[Tiwaz]

Well, the much anticipated 8th album of Metallica has been released today. Was the release date first set at 20th of June, then at the 10th, the album has been released the 5th, to prevent pre-release illegal distrubion. They seem to have failed. I had the album in high quality on my harddrive last Sunday. And I think some people have had it for several weeks, they got their hands on it via IRC. I can tell you this: I was planning to buy it. But I am glad I checked it out before running to the local store.

About the album:

It is simply not Metallica. Anyone who has been a Metallica fan since Lightning/Justice/Master will be even more astounded by this release than was the case with the 'Load' release, back in 1996. Admitted, I was expecting something new, a different style, but this is...well, the best description I can think of is a mix of Korn, Linkin Park, System of a Down with Pantera speed in some songs. No solo's, the drums are shallow and sound like Lars is using oil barrels for drums. Tha bass sounds incredibly Korny on some tracks. James is screaming all the time. I was surprised to say the least (at least they succeeded in that area).

There are 11 tracks on the album. All kind of sound the same. Actually, it sounds like it is one song of 78 minutes, oOo:
My favourite track at the moment is track 3. Has some variation in it. Main problem: After have listened to the entire album in one session I am soooo tired and almost immediately want to hear some popular Eurotrash dance music. It is 78 minutes of Metallica (?) raging. And that gets boring. Dull is the word that popped into my mind halfway the album.

Maybe I will start to appreciate the album after some time, but I have the feeling that even that is an overestimate. Like a friend of mine said: Wow, it almost sounds they have released a fake -but recorded by Metallica- album on the net to fool us all.

So, the album being such a letdown, I am much anticipating the Metallica videogame. Yes, you read that correctly. From what I've heard, leaning will be enabled by default and butt-scooting is possible. Who said Metallica was commercial? A Metallica videogame, what good can come from this?

Anyway, I'd rather seen a true, non-original Metallica release instead of this NU-metal crap. Like, say, 'The Black Album Reloaded', containing tracks as 'Exit Sandman' and 'The Unforgiven III'. Although some might argue if 'The Black Album' is a true Metallica album. I like it. Much as I like the preceding albums. St. Anger makes me angry.


[url=http://www.metallica.com/index.asp:1ed30]Metallica website[/url:1ed30]

[Eight Ace]

Originally Posted by Tiwaz

My favourite track at the moment is track 3. Has some variation in it. Main problem: After have listened to
the entire album in one session I am soooo tired and almost immediately want to hear some popular Eurotrash dance music.

.....damned by faint praise! freak:

[Akuma]

I completely agree. It just makes me sick...

This may have been Metallica's last chance to come back, and they fucked it up.

[Innoxx]

Yeah, I was quite disappointed. Tiwaz practically nailed it on the head. It's bad. I know they were trying to go old school with the fast riffs and whatnot, but they failed. It's not something that reminded me of the old days when metal didn't suck.

[pest]

People still listen to metal?

Do the metal bands still have big hair?

Kick it CC!!!! LOL

[MrLevinstein]

Originally Posted by pest

Do the metal bands still have big hair?

Some and yes people still listen to metal. Metal fans have to be the most diehard people I know. I didn't hate the album that much, it is incredably new metal but it really doesnt bother me. I regret saying this but james only was his greatest when he was drinking the lyrics were so much deeper than this. Although this album wasn't that bad it's way better than korn, system or anything. Lars's Drumming is HORRIBLE. WTF did he do? It has a metallic punch instead of a bassy punch and it aggrivates me. Well sorry to sound like a sheep during the first lines of this post it just doesnt aggrivate me that much.

The cover is incredably bad ass (not the fist but the rest)

[Zoner]

I bought it yesterday. I'll give you my take on each track in a little while.

