I'm really digging Shadows Follow and the last 3 Songs! Way better than what I expected after 2nd and 3rd Singles release... Even with the Recycled Riffs - I'm just glad they are still here and making New Music! James sounds really good on this Album, but I do agree that Guitars are lacking something, probably just Fidelman's mixing...
Overall a really solid album for me and I feel a number of these tracks are better appreciated upon multiple listens. James is sounding better then he has in over 20 years and there’s some stand out tracks. I would even go as far as saying it’s more consistent than hardwired. The more I listen the better this one gets
I personally really liked 72 Seasons. To me there is much more energy and punch to the songs on her compared to Hardwired. Also this to me was all killer, no filler. Honestly, I really don't hear much of a "continuation" of Hardwired. Sure, sound wise it's very similar. But in terms of the songs themselves, this sounds like its own, fully flushed out project. And I had so much fun listening to it. 8-8.5/10 for me :D
I love the album personally. Especially Too Far Gone, Room of Mirrors and Inamorata. The guitar harmony game is off the charts on this album I think. Inamorata I think does deserve its length. Especially towards the end it does get really groovy and interesting. But then again I am nowadays listening to a lot of progressive stuff. So the fact that I love long songs is nothing new :D
My 3 favorites too. This album has one hell of an ending with those ones. I also think Shadows Follow is also a highlight along with Crown of Barbed Wire and You Must Burn! This album has really high points 🤘🤘
Hardwired + death magnetic if they had a child. I am glad that they don’t have any bad songs on 72 seasons. Sounds like they are perfecting what started on DM and continued on Hardwired.
@@MrMOGHammer more where they lost on hardwired and regained the death magnetic song structure a bit more. Aside from what I think is metallicas worst song. Lux aeterna.
Im actually satisfied with this album! It made the singles we heard sound better somehow. I think I understand the vibe of the album more after listening to it fully. I think it's got a nice mix of Death Magnetic and Load. The riffs are cool as well 🔥 Lars... I can't believe it but he's back! I love the drum sound too 8.5/10
Great album, not easy for listening, intense, no ballads but i actually like it very much even more than hardwired... to self destruct. One thing which is very interesting is that all songs are good, no skipping of tracks like on some previous records. I think Metallica will release a couple of more album already read that Lars said they already have some new unreleased stuff and have new ideas already. METALLICA 4EVER 🤟
This album FEELS. In my humble opinion all 4 of these gents felt their way along while creating this record. Inamorata has a lead (shortly after the build up section) that seems like a Hetfield lead. And we haven’t had one of those since the Death Magnetic release.
You pointed it out in your video that as a guitar player (specially one influenced by Hetfield) these songs will grow on you I tell you. You’ll start getting the hang of these riffs the more you play them (try and dial a Garage Inc. like tone while you play them). The structure of these songs will start to sound familiar and you’ll start drawing resemblances that’ll make you appreciate them more. For me it was learning Shadows Follow, You Must Burn, Chasing Light and Inamorata that got me there.
Lux Aeterna and If Darkness Had a Son turned me on to the album. But Inamorata was admittedly the main standout from it for me. Overall I think its a good album, and hetfields vocals are on point. I rate it a 7/10 overall as the tone was not as punchy and some of the songs could do with a bit of trimming
@Matt The Riff Master lux is a banger. Inamorata reminds me of a nice cross between the load and black album era. Room of Mirrors is also great for the maiden vibes
I actually can't get into the verse of Lux Aeterna. Dunno why, it's kinda pop punk sounding. Too soft. I love the rest of the song but the verse just grates on me a bit.
@@denouncedmusic on kill ‘en all that kind of pushing is all over the place, of course with a different delivery, but that is what makes Metallica great, not afraid to sound like their influences. Besides that kind of signing is more reminiscent of Rob Halford than some unknown pop punk bands. And you probably meant like The Offspring
Hey Matt. I've been listening to the album at work with headphones in this week and now the music is really getting under the skin. There are some songs that really growing on me big time. One of them being "Crown of Barbed Wire" and "inamorata" and "Too far gone" I think more listerns, and it really grows a personality.
You cant say you like the Loads but then say this fell flat when it was as much an experimental albums as the Loads. Lots of bluesy, Black Sabbath inspired stuff here. A lot more heavier than the Loads in terms of feel and aggressiveness but the same inspired song writing and vocals by James. You cant complain about an 11 minute song if you like Fixxxer and Outlaw Torn which are way more simpler (in structure) than Inamorata. In fact I wish some of those production touches from the Loads were present here, some atmospheric background touch ups or vocal effects like on The House Jack Built on James vocals. The problem with some Metallica fans is that they are waiting for some 80s resurrection basically since 90s. Many were hoping the Black Album was a "One and done" thing, they'll come back to thrash, but then they went further with the Loads and those fans are still waiting for "that" Metallica to return. It's been 30+ years, bro's. That Metallica aint coming back. Hard to imagine 40-50 year olds that havent grown up but that's that Metallica fan subgroup. My main complaint were Kirk's solos for the 4 singles, and for the most part there were some improvements with the other remaining tracks but still underwhelming. They just bring in Bob Rock to force Kirk to compose his solos better lol. Overall I give it a solid 7.5 out of 10. I may need to listen to it more but right now it's a few notches bellow Hardwired.
