Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 18/11/2016
Label: Blackened Recordings
Metallica have
rediscovered their mojo, brought the heavy and most importantly appear to be enjoying
themselves. An album, of two halves, with a cracking opening salvo on side “A”
and “B” side, marred only by one throwaway track. If not perfect, it is the best music they
have produced in over two decades and is the natural successor to the Black
Album.
“Hardwired…To Self-Destruct”
CD//DD//LP track listing:
1). Hardwired
2). Atlas,
Rise!
3). Now That
We’re Dead
4). Moth
into Flame
5). Dream No
More
6). Halo of
Fire
7). Confusion
8). ManUnkind
9). Here
Comes Revenge
10). Am I
Savage?
11). Murder
One
12). Spit
Out the Bone
The Review:
After eight
long years, where it seemed Metallica would rather do anything other than
make a new album “Hardwired to Self-Destruct”
finally is spawned. Like it or not Metallica releasing new music is a major deal.
Unfortunately, being the biggest metal band ever, they are a victim of their
own success.
The Metal
Hipsters have the knifes sharpened and no matter how good this album is they
will cut it to bits. The usual insults “they were only good with Cliff” “They
are sell outs” and on and on. Zzzzzz.
There is no
doubt they have tested the patience of the hardcore fans over the last two
decades, with poor to dreadful albums, and it seemed the wimpy, gutless
performance they turned in at Glastonbury was the death knell of a once mighty
band. As for “Lulu, let’s not go there ok? So what is this new album giving us? Another
road crash? Or a return to form? More of the latter I’m happy to report.
It kicks off
in fine style with “Hardwired” this
is metal to its core. The lyric might be lazy by Hetfield’s standards but as an
opening statement of intent it says “WERE BACK” A short sharp shock at 3
minutes. Lars Ulrich sounds like he practiced and improved his drumming with
some tasty double bass and fills.
In case
doubters thought track one was a fluke Metallica keep up the assault on your ears and
land another body blow with “Atlas, Rise!” one word describes this song’s intro
“RIFF!” the song is everything that is good about Metallica. Great lyrics, Great chorus
and it is probably thestrongest song
they have written since “Puppets”.
It may not be in that class (but what is?) but it has me bouncing of walls with joy. Kirk
Hammett may lament his lack of writing credits on the album but he makes up for
it with his most inventive and aggressive solos since that classic period. He is
literally ripping a space for himself in this song. In the past, some of Metallica’s
longer songs have been an endurance but the six plus minute’s fly by in a blink
of the eye.
A change of
pace on “Now That We’re Dead” but it
still moves with an underpinning riff that shows a mean intent, it’s still a
heavy song. This is closer to the flavour of the Black album. It doesn’t waste
time and opens in to a huge chorus that will sound even bigger with the Metallica
family singing it at whichever mega festival they headline. Lyrically inspired
by their love of the misfits. Again, Hammett gives it his all, in fact all the
musicians are playing out of their skins. Some may long for Hetfield’s more
aggressive singing style but he delivers a powerhouse performance and some
complementary backing vocals from Robert Trujillo.
Metallica sure know how to write an
intro and “Moth into Flame” is no exception. They bring the heavy back and this
is a stomper of a song. This will bounce around the inside of your skull and
it’s a neat trick to write a heavy song with a chorus as catchy as the plague,
which Metallica
are absolute masters at. Another long song that flies by it could easily become
a favourite in their cannon. The highlight of the album so far. “Dream
no More” continues the high quality. If “The Thing That Should Not be” and “The Call of Ktulu” had a child this song would be it. It is a
long-awaited sequel and is great to see Hetfield writing eerie lyrics that give
a nod to his roots rather than the introspective stance he has been working
from over last couple of albums. Hammett proves he is surely one of the most
underrated guitarists in metal with a melodic solo that also has teeth to strip
the flesh. It has a menace that Metallica haven’t displayed in many a year
The longest
song on the Album “Halo on Fire” is
the ballad moment aka this album’s “Fade
to Black” and the first time they have stepped off the gas and distortion
pedals. It is Hetfield at his most melodic vocally but when it kicks up for the
chorus it really kicks up and another melodic solo. It is at first listen a by
the numbers soft/hard Metallica ballad but there is a lot going on
here that reveals itself on second listen. It is the first song where it feels
as if the music is coming from their brains rather than on just instinct, when
it moves to the solo and a quiet phase, long time listeners of Metallica
know what is coming and we get in spades. Lars Ulrich’s drumming is clean and
unfussy here and it benefits the song rather than hampers it. A showcase solo
brings eight minutes to a close with a bang.
