Hardwired...To Self-Destruct
by Metallica
  • Record Label: Rhino
  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2016
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 399 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 332 out of 399
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 399
  3. Negative: 34 out of 399
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  1. Codeling
    Aug 7, 2021
    8
    Great album. Spit Out the Bone is one of the best Metallica songs ever.
    Best songs: Spit Out the Bone, Moth into Flame, Halo on Fire
    Worst songs: -
  2. MrCell
    Mar 26, 2021
    8
    This album has a couple weak tracks, but "spit out the bone" is one of metallicas most well made songs, the first five tracks are also really good
  3. LoletinAlexis
    Jun 6, 2019
    7
    Hardwired ... To Self-Destruct is a good album. It does not reach the level of excellence of the classic works of Metallica, but it is not far behind either.
    Excessive length and some filler songs do him a bad favor.
  4. TallicaDude83
    Sep 2, 2017
    10
    Well first i want to say that i don't get the bad reviews ???? I mean almost everyone even positive reviews compare it to their past,or to what's relevant to the times,but i would say compare it to what it is...music! A simple ear test is all you need,no need to get too scientific about it,that has been a huge problem that ive seen,everyone bringing up the past,but onto my review...tbhWell first i want to say that i don't get the bad reviews ???? I mean almost everyone even positive reviews compare it to their past,or to what's relevant to the times,but i would say compare it to what it is...music! A simple ear test is all you need,no need to get too scientific about it,that has been a huge problem that ive seen,everyone bringing up the past,but onto my review...tbh there is an element missing from this and DM for that matter,and i think i have finally figured out,it's the honesty..and not like it sounds,i think it is honest but tue way it is honest is different,it's not like load n reload where they are honestly expressing their self with complete originality...no they are being honest by that plus they purposely make a point to touch on other topics i.e ptsd in "Confusion" or thrashy rebellion in "Hardwired" not that specific topics aren't original it's that it has a feel of let's do this because it is a topic of todays society or at least in some form it is,in other words being relevant,and that us fine,no problem with being relevant as long as you don't overdue it or make it the end all be all and on this album i feel like they got specific with it more than any other album but not so much so that that they come off as "sell outs" bc after all for them in todays world you would have to a little or there would be no point in making an album,it is also an artistic expression to have relevancy in your music albeit it should come more naturally than purposely,as far as tracks go everyone blows "Hardwied" out of proportion imho,it is great and although for me comparing Metallica songs is like comparing which is more important your heart or brain,there are differences and i do not see it like everyone else,i think every track is great in it's own way just like their whole catalogue,i honestly just love every original and some cover songs Metallica has done,the way i judge Metallica is simply if they are truly being themselves,not by genre,my own preferences,their past etc...i feel the only way to correctly hear them or any artist as it applies,is to not make excuses,for Metallica that means none for or against 80's and 90's styles,i love and respect that they aren't being bland with thrash from the 80's or commercial 90's..necassarily.I got what i wanted and feel like where they are from this album 10/10...metal up m/… Expand
  5. Epik_Ninnja
    Aug 13, 2017
    8
    I'd have to say Metallica is my favorite band and this album exemplifies why to an extent. It's not the best they've put out but it's sort of a combination of all of their styles. There's that 90's hard rock and laid back metal to that early age and Death Magnetic-type in your face thrash metal. All of the songs are at least pretty good and some are worth calling "really good" like Halo onI'd have to say Metallica is my favorite band and this album exemplifies why to an extent. It's not the best they've put out but it's sort of a combination of all of their styles. There's that 90's hard rock and laid back metal to that early age and Death Magnetic-type in your face thrash metal. All of the songs are at least pretty good and some are worth calling "really good" like Halo on Fire. Ultimately, Metallica's tenth studio album stands as a solid metal album.… Expand
  6. Xevon
    Jun 23, 2017
    7
    Hardwired is not only a stronger album than it's predecessor Death Magnetic, but also a vastly more diverse one. Hardwired experiments with flavours we've not seen from Metallica before with catchy tracks like Moth into Flame all the while revisiting ideas Metallica has previously visited like the trash metal masterpiece Spit Out The Bone, the slow burning slightly evil Dream No More andHardwired is not only a stronger album than it's predecessor Death Magnetic, but also a vastly more diverse one. Hardwired experiments with flavours we've not seen from Metallica before with catchy tracks like Moth into Flame all the while revisiting ideas Metallica has previously visited like the trash metal masterpiece Spit Out The Bone, the slow burning slightly evil Dream No More and even a touch of Load/Reload with tracks like Now That We're Dead. One of the main things that makes Hardwired a notable improvement over Death Magnetic is that they're not trying so retrace their steps like they were, they're not grabbing at the possibility of a charting single or emulating older songs - they're stepping out of their comfort zone somewhat and making music more like the music they actually want to make, rather than what they feel obligated to make which makes all of the difference and makes the record feel more genuine and memorable. The production is a substantial step up from Death Magnetic and just about everything from Lars' drumming to James' singing sounding better than before - and while Hardwired doesn't hold a candle to Bob Rock's production work during the 90's, it's easily the best sounding studio album since Reload or Garage Inc. Make no mistake, the album isn't on par with the likes of Master of Puppets and tends to be a bit top heavy with the middle tracks of the second disc tending to make less of an impact than the rest of the album and the title track being arguably the worst thing on the album, but needless to say Hardwired is a competent effort from an aging metal band with more than enough musical goodness for Metallica diehards and those new to their content alike.… Expand
  7. Zanessa250QI
    May 27, 2017
    7
    The album will be so much better if have 10 tracks could Delete the trash Murder One & Am I Savage is really very bad!!!!!