About bob rock, well he certainly only pushed hammet on TBA because on the loads it was pretty much him doing basic blue scales. And St-Anger he just left him alone it seems, too busy thinking he was part of the band just because he played the bass for the album. Bob Rock time was over and St-Anger was the writing on the wall for Metallica. DM pretty much redeemed them back into making wild music again albeit different but similar to their thrash roots and that is continued on this album. But I agree they need an actual producer to push them a bit further. I personally dig Kirk solos on this album they are on point, and the harmonies on that album are just so fucking tasty. Not stellar, but very decent. At least this time it doesn’t seem like he phoned them in.
I think that your take on the album is like i felt. You hear stuff and almost emedelity thing about a riff from some other song. I really liked the album and as you said about people being but hurt over what some one else thinks about it. Get over it life moves on and to see these guys still playing and making music is so cool and if this album will find some young band,guitarist,bassist or drummer and getting them the inspiration to keep metal going and writing new stuff. Or just new fans to the band and the metal genre than hell yeah
Their most consistent album since the Black album. .A band that's been going nearly 40 years isn't going to produce anything "new". I'm just pleased one of my fav bands are producing decent albums after all these years. I loved Hardwired and Garage Inc, couldn't get into Death Magnetic and Load and Re-Load were patchy but decent when decent.
I think if you are a Metallica fan who enjoys listening to Metallica do Metallica things, you'll probably find a lot to like with 72 Seasons. I count myself in that group. I generally figured that you were much the same based on your content over the years, so I'm honestly surprised, Matt, that you are so down on it. It's a sonically dense album for sure, but I think it's high points might hit a little higher than DM and HTSD (both of which I also enjoyed and still listen to to this day). There are cool moments and killer riffs spread throughout the album. Some of the riffs and lyrics do have a familiarity to them, but none of the songs sound overly forced or contrived to me (which isone of my mild criticisms of HTSD and especially DM). One man's clever self-reference is another man's retread I guess. I also dig the guitar tones. It definitely has a similar vibe in that regard to the last couple of records, but it simultaneously sounds heavier and yet cleaner than anything they've done since the black album. There's enough clarity and definition for the chordal bits to stand out, while also enough weight and saturation for the palm mutes to have some proper authority. There are points where the tone gets nasty, but it's that "my Marshall is about to go out in a blaze of glory" sort of nastiness. All in all, I'm still digging it after several listens.
When it first came out I was jazzed and riding on the high of new Metallica, but it didn't take me long to feel like it had lost its luster.I couldn't even get all the way through the album. I still haven't fully listened to every song on the album. It's really hard for me to admit that they finally released an album that I'm just not that crazy about. I mean I get it. They're all almost 60 years old and to be honest they just lost their edge. Their music has become more bouncy and less thrashy.
Been a Lica fan since 87. MOP is the gem!! Never liked Load/Reload era! 72 Seasons wasn't impressive on first listen. However having listened few times now, this is their best album since the Black one!! 🔥 🤟
Strangely I remember not digging MOP the first time but I wasn’t into metal at that point. Years later I started digging it. And I heard it first when it came out, alongside other thrash/heavy metal bands at the same time. But one day it all clicked. And then came AJFA. Required a few listen to dig it in. Now that is my all time favourite record and kill ‘em all I discovered a few years later and that sounded shockingly different. Dig it too, at the time of my first listen I already was thrash metal converted so that one was much easier to like on first listen. Point is that every single Metallica album requires a few listening through and then it grows on me. Fact is that every single one of them, 12, are different and need some adjustment to appreciate
As far as Inamorata goes, I really dug the harmony towards the tail end of the song. Overall, as a whole, I personally really dig the album. It’s not the best thing they put out, but it’s still pretty solid!!
I think this album is called 72 seasons for a reason. It’s suppose to be a compilation and love letter to all their past catalog. There’s stuff from KEA to Hardwired. I’m glad people are loving it as much as I am, but for those who don’t, I’m glad they at least gave the album a play through to see what it’s about before saying something like “the singles suck, so the album sucks” lol
I agree about the guitar tones - especially how aggressive their early tones were and how said tone can impact your perception of the songs themselves. Seems they went back to pre-Load with how they tightened the guitars up, but the tone itself on this album deserved something much more aggressive. Still love it as a collective whole though
Gotta be honest, Matt, I almost totally agree with you. I particularly relate to this being the first time I've gone "wait, what the fuck is going on?" like so many people have done for albums in the past. It's almost scary, because I never felt like that could happen to me, like I understood and loved Metallica enough that even a shitty album wouldn't do that. But this album isn't shitty, it's just completely mediocre, and I don't feel upset or like they suck but just that I know they could compose all these songs better than they did. I feel like just about every song would be way better if they just axed the intros. Also, I feel kind of alone in saying this, but this album feels like it has some of the laziest, most straightforward, uninteresting lyrics of any Metallica album ever. It doesn't feel like James is being open in a creative, thoughtful, interesting way, but that he's just like... talking to his therapist... I'm glad I can't say anything particularly negative about any of the songs, but it definitely doesn't have any standout moments for me. I've been listening quite a bit and it's all really growing on me, but I can't imagine the album ever making it out of my bottom 3 albums, and I can't imagine any of these songs making it into a top 20. I feel like it had potential, but the riffs are so blatantly recycled in almost every song that it makes it difficult to listen to as a hardcore fan. If I weren't super familiar with Metallica it would probably be more enjoyable, actually, just because - as you say - it would feel more new. Kirk's solos genuinely ruined almost every song on my first listen as well, because I would have moments where everything was building in a way that was genuinely making me feel something, and then he'd come in with the exact fucking same pentatonic lick with wah that he played on the last song, and it totally took me out of the moment. I also agree about the guitar tone - in fact, the whole fucking things sounds muffled. You know how AI has gotten really good at separating instruments, but there's still that certain quality particularly in the high end, that exists and just sounds off, like you can tell something is missing? Yeah, that's there for like the whole album, and I don't quite know why yet. It's just... werid... However, James sounds absolutely fucking amazing. I don't know how he did it, but he's reached a totally new kind of vocal peak. The whole band sounds so fucking killer live, too. Honestly, I feel like this is probably the best they've sounded at least since '92, if not ever. Anyway, that was a lot - and more than anything I'm super fucking stoked that they're still making good (even if not, to me, great) music, sounding awesome, and playing live shows. I can't wait to see them live this summer! Especially now that Rob seems to be able to do backing vocals...
