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Poll

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW METALLICA ALBUM?

 Friday, September 12th, 2008 at 11:21am by

So, we spoke. And spoke. And spoke. And spoke. For an entire f’n day — about the new Metallica album, Death Magnetic.

Now it’s your turn.

Love it? Hate it? In between?

Go!

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  • iolanach

    Unsurprisingly, like pretty much everything Metallica have done in the past 15 or so years, it’s shit.

  • tim

    It’s certainly an improvement, but that’s like saying drinking a fresh cup of urine is better than drinking a stale cup of urine.

  • Reverend

    It’s not a new Black Album, or anything, but I like it more than I liked Load, or Reload, or St. Anger. I do gotta say, though, that the drums are a bit overpowering. They could so be tuned down a bit. But, I guess that’s Lars for ya…

  • Rafael

    I’d give it a 8,5 if the production was any good. Giving it a 7.

  • jonowev

    I’m just getting pissed off with the droves of people that are raving about it. Yes it’s technically good, but it’s a fairly lifeless and soulless album – as if they’re now making music for the sake of it. I’d give it about 8/10, but I can think of 10 or 15 albums that have come out so far this year that I prefer.

  • d.o.g.o.b.g.y.n.

    I’d give it a 7. There are more hits than misses, but the misses do stand out.

  • http://www.myspace.com/kirkstowerocks kirk

    the album is good. it’s not brilliant, it’s not the best album they’ve ever put out. it’s probably the best album they’ve released since ajfoa/the black album. in the current snapshot of metal today, it’s slightly dated, but that doesn’t make it bad. that makes it’s 4 40 something guys giving it their all, and out comes death magnetic.

    metallica deserve no extreme praise or ridicule for this album.

    the mastering/clipping failure will go down in history as one of the worst.

  • J CANTRELL

    Best album since and justice for all as far as im concerned!!!!

  • jonowev

    ^^ Not saying much!

  • miguel_g(Peru)

    8.5/10

    I like it. “the day…” is their worst single ever .

  • cink

    Like the people mentioned above, best album since ‘Justice’ and i’d probably give it a 8-9 rating. I like the direction and the fact that they actually could return with a good album after making some really horrible ones. And i’ve never even been a huge Metallica fan.

  • Qella

    Nothing they do will ever top their first 4 albums so we should stop hoping.
    You can’t argue that it’s rife with hooks aplenty.
    I’ll buy because it’s Metallica and I have everything else.
    The guitar is thrashier than they have been in a while but it still has it’s groovier parts.
    I do really enjoy this album and I think that if it wasn’t Metallica more good things would be said about it. If anyone cared to listen to it.
    On to the bad.
    Uh, where is the bass? I can’t hear it.
    Jesus Lars!! Either turn it down or learn to play. He’s really not that good is he!! I blame the mixer too.
    Oh James, if only your ego would allow you to get a new singer. I mean honestly, give it up. James could sing exactly like he did on Master of Puppets and I would still be disappointed because his performance on Load, Re-load and St. Anger ruined his voice for me. He’ll never be the same.
    There is a lot of albums this year that are better for sure so I am gonna give this a 7.5/10. Based on a “most improved award”, I think it’s fair.

  • http://metallicabb.com Northstar

    Wow. You guys are a bunch of pricks with no taste whatsoever. All you ever want is to criticize shit and are never happy. Grow the fuck up. I love the album based on what I’ve heard so far and don’t really give a shit what any prick on a forum or a website like metalsucks.com says. Anyone who gives such an ignorant comment such as, “It’s certainly an improvement…”. Well what the fuck would you consider “best”? Any black metal album? Give me a fucking break.

  • Roman

    Thought it was great. Not super fantastic, throw your mom in a ditch to get a copy, but it was definitely a lot better than I thought it was gonna be. It was raw, some songs clearly standing out among the rest. I agree with you guys — the worst songs were the ones released by Metallica. Overall worth picking up (or at least downloading).

  • John

    ^^You’re an idiot. How could you possibly listen to metallicas catalog of music, focus on the records they’ve released in the last 15 years after listening to their first four records, and think that this record is anymore more than an improvement.

    Go buy more metallica merch douchebag.

  • The real Lars

    This is our best album since Justice and you guys are all pussies if you hate our album….I am still the best drummer in the world!!!

  • jerm

    i think this is about all i can take about about this washed-up useless band.

  • John

    You know how in the NFL you have a ‘Comeback Player of the Year’…thats this album. Metallica shows why they are indeed in the elite. 8.5/10

  • Dr. Noodles

    bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla
    :-(

  • http://myspace.com/Rican_Zombie Andres

    I liked it. Then again, I’m one of those Metallica fans who likes anything they put out.

    I’m giving it an 8 out of 10.

