Metallica
Hardwired...To Self-Destruct
Rating: **** (3.75)
Eight years have passed since Metallica
released Death Magnetic in 2008.
However, the band hasn’t been inactive since then. In 2011, the band collaborated
with the late Lou Reed- which resulted in the infamous Lulu. The project was universally hated by Metallica fans, some even
going as far as sending Reed death threats. Metallica tried to keep fans happy
with the Beyond Magnetic EP later
that year and in 2013 with the 3D concert film Through the Never. This was all fine and dandy for fans but what we
really wanted was a brand new studio album. In this year of 2016, Metallica
have finally done just that. The album, Hardwired…To
Self-Destruct, is the band’s tenth album. So after these last eight years,
was it worth the wait? While it isn’t an instant classic, Hardwired…To Self-Destruct is still worth a listen.
Hardwired is a two-disc set consisting
of twelve songs in total, with six songs on each disc. In total, the album’s
run time is some 77 minutes. This makes it the band’s second longest album-
their longest being 1996’s Load,
which was 79 minutes. However, Load able
to fit on one disc. The choice to have the album on two discs instead of one is
strange. Still, this has no impact on the music. It’s just something that
sticks out.
The
first disc opens up with an onslaught of thrash metal in the form of the title
track. As the lead single off the album, it’s an incredibly speedy track with the
band firing on all cylinders. As most fans should know, Metallica were heavily
influenced by the heaviness of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands and the
velocity and speed of punk rock music. With that in mind, the band proudly
shows the former in some of these songs. The commanding “Atlas, Rise!” and the slow
but melodic “Halo on Fire” feature some impressive Maiden-like guitar work. “Now
That We’re Dead” and “Dream No More” are also good. The former has a cool
prowling feel while the latter sees the band dabbling in sludge metal. However,
it’s “Moth Into Flame” that impresses me the most. Musically, it’s another
head-bangin’ tune. Lyrically, however, the song is semi-autobiographical, about
the ups and downs of fame. “Sold your soul/Built a higher wall” sings James
Hetfield. “Yesterday/Now you’re thrown away.”
The
second disc, as much as I hate to say, is where the album starts to derail. “Confusion” has a great militant opening but doesn’t go anywhere else
while “Here Comes Revenge” and “Am I Savage?” are just very plain. “ManUNkind” isn’t
the strongest track lyrically. Musically, however, it’s Sabbath-esque in its
timing and feel- which I like. “Murder One”- the band’s tribute to the late
Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead- is just okay. Motorhead were a huge influence on
Metallica and Lemmy was very supportive of Metallica. It just seems fitting that
the band pay tribute to their mentor. You also have give the band credit for
writing an actual song, whereas most people would decide to do a cover song. The
second disc closes out with the balls-to-the-wall thrash metal of “Spit Out the
Bone.” It’s easily the strongest song from the second disc, as it is relentlessly
fast and brutal- closing the album on a high note.
Despite
its drawbacks, Hardwired…To Self-Destruct
is a decent album from Metallica. While I find myself preferring Death Magnetic, Hardwired is a decent follow up. However on the production side, Hardwired sounds much better. At this
point in their career, I think Metallica don’t have to impress us anymore. Their
best albums came out in the 1980s. The albums that came afterwards have been
hit or miss. I think what matters now is that they‘re happy doing what they do.
Their new material? You can take it or leave it. So is Hardwired a groundbreaking album? No. Is it worth listening to?
Sure, why not? It doesn’t hurt to.
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