that Load is a really good album, its just not the Metallica we all loved so much in the 80s. Standing alone Load is a 8 or 9/10 but when considering its Metallica and comparing it to previous albums it falters. Bleeding Me is my favorite song on there, its just great.

But what is up with your 6/10 on Ride the Lightning and AJFA? Those albums were prime examples of Metallica at their best.

[MACD23]

I didn't like the album that much, so I voted sucks. Maybe i'll like it more on a repeat listening but it just doesn't cut it for me.

Give it a fair chance and several plays. I think the weakest 3 songs happen to be the opening 3. Its brilliance after that, imho.

[bunkaroo]

My obligatory rankings:

Kill 'Em All - 8/10
Ride The Lightning - 9/10
Master Of Puppets - 10/10
And Justice For All - 9/10
Black Album - 7.5/10
Load - 6/10
Reload - 4/10
St. Anger - 1/10
Death Magnetic - 7/10

[foofighters7]

I just never felt that close to RTL or AJFA although I like AJFA more than RTL.
there are some good songs on AJFA but overall just not a fav of mine.

Yes, Load is quite different from everything else before it, but I really liked the departure and I think they took a huge chance with doing that album. I remember many of my friends who were huge on Metallica were pissed when it came out, then others really got it and said, yeah I see what they are doing, they realize they dont always have to make Master of Puppets, they can do different types of music and still be great.

[Snowmaker]

Where's the choice for, "I'd like it better if it wasn't for the mix/distortion problem"?

[notkevinbacon]

there should be an IMDB for cd's


There's AllMusic.com. Not quite the same as IMDB, but pretty close.



As for the new album...Personally, I found each new CD I disliked more and more (last one I got was ReLoad and the exception here is S&M... that was neat) and haven't had the desire to hear a Metallica song in 10 years... I just don't consider myself a fan of these guys anymore. (FWIW I always thought Ride The Lightning was their best record)

I listened to the St. Anger single for a good laugh. And checked out a few of the songs on DM expecting it to be as bad. It's not. There are actually a few good riffs on the new CD, but I just feel I outgrew this band... I think the major problem is Hetfield... his vocals just don't work for me at all anymore... not too mention lyrically these guys have never been very profound or interesting by any means, but it just used to work.

[MACD23]

Where's the choice for, "I'd like it better if it wasn't for the mix/distortion problem"?

Read my OP.

[cdollaz]

I think the drums in STA are completly different than anything Lars had did and I thought it was a great sound,

Of all of the comments I have heard about St. Anger, this is the first time I have heard anyone say they liked the drum sound. Personally (along with everyone else I have heard speak on the matter), I think it sounds like shit.

[chino77]

i voted its ok.

Kill 'Em All - 7/10
Ride The Lightning - 10/10
Master Of Puppets - 10/10
And Justice For All - 11/10
Black Album - 8/10
Load - 2/10
Reload - 2/10
St. Anger - 1/10
Death Magnetic - 6/10

[db27]

Kill em' All with Blitz and Evil = 8/10

RTL = 6/10 (due to escape and trapped under ice)

Master = 10/10 the measuring stick, the greatest achievement which can never be matched IMO

Justice = 8/10, just short of brilliant but the lack of bass has always bothered me

Black = 7/10, I don't care if it alienated peeps, it is amazing but overproduced

Load = 6/10 Only a couple tracks that didn't do it for me, overall I loved the departure and enjoy some of these tracks as well as anything in the catalog

Reload = 5/10 A lot more filler on this one, but still some great tracks. Fixxxer alone is worth the price of admission for me.

St Anger = 3/10, I respect this more than I enjoy it. I get that it was a necessary step in the evolution or life of the band, and think it was more intended for them as such. I do not revisit often though some of the tracks I LOVE like Unnamed Feeling, SKOM. I much prefer them live as the garage band mix is not good. The songs are better than the treatment they were given for the most part IMO.

Death Magnetic = 6/10 Great disc, no stinkers for me song wise. This is "safe" and a return to form so to speak, nothing really "new" but feels like it all belongs. Lyrically its great that Het is back to writing on his own. I'm glad Kirk hits the solos, but I would love to hear more "non-shred" efforts like the loads, of course I don't think they would fit that well. I think the next album could be 9/10 best upon the direction they have moved combined with new ideas and Rob.

