72 Seasons
by Metallica
  • Record Label: Rhino
  • Release Date: Apr 14, 2023
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 126 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 91 out of 126
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 126
  3. Negative: 17 out of 126
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  1. MajestikMelvill
    Apr 16, 2023
    10
    All I need to say is, I was sceptical for some reason going in, but its rare in 2023 that an album comes out where theres no skips on your third and fourth play. Its been out 3 days and its probably already my most played album on spotify this year. Metallica back on form.
  2. Nnuuxx
    Apr 14, 2023
    9
    After more than 40 years they are still going strong. On first listen, it's a lot to take in, but after the "car test" and a workout at the gym, many of the tracks start to grow on me. In particular, I find that "72 Seasons", "You Must Burn!", "Lux Æterna", and "Room of Mirrors" are instant classics and standout tracks on the album.

    I can't wait to experience some of the songs live, so    After more than 40 years they are still going strong. On first listen, it's a lot to take in, but after the "car test" and a workout at the gym, many of the tracks start to grow on me. In particular, I find that "72 Seasons", "You Must Burn!", "Lux Æterna", and "Room of Mirrors" are instant classics and standout tracks on the album.

    I can't wait to experience some of the songs live, so exciting!    … Expand
  3. Arik90
    Apr 15, 2023
    10
    It's rare to find a music band in this world that releases yet another album with almost all of the original band members in their fifth decade of activity. Metallica could have stopped creating new music in 1991 and avoided many negative comments from social media critics who claim everything they have done since the Black Album sucks because they had already reached the top of the musicIt's rare to find a music band in this world that releases yet another album with almost all of the original band members in their fifth decade of activity. Metallica could have stopped creating new music in 1991 and avoided many negative comments from social media critics who claim everything they have done since the Black Album sucks because they had already reached the top of the music world in their first decade of activity. However, Metallica never stops and never quits, as they said in their first album. They love being on stage, trying new experiences, and being creative and dynamic has kept them an extraordinary band and kept them alive, because they always take risks without fear of the consequences, and time has proven that they were right about some of the choices they have made.

    "72 Seasons" is a statement from Metallica as a band, which connects them together after James' rehab and during the pandemic. The song structures and time changes on this album remind us of their first four albums that met Load and Reload. However, unlike many Metallica songs, there is no clean guitar, except for a few seconds in "Inamorata" on this album. They didn't want to slow it down, and the fire that starts from the title track never stops, like "St. Anger" and "Kill 'Em All". They didn't try to make a record for someone else, rather than themselves, and they didn't follow a cheat sheet to "Please 'Em All". Instead, they tried to create something original that hadn't been done before, and I think they succeeded. Overall, every track has something to admire, and an old-school heavy metal fan won't be disappointed listening to this album.    … Expand
  4. mdbandeira
    Apr 16, 2023
    10
    Excelente disco, MetallicA mostrando pq é a maior banda de metal do mundo. Volta às origens, com o pé no atual …
  5. darkenergy377
    Apr 14, 2023
    10
    Words aren't enough to describe my satisfaction with this new album. Metallica has always been my favorite band and surely still will be along the years, no doubt about that. Thank you guys for sharing all the amazing songs and effort you put into this album, this is insanely a masterpiece!
  6. Ulrich4
    Apr 14, 2023
    9
    41 years after they're still raging. Music as life itself is the evolution of our feelings. Seeing these guys still on the top and great shape knocking at their "60 door" it's a pleasure and a luck. Don't get wasted in miserable amarcord-memoires. Just enjoy this very good album.
  7. CKhound
    May 12, 2023
    0
    I would argue this is the best material they have brought out since Jason left the band. It is a mix of some earlier sounds for sure (with Kill em All, Load, ReLoad, and maybe even a bit of The Black Album mixed in) but has a feel of its own at the same time.

    The album is completely loaded with amazing riffs, and while sometimes the songs can feel bloated to many, I felt like the    I would argue this is the best material they have brought out since Jason left the band. It is a mix of some earlier sounds for sure (with Kill em All, Load, ReLoad, and maybe even a bit of The Black Album mixed in) but has a feel of its own at the same time.

