Review: Metallica '72 Seasons' (heavy metal)

You must burn is #1 song for me in this album. The main riff, the lyrics, the solo, the outro riff.. Just wow.

This is the first Metallica album I've ever listened to that is a grower. I didn't like it at first but it grows on you after 3-4 listens. It's nothing amazing but its a solid, consistent album.

It's a tough spot for a band to be in: It's trendy to love them.... and it's also trendy to hate everything they put out.

Pete, I recommend covering the Dodheimsgard album that was released the same day as the new Metallica. Extremely unique progressive/avantgarde black metal.

I like Hardwired more than 72, mainly because I've listened to it more. I find albums with lengthy songs to be more rewarding upon further listening, unless they are endless jams.

Metallica have the security of knowing that whatever they release, people will always say “at least it isn’t St Anger.”

I have 2 problems with new Metallica: 1). Songs are too long 2). Lars drumming is too simple Because of these two aspects I think 77 min is too long. But hey, there are a lot of rock fans who like it. So I am happy for them, it is great to like music and to have your own favourite band.

Love the band. Decent modern album. I’m getting what your saying about time wise. I think the new Extreme album is shaping up sounding like what Metallica should of been aiming for. The first tracks of their new album is rocking! Nuno is off the charts here. Can’t wait for the rest.

Thanks for the review Pete. I disagree with most of what you said here, as I love the album. Metallica’s last three albums have provided so much good stuff and this is no exception. I particularly love Luc AEterna, Shadows Follow and Screaming Suicide. May there be many more Metallica albums like this!

I wouldn't have minded a song like Halo of Fire placed as track 5 or 6 to change pace. Another shorter would've been nice. Fav songs so far are 72 Seasons, Inamorata, Room of Mirrors, If Darkness Has a Son

The day Kirk Hammett discovered the wah-wah pedal (the Black album) was the death of good guitar solos from him.

As a fan of Metallica since 1985. The reality is, they peaked at the Black album. Most rock and metal bands do their best creative and innovative music when they are young. Chalk it up to being hungry and not having been influenced by the business. Everything else is derivative and screams desperation to stay relevant. That's one of the reasons Sting disbanded The Police. A legendary great band. He knew that they could top what they had already produced and was best to end on top!

So far, I like Hardwired and Death Magnetic more.

I think your review is spot on Pete. I would give it 3.5 stars. I do think this is better effort than Hardwired (not a fan of that album here). You can tell Metallica tried to make this deeper and more complex album. However, it does feel bloated a bit and as you pointed our, trimming down so it is around 60 minutes would have helped. On Jimmy Fallon, they did shorter version Darkness had son that was fantastic live. Had more punch. Highlights for me are Darkness had a son (my favorite track), Ianmorata, Lux, and Sleepwalk. I think it is a little worse than Death Magnetic overall. This definitely isn't return to first five, that will never happen but it was better than I expected it too be.

I'm glad you were honest and didn't do what 99% of people are doing: gushing. It's so mediocre it's bad. 4/10

Definitely a "grower" for me. I don't think the length is bad myself. Really like the Sabbath vibe that a lot of the songs have. For me, nothing feels like filler this time around, at least after 4-5 listens. If you look at Metallica's career in "eras" of the bass players, this is to me the best of the "Trujillo Era," for lack of a better way of putting it. Does it stand up to the classics? Probably not, but it's a solid album.

I like the album. Solid release, 40 years after the debut. That doesn’t happen very often with 3 of 4 members from the debut still around.

No Metallica album grew on me as much as this one... The more I listen to it the more I like it. This album deserves a chance. I thought Pete, as you are big Sabbath fan, you will really enjoy new Metallica stuff. :) Some songs (like Sleepwalk my life away) remind me Sabotage, overall Sabbath influence is present... Groovy, heavy album with memorable harmonies. Best Metallica album in years, in my opinion.

I like it enough, but I agree that it's way too long. Also, the first thing I did was put the disc in an extra jewel case that I had laying around. Screw that packaging. I do want to say that I like the new Overkill a lot more. Thanks, Pete!

"Inamorata", "Crown of Barbed Wire" and the title track are my favs. It's a long album tho, but enough to enjoy for modern Metallica.