Death Magnetic
by Metallica
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 715 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 578 out of 715
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 715
  3. Negative: 79 out of 715

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  1. TimP.
    Sep 28, 2008
    9
    first off if u want a 80s sound these days from anyone it isnt there so that being said i love this album it is easily as heavy as any they have ever done they have combined speed with hook and agressiveness and oh yeh maturity. rob (trujillo) adds more than u think imagine if they had grabbed him before they did st anger i think they needed his presence and i think that when jason left first off if u want a 80s sound these days from anyone it isnt there so that being said i love this album it is easily as heavy as any they have ever done they have combined speed with hook and agressiveness and oh yeh maturity. rob (trujillo) adds more than u think imagine if they had grabbed him before they did st anger i think they needed his presence and i think that when jason left it proved they werent to big to p*ss eachother off. but on to dm it is a balls to the wall feeling the whole way thru and i like the intro to unforgiven 3 it lets the song take its own shape and doesnt rely on the past 2 to make it a valid song, i have heard the new megadeth as well and i dont like it as much as this because at least metallica isnt desperate enough to put keyboards in every song dave has become too technical for his own good and oh yeh kirk proved to me that he has always had the solo touch.… Expand
  2. BerndK.
    Sep 28, 2008
    9
    A very good album after a very bad st.anger album metallica is back.
  3. JamesD.
    Sep 27, 2008
    10
    Absolutely amazing, totally makes up for St. Anger. "All Nightmare Long" is the best song, but I love it all. Tallica is back baby.
  4. CoryM.
    Sep 26, 2008
    8
    I enjoyed this album very much. A welcome change back to the old thrash days, with very heavy riffs and great solos. This is what should have been after the Black Album, in my opinion.
  5. JasonP.
    Sep 26, 2008
    9
    Iv'e been waiting 17 years its about time metallica comes back strong.
  6. MickT.
    Sep 25, 2008
    6
    It's alright. Better than Load and so forth. Another band destroyed by overexposure. Metallica eponymous was their swan song. What happened to the winding mystery. To much straight ahead, not enough story. I by chance listened to #9, the suicide instrumental and I hoped the rest would be better. It wasn't. Dumbed down Metallica.
  7. BläP.
    Sep 25, 2008
    10
    This album is really good! Definately the best since the Black Album! Heavy riffs and lightningspeed solos mixed with the nice shimmery clean sound of James' guitar and his great singing. What more could you ask for!
  8. DavidM.
    Sep 23, 2008
    8
    Best album from Metallica since the Black Album, however not near Masters of Puppets or even Ride the Lightning.
  9. AshleyM.
    Sep 22, 2008
    8
    Death Magnetic, Metallica's long heralded ninth studio album produce by Rick Rubin opens with the sound of a heartbeat that leads into a clean guitar line much like "Sanitarium" from Master Of Puppets and quickly evolves into a fast and roaring speed metal number. The real Metallica has returned to their bodies after presumably fighting their way out of the fires of hell for the past Death Magnetic, Metallica's long heralded ninth studio album produce by Rick Rubin opens with the sound of a heartbeat that leads into a clean guitar line much like "Sanitarium" from Master Of Puppets and quickly evolves into a fast and roaring speed metal number. The real Metallica has returned to their bodies after presumably fighting their way out of the fires of hell for the past fifteen years. This song, aptly named "That Was Your Life" sets the standard for the rest of the album to come. Was it a wise decision for Metallica to dump longtime producer Bob Rock? I think it was as Rick Rubin has provided them with a fresh outlook on why they were so great to begin with. Rubin knows his metal. The guy has produced some of the most punishingly brutal metal albums ever to grace the turntables of bikers and and burnouts everywhere by the likes of Slayer and Danzig. There is no argument that he is an accomplished producer and an aficionado of great hard rock and metal. I can only assume that he came into the studio, put Master Of Puppets on the stereo and made Metallica listen. "This is it guys. That was your life" he may have said. The second track on Death Magnetic "The End Of The Line" sounds a bit like the hammy stoner rock of St. Anger but reveals its true nature about halfway through as a track that could have easily fit amongst the more speedy numbers on the Black album or ...And Justice For All. This track flows seamlessly into the "The Day That Never Comes" which isn't much of a step forward (or backward in this case). I'd put this one beside a song like "Hero Of The Day" or any number of more schmaltzy Metallica songs, although the last two minutes of the song are a power metal freakout akin to bands like Dragonforce. "All Nightmare Long" scrapes and batters its way into a catchy chorus after what seems like a thematic sequel to Enter Sandman from the Black album. I would expect this track to be delivered as a single at some point down the road depending on Metallica's inclination to milk this album for as long as they can as they've done with