Can you believe it? 40 years have passed since Metallica dropped their iconic debut album "Kill 'Em All" and they're still rockin' it with a new album called "72 Seasons"!
James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, the founding fathers of the band, have been through enough drama to fill multiple lifetimes, but they're not slowing down anytime soon. With Kirk Hammett shredding on guitar and Robert Trujillo thumping on bass, Metallica is here to stay. Rock on!
In a recent chitchat with Ulrich as part of a PR blitz to hype up their new album, the drummer spilled the beans that Metallica has no plans to quit anytime soon. Apparently, they're aiming to stick around for the next decade, if only to commemorate the anniversary of their game-changing album that paved the way for four even bigger ones.
While this declaration should be taken with a pinch of skepticism, the boys usually land where they set their sights, even if they tumble a few times along the way.
Despite a few weak and unnecessary albums, including the likes of St. Anger and Lulu with Lou Reed, and their infamous battle against Napster's music consumption methods, Metallica has been viewed by some as more of a financial conglomerate than a group of four men brought together solely for the sake of music.
However, there are still moments when the veteran band shows glimpses of their former glory, and their new album 72 Seasons, has a fair share of these moments.
72 Seasons is a marathon of a record, clocking in at a whopping 77 minutes of listening time. That's right, you'll need to clear your schedule and settle in for a long ride.
While the album has its share of standout tracks that'll leave your adrenaline pumping, there are also a few tracks that may leave you scratching your head and checking your watch. It's a wild ride through a range of emotions - from pure exhilaration to downright boredom.
The first quarter of the album is quite encouraging. The opening track echoes the classic Metallica sound from the 80s, with speedy riffs and Ulrich's aggressive drumming. Even though it's 7 and a half minutes long, it doesn't feel like it's overstaying its welcome.
Shadows Follow and Screaming Suicide (one of the album's highlights) is additional proof that the 2023 version of Metallica is nowhere near down for the count.
"72 Seasons" aims to reignite the fiery passion between Metallica's veteran fans and founding members by transporting them back to the genesis of their love affair. This moniker symbolizes the maturation journey of the band's creators, during which they forged their unique sound and style.
With triumphant fervor, they endeavor to recapture the essence that propelled their four seminal albums to legendary status in the 80s.
Despite a robust opening, the album falters in its ability to sustain intrigue. While Lux Æterna, the first single, is short and snappy, the band struggles to capture the listener's attention with its unremarkable hooks and predictable riffs, even Hammett's solo fails to impress. Likewise, Chasing Light fails to take the listener on a journey, falling short of expectations and leaving them unfulfilled.
Fear not, however, as the final four tracks reignite the familiar heights of Metallica's musical prowess.
The album's climax begins with the explosive "If Darkness Had a Son," as Ulrich leads a charge of electrifying guitar riffs that soar to the heavens, showcasing Metallica's ability to please its devoted followers.
"Too Far Gone?" and "Room of Mirrors" evoke the iconic Eighties Iron Maiden sound, which served as a significant influence for Ulrich's creative vision. And, at last, the signature track "Inamorata," clocking in at an impressive 11:10 minutes, is a complex masterpiece that showcases Ulrich's musical virtuosity, while also offering a rare moment of calm in an album that shuns ballads entirely.
During the album's entirety, it becomes evident that Metallica is not a band that takes shortcuts. Rather, they excel in elongated sections that showcase their two main strengths - powerful riffs, amplified by repetitive playing, combined with melodic development and surprising elements required in lengthy songs. This ability was refined during their peak in the 80s.
Metallica's skill in this area was further demonstrated in the successful Black album from the early 90s. It even attracted pop fans who never imagined enjoying a metal record.
In their latest albums, Death Magnetic and the double album Hardwired...to Self-Destruct, featuring Trujillo as a full member, Metallica maintained their roots while recapturing the energy of their early days, produced by the great Rick Rubin.
Although the latest album may not quite measure up to the legendary status of its forerunners, it still packs enough punch with its exceptional tracks to demonstrate that Metallica continues to reign as a formidable presence in its fifth decade as an active band.