[guarnere]

I must say, this album definatly has an old school Metallica feel to it, if you havn't been a fan of Metallica...you prolly dont know what im talking about cool:

I like almost every song on it, except for like 2 songs...but other than that, wow...I love it. Wicked heavy, wicked crazy, just plain wicked biggrin:

If you loved Metallica when they were fast and furious...get this...its right up your alley...hell, even my ex girlfriend who listens to like..Incubus and stuff, loves it...now thats cool cool:

Yep

[Milla]

The Unforgiven I and II are really good, Enter sandman is good, and fade to black is great. I never bother listening to other metallica music, and the song St. Anger kind of sucks.

[Zoner]

Every song you listed Millah are at the bottom of my Metallica faves list. biggrin:

[Zoner]

Ok, here's my song-by-song thoughts:

Frantic: Solid tune. A little disjointed, but the main riff is catchy enough to keep it in yer head. The outro kicks much ass.

St. Anger: Heavy as fuck in parts. Verses are a little mellow. Chorus reminds me of Megadeth a bit.

Some Kind of Monster: It's ok. Has good moments (at least Lars is not as friggin' pedestrian as he has been in the past few records), but it's fairly forgettable.

Dirty Window: Starts out sucking...but about 15 seconds in the pace quickens nicely and it keeps up for the most part. Heaviest tune they've recorded since "Through The Never"

Invisible Kid: Starts out pretty heavy...having a hard time getting past Lars's snare. It's too tinny and thin. Dunno what Bob was thinking. Anyway, catchy verses. Little hint of guitar harmonies...minute, but it's there. Chorus has Hetfield singing a little dreamy, but then it goes into a pretty heavy vocal part. Around the 5:00 mark, Hetfield sings this weird part...meh. Ah well.

My World: Another pretty heavy tune. Hetfield sings "Motherfucker", so this one's not bound for the radio. Actually, none of these tunes are...which is a good thing. I can actually hear Phil Anselmo singing this with Down.

Shoot Me Again: heh...yer gonna think I'm nuts, but this one reminds me of "Shout at the Devil meets Alice in Chains". It's not a bad thing, in particular. The pace quickens in spots, but is for the most part pretty heavy

Sweet Amber: Opening riff starts mellow, but quickly turns mean. Quick thrashy pace for the opening minute (and several spots throughout), then slows slightly to a Kyuss-y fast tempo. This one's gonna be a mosh pit favourite...enough time spent in a frenzy, with spots to catch your breath.

The Unnamed Feeling: Mid-tempo, but still maintains some level of heaviness through most of the song. There's some guitar effects noodling in parts, but it's pretty unobtrusive. This song of all the ones so far sounds like it could've been on Load or Reload.

Purify: Ugh, Lar's snare ruins the opening to this tune...which coulda been good. Chorus is angry and chunky...luvly stuff. The main riff reminds me of some other band, but I can't put my finger on it. Not a bad jig, but not my fave.

All Within My Hands: Interesting tune. Has some odd Kirk noodlings near the beginning (which is a little refreshing, even though it is a very small part). As with most of the tunes, there are several time changes that transition quickly...not much buildup just BOOM!


Overall, this record is growing on me big time. Even after my first listen, I didn't feel the disappointment I felt after hearing the Black album/Load/Reload. It's a lot different than anything Metallica's done...and it's a LOT better than the stuff the've released since 1990.

[MrLevinstein]

[quote="Capt. John Miller":f5860]and fade to black is great. [/quote:f5860]

Fade to black is an AWSOME song, it has to be one of my all time favorite songs from metallica. right now im leraning how to play it on guitar. As for the other songs..... oOo:

[Infernal_]

i havent picked it up yet i think i will tonight when im at the mall seeing 2 fast 2 furious talk to ya then

[SpamMastaFlex]

[quote="Capt. Spiers":f2d65]i havent picked it up yet i think i will tonight when im at the mall seeing 2 fast 2 furious talk to ya then[/quote:f2d65]

oOo:

Its all over kazaa.

wink:

[Zoner]

Who gives a shit.

There's something I like about buying a CD. It's the whole package...the liner notes, the anticipation of listening to it the first time, etc.

Call me old school, but fuck it...I like buying CDs.