    The album is completely loaded with amazing riffs, and while sometimes the songs can feel bloated to many, I felt like the lengths were justified and nice, no rushing around just for the sake of rushing.

    Overall a great album, with some great bass included in the mix for once.    … Expand
  8. Fabian-Gonzalo
    Apr 14, 2023
    10
    Metallica gives us a mix album of their entire career, trying to thrash again at its almost 60 years old, I have been listening the album the completely day, I must say that neither hardwired or magnetic left me the same feeling as this new album, amazing songs, metallica at its highest level since black album
  9. Mark1toz
    Apr 14, 2023
    10
    Good one, nothing can beat their first 5 albums, but this one got something to be thankful.
  10. Guilhxxme
    Apr 14, 2023
    9
    The Metallica album is surprising, full of novelties, innovative effects and new ways of expressing themselves. One should not expect to hear things from the 80s again and compare it with Hardwired. One must see 72 Seasons as a new Metallica, from the 72 Seasons era. This album presents unique elements that no previous work of the band has achieved, while keeping the essence of Metallica.The Metallica album is surprising, full of novelties, innovative effects and new ways of expressing themselves. One should not expect to hear things from the 80s again and compare it with Hardwired. One must see 72 Seasons as a new Metallica, from the 72 Seasons era. This album presents unique elements that no previous work of the band has achieved, while keeping the essence of Metallica. However, to appreciate it properly, it is necessary to listen to it with good headphones.

    I can't wait to see them at the Grammy next year. It's interesting to note that, thanks to their performance at the Grammy, Lady Gaga fans got to know Metallica songs, like Halo On Fire haha!

    And what about the song YOU MUST BURN! Exclamation point! It has an incredible intro and it seems like someone is coming to destroy everything. This song would be great in a movie. I still listen to the new songs trying to guess what will be Lars' next drum beats sequence on the snare, which is nostalgic for those who notice these things. Who is singing in the interlude of You Must Burn!? This is very good.

    Unfortunately, at the album preview, I agreed with the bad reviews due to the poor distribution of the music in the room, which did not allow hearing all the details as it should. It was only possible to appreciate it with better quality using headphones. However, I am already seeing Lars making a lot of timing mistakes in Lux Æterna in this new tour hahhhahah!

    The negative point of this album was the lack of slower songs, like in Halo On Fire on the last Hardwired. The album is quite intense, without many pauses. Metallica became huge by releasing slower songs between one part and another of the album, as well as in the middle of the songs. This is how you create the desire to listen to the entire album several times, due to these variations in rhythm. A great example is "Room of Mirrors?" It would be incredible as a ballad. The solo in this song would fit perfectly with a softer song.

    But overall, the Metallica guys made a great effort for the result of this album. It was possible to hear well and not ironically the best songs of the album were those that when you read the name you already think you're talking about the devil, and that's not a negative point.

    Inamorata was a great choice to end the album. All fans mentioned this song a lot, which brings a slower part and in the end has a cute farewell from the album.    … Expand
  11. Xavier31
    Apr 15, 2023
    9
    "72 Seasons" is a great album, with almost no low points, there is no bad song here. The initial feeling when listening to this album is that it is a very mature work, where it seems that each member of the band had their importance, which in itself, for me, already makes this album more interesting than its predecessor, "Hardwired... to Self-Destruct," from 2016, a work in which the"72 Seasons" is a great album, with almost no low points, there is no bad song here. The initial feeling when listening to this album is that it is a very mature work, where it seems that each member of the band had their importance, which in itself, for me, already makes this album more interesting than its predecessor, "Hardwired... to Self-Destruct," from 2016, a work in which the creative power of the album seems to have been almost entirely on frontman James Hetfield.

    "72 Seasons" in turn conveys much less of this feeling, with the members being on top from beginning to end. But still, for me, the Metallica member who was the least impressive was Kirk Hammett, who sometimes resorts to using techniques that already sound very repetitive in solos in the band's more recent songs.

    In any case, there are great solos here, and overall a great work by the band as a whole. The obvious highlight goes to James, who shines a LOT on vocals (one of his best vocal works, if not his best), with extremely heavy and great riffs. It is impressive that after all these years, he can still bring creative things. In addition, the lyrics of this album are much more penetrating than the majority of the band's albums.