I felt the same as you did during my 1st initial tials. I've grown into them. Blast CHasing Light, cz it is a thrashy tune with some dynamic. I found some gems in most songs. I know what you mean about the guitars, and they need an extra kick in the balls. Live sounds killer.
Seek and Destroy? Probably from the last riffs of SAD. Which are played full time and half time. That’s cool since I feel that this album has KEA DNA all over the place
I really enjoyed it. Id rank it above HWTSD, Death Magnetic, St Anger, and KEA. Personally my favorites off the album are Too Far Gone, Inamorata, and Crown of Barbed Wire. No skips for me at all.
When you play an instrument, you get into some way of playing it that will always come up when creating new material. Sometimes it’s the way you approach an instrument there is great chances that it’s your playing style that might make some riffs sound like another you created. But still making something completely new. All musicians, bands, are guilty of that. That’s just the nature of the beast. Metallica are although responsible for many different styles of song writing. But they will gladly pick from their own catalog for inspiration, and other bands music. They have done that from KEA to 72 seasons inclusively. Why change that when it works so well.
Aint really been a fan since reload...st anger,DM,HTSD are all no for me..and now this album is like hardwired(which aint good for me) same style,same riffs,same solos,tracks over riffed and too long..could of took 20mins off this album..i dont mind a few of the track tho..last track (11min) one is cool to me..prob me fav as it reminds me of a outlaw/fixxxer style..but yeah i wasnt expectin anythin amazing. They lost it many yrs bk.
The repetitive nature of including or ending almost every song with the chugged 1-0-1-0-1-0-11-0 riff pattern, and hammered on one note string riffs 5~7777,5~777 on the A string really labours the album. That, and Hammet being stuck in WahWah Land, bluesing out the same licks. My initial listens felt like One 80min song. I heard no range, character, difference, dynamics between the songs, some of which should have had some Lightning Bolted editing in their running times. But! The flashes are emerging from its inital One Dimentiinal sound cloud. Im hearing things breaking out as songs grow on me. Loving then Monolithic Inemorata- that one was Fixxxed from the Stones and Slabs of Sabbath. Some other songs like Room of Mirrors and Too Far Gone have brilliant Shredding and harmonized moments that, should have been at the forefront and ran allthe way thru, rather than more muted chugs and clubs of E and F# to get to them. I think theres gonna be a really good 8-9 song album in there and I look forward to discovering it more.🤘
I think it will grow on you. Some crackin riffs on there for sure and the songs are good even if they do sound similar to what we have heard before. I'm convinced the main issue here is Greg Fidelman. Nothing he has done with Metallica has been stellar. I think 40 years into their tenure some fresh ideas and inspiration actually helps and Greg in my opinion doesn't do this for Metallica in the same way Bob Rock and Flemming did. He doesn't seem to contribute, Lars and James needs some reigning in on the long assed songs that don't really go anywhere etc and Greg should be guiding them on that. I dunno man I just think this would be 100% better a record with a different producer.
Im with you men , i agree a lot with your points . Most of all i feel that those songs dont have a purpose as you say the lyrics are there but the music isn't going with them with some exceptions, they starting good but the songs dont go anyway feels like lost riffs that they trying to get their way.another point for me are those bluezy notes that i think they minimise those huge riffs, im thinking that they married load era with today and i personal dont like that , im sorry but i was expecting another thing,a good album but not for them ,thats my opinion Blessings
Hard disagree, I loved the album and just thought it was solid and consistent throughout. Hardwired hit higher peaks (spit out the bone, moth, atlas, and halo were all super memorable) but also had MUCH lower lows (Revenge, Savage, Murder One all SUCK). But that's the beauty of music and just being an individual person. We all have our tastes and dislikes. So we can agree to disagree :)
Murder One is a fucking insult to the guy they were paying hommage to. That should have been replaced by an actual thrashy cover of Ace of Spades or even better, a deep cut like Eat the Rich. That would have paid massive hommage to the late Mr Killmister. Imagine that with 72 seasons Rob’s bass tone. That would have been killer
72 Seasons for me is a very solid album at best. What stood out to me the most was the production of the album, they seemed to nail the overall sound as a collective, which is good. But I'm with you on the guitar tone, it's tight, it's there, but it does sound a little flat. Probably the result of James switching to the Marshall 70s Superlead he had modified by Eddie Van Halens amp wizard. So it's probably not as familiar as hearing a Mesa Boogie or a Diezel, I know he was into Diezels. I also liked the transitions in the songs, Lars has always had a knack for making the songs not sound too linear and boring, and the way the end songs too. Overall, I like the album. Maybe a few more filler songs than Hardwired, but I do enjoy most of the tracks.