    ManUnkind & Dream no More is good to bad

    The rest is amazing & Masterpiece.
  8. HeavyMetal
    Apr 19, 2017
    10
    With heavy tracks such as "hardwired", "moth into flame", "lords of summer", "spit out the bone", etc, this is by far the best Metallica album since the black album. This album really shows James Hetfield's riff writinglyric writing skills, Lars Ulrich's drumming skills, Kirk Hammet's awesome guitar solos, and Robert Trujillo's awesome bass lines. Metallica is back!
  9. MAFIAxMaverick
    Mar 19, 2017
    10
    Feels like a return to form. I haven't enjoyed Metallica this much in years. There's not a song on this album I don't like. You can definitely tell that James Hetfield's voice has started to drop off, but it's still a treat to listen to nonetheless. The band seemed to really be firing on all cylinders here, which was much needed after the disappointment that was Death Magnetic.
  10. DavidXBOX
    Mar 6, 2017
    9
    Best album since Load. Atlas Rise, Now we are death... amazing tracks! Absolutely loved this album... we have Metallica for a long time! They have others tracks like Moth into flame or Spit out the bone that you have to listen to... very solid album
  11. YT_Guyyy
    Feb 17, 2017
    7
    The album as a whole is not the greatest, but in metal standards is very good. All but the lead single 'Hardwired' run on for too long, and that's definitely the album's best song. It's nowhere near to being as good as 'Master of Puppets' or '...And Justice For All', but then again, it's not 'St.Anger.
  12. LoRevisor
    Jan 5, 2017
    8
    Metallica made a Great Album!!!!, Not so good as the first 4 classics,

    But better than Black Album and slightly better than Death Magnetic, of cOURSE Million lights away to St. Anger.

    Top 6 Songs

    1-Halo On Fire
    2-Now That We're Dead
    3-Moth Into Flame
    4-Spit Out The Bone
    5-Atlas, Rise!
    6-Confusion
  13. nhand42
    Jan 4, 2017
    9
    Metallica re-embraces their thrash metal roots. Has the same energetic feeling as Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets. They'll never have the same energy from 30 years ago, but they can still play a mean guitar solo, and kick out a wicked drum roll. Metallica continues to amaze after all these years.
  14. ClaireW
    Jan 1, 2017
    10
    Another masterpiece of music! A superb album. Hardwired ........ To Thrill Me! Bring it on Metallica, you rock me heavy and hard!!!! Love, love, love it! xx
  15. gigizayn
    Dec 22, 2016
    8
    Exceeds Expectations, Best Metallica Album Since Load (1996)