    My highlight goes to the song "Inamorata," which, for me, although it is too early to say due to the hype, is one of the best songs technically speaking by the band.

    But it doesn't stop there, because out of 12 songs, for me, this record only has two slightly more forgettable songs, which are "Sleepwalk My Life Away" and "Crown of Barbed Wire," all the rest are good, with some standing out and being more prominent.

    "72 Seasons" is a great album, with excellent and heavy riffs, and the band members shining throughout most of the record, with a lot of creativity from Mr. Hetfield. Rating 8.5."    … Expand
  12. TcFalcon
    Apr 19, 2023
    5
    Yes it’s new Metallica, and that’s exciting. But newness aside, it’s a C+ album. Some good riffs here and there but too many songs where they just chugga-chugga for a minute or two sounding like they aren’t really sure where to go next, play the chorus, chugga some more, chorus, chugga, chorus, end. It’s a long listen.
  13. Elduderin0
    Apr 14, 2023
    8
    A less frantic record than the last two outings, with a much more measured sound, but more importantly, real consistency from start to finish. Taking influence from their 90s sound, it's less 80s thrashy and more groove-metal, with parts feeling influenced by classic Pantera, Alice in Chains and Sabbath, all wrapped up with that thick, machine-like Metallica pace. One or two tracks go onA less frantic record than the last two outings, with a much more measured sound, but more importantly, real consistency from start to finish. Taking influence from their 90s sound, it's less 80s thrashy and more groove-metal, with parts feeling influenced by classic Pantera, Alice in Chains and Sabbath, all wrapped up with that thick, machine-like Metallica pace. One or two tracks go on for a minute or so too long, but far less filler overall and a sense of confidence from Metallica feeling less like they have anything to prove and are happy where they are musically. Overall a solid album, albeit slightly on the safe side, but with lots to like.… Expand
  14. Bek2228
    Apr 14, 2023
    10
    Finally, metallica makes a new albums after 7 years, and they still nailed it!
  15. EDUARDOMP2810
    Apr 14, 2023
    10
    Marvelous , muy buen álbum mucho mejor que htsd y que DM , una experiencia inolvidable
  16. Guitar1979
    Apr 15, 2023
    7
    Let me start off by saying this now, this is not a thrash metal album, and it is hard for me to call it a heavy metal album, though it does contain the gallop rhythm sound. This is really an alternative rock album mixed with elements of pop. Metallica's first 4 albums were heavy metal, the 5th album "the Black Album" is where they started introducing pop into their songs, and their 6thLet me start off by saying this now, this is not a thrash metal album, and it is hard for me to call it a heavy metal album, though it does contain the gallop rhythm sound. This is really an alternative rock album mixed with elements of pop. Metallica's first 4 albums were heavy metal, the 5th album "the Black Album" is where they started introducing pop into their songs, and their 6th album is where they left heavy metal and went in the direction of alternative rock, I can remember being a 16 year old kid in high school when Load come out and everyone was talking about how that album sucked and how Metallica sold out.

    Shortly after the release of Load a pissed off Kirk Hammett and Jason Newsted appeared on MTV to fire back at their critics for calling them sellouts. Kid Rock done similar meaning he came from a certain genre and then left it, Kid Rock being rap and then slowly leaving it for his Country/Southern rock gimmick and now you might get a teeny tiny bit of rap in an album currently released from him.

    If you take the album for what it is which is an Alternative Rock Album mixed with elements of pop which does have some heavy riffs at time, then it's a good album, if you try to compare it to the original thrash metal albums then it doesn't hold a candle to those and will be crushed in comparison.

    The album itself reminds me of Death Magnetic meets Load and Reload, though I think it sounds better than Death Magnetic because that specific album was too overly loud because of producer Rick Rubin's overly loud treatment/mix which ruined Magnetic, though someone uploaded the guitar hero version of that album on Youtube which sounded a lot better and didn't have the overly loudness to it.

    If you are a guitarist there seems to be popping up a lot of the 72 Season songs on Youtube with tabs showing how to play them, and the songs don't appear to be rather simple as they consist of mainly gallops, slides, single notes mixed with an occasional hammer on.....