Load and the Black album before it. This leads to the next track, "Cyanide" which finds Hetfield and Co. exploring well, death which seems to be the theme of this album. This is probably the least cohesive song on the whole as it sounds more like a holdover from Load. "My Apocalypse" is the standout track on this album and really epitomizes what Metallica (along with Rick rubin) are trying to accomplish. Yes, it sounds like a song from Master Of Puppets but that doesn't mean that it is devoid of anything new. With this track its sounds like Metallica has effortlessly slid into old climes while still retaining some of the maturity of Load or (gasp) ReLoad. Regardless of the punishing distortion and blast beat drums, this is a pop song worthy of modern rock radio. The same could be said for the next track "Broken Beaten And Scarred". Death Magnetic even has an instrumental track (Suicide And Redemption) that is reminiscent of Call Of Ktulu or Orion. Rubin pulled out all the stops trying to sequence this as a classic Metallica album and I think many fans will thank him for it. The lyrics are what you'd expect from an old metalhead in his forties. Full of cliches and littered with High School philosophical diatribes, but who ever listened to Metallica for the lyrics? This is a Metallica album in the vein of their pre-Load efforts and worthy to be set alongside Master Of Puppets and ...And Justice For All as a brutal and unrelenting metal masterpiece. If you are someone who's grown up with post-Black album Metallica, this will all be new to you. This album mines familiar territory but all for the better. This is new old Metallica and it seems fresh regardless of a return to the old days of denim and iron-on patches. "The Unforgiven III", while another obligatory sequel to The Unforgiven from the Black album, is actually quite good and really doesn't sound anything like the previous chapters. I can see this one being a single at some point as well. It also features some of the most eloquent lyrics on the album. James Hetfield pleads for forgiveness almost as if he were asking us, the listeners who've put up with so many missteps to give them this one more chance. Can they keep this up on future releases or will the cycle of mediocrity begin once again with ReDeath Magnetic?… Expand
  10. GuyH
    Sep 22, 2008
    8
    You know what - I was going to give this a 7/10 but because this is Metallica I'll notch up an extra point on my rating. The reason? This album made me grin with the knowledge that I would have LOVED it when I was 15. 'Death Magnetic' has many, many faults - the vocals and drums are way too samey, so many of the riffs are reminiscent of past material, the 2nd half of the You know what - I was going to give this a 7/10 but because this is Metallica I'll notch up an extra point on my rating. The reason? This album made me grin with the knowledge that I would have LOVED it when I was 15. 'Death Magnetic' has many, many faults - the vocals and drums are way too samey, so many of the riffs are reminiscent of past material, the 2nd half of the album is undeniably weaker than the 1st, there are no truly amazing melodic passages a la 'Master of Puppets', some parts of songs seem superfluous, some of the lyrics are cringe-inducing... but - this is METALLICA and large chunks of this album rock hard so in my best Hetfield roar it is an eiiiiggghhtttt-tahhh!!… Expand
  11. BozhidarR.
    Sep 22, 2008
    10
    Best album of the year and definitely their best since and justice for all... Greta riffs, great dynamic, it just grabs you and make you to play over and over again...that`s just All Nightmare Long:)
  12. HumlanN.
    Sep 21, 2008
    8
    Good ol'e Metallica, after spending years in the mist.
  13. WilliamT
    Sep 20, 2008
    8
    While it's not perfect, Metallica make a strong comeback with this complex multi-layered album reminiscent of ...And Justice for All and the Black Album with it's strong sound and groove. At all rates, it's much better than St. Anger.
  14. JamesM.
    Sep 20, 2008
    10
    I am a die-hard fan of tallica ,even st.anger couldn't cut my strings from boyz,I listened to this album and i'm gonna say that this is HEAVY Baby. it is a real Masterpiece!
  15. PatrickS.
    Sep 20, 2008
    10
    Death Magnetic rocks SO hard! Anyone who is bashing it is closed minded and to old to know what good music is anymore.
  16. RudyS.
    Sep 20, 2008
    9
    I bought St Anger the day it was released here in South Africa, and gave it away 30 minutes after listening it, that was crud. I'm a fan of Load and Reload, as they have their own hidden gems. Death Magnetic is as everyone says not up there with MoP or Justice...but I think this is the first album Metallica can be proud of in a very long while! Really really really good!
  17. RodS.
    Sep 20, 2008
    10
    Eventhough critics are unfairly comparing it to their earlier works, Death Magnetic stands on its own as a great album... although the post Black albums were'nt up to expectations, you still have to give the band credit for trying to evolve musically (I'd like to think Death Magnetic is just the first of many albums showcasing that evolution)... Well done!
  18. DanM.
    Sep 19, 2008
    7
    Their stongest album in years! But, if only they cared about quality control and caught the obvious song issues prior to mastering the CD they would do better. How many albums are they going to sell once people find out they are buying a very poor sound quality CD in 2008!