And for kix, I loved Garage Days and S&M (and will always wish for studio non-symphony versions of -human and no leaf clover :)

[Jason]

I voted amazing, but I'm about 75% amaxing/25 meh

Kill 'Em All - 7/10
Ride The Lightning - 9/10
Master Of Puppets - 10/10
And Justice For All - 8/10
Black Album - 7/10
Load - 4/10
Reload - 2/10
St. Anger - 3/10
Death Magnetic - 8/10

[mndtrp]

They are back! I was just listening to it today in the morning. You can put That Was Just Your Life or Borken, Beat & Scarred in And Justice For All and they will fit perfectly.

http://signofjonah.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/bork.jpg


I like the album quite a bit. In fact, the only album of theirs I don't like is St. Anger.

[ryuryu2949]

Kill'em All - 6/10
Ride the Lightning - 11/10 (Fade, Creeping, even the instrumental is awesome)
Master of Puppets - 10/10
...And Justice for All - 7/10 (One rocks, but aside from Blackened, I don't dig the rest)
Metallica - 10/10 (as popular as this, it is still underrated)
Load - 6/10
ReLoad - 4/10
St Anger - 3/10
Death Magnetic - ?/10 (haven't heard it yet, but just downloaded for GHIII, so no mix issues for me)

[darkside]

It started out pretty strong, but I lost interest about 5 songs in. That said this is a major upgrade over the past few albums. However, compared to current metal bands like The Sword this just doesn't hold up for me anymore.

[Vandelay_Inds]

Kill - 9
Ride - 10
Master - ∞
...And - 9
Metallica - 5
Load - 4
Reload - 4
Garage - 6
S&M - 3
St. Anger - 2
Death - am reluctant to hear it

[nodeerforamonth]

Here are the correct answers:

Kill 'Em All - 9/10
Ride The Lightning - 10/10
Master Of Puppets - 8/10
And Justice For All - 7/10
Black Album - 2/10
Load - 3/10
Reload - 3/10
St. Anger - 6.5/10 (0/10 for production)
Death Magnetic - 9/10

I'll throw in these too:

$5.98 Garage Days Re-Revisited: 10/10
Garage Inc: 8/10
S&M: 2/10

[B5Erik]

I'm just finishing DM for the first time, and it sounds like what Metallica should sound like. It's the album that I thought they SHOULD have followed up the Black Album with.

Kill - 7/10
Ride - 9/10
Master - 10/10
Justice - 9/10
Black - 7/10
Load - 6/10
Reload - 6/10
Anger - 2/10
Magnetic - 8/10

I think it fits in very well with the three classic Metallica albums, although it is the weakest of that bunch it is still the best Metallica album OTHER than those three (Ride, Master, Justice), IMO.

[Joeboo835]

I wonder how people would feel about St. Anger if it was mixed without that snare drum sounding so bad. I actually really like hte disc, but its annoying to listen to. I like the Some Kind of Monster version thats on that single. Sounds great without the tin can.

If i had to rank them, i'd go

Master
AJFA
DM
Ride
Black
Load
Reload
SA

keep in mind, i still think there are some great tunes on the loads and st. anger. They just don't come near the quality of the other 6.

[Josh-da-man]

4/10 on the black album? really? Its all subjective of course, but I don't see that.

Couple of reasons.

One, I can't, in good conscience, give Load and Reload higher than 5/10. And I also prefer those two albums to the black album. The album only has a handful of songs I like (Sad But True, Through the Never, Unforgiven) and quite a few that I flat out despise (Don't Tread on Me, Nothing Else Matters), which is a first for Metallica. Until that point, I have never hated a Metallica song. In the end, while Load and Reload are flawed albums, I appreciated the experimentation on them. I probably would have rated them higher if they had only released a single album with the best, most experimental material from both albums.

Two, I was very disappointed in the black album. It was a naked attempt at mainstreaming the band: shorter, radio friendly songs; a "ballad;" simpler, "catchier" songs. It was like Metallica had taken on all of the characteristics of the "metal" bands who sent us into Metallica's camp in the first place.

[foofighters7]

Of all of the comments I have heard about St. Anger, this is the first time I have heard anyone say they liked the drum sound. Personally (along with everyone else I have heard speak on the matter), I think it sounds like shit.


hahaha

Well I'm a drummer too, and no matter what others think he tried to change it up and make a different sound than anything he had did before it. I applaude change for the sake of change so you dont get in a rut.

I could see why some wouldnt like it, but again I'm a drummer...I like different drumming sounds and techniques. I think that was the best part of the album.