  • DemonicLemming

    Meh. Just meh. Better than St. Anger (but what isn’t?), not as good as the Black album or, hell, even Reload. Most of the songs are too long (sitting around wondering when “All Nightmare Long” is going to end isn’t exactly how one enjoys a song).

    Is it horrible? No. Does it deserve all the bashing its getting, mainly from anti-Metallica cocksuckers who would hate ANYTHING, regardless of quality, that Metallica released? No. All in all, just a weak attempt to remind us that Metallica is still around, but they’re not really doing anything special or new.

    However, on a site where every single shitty generic deathcore band has a line of guys waiting to give every band member a handjob, its not too surprising that not a whole lot of people here like it. Not enough unintelligible, retarded “urrrrrrrr reeeeeeeee urrrrrrrrr” lyrics, I guess.

  • Jason

    Metallica will never make a record like AJFA or MOP ever again. They shouldn’t and couldn’t if they tried for a variety of reasons. No one gives any other band the amount of shit that Metallica gets. I am one of them, admittedly. I have hated on them, and rightfully so I think, since about ’91. That being said, this record is really fucking good. I think the majority of reviews on this site and others are complete shit. There is no way you can make a rational conclusion about the music without living with this record a little. If the points brought up still exist after that, then so be it. I have not listened to Metallica in ages and St. Anger damn near killed any possibility of me giving them a chance ever again but I always give them a shot. I am glad I did in this case. Very good record.

  • Voodoo Trucker

    I seem to be the only person that likes Cyanide. Could’ve been a complete shitfest, but they managed to write some really good hooks and jumble them together into an album. It works for the most part and it could’ve been significantly worse. Unforgiven 3 is the worst metal song so far this millenium. 3 out of 5

  • borden

    How ever long the new album is, is about how long it actually stayed on my i pod. garbage! The new video is one of the worst videos i’ve seen in along time too.

  • Daniel!

    I enjoy it. Some stuff is meh-licious (I have joined the long queue to kick “Unforgiven 3″ in the solar plexus, I admit) while some stuff is really, really good. Dated, yes, but then again Metallica live in their own little world and that’s nice. Cool to see Hetfield return to cartoon menace, but sometimes it feels like there’s little soul behind those riffs.

    A good 3 outta 5. My metal album of the year is still Textures at this rate

  • http://myspace.com/nickwieser Nickweiser

    blog.myspace.com/nickwieser

    go to that link to read my review for anyone intrested

  • Matt

    Beyond expectation, I am fucking impressed.

  • Virus of Profanity

    The drums are weak as hell, the snare still sounds like shit. I don’t like the production, it’s cleaner than St. Anger, much much cleaner but it’s still over the top raw for Metallica standards. The vocals could be better and they have been better. James’ voice even sounded better on St. Anger and judging from the live clips I’ve seen lately, he can’t hit the high notes live. Btw, there’s a new bassist, isn’t there? I guess, Trujillo only took over Newsted’s job. Nothing outstanding there. I guess, there really was just one guy who was allowed to shine on the bass in Metallica, Cliff. Hammett rocks this album. Great solos, can’t complain about anything about his work on this album. Hetfield also shines on his instrument. I love his rhythm work. Always admired that.
    All in all, Death Magnetic is a great Metallica album. I got some issues with it but this only makes it interesting. In my opinion My Apocalypse is the only weak song on the album cause it’s going nowhere at all. It just goes on and on. All Nightmare Long, The End of the Line, The Day that never comes and the Unforgiven III (could have been called different though) are the most outstanding tracks and those songs still blow me away each listen.

  • Mahkiavelli

    Pleasantly surprised – can’t give it more than a 6.5/10 though. The songs I like are pretty good, but there are 3 bonafide stinkers (Day that never comes, the instrumental and unforgiven3) and one that’s on the fence (Judas Kiss). To be honest, I didn’t think they had it in them. It’s nice to listen to some new Metallica that I don’t have to turn down anytime a car within listening range passes by…

  • Gravy

    It’s alright. If you ignor that this is Metallica and give it a chance. Some really killer spots!

  • jesse

    I expected way worse out of this album after hearing all the shit people have been talking about it. Of course a lot of the people bashing it are somehow taking it personally that Metallica ever went in a new direction in the Load/Reload days, which is insanely ignorant IMO.

    I’m definitely happy with this album. I could have gone without Unforgiven III, and The Day.. but all in all I think they came up with some really good, ear pleasing metal when it comes down to it.

    The only real complaint I have of this album is the double bass clipping on Cyanide. That song is borderline unlistenable because of it. Especially since clipping is something easily taken care of in the mixing process. Turn it down til the light doesn’t turn red anymore.. is it really that hard?

    The guitar sound is fucking amazing though. I love how crunchy that shit sounds. And welcome the fuck back Kirk! It’s great to hear him stand out on this album. Not to mention the harmonies him and James get into on a few of the songs.

