review: Metallica- "Death Magnetic"

rating: 7/10

Metallica must have the world’s only time machine and the band’s new album, “Death Magnetic” is the proof.

During Metallica’s field trip back to 1989, they rediscovered how to write thrash metal with progressive elements. For Metallica – and the music industry – the field trip was brilliant. “Death Magnetic” is the best album the band has released since the self-titled “black” album in 1991.

“Death Magnetic” is similar in style and composition to Metallica’s legendary trio of albums, “Ride the Lightning,” “Master of Puppets” and “ ...And Justice for All.”

The album opens with the excellent track “That Was Just Your Life,” which is very reminiscent of the first track, “Battery,” on “Master of Puppets.” The first single, “The Day That Never Comes,” has a similar vibe to the smash-hit “One.”

Additionally, the second-to-last track is an instrumental on “Death Magnetic,” just like the second-to-last tracks on the aforementioned legendary trio – though “To Live is to Die” on “...And Justice for All” featured lyrics at the end of the song.

Unfortunately, “Death Magnetic” does very little to surprise the listener by covering any new ground. After the fiasco called “St. Anger,” the band probably made the better decision to “play it safe” on this album.

However, that’s not to say the band didn’t improve in any area when compared to the band’s ’80s albums. James Hetfield’s vocal abilities improved exponentially with age and “Death Magnetic” finally gave him the chance to show off what he’s learned since 1989.

Many of the songs on the album improve upon the song structure used in the song “Master of Puppets.” Instead of relying on the verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/chorus method of song construction, the band often structures the songs in dual-movement, followed by a reprise of the first-movement structure.

In the end, it is up to Metallica’s fans to decide if “Death Magnetic” is enough. Though a very good album, it is the band’s only high-quality album to come out in the 17 years since the “black” album.

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