Metallica - Hardwired... To Self-Destruct

Metallica
Hardwired... To Self-Destruct
2016
Spotify

The last couple of Metallica records have been an attempt to "return to their roots" or so the band have said. The results were fine but it felt like exactly what it was, a bunch of 50 years olds trying to do what they did when they were 19. The music felt incredibly forced and had none of that effortless rock energy that Metallica are known for. However on this new record, billed as yet another return to form, the results are far less hard wrought and more organic. The guitars are just as loud, drums just as aggressive and James Hetfield's vocals are just as...well.. James Hetfiledy, but this time the band simply slides into their roles rather than trying to be forced there. This album is set up as a double record with six tracks on each side, but the songs all run way past a six minute run time which gives the music a more jam feel, but can often get so repetitive that a song like : Now That We're Dead" never seems to end. This has two effects thought, on one hand Metallica feel more comfortable and like they are moving more fun than the have in years and two the music is much looser with far less expectations placed upon it.

If you are expecting to be blown away by this creative freedom I am afraid you are going to be disappointed. Hardwired... To Self-Destruct is blazing no new trails for Metallica instead sticking with the same thing they have always done. This has been a criticism of Metallica for years now that they simply cannot seem to get passed the point hey were at in 1991. Many of these songs seem like they could easily have been on one of their first records, which is not a good thing for a band who has been doing this for damn near 30 years. It is impressive that they can keep this kind of energy going for over an hour in and of itself, but at some point you just end up asking yourself why. At points a guitar solo like the one on "Halo on Fire" will standout but it does not make up for the other eight minutes still left on the track. Hardwired... To Self-Destruct then becomes just a complete chore at the end offering no new surprises or excitement. It may be the best that Metallica have sounded in years but this record has a major editing issue that is just to much to get past.

5.6 out of 10