Agree. i want to like it but i cant get into it. I also feel like some riffs got recycled abit and some lyrics in places also. Its cool they are still releasing albums and the performances on Stern i thought was good. James sounds really good live - to my ear atleast. But man the bar or some of the other albums were so high how do you top that shit. i mean MOP/AJFA is basically a murderers row of songs. Basically every album except for Lulu i enjoyed but 72 seasons not so much yet.
I hear old riffs in every song on 72 seasons, I think that was done on purpose and kind of clever. 72 seasons is about a journey through life and the similar riffs do reflect Metallica's journey, I think the guitars are sounding low to bring out James vocals. The overall production makes the album sound like it was recorded via zoom. Inamorata is a song I do not understand at all, As you said it's 11 minutes, Here I was thinking cool!!! We are going to get a riff fest for 11 minutes kind of like Spit Out The Bone....But nope.. It's the same sleepy music for 11 full minutes, Really bizarre and I was very disappointed in that, I do think and hope these songs will translate better live than they do on the Album. 72 Seasons for me, Is missing seasoning, It's like bland food that would be better with a pinch of salt and pepper. Kudos to those who enjoy it. Music like food is all a mater of taste. I'll still be there to listen to the boys live.
Metallica fans: We want more old Metallica! Also Metallica fans: This album sucks it sounds like old Metallica songs. Some people are being to hard on this album. There's nothing wrong with it. A few skips in my opinion. I dont like the title track or Crown of Thorns very much. Outside that 10 of the 12 songs are good! There is very little filler like there was on Hardwired where the entire second disc was not very good outside spit out the bone. You must burn, Too far gone, and Inamorata are MUST listens in my opinion. Inamorata is an 11 minute song that doesnt feel like it to me. I dont get the "its a masterpiece" talk but its a really good song if you just allow yourself to enjoy it. Life is too short to spend it turning your nose up at stuff like this. Its new Metallica music and for guys who have been doing this over 40 years with next to no lineup changes you are bound to year similarities to older stuff. If you can just let go and allow yourself to enjoy it its definitely an album worth your time.
Totally agree, this is the first album that I’m not excited about, at all. Almost every song reminds me of other Metallica songs but not in a good way.
Really was diggin too far gone and inamorta. I also felt james guitar wasn't as in your face as it usually is. He also used the marshall jcm800 modded which has a cool tone but it just wasn't attacking like james tone usually is. Forever metallica!!!!
For me it's definitely better than Hardwired. Also it's always been like that with Metallica that every new song has to grow on us. With every other listening, it gets better and better. For me it's solid album 7/10 or even 8/10
This album is a hard grind to listen to. The riffs don’t particularly reflect he message in the lyrics and the songs are far too long with not enough twists and turns to merit their length. I was really hoping for more of a Load/Reload vibe with a bit more depth to the production. The sad thing too is that it didn’t make me want to pick up my guitar and try to figure anything out. So yeah, no covers from me on this one.
I’m wit ya man. Been with them since 1983 and barring a couple cool new riffs it was just rehashed old riffs they didn’t use in the past and plopped on this album. No heart no surprises just meh. What a shame. I hope James gets back to writing monumental sideways crushing riffs without the NWOBHM tone shit. Stop with the “stock” riffs and get to writing a fucking crusher of an album again that everyone is waiting for. Enough heartfelt lyrics just give us bangers and hammer everyone with powerful exciting time changing timeless riffage and bad ass lyrics!!! Do it one last time before time runs out. Please.
It's funny how all these reactions guys become so cynical from a band that has been on top for 40 years lmao ..dude has biggest views on anything metallica nothing else
I have to say that this album is with St. Anger and Lulu the most disappointing, but I didn’t have high expectations. They’ve had an amazing music career and have been touring for a life time. No wonder that they reached their creative limits and the band will still be one of my all time favorites.
My opinion it's about the same as your Matt, i was at the premiere in the movie theater and all of the new songs remind me of something else from metallica. I was expecting so much more after 7 years of Hardwired. And i have to me that it will be one more album and this one will be the last one.
The sound is muffled and mellow. Drums are loud, again. Solos are just fillers, no substance. Guitar tones, no crunch, as they get older. Bass almost like And Justice For All. Thanks to Lars.
Same problem with Hardwired, there is absolutely NO REASON why this album should be as long as it is. The songs are too long and bloated. Yes there are several good songs here, but 70% of this album is mediocre and forgettable. Metallica needs to keep their albums to 7 or 8 songs max. And before you start whining that "they're 60 years old blah blah blah"....we know they can produce good music still, look at "Spit out the Bone".... I LOVE metallica but most of you fans are in denial here.
I agree totally. Its not a shite album by any stretch, but its not blown me away at all. I think some parts of it are like a watered down hardwired, especially the first 6 sings from hardwired. From hardwired to Halo on fire i was hooked, then the secind part of Hardwired i found myself getting a bit distracted, still cool riffs, but the songs where turgid at points. I think 72 seasons kind of follows suit. Great riffs, but poor self editing. Hetfields voice is fucking incredible whuch is a positive. The 11 minute epic everyone is spunking their jocks over goes straight over my head? Its ok, but they have pissed all over it before? Outlaw Torn is far superior is it not? If we are talking about a closing epic? Again, i like parts of this record, cool riffs here and there, but i feel like its riffs ive heard from hardwired before, and to me its a 3 star out of 5 album. Its ok, not blowing me away in anyway whatsoever. So to conclude, id say Matts review is spot in.
