The hype machine is in full swing with Metallica’s ninth studio album Death Magnetic. After the abomination that was 2003’s St. Anger, the California metal band had to step up their game quite a bit to please not only their die-hard fans, but other fans that dwindled away from the band after St. Anger. With new bassist Robert Trujillo in tow, Metallica has proven that they still have gas left in the tank, while working to regain some of that flame that had died out in the 90’s.

From the opening riff fest of “That Was Just Your Life,” it is evident that this isn’t the same band that gave us “Fuel” and “2X4.” The thrash metal is back in full force, most noticeably in closer “My Apocalypse,” which harkens back to the “Damage Inc.” and “Dyers Eve” days, and “All Nightmare Long.” The band does slow down for the “One”/”Fade To Black” fused “The Day That Never Comes” and “Unforgiven III,” but tracks like the ten-minute instrumental “Suicide and Redemption” and the epic “The Judas Kiss” are always around the corner to get the album back on track.

There has been a lot of criticism about the sound quality of the album. I will agree that they mixed it way too loud, especially in the drum tracks, but the songwriting is solid enough that the production doesn’t completely ruin the album, as it did with St. Anger. It is just a shame that a great Metallica album is hindered, yet again, by the lackluster production job.

Death Magnetic is the band’s first step towards redemption in the eyes of metal fans. Kirk Hammett lets loose with his best guitar performance since the late 80’s and James Hetfield sings his heart out. Hell, even Lars Ulrich does a decent job on the drums, which is a huge accomplishment in itself. Death Magnetic is Metallica’s best album since …And Justice For All and an album that will show the metal community that Metallica is back to regain their position at the top of the metal throne.

Rating: 8 out of 10
Label: Warner Bros.
Website: www.Metallica.com

By Dan Marsicano

source: smnnews