If we look
at this album as a side “A” and Side “B”, After a near flawless side “A” side
“B” is where it starts to run out of momentum. Not to a huge amount and not to
the detriment of album but following six songs of such quality would be hard
for any band. So “Confusion”
continues in the heavy vibe of the album with a killer “Puppets” style riff then steps of the gas. If the album has
residual echoes of their past, then this is “Disposable Heroes” via veterans looking back at a hard fought campaign
rather than a grunt down in the hell of the trenches. It has everything you
want from Metallica
but it is more of a grower than the immediate gut punch of the first six songs
“ManUnkind” is where it all goes a bit
wrong. This is a filler. It is a phoned in performance. It isn’t a terrible
song but it has none of the power or fire of what preceded it. It could easily
slip into “Death Magnetic” which
isn’t exactly an insult but is no means a compliment either. It has all the
right elements. Riff? Yep. Big Chorus? Yep. Ripping Solo? Yep. Somehow it does
not work so let’s move on. Nothing to see here
“Here Comes Revenge” puts the train back
on track. Great intro and nice groove lead into classic that Metallica sound. It moves at a fair pace. It
speeds up, it slows down and is a fun ride of a song that has a razor blade
sharpness to it and a spiteful joy in its lyrics. It’s another grower that
reveals its charms as it is replayed. I am repeating myself but Hammett stomps
his identity all over this with his solo.
“Am I Savage” starts quietly
before a staggered riff marches into view. It packs a punch but is more mid
paced than rest of album. It has the most experimental feel to its vocal
approach. It brims with understated violence and the chorus could be a tribute
to Diamond Head but also has vibe of
their garage days in its rawness. It is great and just feels like a future
classic. A good mix of heavy and melody.
right on the money.
“Murder One” is a tribute to the great
Lemmy. Named after his monstrous bass head. Now tribute songs can be awkward
and mawkish but if any band needs to pay homage to Lemmy it is Metallica.
As They have stated on many occasions “No Motorhead, No Metallica”. Musically it would have been the easy option
to write a Motorhead
sound alike but Metallica
never take the easy option and instead give us a stomping lead weight boot to
the face. Lyrically it is a highly fitting tribute with its motifs of “Born to Lose” “Aces Wild” and the Chorus is fantastic “Hear Your Thunder/Still feeding Back/Still hear your Thunder/The Man in
Black” sums up the spirit of Lemmy in four lines and I’m sure he would be
equally embarrassed and proud. As a tribute a triumph. As a standalone
Metallica song? Also, a triumph
Finally then,
“Spit out the Bone” is the Metallica
none knew existed anymore. The thrash is turned up to whiplash speed but played
by masters of their trade. The lyrics are spat out with a venom that is
staggering. It is what long term fans have been waiting for. The real
revelation is Lars and Robert. The bass
tone is filthy and the drums!!! Lars double bass playing just destroys. It
still has a ton of melody in its guitars but built on a foundation of heaviness
that does not let up when the pace drops momentarily before exploding off again
like a greyhound out of the traps after a rabbit. A total and utter metal
classic and an amazing finale.
Metallica have gone from drinking at
the last chance saloon to buying drinks on the House. Nobody expected anything
from the new album but somewhere along the line Metallica have rediscovered
their mojo, brought the heavy and most importantly appear to be enjoying themselves. An album, of two halves, with a cracking opening
salvo on side “A” and “B” side, that is marred only by one throwaway track. If not perfect, it is the best music they
have produced in over two decades and is the natural successor to the Black
Album. It moves them forward by acknowledging their past and is more than anyone
could have wished for. To those that wrote them off, reach for the spoon and eat
a big old slice of humble pie.
“Hardwired…To Self-Destruct” is
available everywhere
Band info: official