    Hardwired... To Self-Destruct for 1 point= 8/10 is better than Death Magnetic (2008) 7/10... Hardwired... is too good that of Metallica i just listen the new songs of the album now, MOMENT, but it's almost perfect H...TS-D Will be Better if Am I Savage & Murder One isn't on album these two are very weak one simple bad    Exceeds Expectations, Best Metallica Album Since Load (1996)

    Hardwired... To Self-Destruct for 1 point= 8/10 is better than Death Magnetic (2008) 7/10...

    Hardwired... is too good that of Metallica i just listen the new songs of the album now, MOMENT, but it's almost perfect

    H...TS-D Will be Better if Am I Savage & Murder One isn't on album these two are very weak one simple bad ones...

    And Dream No More, Here Comes The Revenge & ManUnkind is almost Perfect tracks.

    Hardwired, Atlas, Rise!, Now That We're Dead, Moth Into Flame, Halo On Fire, Confusion & Spit Out The Bone are PERFECT Masterpieces!!!

    Long Live Metallica!!!    … Expand
  16. BIOHAZARD-R-US
    Dec 21, 2016
    9
    Absolutely loved this album, and I'm so happy to have some new Metallica music after waiting so long. With thrashy riffs to heavy riffs to melodic riffs, Metallica has it all on this album. Taking influences from Kill 'Em All, ...And Justice For All, The Black Album, Load/ReLoad and Death Magnetic, this album creates the definitive Metallica experience. The only 2 major gripes I have withAbsolutely loved this album, and I'm so happy to have some new Metallica music after waiting so long. With thrashy riffs to heavy riffs to melodic riffs, Metallica has it all on this album. Taking influences from Kill 'Em All, ...And Justice For All, The Black Album, Load/ReLoad and Death Magnetic, this album creates the definitive Metallica experience. The only 2 major gripes I have with this album is that it's on 2 discs, and the kick drum sound. At 77 minutes of music, this could've easily fit on 1 disc. Load was just over 79 minutes. It's bothersome to have to switch out CDs after 6 songs/35 minutes of music only. The kick drums sound like flicking a post-it note at some points, and other times have the heavy-weighted thud that a kick should have. I guess that might be because this whole record was recorded over a year-plus time span. But the snare sounds great!

    The weakest track of the album would have to be Dream No More, as every other song has something memorable from it, often times the chorus. Halo On Fire and Am I Savage? are great examples of this. The thrashy bookend of the title track and the fan favorite Spit Out the Bone is a nice format, wrapping everything in a nice barbed wire bow. The Lemmy tribute still keeping with the sound of the rest of the album and not a random trip off into Motörhead sound was well done. I think tribute songs should be done this way. The only thing I was confused on was the Black Metal theme that the video for Man UNkind had, which didn't really fit the song. The song does not have a Black Metal sound to it, but instead fits right in with the sound of the rest of the album. I must say, making a music video for each song was awesome, and to do all of them in 2 months is astonishing. Metallica have said that the wait for the next album won't be another 8 years, and Kirk is even using some of the riffs he didn't get to use on this album and some new ones to start shaping the next album. Rob has expressed that he is pumped up from this record and that his creativeness is flowing too, so that's even better. The Lords of Metal have returned!    … Expand
  17. hetfieldrocks82
    Dec 14, 2016
    10
    Let's get this out the way first off: I'm a HUGE Metallica fan. I've loved their music since a very young age after hearing Master Of Puppets and have followed their every release with bated breath.

    I am not a thrash purist who hated on the Black Album then Load eras because bands should be free to express themselves in any way they like without being labelled as sellouts etc. The    Let's get this out the way first off: I'm a HUGE Metallica fan. I've loved their music since a very young age after hearing Master Of Puppets and have followed their every release with bated breath.

