It is no secrect on this blog that I have a lot of love for Metallica, though that love does wane the farther away from the 80's their discography gets. I think the self-titled LP is really good, but I think Load and Re-Load are only just okay. And yes, I don't like St. Anger; however, I did find a few cuts off Death Magnetic to be really great, and showed that the band was still able to channel their older, more thrash-based selves when they wanted to. So, expectations for what the band would do next were pretty high... fast forward 8 years and Metallica have FINALLY released their follow-up, Hardwired... To Self Destruct.
And if the title wasn't enough to tip the Metallica fans that the band would be hearkening back to the glory days with its overt reference to my personal favorite Metallica record ... And Justice For All.
And the teaser singles only confirmed fans suspicions, especially with cuts like "Atlas, Rise" which sounds like it could of been on Ride The Lightning, sans the screech that James Hetfield used to possess. But the real question remained, would this two disc, 80 minute album live up to the lofty expectation set by its title and singles? In my opinion, it does.
In fact, I can honestly say, with no exaggeration that this is the best album Metallica have put out since the self-titled album, maybe even ...And Justice For All. The first disc especially comes through with one heavy-hitter after another, "Hardwired" is a super fast thrash song that could have been on the band's debut, "Moth Into Flame" is a track that tips its hat to inspiration such as early Iron Maiden, and "Halo On Fire" synthesizes the sounds of Load/ Re-Load with that of the self-titled which leads to one of the most dynamic tracks that the band has released in decades.
And the second disc is no slouch either (despite what most other internet critics would have you believe) with tracks like "Here Comes Revenge", a dreary, sinister number and the tribute to metal legend Lemmy with "Murder One". And of course I can't forget the single greatest thing Metallica has done in the about 25 years, the track "Spit Out The Bone". This track is everything that makes Metallica great, the speed, the ferocity, and James' apocalyptic lyricism. "Spit Out The Bone" is easily one of the most enjoyable metal tracks I've listened to this year, and maybe even the last few years if I'm being completely honest.
Overall, Metallica just sounds so revitalized on this record, especially James, who sounds better than he has since the self-titled album. If I had to find things to complain about it would be Lars' tendency to stick to the same kinds of drum patters, a complaint that has been prevalent for the last few Metallica albums, and a couple of the tracks here pale in comparison to others, such as "Confusion" or "Now That We're Dead". Though I must reiterate, none of the tracks on Hardwired are bad, and most of them are stunningly awesome. My horns are raised in affirmation, Metallica is back.
8.8/10
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