    Rob adds a nice touch to the album too. He doesn’t stick out a lot.. but it’s nice having his flavor of the low end in there.

    7/10

  • Nick

    i mean this sincerely, DM is a bonafide 9…i just wish Shine/Holy Revolver riffs would have made the cut instead of the abysmal “main” riff of My Apocalypse…I actually like Unforgiven III, but that cheezy intro riff for My Apocalypse…wtf

    i am going to see them live, and am excited to hear this stuff live…that says ALOT after them continually disappointing me since age 13 (im 30 btw)…

  • Dan

    better than i expected and thats all i am looking for out of Metallica anymore…. its not the first 4, dont expect it to be. if thats your mindframe than your ahead of the game….if you think it will be like the first 4 than your just as clueless as most of the METAL SUCKS reviewers….its like someone played a trick on them, silly kids.

    its a good album 7.5/10 which is better than load, reload and st anger combined

  • Anthony

    6.5-7/10

    I like it I guess. The first 2-3 songs are great, but overall the album really doesn’t have any lasting appeal. I’ve only listened to it 3 or 4 times and it’s already starting to get boring. Oh, and Unforgiven III isn’t a good song at all. Other than that, there isn’t a bad song on the album. There are some that are good, some that are ok, and Unforgiven III which isn’t good.

    so yeah, maybe this album will grow on me, maybe it won’t, but due to All Hope is gone still fresh with me, and the upcoming releases of All That Remains and Unearth, Death Magnetic may not get that many spins in the near future, just due to competition

  • Fab

    7/10. I liked it more than I like Load Reload St Anger all combined together. I don’t expect Metallica to re-record another Master of Puppets or …And Justice For All anyway.

  • Fab

    I forgot, a big “thank you” to Rob Trujillo, without a bassist Metallica’s dead for sure.

  • NuMallCore Pwns YoMama

    7/10 is definitely a fair mark for this album. Granted, I’m a fanboy. I think if they trimmed the fat off this album (Unforgiven III and Suicide & Redemption), it would rank higher with everyone. The first track gave me a stiffy. I thought it was ’89 all over again.

  • Mike

    Wasn’t expecting much at all out of this album. Pleasantly fucking surprised though. I haven’t felt that “feeling” while listening to a Metallica album since ..and justice for all. It has a lot of “holy shit” moments. The recording still should have been way better. I don’t know why they have this fascination lately with having shitty recording quality. It sounds like it was never mastered. That’s terrible. The songs are good though…i just wish they would do the songs justice and record them properly. Rick Rubin… what the fuck?… This album could have been great. 7 out of 10.

  • NuMallCore Pwns YoMama

    Also, as most have noted, the mixing on the album sucks. Clipping in a few places. Drums too loud. Not enough bass. But for the most part, an enjoyable album.

  • joethecabdriver

    Gone are the days when Metallica wrote albums where every goddamn song was a classic. All Nightmare long is the best song they’ve written in 20 years. It fucking kills. People shit on The Day That Never Comes, but I can’t get it out of my head. That song grows on you. UnForgiven 3 is shit. Cyanide is so-so. But this album is packed with great riffs thoughout. It is riff porn. Thank you for remember the art of the riff, James, which was sadly lacking on St. Anger. Even the Load albums had some good riffs. This album almost is enough to make me forgive them for the $16 down the toilet for St. Anger.

  • Cretain

    I love it! Simple as that.

  • James Hetfield

    On behalf of all of us in Metallica, we would like to apologize for the shitty production, tin can drumming, no bass, twangy guitar sound, almost no heavy riffage, one lame thrashy song and zero vocal range.

    We identified the problem when we checked our bank accounts and remembered we had so much money that we said to ourselves “Whoah!! We’re rich guys!! We should do a techno album, I mean, after all we’re fucking Metallica!! We could record the sounds of our toilets flushing and we will still sell millions of records!!!”

    For those of you who did not buy our record, we say “Good for you man!! You’ve done the right thing” and for those who did buy our record we say “SUCKERS!!!!”

    Your’s in Techno….. er I mean toilet flushing…. er…. i mean Metal…. yeah, METAL,
    James Hetfield

  • elvin

    An Honest record with 3-4 really good songs. Grows with the spins because there’s no catchy songs but some of them are really too long. A good start for a second career for them in the metal arena.

    7.5

    (and i’m a megadeth fan, ’nuff said)

  • Jibberjabber

    Death Magnetic is one of those rare albums that I just can’t stop listening to.
    I’d expect it to become something of a classic, as has every other album that has demanded so much of my listening time.
    It’s great!