    I am not a thrash purist who hated on the Black Album then Load eras because bands should be free to express themselves in any way they like without being labelled as sellouts etc. The Black Album and subsequent Load/Reload eras are important because they reflected where Metallica as a band, and the musicians themselves were at - at those times.

    Right, on to Hardwired To Self Destruct.

    I LOVE this album. There, I said it.

    From the trickle releases of Hardwired, Moth Into Flame and Atlas, Rise!, my excitement for the album grew by the minute until I got my hands on the deluxe edition. A culmination of their entire career, Hardwired To Self Destruct is a brilliant album with heavy riffs, melody, harmonies and Hetfield's trademark snarl.

    Hardwired starts the album off with a nod to their debut album - Kill Em All. Thrashy, fast, short and full of spite - Hardwired was the last song to be written for the album and kicks off the energy by turning up the intensity to 11. Next up is Atlas Rise which is my favourite song on the whole album. The verses are punchy - the chorus insanely catchy and the breakdown and dual harmonising section hair-raising. Now That We're Dead is a slower chugging rocker with a catchy chorus and great guitar work; Moth Into Flame - which has possibly the finest chorus Metallica have written in years - is another powerhouse track which is then followed by Cthulhu-based Dream No More. Dark, foreboding and powerful - much like Cthulhu himself - Dream No More is a monster of a track. Finishing off the first disc is Halo On Fire which has some really enticing tempo changes and a great chorus.

    Confusion starts the second disc off and is one of the strongest tracks on the whole album. Kinda reminds me of Harvester Of Sorrow if it was written in 2016 - chugging riffs, soaring chorus and Hetfield's growls throughout. ManUnkind starts with a Cliff Burton-tribute bass section by Robert Trujillo which is superb and the song itself is pretty damn catchy. Here Comes Revenge is another powerhouse track followed by Am I Savage which is probably my least favourite on the album but still a good track either way. Murder One is next with some great riffs and James snarling away in tribute to Lemmie from Motorhead before we get to the magnus opus of the album - Spit Out The Bone. Wow - this track. It blew me away the first handful of times I listened to it and still makes me go kinda nuts when I listen. Thrashy, powerful, angry and fast with some awesome vocals, lyrics and some of the best guitar playing by Hetfield and Hammett in years.

    All in all a fantastic album by the kings of metal.
    I shall continue to ignore the naysayers and enjoy the album like I always do.

