At last!

After 5 years of waiting, of which two were of writing gestation, Metallica is back with a new album: Death Magnetic.

This new album comes with a load of unprecedented expectations, and demanding by the millions of fans and critics a more first-Metallica sound.

Once the producer, and in some way occulted band member, Bob Rock was fired and replaced by Rick Rubin (long time and much appreciated producer) and once they finally hired Robert Trujillo on bass permanently, Metallica was able to create an album of great promises in terms of sound like the previous historical works that made the band what is today; something that they partly attempted with St. Anger.

Promise that was actually kept with 10 pieces that echo the Metallica first album (including the tracks distribution within the album) and with a almost old-fashioned logo’s cover; infact if the album were called “back to the roots” instead of Death Magnetic, I do not think anyone wouldn’t have complained.

Death Magnetic’s songs are not bad, overall well played (but for a sense of weariness coming from Lars Urlich) with Hetfield and Hammett big guitar riffs and gear’s switch in the typical old Metallica style. Theoretically these songs should mostly satisfy the long-time fans or those who prefer more trashy loudness rather than who started to listen at them after the black album.

But?

But this album does not convince me all the way; beyond the not well done mastering (unfortunately increasingly common problem), the songs are not as bad and it’s not about the “already heard it” (which is something we could have expected), because it’s not what we wanted after all? Otherwise why seek a return to the past? It’s not even about technical problems or loss of voice, since James Hetfield still has a beautiful voice, or even about strange stylistic and melodic choices (beside some Lars’ patterns that quite puzzled me); it’s not even because Trujillo who I think is well set into the band mechanism.

The problem is that despite the obvious Metallica and Rubin’s efforts, they cannot recreate that magic atmosphere of the first album. There’s not much to do. This album has little soul; the efforts made to go back to the roots are noticeable but I repeat, there’s not much to do about it. Metallica are no longer angry teens with the great desire to communicate something first of all to themselves and then to the world, they are different people now (and is not up to us to judge whether they are better or worse). The technical skills and partly the creative abilities are still there but they lack of what makes a song special.

It is very likely they will make that up during live shows thanks to the fans emotional thrust who always throng Metallica‘s concerts; unfortunately this possible driving force didn’t show on Death Magnetic, despite the band and Rick Rubin’s good will.

Ultimately this Metallica’s album comes with lights and shadows that are definitely tied to personal taste. As far as I’m concerned it’s neither a bad album but nor a masterpiece; it seems rather a transition recording that compared to St. Anger steps forward.

To be listen to but without too many expectations otherwise we risk to be disappointed.

Mario (novembre 2008)    translation by Barbara Burgio

Tracklist:

1. That Was Just Your Life

2. The End of the Line

3. Broken, Beat & Scarred

4. The Day That Never Comes 5

5. All Nightmare Long

6. Cyanide

7. The Unforgiven III

8. The Judas Kiss

9. Suicide & Redemption

10. My Apocalypse