    The opening Track 72 Seasons may be the fastest song on the album, Metallica often opens it's albums up with the fastest or one of the fastest tracks for their opener [Fight Fire with Fire on Lightning, Battery on Puppets etc.] Online clocks the song 72 seasons at 169 BPM. The second song of the album Shadows Fall
    the opening drum beat reminds me a little of Holier Than Thou from the Black Album, the 6th song on the album Lux Æterna reminds me a bit of Hit The Lights from Kill Em All and also their Killing Time Cover.

    I'll give the album 7 out of 10, but again I think the issue with many of us, and this also includes me, is it's hard to not compare this album to the earlier thrash albums Metallica put out, a lot of the people rating this 72 Seasons album were not alive in the 1980s when albums like Kill Em All, Lightning, Puppets, and Justice.. came out, so they don't understand the climate at the time.

    Rant over.    … Expand
  17. turboboi
    Apr 16, 2023
    10
    This album is a perfect fusion of their 80s, and especially 90s sound, mixed well together, and sprinkled with a bit new metallica, and also some hardwired. However, I would say the soundscape is more consistent than Hardwire, and in my humble opinion; this is their greatest work since the black album. Never have I heard a metallica album where I instantly liked so many song, maybe thereThis album is a perfect fusion of their 80s, and especially 90s sound, mixed well together, and sprinkled with a bit new metallica, and also some hardwired. However, I would say the soundscape is more consistent than Hardwire, and in my humble opinion; this is their greatest work since the black album. Never have I heard a metallica album where I instantly liked so many song, maybe there fewer songs that really sticks out, compared to MOP, RTL, Black album, and Kill em all, but the overall quality is great. If you didn't like it the first time, listen to it a few more times.… Expand
  18. MaHolsback
    Apr 18, 2023
    9
    Não espere um album que "desce redondo" nos ouvidos, como o Black Album.
    Muito menos o trash dos clássicos Master of Puppets ou Ride the Lightning.
    O que temos aqui é um heavy metal extremamente maduro, rifs que variam constantemente mudando os andamentos das músicas e letras introspectivas. Sim, ele necessita de algumas audições para compreensão plena da obra... prima. Imperdível, o    Não espere um album que "desce redondo" nos ouvidos, como o Black Album.
    Muito menos o trash dos clássicos Master of Puppets ou Ride the Lightning.
    O que temos aqui é um heavy metal extremamente maduro, rifs que variam constantemente mudando os andamentos das músicas e letras introspectivas. Sim, ele necessita de algumas audições para compreensão plena da obra... prima. Imperdível, o melhor desde Black Album!    … Expand
  19. DrLoomis
    Apr 26, 2023
    6
    Sounds like a band going through the motions. Some decent riffs here and there with a few of solid tracks. Honestly, a lot of these songs would be better if they trimmed them down and sped them up.
  20. dare
    Apr 14, 2023
    10
    i just don't get negative reviews, what do you expect another master of puppets. if you liked previous album...then this is their best since load
  21. jmneeley06
    Apr 15, 2023
    10
    Great album! It’s raw, heavy and some of James’ best lyrics, vocals! People are looking for reasons to always being angry with this band!
  22. JackKrauser
    Apr 14, 2023
    9
    Metallica once again painstakingly released an excellent album. Especially on this album, they got a very nice sound. It's like a blending of the Black album and subsequent albums.
  23. zladewarlic
    Apr 14, 2023
    8
    Very Positive. 2 fantastic songs and a lot of good tracks. Is a good job from the 40 year old band. Positive feelings.
  24. Gbesp
    Apr 14, 2023
    9
    72 seasons is a great álbum, too far gone its my favorite Song . it's worth listening
  25. AstroZombie1984
    Apr 14, 2023
    9
    I personally think this is one of their best albums of the past 20 years. It has really good production and the riffs are amazing. The only downside i have to this album is there are a few songs with weak solos like Shadows follow and Sleepwalk my life away, but other than that everything is incredible.
  26. JudasKiss12
    Apr 14, 2023
    10
    The best Metallica album since Load (which was an underrated album with some masterpieces sprinkled throughout its track list). I was expecting excellent riffs and blistering solos, but I wasn't expecting James Hetfield to sound the best he has since Garage Inc. The guitar tones are sublime, and the mix is very well done - Lars doesn't overpower the vocals or guitars with his drumming, andThe best Metallica album since Load (which was an underrated album with some masterpieces sprinkled throughout its track list). I was expecting excellent riffs and blistering solos, but I wasn't expecting James Hetfield to sound the best he has since Garage Inc. The guitar tones are sublime, and the mix is very well done - Lars doesn't overpower the vocals or guitars with his drumming, and there are plenty of fat bass lines throughout the album. If Death Magnetic was a "return to form" and Hardwired was a continuation of that, then this is truly the Master of Puppets of modern Metallica - thrash metal perfected for the 21st century.… Expand
  27. airmaverick
    Apr 14, 2023
    5
    I have always found something to love in all of Metallica's albums, however this time around with 72 Seasons, I struggle to find anything that resonates with me.
    Whilst an album should be cohesive with a strong theme, I feel that here it has gone too far. This just feels like one long bloated song.
    Hetfield's vocals, for the first time ever, are my least favourite part of the album -    I have always found something to love in all of Metallica's albums, however this time around with 72 Seasons, I struggle to find anything that resonates with me.
    Whilst an album should be cohesive with a strong theme, I feel that here it has gone too far. This just feels like one long bloated song.
    Hetfield's vocals, for the first time ever, are my least favourite part of the album - There is a lack of melody or variance.
    The drums for the most part feel like a metronome - cold and without personality.
    There are some great moments to be found (riffs, bass lines, solos) - however this largely buried under a large pile of sameness.
    This is what I imaging an A.I. might create if I asked it to create a Metallica album.
    A bad Metallica album is still good. For me however is just very 'MEH-tallica'    … Expand
  28. PhantomLordG
    Apr 15, 2023
    6
    Some great songs but a few that have no place on a Metallica record and another one or two that are bland generic rock. I'm just happy they are back with 3/4 songs they can add to their back catalogue for the impending massive tour.