    Metallica forever!    … Expand
  18. jeffo2448
    Dec 13, 2016
    7
    The album has grown on me the past few weeks. This album definitely has some solid songs (Atlas, Rise!, Halo on Fire, Spit Out the Bone, Moth Into Flame and Hardwired are all pretty damn good). But there are a few tracks that are IMO - pretty undesirable and filler material. Sure these guys are getting old, but they can still put out a great album. I just think some of the songs lackThe album has grown on me the past few weeks. This album definitely has some solid songs (Atlas, Rise!, Halo on Fire, Spit Out the Bone, Moth Into Flame and Hardwired are all pretty damn good). But there are a few tracks that are IMO - pretty undesirable and filler material. Sure these guys are getting old, but they can still put out a great album. I just think some of the songs lack creativity and ambition, but luckily a few of the tracks save them.… Expand
  19. Uros1987
    Dec 10, 2016
    10
    Great record,more diverse and progressive than last one. Hat off to the FOUR HORSEMAN !! Album contains instant classic songs such as Spit Out The Bone, Halo on Fire, Moth Into flame...
  20. NoMaDXT
    Dec 8, 2016
    9
    In a twist turn I completely did not expect. I saw the entry on Metacritic and immediately went out and bought the album and listened to it on the way home from work, and to work the next day. This album is a pays omage to Metallica's roots in Thrash metal, and to their later dabblings n hard rock. This is a beautifully balanced Album for every fan of Metallica. Wheter Reload or Ride theIn a twist turn I completely did not expect. I saw the entry on Metacritic and immediately went out and bought the album and listened to it on the way home from work, and to work the next day. This album is a pays omage to Metallica's roots in Thrash metal, and to their later dabblings n hard rock. This is a beautifully balanced Album for every fan of Metallica. Wheter Reload or Ride the lightning was your favorite album or whether you just love everything this band does. This album is a winner. I was a little let down by St. Anger. WIth this, the boys are back on form and have completely redeemed themeselves. A great Album for books boys well done!!… Expand
  21. raphapira86
    Dec 5, 2016
    10
    Simply pure thrash with a dash of melodic metal! Thumbs up for Metallica again! m/
    It really was worth waiting for it! Thanks again, kings of thrash music
  22. nicolas_brisson
    Nov 30, 2016
    9
    I really liked this album! It's their best released since 25 years. I liked the Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Helloween influences! Nice riffs, but they made their songs in the same form than the firsts albums, like Murder One that is really similar to ... And Justice For All. But after all, it's a very good album nice to heard and reheard!
  23. Lateralus07
    Nov 28, 2016
    9
    The album is great. The only people giving the album a 3 or less are people that only want the old Metallica sound. The album is very vocally driven. If you like James, you will like this album. I don't like making reviews until I've given the album many good listens, and I feel I am now qualified to. The production is better than most Metallica albums. There are many great, heavyThe album is great. The only people giving the album a 3 or less are people that only want the old Metallica sound. The album is very vocally driven. If you like James, you will like this album. I don't like making reviews until I've given the album many good listens, and I feel I am now qualified to. The production is better than most Metallica albums. There are many great, heavy riffs that work well with the vocals, and the drums are heavy, but I would have liked to see more fills consist of more than just 2-4 measures of 8th or 16th notes on the snare, but its Lars and he plays for the band. Whether you like a thrashy sound or powerful vocal driven music, there is something for you on here. I should mention that the album seems to have grown on me too, particularly the songs I didn't like at first. I would say it sounds more like Death Magnetic than any other Metallica album, and in reference to it, the best of DM is probably better than the best on Hardwired, but that's likely no the popular opinion as most people hated on DM. If your're a true Metallica fan, and you give it many listens, you will like it. Dream no more has a great communication between guitar and vocals. Spit out the bone is thrashy if you like that. Am I savage has some great heavy guitar work. Halo on fire is a very well-written song across all facets. Now that we're dead is another vocal driven song with great guitar work. I would actually say that Hardwired is easily the worst song on the album, what Metallica song is only 3 minutes long? Another important thing that you don't get from Metallica that often is you can actually hear the bass in the mix. It isn't thrown under heavy riffs to the point of being inaudible. Overall, the album gives off a complete vibe. It has a little bit of everything that we've heard from Metallica. The album is a great example of what you get when everyone in the band works together to create great music. There's a lot of energy coming from this album, and my less favorite songs have grown to be on the level of my favorites over the course of a week and a half.… Expand
  24. muldjord
    Nov 28, 2016
    7
    About 4 good songs on here. And by "good" I mean something that fits into my personal preference when it comes to Metallica. Which is the old style of 81-88 or so. The aggressive stuff. Luckily it seems that James has managed to dig a bit deeper with the vocal style this time around, and found some of that much needed aggression. I never liked his cleaner vocals which seemed to manifestAbout 4 good songs on here. And by "good" I mean something that fits into my personal preference when it comes to Metallica. Which is the old style of 81-88 or so. The aggressive stuff. Luckily it seems that James has managed to dig a bit deeper with the vocal style this time around, and found some of that much needed aggression. I never liked his cleaner vocals which seemed to manifest itself and take hold after the Black Album.

    Unfortunately the album overall seem bland to me. Too much filler and the songs just tend to drag on for ages without any reason to do so.

