If you have not released an album in 8 years is it considered a comeback when you finally do? Hardwired…To Self-Destruct is Metallica’s first album in a long time and on it they sound youthful. By youthful I mean the music on this 2-disc offering sounds akin to the stuff they did in the Eighties. The songs, mostly penned by lead singer/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, are an assault filled with pounding and fury. It is almost shocking as the hard rock outfit had become a little softer of late. Because it had been so long the songs here reminded me what an accomplished lyricist Hetfield can be and how talented a guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo are. I also reveled (instead of being annoyed by) in the fact that the songs are typically lengthy. The longer tracks allow the band to really explore a song allowing it to breathe and come to life as they had imagined it. Things you can do when you are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Freedom! Even if you have never purchased a Metallica album previously you can start here and jump right into what they are all about. Crank it up to eleven and enjoy!
Metallica – Hardwired…To Self-Destruct