[johnbook]

As for the new album...Personally, I found each new CD I disliked more and more and haven't had the desire to hear a Metallica song in 10 years... I just don't consider myself a fan of these guys anymore. I listened to the St. Anger single for a good laugh. And checked out a few of the songs on DM expecting it to be as bad. It's not. There are actually a few good riffs on the new CD, but I just feel I outgrew this band... I think the major problem is Hetfield... his vocals just don't work for me at all anymore... not too mention lyrically these guys have never been very profound or interesting by any means, but it just used to work.[/QUOTE] by notkevinbacon

Agree...

Kill - 10/10
Ride - 10/10
Master - 10/10
Justice - 10/10
Black - 10/10
Load - 3/10
Reload - 2/10
Anger - 1/10 - worst piece of shit i ever spinned, and only studio metallica cd i don't own.
Magnetic - 4/10 - out of the 10 songs i really like 3, the end of the line, broken beat & scarred and cyanide

$5.98 Garage Days Re-Revisited: 10/10
Garage Inc: 8/10
S&M: 1/10

[macnorton]

I must be in the minority...I still kind Kill'em All to be the best Metallica has done. But make no mistake, Puppets and Ride The Lightning are amazing records, I just think Kill'em All captures the essence of Metallica.

[erlong]

Same here.

Ditto. At least Lars isn't banging on a trash can this time. St. Anger would've been awesome without that.

[tcoursen]

I think it is a very good CD. Much better than St. Anger.

Was thinking about getting the DL for Guitar Hero, but these songs are going to be way hard to play in those games. I don't see how I could play them in hard on that game.

[bunkaroo]

I must be in the minority...I still kind Kill'em All to be the best Metallica has done. But make no mistake, Puppets and Ride The Lightning are amazing records, I just think Kill'em All captures the essence of Metallica.

I think Kill 'Em All is not quite as "serious" in tone as the later 80's records. I would argue some of the beautiful parts Metallica has created didn't start happening until RtL (Fade To Black). Kill 'Em All is just a straight ahead metal-fest whereas the later 80's records seem to try to aspire to something more.

[chino77]

Here are the correct answers:

Kill 'Em All - 9/10
Ride The Lightning - 10/10
Master Of Puppets - 8/10
And Justice For All - 7/10
Black Album - 2/10
Load - 3/10
Reload - 3/10
St. Anger - 6.5/10 (0/10 for production)
Death Magnetic - 9/10

I'll throw in these too:

$5.98 Garage Days Re-Revisited: 10/10
Garage Inc: 8/10
S&M: 2/10

really the black album is worse than everything after? st anger 6.5? wtf?

[chino77]

hahaha

Well I'm a drummer too, and no matter what others think he tried to change it up and make a different sound than anything he had did before it. I applaude change for the sake of change so you dont get in a rut.

I could see why some wouldnt like it, but again I'm a drummer...I like different drumming sounds and techniques. I think that was the best part of the album.

im a drummer too...how in the hell can you like the drums on st anger? its fucking awful!

[chino77]

this site is messed up today

[MACD23]

I listened to Load again today in the car, its a good record (its just not really Metallica's style)...............Then I put in DM........WOW. Try playing mama said on Load and then put in Death Magnetic, any track save Unforgiven III...................Death Magnetic is soooooooo much better and more their style, and its brutal, heavy, intricate, and fast.

[Vandelay_Inds]

Well, I've now listened to a couple of songs. I don't like it so far. Feels contrived. Need to listen more.

[Damone]

Kill 'Em All - 9/10
Ride The Lightning - 10/10
Master Of Puppets - 10/10
Garage Days Re-Revisited - 10/10
And Justice For All - 10/10
Black Album - 7/10
Load - 4/10
Reload - 4/10
St. Anger - 1/10
Death Magnetic - 7/10
i actually think i remember liking re-load a hair better than load but it's neither here nor there....we should all collectively forget that metallica released albums between the black album and death magnetic (although some of the new covers from garage inc were good i'll admit)

[monkey]

Kill 'Em All - 9/10
Ride The Lightning - 9/10
Master Of Puppets - 10/10
And Justice For All - 9/10
Black Album - 8/10
Load - 7/10
Reload - 7/10
St. Anger - 5/10
Death Magnetic - 8/10

[MACD23]

Well 95% or so think its either ok or amazing, so thats an improvement. A strong 69%-70% think its amazing. I've seen similar response elsewhere on the web, I think its safe to say overall the band will do very well with this release.