    If they had taken the style of "Spit out the Bone" and run with it, this would be an awesome album! But I would be naive to expect that. The guys are getting old, and I have complete understanding of the shifting focus of style. It's just not something I am interested in listening to.    … Expand
  25. MILCH
    Nov 27, 2016
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Esta producción tiene alma...!! aunque todo conocedor de la HISTORIA de METALLICA encuentra muchos riffs del pasado, lo cual esto en todo caso a veces es bueno regresar a tus raíces e incorporarlo a tu presente... decidir cual es la mejor canción aun me resulta dificil pero si puedo separar las mejores a mi juicio de este album... Hardwired, Atlas Rise, Now that we´re dead, Moth in to Flame, Halo of fire, Here comes the revenge y Spit out the bone...!!!!

    Un album pegado a las redes sociales que sin duda no baja de un 7 de calificación, no es un masterpiece pero si que puede ser la ultima de joya de metallica?    … Expand
  26. GeOgRaFuS
    Nov 27, 2016
    9
    After Metallica released 3 songs from the album, I thought it's going to be great and I wasn't disappointed. My impression was that Metallica didn't want to serve the crowds and make some radio hit songs, but to satisfy their hardcore fans instead, which I find a pretty good attitude.
    I think the songs are great, I like all of them. My only problem is that in some parts the lyrics is too    After Metallica released 3 songs from the album, I thought it's going to be great and I wasn't disappointed. My impression was that Metallica didn't want to serve the crowds and make some radio hit songs, but to satisfy their hardcore fans instead, which I find a pretty good attitude.
    I think the songs are great, I like all of them. My only problem is that in some parts the lyrics is too simple and I hoped there will be an instrumental track.
    All things considered, Hardwired... To Self-Destruct fulfilled my expectations and I'm happy to see Metallica still writes good songs and rocks.    … Expand
  27. deringerx
    Nov 26, 2016
    10
    The album is amazing...James voice is great.They create some amazing riffs,simple but amazing...Start with Hardwired to Spit ot of the bone...maaan Spit out of the bone is Insane.Again,James voice is amazing ... m/
  28. kennyrichie94
    Nov 25, 2016
    7
    It is basically what you'd expect from them. And that's that, not bad though, totally recommended even if you don't like the genre, but if you like it then you would've expected a bit more.
  29. Wuj
    Nov 23, 2016
    9
    Great comeback. The truth is that "Hardwired..." is one of the best hardrock and metal LP for several years.
    Without intellectual **** comparisons to the old days, bad words about selling themselves: Metallica wrote great songs once again. Buy this LP on CD or vinyl - put it to a HIFI, turn the volume on full and enjoy yourself. Dream no more, Murder One and halo on fire are just great.    Great comeback. The truth is that "Hardwired..." is one of the best hardrock and metal LP for several years.
    Without intellectual **** comparisons to the old days, bad words about selling themselves: Metallica wrote great songs once again. Buy this LP on CD or vinyl - put it to a HIFI, turn the volume on full and enjoy yourself. Dream no more, Murder One and halo on fire are just great. And Spit out the bone is simply one of the best Metallica songs ever.
    If some of songs were shorter, "Hardwired..." would become even more epic.    … Expand
  30. TiffanyStarrxxx
    Nov 22, 2016
    10
    This album is like a mix between all of Metallica's other albums (minus the horrible St.Anger) There's something on this album for every Metal(lica) fan to enjoy. Some may be disappointed there's no instrumental track in Hardwired...To Self-Destruct, but with such a great set-list already you won't miss it too much. Pick it up since it's fairly cheap for a new Metallica release.
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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Most Discussed Album of 2016
38
#38 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. Record Collector
    Jan 26, 2017
    60
    Hardwired is a slightly less gripping version of the same, as is Moth Into Flame. There’s some sweet doom in the form of Dream No More, an obvious Sabbath homage, and a nod to their late mentor Lemmy with Murder One. In between, we’re treated to a lot of mid-tempo plodding.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    Dec 21, 2016
    80
    This is the adult Metallica at last, monolithic, grandiose and grizzled. Maturity suits the band, makes them a weightier proposition than the pursuit of former glories ever could. [Dec 2016, p.62]
  3. No Ripcord
    Nov 30, 2016
    60
    It's too long, with too many tracks that go nowhere. But those songs that do work are some of their best in the last couple of decades.
    Read full review
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