  19. tennisstallion
    Sep 19, 2008
    9
    Metallica back to what they do best. Critics are unfairly weighing their history against them, because this album is a solid 9 out of 10. Not perfect by any stretch, but a hell of a metal album! Screw the Napster-loving Lars-haters! Metallica is still the best!!!!
  20. jimmyw.
    Sep 19, 2008
    4
    what a load of dung. bang bang bang scream... wow, we know ye can play heavy stuff but what about some music. why all the noise. his voice just becomes anoying, when it used to sound powerfull. i think they are listening to there fans too much instead of doing there own thing,they should go with there age and play some slow songs.until it sleeps,nothing else...why didnt they have the real what a load of dung. bang bang bang scream... wow, we know ye can play heavy stuff but what about some music. why all the noise. his voice just becomes anoying, when it used to sound powerfull. i think they are listening to there fans too much instead of doing there own thing,they should go with there age and play some slow songs.until it sleeps,nothing else...why didnt they have the real intro for unforgiven3.… Expand
  21. DaveL.
    Sep 19, 2008
    7
    I can't see how so many people have rated this a 10, it's not bad, not bad at all considering there last effort, but its not Master of Puppets, Black, live pinge and purge type stuff, Makes me wonder what these people rate there older stuff then.. Its Good but just not that good, but still nice to hear a bit of the old Metallica in there, just not as much as an old Metallica fan I can't see how so many people have rated this a 10, it's not bad, not bad at all considering there last effort, but its not Master of Puppets, Black, live pinge and purge type stuff, Makes me wonder what these people rate there older stuff then.. Its Good but just not that good, but still nice to hear a bit of the old Metallica in there, just not as much as an old Metallica fan would like to hear.. Good effort guys, but some beery magic and a garage is deffently needed... Metal up ya ****.… Expand
  22. AndreaR
    Sep 19, 2008
    8
    Death Magnetic is the best thing to come out from these guys since ...AJFA, and it keeps getting more infectious on each listen. Although there are a few remnants of the Black Album - St Anger era, it's a damn good mix of thrash and hard rock, sprinkled with a nice bit of speed. Awesome stuff. Thanks 'tallica!
  23. BaronS.
    Sep 18, 2008
    8
    Call it Kirk's redemption. He sounds like a long caged animal set free! If you happen to be a "real" Metallica fan who finds him or herself not liking this record....than I say you've given up a long time ago. Past disappointments of the Loads and St. Anger have made you unable to forgive and love Metallica again because this record stands strong with their 80's material.
  24. ShadowkingBax
    Sep 18, 2008
    10
    Best album since '91! Well done Metallica!
  25. mokab.
    Sep 18, 2008
    2
    Painfully dull and poorly produced, A great improvement on St. Anger, true. But being honest, a recording of them taking a dump would be mildly more interesting than the past one.
  26. MarcoMendoza
    Sep 18, 2008
    9
    Great album, 'Tallica is back. Good sound, lyrics, guitars, bass, drums. I don't give a 10 because some "Load" is in there. Tanks
  27. TOmD.
    Sep 18, 2008
    1
    Please give up the Name Metallica, belongs to young more aggressive Bands.
  28. BigD
    Sep 18, 2008
    4
    I don't have much to say just that since cliff died metallica have never been the same, never will be and never can be. He made the band, made so many of the riffs and since dieing they've lost it. O well least the first 4 albums are good. R.I.P Cliff.
  29. NileshP.
    Sep 18, 2008
    10
    Metallica Rules... !!!
  30. NeilS
    Sep 18, 2008
    7
    So it's finally here...the album meant to resurrect the career of (arguably) the world's most famous metal band. And the record succeeds in doing that - reminding us of the band's ability to create bone-crunching and mind-numbing heavy metal. But unlike their first few records, 'Death Magnetic' doesn't strike a chord with it's listeners. Don't know So it's finally here...the album meant to resurrect the career of (arguably) the world's most famous metal band. And the record succeeds in doing that - reminding us of the band's ability to create bone-crunching and mind-numbing heavy metal. But unlike their first few records, 'Death Magnetic' doesn't strike a chord with it's listeners. Don't know what I mean? Listen to some of their tracks like 'One', 'Nothing Else Matters' or even 'Call of Ktulu' (if you haven't a thousand times before). Surprisingly, 'Unforgiven III' is the only track that's reminiscent of their glorious past. I'll grant one thing though, 'Death Magnetic' makes us forget 'St. Anger', and that in itself is a great achievement for the band.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2008
15
#15 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Sometimes the album's mini-epics come off as we've still got it! stunts. But when it's working, the effect is like ceding your senses to a particularly well-engineered roller coaster in the dark.
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  2. Pitchfork
    49
    The best ones spit in the face of death; this album instead finds aging men trying to reclaim their youth.
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  3. Rolling Stone
    80
    The musicianship feels thrillingly live throughout, and nimble new bassist Robert Trujillo helps, even though he's mostly heard as a distant, ominous rumble.
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