METALLICA’S DEATH MAGNETIC (DALLAS COYLE’S TAKE)
I don’t know about all of you, but Metallica has been and will always be my favorite band in the whole world. I put down the trumpet and picked up the guitar for one reason: Metallica. When I used to draw comic books for 8 hours a day I never did it better while I was listening to …And Justice for All. The first two rock bands I discovered were Guns N’ Roses and Metallica. Why do I say rock? I got into Metallica on The Black Album. Before The Black Album I used to listen to R&B and Hip Hop. It was so bad, I would never say the word “awesome.” I thought it was too white. I called Metallica rock because for a kid like me, metal was too heavy. For a kid like me ,Metallica was the only band to get me in touch with my angry side without being too angry.
Metallica opened the door to metal. Pantera and Machine Head opened the door to death metal. Without Metallica there is no metal for me. Without Metallica there is no God Forbid, so for me, writing a review of a Metallica album won’t be fair to some people because I have ultimate adoration for them.
For the record, I am a shitty album reviewer and I hate doing it, but Vince asked me to do it so here it goes.
When I first listened to Death Magnetic I felt like a kid again. I don’t know what it was but It got me amped as hell. I was smiling from ear to fucking ear. Death Magnetic is a fucking awesome album. If you don’t like it, stop drinking Haterade, get the shit out of your fucking ears and listen to it with an open mind.
Why do I like it so much? I’ve been wondering that myself. I’ve been wondering why certain parts are stuck in my head. Was it them being tuned to E? Was it them actually writing very interesting song structures? Or was it because it sounds like Metallica?
This sounds like Metallica. The production is great and so is the spirit. I wouldn’t say the album is going back to the old school but I think it’s a great marriage between what Metallica was and what Metallica is. I truly believe when they play shows this summer there will be some great reaction to a bunch of songs off of Death Magnetic.
The two songs that really get me going are the two opening tracks “That Was Just Your Life” and “The End Of The Line.” Both of these songs are brilliant ways to open a new Metallica album. One thing I noticed about the album in general is the amount of groove and the attention to detail they put into it. These two songs really show that Metallica wanted to kick ass with this album. They really cared that we, the fans, got what we wanted out of Metallica.
I’ve been listening to this album a lot lately and things have been really sticking with me. I think that’s a testament to a good album. “Broken, Beat & Scarred” has some really great riffs that remind me of new Metallica and old Metallica. As I listen to the record, I get the vibe that that’s what they were going for. They wanted to give both old and new fans something with this new record. I for one respect that because I’m somewhere in between the old and the new. I hope the old Metallica fans can respect that. I hope the new fans can respect it because Metallica can open up so many people to really great bands.
My main issue with the album is the first two songs they released. Why does it seem any band that is huge always releases the worst songs on an album first? I like “The Day That Never Comes” and I don’t like “Cyanide.” Saying this I think these two songs are the songs on the album that I would rank last. Every other song on the album is worth the price.
Overall I really like Death Magnetic. I want to tour with Metallica and I doubt this will happen because I’ve said a lot of stupid shit regarding Metallica the last couple of years. I wouldn’t say I’ve dissed them but I said shit without knowing the facts. I hope people give the album a fair shake because I think this album definitely warrants a good listen. I will be buying Death Magnetic when it comes out and I hope you do too!
(4 out of 5 horns)
-Dallas Coyle