I went to the Cinema for the Premiere n I was Headbangin.. But then Again I must Agree Whole Heartedly with Ya. I cant remember the Song but it had Very Close resemblance to Sad But True But it had a Slight Nod to Seek and Destroy with Kirk's Lead Bits at some Parts. Bangin Album but Lacks Freshness. Inamorata was not really Necessary.... Id Have Preferred 3 extra 3 n Half Minute Tracks. I give it a 6½ maybe 7/10 Purely coz Its Metallica.
A lot of good riffs it is true.. but they are ruined by repetitive chorus/pre chorus sections which are just d and e powerchords.. there were so many sections that were way too simple.. a lot of f# chords too.. im not going to be cringe overhyped "fan" who takes their stuff like it's tech death level of guitar playing, it's the reality, it was 5.5/10
For the first time in 30 plus years I have to say I'm just not into this new album. The whole thing is just kinda ok. I like alot of the riffs. But the song writing this time just doesn't do it. Man I was really hoping for better quality. I will give them all more listens but I find this album just hard to get into
I'm really digging Shadows Follow and the last 3 Songs! Way better than what I expected after 2nd and 3rd Singles release... Even with the Recycled Riffs - I'm just glad they are still here and making New Music! James sounds really good on this Album, but I do agree that Guitars are lacking something, probably just Fidelman's mixing...
Guitars are lacking gain and distortion
It's very boring modern midrange sound
But i still like the album. Solid 7/10. Maybe even 8/10.
Overall a really solid album for me and I feel a number of these tracks are better appreciated upon multiple listens. James is sounding better then he has in over 20 years and there’s some stand out tracks. I would even go as far as saying it’s more consistent than hardwired. The more I listen the better this one gets
It’s a grower. The more I listen the more I like it. I enjoyed it. I think they will have one more album.
Simple, the more you listen, the better it gets! Songs are growing pretty well after a few listen, happen same to me with the Black Album.
I personally really liked 72 Seasons. To me there is much more energy and punch to the songs on her compared to Hardwired. Also this to me was all killer, no filler. Honestly, I really don't hear much of a "continuation" of Hardwired. Sure, sound wise it's very similar. But in terms of the songs themselves, this sounds like its own, fully flushed out project. And I had so much fun listening to it. 8-8.5/10 for me :D
I love the album personally. Especially Too Far Gone, Room of Mirrors and Inamorata. The guitar harmony game is off the charts on this album I think. Inamorata I think does deserve its length. Especially towards the end it does get really groovy and interesting. But then again I am nowadays listening to a lot of progressive stuff. So the fact that I love long songs is nothing new :D
Some cool guitar stuff for sure!
My 3 favorites too. This album has one hell of an ending with those ones. I also think Shadows Follow is also a highlight along with Crown of Barbed Wire and You Must Burn! This album has really high points 🤘🤘
Love it. It's in the top 5 Metallica albums for me. I place it at number 5.
You're insane
I’m totally loving this album, I actually want to learn to play this album. Inamorata for me is a proper doom track. To me this is Hardwired perfected
Hardwired + death magnetic if they had a child. I am glad that they don’t have any bad songs on 72 seasons. Sounds like they are perfecting what started on DM and continued on Hardwired.
@@MrMOGHammer more where they lost on hardwired and regained the death magnetic song structure a bit more. Aside from what I think is metallicas worst song. Lux aeterna.
Couse it's Metallica man,what you are expecting?? Every song grows every listening , better than hardwired
This album has got a lot of groove. No Metallica album has so much groove like 72 Seasons.
Absolutely! 🤘🏽
72 season is amazing. Best album from them in a long time. A great listen.
You're in denial mate
@@BannedPhotoshop Or maybe other people enjoy things that you don't?
Im actually satisfied with this album! It made the singles we heard sound better somehow. I think I understand the vibe of the album more after listening to it fully. I think it's got a nice mix of Death Magnetic and Load. The riffs are cool as well 🔥 Lars... I can't believe it but he's back! I love the drum sound too 8.5/10
I love the album, but I just really appreciate that they are still together, jammin, keepin' metal alive, thanks for the post 🤘🤙
🤟🏻😈🤟🏻
Great album, not easy for listening, intense, no ballads but i actually like it very much even more than hardwired... to self destruct. One thing which is very interesting is that all songs are good, no skipping of tracks like on some previous records. I think Metallica will release a couple of more album already read that Lars said they already have some new unreleased stuff and have new ideas already. METALLICA 4EVER 🤟
Hope they still take their time to perfect the future material to give us another great album in the future
This album FEELS. In my humble opinion all 4 of these gents felt their way along while creating this record. Inamorata has a lead (shortly after the build up section) that seems like a Hetfield lead. And we haven’t had one of those since the Death Magnetic release.
You pointed it out in your video that as a guitar player (specially one influenced by Hetfield) these songs will grow on you I tell you. You’ll start getting the hang of these riffs the more you play them (try and dial a Garage Inc. like tone while you play them). The structure of these songs will start to sound familiar and you’ll start drawing resemblances that’ll make you appreciate them more. For me it was learning Shadows Follow, You Must Burn, Chasing Light and Inamorata that got me there.
