Earlier this year, the new Metallica album was released. It coincided with a cross Pennsylvania trip that I took. The Philadelphia suburbs to Punxsutawney to the Pittsburgh suburbs to Erie and back to Philadelphia. I must’ve listened to 72 Seasons a dozen times or more on that trip. It gets tricky when discussing a new album from arguably the most iconic band in heavy metal history. Lots of folks think the band died when bassist Cliff Burton died in the mid 80’s (almost 40 years ago!). Or that the band released another album or two and then died. I disagree with all of those folks. I find something enjoyable in each Metallica album. I’ve been a fan since I was a 10-year-old kid and have followed them through their metal, hard rock, alternative, orchestral, thrash, and back to their roots phases. 72 Seasons has an appealing “old man thrash” vibe that depicts each season that a young man goes through on his way to becoming an adult. An interesting concept. Musically, this is a nice blend of thrash, hard rock, and just a few nods to the alternative / grunge sounds that the band played around with in the 90’s. Robert Trujillo shines on bass on this record, his finest Metallica moments thus far are all here. Lars Ulrich drums as only he can while James Hetfield and Kirk Hammet play off of each other nicely on guitar. Hetfield’s vocals are imbued with emotion. I would have liked a ballad, but hey…that’s just me. Maybe we’ll get The Unforgiven IV on the next record in 10 years.
The album starts off with one of the best songs on the entire thing – the title track. It builds into a nice mid-tempo thrash groove before Hetfield’s vocal kick in. Somewhat standard Metallica vibes until the chorus enters the equation. “Wrath of man! / Leaching through / Split in two” – the f/x on Hetfield’s vox as he sings / shouts the chorus is just next level stuff. Screaming Suicide takes the tempo down just a notch and features some killer guitar work from both James and Kirk. It settles into a nice groove and surprisingly is a positive anthem – talking about keeping that negative self-talk away. Nice guitar solo too. Lux Æterna was our first introduction to the album and this phase of Metallica. It’s a fairly straight forward heavy metal song that hits all of the high points that Metallica do so well. A great way to reintroduce the band. Killer vocals, killer guitar solos. Chasing Light is a decent enough song – perhaps a little bit of a studio workout. But I absolutely love the musical breakdown at about the 3:55 mark – a slight nod to the Load / Re-Load eras. Hard rock / alternative before it gets washed away in the waves of metal. If Darkness Had a Son feels like an unreleased Metallica song from the 80’s. It chugs along with amazing riffs and demonic vocals. Lyrically, it again flips the script – warding off darkness through the eyes of youth. A really neat trick James Hetfield does throughout the album. Inamorata closes the album in stunning fashion. Officially being called the longest Metallica song on a record, though that discounts their album with Lou Reed (which is mostly hated but I mostly like it). This is EPIC Metallica. The band firing on all cylinders and easily the best song on the album for me – your mileage may differ. 11:10 of progressive heavy metal that features incredible musicianship from every member of Metallica. If you didn’t know, “inamorata” means a female lover and / or to fall in love. Rob Trujillo’s bass on this song – damn! Just kills it. Long overdue for this moment. Easily one of my favorite Metallica songs of all time.
Overall, I think 72 Seasons is an above average Metallica album. I have to say it – my favorite since the much hated and yet underrated St. Anger. But hey, I like everything Metallica does. Give this one a try. Not a weak track on the album, though a few songs are similar sounding. That’s OK. I’ll take it.
Verdict: Twilight Highlight
For Fans of: Megadeth, Scorpions, Alice in Chains, Anthrax
Tracks:
- 72 Seasons
- Shadows Follow
- Screaming Suicide
- Sleepwalk My Life Away
- You Must Burn!
- Lux Æterna
- Crown of Barbed Wire
- Chasing Light
- If Darkness Had a Son
- Too Far Gone?
- Room of Mirrors
- Inamorata