I won’t say there aren’t some good moments. The album is not bad at all. It’s somewhat good. A lot of ups and downs. “Atlas Rise” is a nice song. The beginning of “Now That You’re Dead” reminds a lot “Cherrie Bomb” of The Runnaways, without Cherrie, of course. If you hear only the instrumental parts, you’ll recognize them. It’s Metallica, sometimes the good Metallica, sometimes the bad Metallica. But it misses heart and soul. And Metallica was full of that. They were a band that we were really proud of them. I saw them back in 1988. They put the place down! About two hours of anger, distortion, speed, and good music. But, then, someting happened, and we’ll never know what. Or why.
Well, back to the album. Kirk Hammet and James did a very nice there with guitars. Check “Moth Into Flame”, there’s a fine guitar work there. “Confusion” is a piece with great guitar riffs, and the instrumental is fresh, delightful. A pure Metallica mind game. Not so bright as before, but… Let’s say “Spit Out the Bone” is Metallica‘s Terminator as it could have been recorded in the 1980’s. Things were getting good until “Dream No More”! How about “Halo On Fire”? My God! Won’t they ever forget their 1990’s songs? And how about “ManUNkind”? I haven’t decided yet if it was a compliment or some mockery. I couldn’t listen till the end. And Lars… Well, Lars is still Lars… Robert? Did anyone say Robert? Oh, his hair is even longer!
In my opinion the album hits top bottom with “Murder One” a cool tribute to Lemmy, a guy who deserves more and more honors. Maybe a medal of honor. Last time I was in England, between a cup of tea and another, I suggested Lizzie to make him Member of the British Empire. She said she would consider it seriously…
I won’t link you to Youtube, because, you know, it’s Metallica…
Track listing:
- Hardwired
- Atlas, Rise!
- Now That We’re Dead
- Moth Into Flame
- Dream No More
- Halo On Fire
- Confusion
- ManUNkind
- Here Comes Revenge
- Am I Savage?
- Murder One
- Spit Out the Bone
- Lords Of Summer