Lux Aeterna and If Darkness Had a Son turned me on to the album. But Inamorata was admittedly the main standout from it for me. Overall I think its a good album, and hetfields vocals are on point. I rate it a 7/10 overall as the tone was not as punchy and some of the songs could do with a bit of trimming
🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻 Lux for me is the one! Killer vibe
@Matt The Riff Master lux is a banger. Inamorata reminds me of a nice cross between the load and black album era. Room of Mirrors is also great for the maiden vibes
I actually love it. First time through, i though it was decent. The more i listen to it, the more i get hooked
I actually can't get into the verse of Lux Aeterna. Dunno why, it's kinda pop punk sounding. Too soft. I love the rest of the song but the verse just grates on me a bit.
@@denouncedmusic on kill ‘en all that kind of pushing is all over the place, of course with a different delivery, but that is what makes Metallica great, not afraid to sound like their influences. Besides that kind of signing is more reminiscent of Rob Halford than some unknown pop punk bands. And you probably meant like The Offspring
Hey Matt. I've been listening to the album at work with headphones in this week and now the music is really getting under the skin. There are some songs that really growing on me big time. One of them being "Crown of Barbed Wire" and "inamorata" and "Too far gone"
I think more listerns, and it really grows a personality.
You cant say you like the Loads but then say this fell flat when it was as much an experimental albums as the Loads. Lots of bluesy, Black Sabbath inspired stuff here. A lot more heavier than the Loads in terms of feel and aggressiveness but the same inspired song writing and vocals by James. You cant complain about an 11 minute song if you like Fixxxer and Outlaw Torn which are way more simpler (in structure) than Inamorata. In fact I wish some of those production touches from the Loads were present here, some atmospheric background touch ups or vocal effects like on The House Jack Built on James vocals.
The problem with some Metallica fans is that they are waiting for some 80s resurrection basically since 90s. Many were hoping the Black Album was a "One and done" thing, they'll come back to thrash, but then they went further with the Loads and those fans are still waiting for "that" Metallica to return. It's been 30+ years, bro's. That Metallica aint coming back. Hard to imagine 40-50 year olds that havent grown up but that's that Metallica fan subgroup.
My main complaint were Kirk's solos for the 4 singles, and for the most part there were some improvements with the other remaining tracks but still underwhelming. They just bring in Bob Rock to force Kirk to compose his solos better lol.
Overall I give it a solid 7.5 out of 10. I may need to listen to it more but right now it's a few notches bellow Hardwired.
About bob rock, well he certainly only pushed hammet on TBA because on the loads it was pretty much him doing basic blue scales. And St-Anger he just left him alone it seems, too busy thinking he was part of the band just because he played the bass for the album. Bob Rock time was over and St-Anger was the writing on the wall for Metallica. DM pretty much redeemed them back into making wild music again albeit different but similar to their thrash roots and that is continued on this album. But I agree they need an actual producer to push them a bit further. I personally dig Kirk solos on this album they are on point, and the harmonies on that album are just so fucking tasty. Not stellar, but very decent. At least this time it doesn’t seem like he phoned them in.
I think that your take on the album is like i felt. You hear stuff and almost emedelity thing about a riff from some other song. I really liked the album and as you said about people being but hurt over what some one else thinks about it. Get over it life moves on and to see these guys still playing and making music is so cool and if this album will find some young band,guitarist,bassist or drummer and getting them the inspiration to keep metal going and writing new stuff. Or just new fans to the band and the metal genre than hell yeah
Their most consistent album since the Black album. .A band that's been going nearly 40 years isn't going to produce anything "new". I'm just pleased one of my fav bands are producing decent albums after all these years. I loved Hardwired and Garage Inc, couldn't get into Death Magnetic and Load and Re-Load were patchy but decent when decent.
I did a Review for this also, it does sound very similar to hardwired. it's OK I Like it But it's NOT their best
idk, i like this better than hardwired. to each their own i guess.
I think if you are a Metallica fan who enjoys listening to Metallica do Metallica things, you'll probably find a lot to like with 72 Seasons. I count myself in that group. I generally figured that you were much the same based on your content over the years, so I'm honestly surprised, Matt, that you are so down on it. It's a sonically dense album for sure, but I think it's high points might hit a little higher than DM and HTSD (both of which I also enjoyed and still listen to to this day). There are cool moments and killer riffs spread throughout the album. Some of the riffs and lyrics do have a familiarity to them, but none of the songs sound overly forced or contrived to me (which isone of my mild criticisms of HTSD and especially DM). One man's clever self-reference is another man's retread I guess. I also dig the guitar tones. It definitely has a similar vibe in that regard to the last couple of records, but it simultaneously sounds heavier and yet cleaner than anything they've done since the black album. There's enough clarity and definition for the chordal bits to stand out, while also enough weight and saturation for the palm mutes to have some proper authority. There are points where the tone gets nasty, but it's that "my Marshall is about to go out in a blaze of glory" sort of nastiness. All in all, I'm still digging it after several listens.
3:19 Yes , for example Too Far Gone? reminds me of "Jump in the fire" ....
When it first came out I was jazzed and riding on the high of new Metallica, but it didn't take me long to feel like it had lost its luster.I couldn't even get all the way through the album. I still haven't fully listened to every song on the album. It's really hard for me to admit that they finally released an album that I'm just not that crazy about. I mean I get it. They're all almost 60 years old and to be honest they just lost their edge. Their music has become more bouncy and less thrashy.