    Welcome back boys!
  29. raoulvador
    Apr 17, 2023
    2
    This is a nope for me. Every song are based on the same pattern or quite the same : guitar riff, snare drum roll on the riff, after one minute double bass drum rythm, verse / chorus, double bass drum, fast solo with no hook or melody, bridge, blablabla. Problem : riffs are not that good and lacks of soul.

    I would like to love this album but I cant, its just boring. And I really do love    This is a nope for me. Every song are based on the same pattern or quite the same : guitar riff, snare drum roll on the riff, after one minute double bass drum rythm, verse / chorus, double bass drum, fast solo with no hook or melody, bridge, blablabla. Problem : riffs are not that good and lacks of soul.

    I would like to love this album but I cant, its just boring. And I really do love Metallica, I've seen them live 6 times or so. But this one is : listen to it and forget it.    … Expand
  30. EmilioAluminio
    Apr 14, 2023
    3
    I'm sorry, I don't care if they are 60 years old, if they've been playing for 40 years already, or if they were the biggest band back in the day. They sound uninterested. They put zero creativity on this record and it shows.

    Every song sounds the same, every lyric reads the same, solos are indistinguishable, Rob still feels constrained by what the band wants him to play at every moment.    I'm sorry, I don't care if they are 60 years old, if they've been playing for 40 years already, or if they were the biggest band back in the day. They sound uninterested. They put zero creativity on this record and it shows.

    Every song sounds the same, every lyric reads the same, solos are indistinguishable, Rob still feels constrained by what the band wants him to play at every moment.

    For me, the only salvageable part of this record is Inamorata's middle section, and i don't even like the rest of the song.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2023

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Mojo
    May 16, 2023
    80
    Lux Æterna [is] a prime example of 72 Seasons' astonishing vigour. ... Metallica are worthy again. [Jul 2023, p.82]
  2. The Wire
    May 9, 2023
    80
    Virtuosity quickly shades into something inhuman, as every plectrum and drumstick lands inevitably – and thrillingly – on target. [Jun 2023, p.54]
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Apr 24, 2023
    60
    For all Hetfield’s soul-baring, however, as a whole 72 Seasons seems to mark the end of their late-career renaissance and is ultimately far more solid than spectacular.
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