Looking forward to seeing their show in Boston in January!

[Abe.]

Didn't really like it the first few times, but now I can't put it down!

[nodeerforamonth]

really the black album is worse than everything after? st anger 6.5? wtf?

Easily.

If you listen to everything in order, the Black Album is so out of place after "And Justice...", it's not even funny. And if you did what I did, buy all the albums on release date and trade for every single bootleg via snail mail as they became available over the years (i.e. meaning did a TON of listening to Metallica from '83-'89), the change in pace and song structure of the Black Album is WAY out of place. Like every album since "Ride...", I bought the Black Album the day it came out (was a month or two late on "Kill 'Em All"). Except for "Enter Sandman" which I think was great, I thought the album sucked and returned it the next day to get my money back.

St. Anger WAS a "return to their roots" (well... minus the guitar solos). It was a return to 8 minute songs with tempo changes and song structures. It's just that that damn snare drum and HORRIBLE production killed that album. (All my ratings were based on song quality, not production)

[cdollaz]

You return music you don't like?

[nodeerforamonth]

You return music you don't like?

Huh? Me? I'm open minded. One bad album (or in Metallica's case, IMO, 4 bad albums in a row) does not negate everything else a band has ever done. And in Metallica's case, even though they had some really bad albums (Black Album, Load, Reload, S&M, etc...), they always had enough there to keep me interested (b-sides, live shows, "Garage Inc", etc...) and coming back in hopes for another good album. And they did so with "Death Magnetic".

[bunkaroo]

The Black Album was a very jarring change for them.

I spent 1988-1991 learning and playing every Metallica song I could at home and with my band. After investing myself that much into the band it was pretty tough to swallow a song like "Enter Sandman".

The Black Album is a good record IMO and it definitely comes across better in hindsight given what came after, but at the time most serious Metallica fans were pretty put off, at least the ones I knew. Hell I remember when the "One" video came out people already suspected a "sellout", and the Black album seemed to confirm it in spades. All of a sudden everyone and their cousin was a casual Metallica fan.

I still think St. Anger is a steaming pile though, and don't think it has much of anything in common with the 80's stuff.

[nodeerforamonth]

Hell I remember when the "One" video came out people already suspected a "sellout",

SO many people, in fact, that when they release the "One" video on VHS, Lars put a big announcement on it defending their change on their stance of putting out videos!

[Carcaridon]

St. Anger WAS a "return to their roots" (well... minus the guitar solos). It was a return to 8 minute songs with tempo changes and song structures. It's just that that damn snare drum and HORRIBLE production killed that album. (All my ratings were based on song quality, not production)

I have to agree. I actually like most of the songs on St. Anger. There's some good song writing going on there. It's just more of a demo. If they would have polished it up by re-recording and mixing it correctly, it wouldn't have had such a backlash like it did.

[Abe.]

I actually liked St. Anger from the beginning. I was actually really shocked when I read so much negative reviews about it. I guess it was just a welcomed change to me, but not for others. The odd production value made the record unique to me.

Death Magnetic gets better after every listen.

[brianluvdvd]

there should be an IMDB for cd's



There is kinda: www.allmusic.com

[Jason]

I have to agree. I actually like most of the songs on St. Anger. There's some good song writing going on there. It's just more of a demo. If they would have polished it up by re-recording and mixing it correctly, it wouldn't have had such a backlash like it did.

Sooner or later, a metal band is going to cover something from St. Anger, and show that they are good songs, just poorly recorded.

[chino77]

Easily.

If you listen to everything in order, the Black Album is so out of place after "And Justice...", it's not even funny. And if you did what I did, buy all the albums on release date and trade for every single bootleg via snail mail as they became available over the years (i.e. meaning did a TON of listening to Metallica from '83-'89), the change in pace and song structure of the Black Album is WAY out of place. Like every album since "Ride...", I bought the Black Album the day it came out (was a month or two late on "Kill 'Em All"). Except for "Enter Sandman" which I think was great, I thought the album sucked and returned it the next day to get my money back.

St. Anger WAS a "return to their roots" (well... minus the guitar solos). It was a return to 8 minute songs with tempo changes and song structures. It's just that that damn snare drum and HORRIBLE production killed that album. (All my ratings were based on song quality, not production)

everyone knows the black album was different and a jarring experience to older fans (including myself) it doesnt mean load and reload are better though. load and reload are a bit softer than TBA. so why didnt those jar you even further?

as for st anger...so return to form is good even though the songs were awful? no it wasnt just the snare and production the cd sucked major ass.