  • http://www.wvvy.org ezra

    I’m pretty sure that in the latest edition of Websters, the entry for “Tepid” will look like this:
    tep·id
    Pronunciation:
    \ˈte-pəd\
    Function:
    adjective
    Etymology:
    Middle English teped, from Latin tepidus, from tepēre to be moderately warm; akin to Sanskrit tapati it heats, Old Irish tess heat
    Date:
    14th century
    1: moderately warm : lukewarm
    2 a: lacking in passion, force, or zest b: marked by an absence of enthusiasm or conviction
    3: Death Magnetic
    — te·pid·i·ty \tə-ˈpi-də-tē, te-\ noun
    — tep·id·ly \ˈte-pəd-lē\ adverb
    — tep·id·ness noun

  • fortheloveofdog

    Good to see that Metallica/WB/Q Prime have their Metalliballlickers out in full force trying prop up this tired, lazy, uninspired piece of shit. Street team scum. Go work on a presidential campaign. If I wanted to hear riffs from any of the first four (even five) Metallica albums (and one EP), I’d fuckin’ put one of them on!

  • -gODGRINDER-

    I like it. I had to turn the treble down on my stereo to save my speakers from the mix, but all in all I am very pleased.

  • vance almighty

    i love it.

  • raiseyerfists

    Not bad. Coulda been a lot worse, had a few really good moments too.

  • Erek

    I’ve posted something like this elsewhere (the Megadeth forum, I think).

    “Death Magnetic” sounds kind of like the band took every reject from “…And Justice For All” up to “ReLoad”, tossed them up in the air and whatever landed on the table made it to the album.

    Each song have cool sections buried within, but as a whole they fail to deliver. The lyrics are pretty much terribad from start-to-finish, Kirk’s solo’s sound like he hadn’t touched the instrument since about 1986 and is trying to force his fingers to remember how to move–IE: clumsy, uninspired solo’s that either irritate or don’t go anywhere at all.

    Two things Metallica could have done to make Death Magnetic better: 1) fire Rick Rubin, and 2) stay in the studio for two more months going over the songs to trim the fat–love is a four-letter word…this I swear, indeed.

  • http://www.zmemusic.com Tibi

    It’s fucking crap. Nuf said.

  • Damotello

    It’s quite good I think, not the second coming of metal by any stretch of the imagination, but it does have some good songs that’ll be enjoyable to see live. Hell, I some them about a month ago and Cyanide was good. Though to be fair I was wasted.

  • MetalJoe

    It is a great album with a couple of weak spots. Thank you Rick Rubin for saving Metallica from Bob Rock.

  • Weston

    Much better than St. Anger, but still leaves me wishing it were something else. It has flurries of greatness, but not enough to make me totally enthralled with the album. Kirk is an ace musician and it’s cool to actually hear him show up on this album. Lars’ drumming sounds like a middle aged man trying to keep up with the Joey Jordison’s of the world. James still has the most amazing voice in rock, but the song writing lacks.

    I will give them props for continuing to try something new though. If it were truly a record made just for the sake of going on tour it would be chalk full of radio friendly, power chord laden riffs, I wouldn’t describe this as that. So an A for effort.

  • Whatever

    Glad i downloaded this crap FOR FREEEEEEE!!!!!! YES FREEEEEE!!!! i wouldnt pay a dime for this CD. The new Brittney Spears record would be something i would pay for. Piss on You NON drummer Lars. take some drumming lessons for As I Lay Dying or some other band that really knows how to beat them skins

  • GreenHouse Gasser22

    It’s growing on me. Parts kick ass and parts give me flashbacks of the shit they’ve been spewing since The Black Album. I dig the instrumental. All Nightmare Long is a great song with a stupid title. Unforgiven 3 is shit… total and complete shit. Judas is pretty good. The first 2 tracks got my blood pumping. Not a masterpiece by any means. Bad mix. Decent record though. It jams. Download it, spin it.

  • Metallicahater

    Can’t support these sell-outs anymore. Once a sell-out, always a sell-out. Black album made me lose all respect.

  • JahMuse

    Some really great playing on this one, exciting songs, a return to form but a total BLOW IT to the production team and for anyone in the path of this distorted POS. What a shame to capture the band back in form and then destroy the sound of the drums, especially the snare. Fall on the sword someone and fire the bastards who decided to use CAPS LOCK ALL THE TIME ON THIS CD WITH SOME REALLY GOOD TUNES. SORT OF A LOVE HATE THING ON THIS ONE. IF THIS IS THE FUTURE WAY THEIR CDS WILL BE RELEASED, CAN SOMEONE RELEASE THE NORMAL AND THEN THE ROOKIE RECODING TEAM VERSION NEXT TIME. WE ALL GOT SOLD THE LOUD ROOKIE RECORDING VERSION THIS TIME.

  • MetalMeatHammer

    And the band is back after a 20 year hiatus