I've been one of those old school fans that hated on anything post Black Album for years. Aside from a few tracks here and there, I was majorly disappointed with the St. Anger and Death Magnetic albums. Going into Hardwired...To Self-Destruct, my expectations are pretty low. The first three tracks released by the band have left me wanting for the old days...let's see how this first listen goes?
Hardwired - I've heard this track so many times
prior to hearing the rest of this album. I don't mind the pace but I
have issue with the lyrics being kinda pointless. I was a fan of
Metallica, first and foremost for the stories they told and the danger
of their delivery. One without the other leaves me flat. I don't find
using lyrics like "Shit" and "Fuck" will appeal to anyone over 18
listening to this.
Atlas Rise - main riffs sound like
Seek and Destroy meets Dyers Eve. Hetfield really plays it safe and
stays in one range. I've been a critic of Hetfield's shriek/almost
drowned cat sound live. In this stage of his career he's better off
staying in this range so that he can adequately play it live. Lars stays
the course, nice amount of Bass in the opening and the Kirk's solo is
not terrible. The classic dual guitar sound is the backbone of the
track.
Now that we're dead - I'm actually intrigued by the
opening of this track. It has an ominous feel that the previously leaked
tracks were missing. Hetfield once again stays in his lane on this one.
I feel like he's failed in the past pushing too hard on tracks and it
ends up standing out too much. The band sounds good, it's not standard
Metallica fare. It doesn't immediately bring to mind any of their
previous material. I wouldn't mind hearing them follow suit with this
style as they enter the dog days of their career. Good tune.
Moth
Into Flame - While I can't stand the lyrics, I find the pace pretty
cool. There is nice soloing on this and I don't mind the backing vocal
track. The chorus is really repetitive and would be better suited for a
shorter song. It has a Black Album feel to it. There is a trend among
the songs as far as staying safe. Maybe it's what bothered me the most
about all of the early release tracks. Metallica have sacrificed danger
for a cleaner, direct route.
Dream No More - The intro is
heavy on Bass and chugs. Almost feels like Alice In Chains at points
with it's overall grungey sound. More and more listening to these tracks
in succession I feel like this album could've easily been a followup to
the Black album instead of Load. While it is a six plus minute track it
doesn't feel too long.
Halo on Fire - goddamn, you
gotta be kidding me... this is Metallica? I'm not hating, this new
Metallica sound is tasty and I'm not gonna mention they start to sound
like Kiss's Heaven's on Fire during the chorus. Great transitions, great
new sound, lots of growth on this. Metallica have embraced a more rock
sound on this and I'm not mad at it.
Confusion
- listen to that intro, is this Danzig, the misfits...no that marching
drum delivery is definitely Lars. The production is old school and so
are those riffs. War songs by Metallica, you can never go wrong. While
not the best song I've heard on this album it has some good moments. It
could use more direction as far as the follow through. A little too self
indulgent in it's directness.
Manunkind -
interesting opening to this song, it reminds me of bassist Robert
Trujillo's bass hero JACO who he created a documentary about. Decent
midtempo tune. Follows the path of the previous songs on the album. I
like the title's pun.
Here Come Revenge - possibly the
best Hetfields voice sounds on the album. Well crafted song and the
song has strong lyrics. It's as straight forward as the rest of the
album but it tells a story which I had criticized the early leaked
tracks for. Solid playing by the band as well. They are in full gear and
Kirk's solo actually means something to the song.
Am I
Savage - reading the title I thought of their cover of "AM I EVIL".
This is not that song but worry not, this is a slow burning beast of a
track. The musicianship is vibrant and upfront.
Murder
One - Hetfield's delivery from the start reminds me of Freddie
Mercury's voice on "One Vision". A tune about motorcycles and lyrical
references to traditional tattoo phrases that doesn't sound hack. I'm pretty sure this is a tribute to Lemmy and if it isn't they should say it is.
Spit Out The Bone - They started this album on a fast and heavy note and so it ends the same way.
They certainly put this track into overdrive and when Hetfield delivers
"Spit out the Bone" he means it. It's great to see him step away from
being so self indulgent in the way he was singing and not rely on that
southern drawl thing he was doing for so many records after the Black
Album. This is a nice follow up song to Murder One. It makes sense. It's a long song but given that it's been 8 years, people aren't gonna complain.
--- Conclusion after the First Listening ---
I
had a huge issue with the first tracks the band released. I felt they
lacked a lot of substance and they lowered my expectations. Fortunately
after hearing the album, I'm gladly eating my words. The band has been
through many phases since the Black Album. From eye liner to various
chapters of Unforgiven, from finding sobriety on St. Anger to trying to
rekindle their sound on Death Magnetic. Have the band come full circle?
Yeah, they've found their way back to writing songs that matter. They've
stripped away a lot of unnecessary elements and went back to basics. A
few songs hearken back to early Metallica but for the most part this is a
new phase. The adult, sober and still pissed off version that put their
priorities in check. In many cases the band showcases that they can
play in the style of bands earlier their own incarnation(Iron
Maiden/Thin Lizzy dual guitarmanship) while still sounding modern.
"Hardwired..to Self destruct" has earned my respect as they
definitely put the last eight years to good use.