Been a Lica fan since 87. MOP is the gem!! Never liked Load/Reload era! 72 Seasons wasn't impressive on first listen. However having listened few times now, this is their best album since the Black one!! 🔥 🤟
Strangely I remember not digging MOP the first time but I wasn’t into metal at that point. Years later I started digging it. And I heard it first when it came out, alongside other thrash/heavy metal bands at the same time. But one day it all clicked. And then came AJFA. Required a few listen to dig it in. Now that is my all time favourite record and kill ‘em all I discovered a few years later and that sounded shockingly different. Dig it too, at the time of my first listen I already was thrash metal converted so that one was much easier to like on first listen. Point is that every single Metallica album requires a few listening through and then it grows on me. Fact is that every single one of them, 12, are different and need some adjustment to appreciate
As far as Inamorata goes, I really dug the harmony towards the tail end of the song. Overall, as a whole, I personally really dig the album. It’s not the best thing they put out, but it’s still pretty solid!!
I think this album is called 72 seasons for a reason. It’s suppose to be a compilation and love letter to all their past catalog. There’s stuff from KEA to Hardwired. I’m glad people are loving it as much as I am, but for those who don’t, I’m glad they at least gave the album a play through to see what it’s about before saying something like “the singles suck, so the album sucks” lol
I agree about the guitar tones - especially how aggressive their early tones were and how said tone can impact your perception of the songs themselves. Seems they went back to pre-Load with how they tightened the guitars up, but the tone itself on this album deserved something much more aggressive. Still love it as a collective whole though
Gotta be honest, Matt, I almost totally agree with you. I particularly relate to this being the first time I've gone "wait, what the fuck is going on?" like so many people have done for albums in the past. It's almost scary, because I never felt like that could happen to me, like I understood and loved Metallica enough that even a shitty album wouldn't do that. But this album isn't shitty, it's just completely mediocre, and I don't feel upset or like they suck but just that I know they could compose all these songs better than they did. I feel like just about every song would be way better if they just axed the intros. Also, I feel kind of alone in saying this, but this album feels like it has some of the laziest, most straightforward, uninteresting lyrics of any Metallica album ever. It doesn't feel like James is being open in a creative, thoughtful, interesting way, but that he's just like... talking to his therapist...
I'm glad I can't say anything particularly negative about any of the songs, but it definitely doesn't have any standout moments for me. I've been listening quite a bit and it's all really growing on me, but I can't imagine the album ever making it out of my bottom 3 albums, and I can't imagine any of these songs making it into a top 20. I feel like it had potential, but the riffs are so blatantly recycled in almost every song that it makes it difficult to listen to as a hardcore fan. If I weren't super familiar with Metallica it would probably be more enjoyable, actually, just because - as you say - it would feel more new. Kirk's solos genuinely ruined almost every song on my first listen as well, because I would have moments where everything was building in a way that was genuinely making me feel something, and then he'd come in with the exact fucking same pentatonic lick with wah that he played on the last song, and it totally took me out of the moment.
I also agree about the guitar tone - in fact, the whole fucking things sounds muffled. You know how AI has gotten really good at separating instruments, but there's still that certain quality particularly in the high end, that exists and just sounds off, like you can tell something is missing? Yeah, that's there for like the whole album, and I don't quite know why yet. It's just... werid...
However, James sounds absolutely fucking amazing. I don't know how he did it, but he's reached a totally new kind of vocal peak. The whole band sounds so fucking killer live, too. Honestly, I feel like this is probably the best they've sounded at least since '92, if not ever.
Anyway, that was a lot - and more than anything I'm super fucking stoked that they're still making good (even if not, to me, great) music, sounding awesome, and playing live shows. I can't wait to see them live this summer! Especially now that Rob seems to be able to do backing vocals...
Thank you! I'm glad I wasn't the only one who misses that crunchy in your face tone from Hetfield. It just sounded really muttled and flat.
I felt the same as you did during my 1st initial tials. I've grown into them. Blast CHasing Light, cz it is a thrashy tune with some dynamic. I found some gems in most songs. I know what you mean about the guitars, and they need an extra kick in the balls. Live sounds killer.
Iv done My Research the Song I mention was "You Must Burn" deffo SBT and SAD vibes.
Seek and Destroy? Probably from the last riffs of SAD. Which are played full time and half time. That’s cool since I feel that this album has KEA DNA all over the place
Je suis guitariste et j'adore cet album ❤
i think the only way out with this album is how it is gonna sound live...
I really enjoyed it. Id rank it above HWTSD, Death Magnetic, St Anger, and KEA. Personally my favorites off the album are Too Far Gone, Inamorata, and Crown of Barbed Wire. No skips for me at all.
Above Kill ‘Em All? That’s insane dude
I agree with you, There's a lot of "modified" old riffs and licks.
When you play an instrument, you get into some way of playing it that will always come up when creating new material. Sometimes it’s the way you approach an instrument there is great chances that it’s your playing style that might make some riffs sound like another you created. But still making something completely new. All musicians, bands, are guilty of that. That’s just the nature of the beast. Metallica are although responsible for many different styles of song writing. But they will gladly pick from their own catalog for inspiration, and other bands music. They have done that from KEA to 72 seasons inclusively. Why change that when it works so well.
I'm really digging this record. Much better than HWTSD definitely!!
Aint really been a fan since reload...st anger,DM,HTSD are all no for me..and now this album is like hardwired(which aint good for me) same style,same riffs,same solos,tracks over riffed and too long..could of took 20mins off this album..i dont mind a few of the track tho..last track (11min) one is cool to me..prob me fav as it reminds me of a outlaw/fixxxer style..but yeah i wasnt expectin anythin amazing. They lost it many yrs bk.