[nodeerforamonth]

everyone knows the black album was different and a jarring experience to older fans (including myself) it doesnt mean load and reload are better though. load and reload are a bit softer than TBA. so why didnt those jar you even further?

I like one song off The Black Album ("Enter Sandman"; and I've heard it enough times, I don't care if I ever hear it again.) I like about 4 songs off "Load" and 3 off "Reload".

as for st anger...so return to form is good even though the songs were awful? no it wasnt just the snare and production the cd sucked major ass.

Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one. And they all stink. What may be "awful" songs to you, may be "ok" to "pretty good" to me. Sorry your tastes are different than mine.

[nodeerforamonth]

Sooner or later, a metal band is going to cover something from St. Anger, and show that they are good songs, just poorly recorded.

Actually, Metallica did it on the rehearsal on the DVD that came with the CD, but I guess most people who hate St Anger just downloaded the actual CD and didn't bother to get or listen to that DVD.

And the remix of "Some Kind Of Monster" (i.e. the edit version) that Bob Rock actually produced in the style of his previous work was pretty great! I wish he would just redo the whole album like that.

[Rypro 525]

i think the remix of 'some kind of monster was recorded pre James in rehab, since in the movie of the same name, they are seen recording that.

[MACD23]

i think the remix of 'some kind of monster was recorded pre James in rehab, since in the movie of the same name, they are seen recording that.

I just watched Some Kind of Monster for the first time....Bob Rock says "The idea behind this new album (St Anger) is to sound like a band coming together in a garage for the first time...except that band is Metallica"...........What a dumbass.

Thankfully Death Magnetic, even with its production issues is light years better than the sound they went for in St Anger.

[nodeerforamonth]

I just watched Some Kind of Monster for the first time....Bob Rock says "The idea behind this new album (St Anger) is to sound like a band coming together in a garage for the first time...except that band is Metallica"...........What a dumbass.


No shit. The "No Life Til Leather" demo, when they were REALLY a garage band, sounds light years better than "St Anger".

[boc4ever]

Death Magnetic is really growing on me. I liked it when I first put it on, but now I'm listening to it about every other day.

I am sure there will be many that vehemently disagree, but the Black album really was the beginning of the period where they lost me.

The first three Metallica albums were hands down, classics that defined a genre. They were hungry musicians with something to prove. This hunger showed in their music. They were angry, aggressive and laid the foundation for a slew of copycat bands through the 80's.

After the success of And Justice For All, they lost their edge imho. Yes, there are some great songs on the Black album, but they are mostly mid tempo, slow and lyrically unimaginative. The "crunch" is what I loved about them.

I completely lost interest in them for Load and enjoyed Fuel from Re-load. I loved the garage album and thought St. Anger was a disaster.

The new album really strikes me as the next step after Justice. Improved vocals, some speed tunes, some epic songs and overall, something to prove.

[Vandelay_Inds]

The problem is they don't have anything to sing about anymore. They can rehash the music but not the spirit of the first four albums. They'd be better served abandoning any intention of sounding like they did back then, and making music that is artistically meaningful and coherent - even if it ends up being in a different genre altogether. At one point I remember Kirk talking about being fascinated with Coltrane. Why not explore that?

[chino77]

Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one. And they all stink. What may be "awful" songs to you, may be "ok" to "pretty good" to me. Sorry your tastes are different than mine.

at least you apologized!

[scott1598]

this album sounds like it was made for one thing... "Guitar Hero III".

the lyrics are hardly evident and i am one for good lyrics that i can cling to. the black album is probably one of my favs of all time and this doesn't come close. i was really looking forward to "Unforgiven III" after loving the first two, but this one was very forgetable.

it is deftly made however, just not my cup.

[wishbone]

I have had a chance to listen to the album several times and it has grown on me. The riffs do have a late '90s thrash feel to them so the album would seem to fit between Justice and the Black Album. I have heard the Guitar Hero 3 versions and they are way better. I will vote "amazing" in the poll but it is a sad realization that this is probably as good as gets for Metallica. :(

BTW, I have heard several riffs being used for background music in sports highlight clips.

[freshticles]

Kill'em All - 9/10
Ride the Lightning - 10/10
Master of Puppets - 10/10
...And Justice for All - 9/10
Metallica - 4/10
Load - 3/10
ReLoad - 2/10
St Anger - -0/10
Death Magnetic - 6/10