The repetitive nature of including or ending almost every song with the chugged 1-0-1-0-1-0-11-0 riff pattern, and hammered on one note string riffs 5~7777,5~777 on the A string really labours the album. That, and Hammet being stuck in WahWah Land, bluesing out the same licks.
My initial listens felt like One 80min song. I heard no range, character, difference, dynamics between the songs, some of which should have had some Lightning Bolted editing in their running times.
But! The flashes are emerging from its inital One Dimentiinal sound cloud. Im hearing things breaking out as songs grow on me. Loving then Monolithic Inemorata- that one was Fixxxed from the Stones and Slabs of Sabbath.
Some other songs like Room of Mirrors and Too Far Gone have brilliant Shredding and harmonized moments that, should have been at the forefront and ran allthe way thru, rather than more muted chugs and clubs of E and F# to get to them.
I think theres gonna be a really good 8-9 song album in there and I look forward to discovering it more.🤘
Meanwhile... MegaDeth's new album "The sick, the dying and the dead" is imo... one of their BEST albums to date ;)
I didn't care for it. It honestly just seemed like super by-the-numbers MegaDave. It lacked an identity. Dystopia was better.
I think it will grow on you. Some crackin riffs on there for sure and the songs are good even if they do sound similar to what we have heard before. I'm convinced the main issue here is Greg Fidelman. Nothing he has done with Metallica has been stellar. I think 40 years into their tenure some fresh ideas and inspiration actually helps and Greg in my opinion doesn't do this for Metallica in the same way Bob Rock and Flemming did. He doesn't seem to contribute, Lars and James needs some reigning in on the long assed songs that don't really go anywhere etc and Greg should be guiding them on that. I dunno man I just think this would be 100% better a record with a different producer.
Im with you men , i agree a lot with your points .
Most of all i feel that those songs dont have a purpose as you say the lyrics are there but the music isn't going with them with some exceptions, they starting good but the songs dont go anyway feels like lost riffs that they trying to get their way.another point for me are those bluezy notes that i think they minimise those huge riffs, im thinking that they married load era with today and i personal dont like that , im sorry but i was expecting another thing,a good album but not for them ,thats my opinion
Blessings
Hard disagree, I loved the album and just thought it was solid and consistent throughout. Hardwired hit higher peaks (spit out the bone, moth, atlas, and halo were all super memorable) but also had MUCH lower lows (Revenge, Savage, Murder One all SUCK). But that's the beauty of music and just being an individual person. We all have our tastes and dislikes. So we can agree to disagree :)
Murder One is a fucking insult to the guy they were paying hommage to. That should have been replaced by an actual thrashy cover of Ace of Spades or even better, a deep cut like Eat the Rich. That would have paid massive hommage to the late Mr Killmister. Imagine that with 72 seasons Rob’s bass tone. That would have been killer
Do you write music?
Riff Master?
72 Seasons for me is a very solid album at best.
What stood out to me the most was the production of the album, they seemed to nail the overall sound as a collective, which is good. But I'm with you on the guitar tone, it's tight, it's there, but it does sound a little flat. Probably the result of James switching to the Marshall 70s Superlead he had modified by Eddie Van Halens amp wizard. So it's probably not as familiar as hearing a Mesa Boogie or a Diezel, I know he was into Diezels.
I also liked the transitions in the songs, Lars has always had a knack for making the songs not sound too linear and boring, and the way the end songs too.
Overall, I like the album. Maybe a few more filler songs than Hardwired, but I do enjoy most of the tracks.
the thing is they never sound the same. not like other band who sound the same for 30 years.
Agree.
i want to like it but i cant get into it. I also feel like some riffs got recycled abit and some lyrics in places also. Its cool they are still releasing albums and the performances on Stern i thought was good. James sounds really good live - to my ear atleast.
But man the bar or some of the other albums were so high how do you top that shit.
i mean MOP/AJFA is basically a murderers row of songs. Basically every album except for Lulu i enjoyed but 72 seasons not so much yet.
I hear old riffs in every song on 72 seasons, I think that was done on purpose and kind of clever. 72 seasons is about a journey through life and the similar riffs do reflect Metallica's journey, I think the guitars are sounding low to bring out James vocals. The overall production makes the album sound like it was recorded via zoom. Inamorata is a song I do not understand at all, As you said it's 11 minutes, Here I was thinking cool!!! We are going to get a riff fest for 11 minutes kind of like Spit Out The Bone....But nope.. It's the same sleepy music for 11 full minutes, Really bizarre and I was very disappointed in that, I do think and hope these songs will translate better live than they do on the Album. 72 Seasons for me, Is missing seasoning, It's like bland food that would be better with a pinch of salt and pepper. Kudos to those who enjoy it. Music like food is all a mater of taste. I'll still be there to listen to the boys live.
Metallica fans: We want more old Metallica!
Also Metallica fans: This album sucks it sounds like old Metallica songs.
Some people are being to hard on this album. There's nothing wrong with it. A few skips in my opinion. I dont like the title track or Crown of Thorns very much. Outside that 10 of the 12 songs are good! There is very little filler like there was on Hardwired where the entire second disc was not very good outside spit out the bone. You must burn, Too far gone, and Inamorata are MUST listens in my opinion. Inamorata is an 11 minute song that doesnt feel like it to me. I dont get the "its a masterpiece" talk but its a really good song if you just allow yourself to enjoy it. Life is too short to spend it turning your nose up at stuff like this. Its new Metallica music and for guys who have been doing this over 40 years with next to no lineup changes you are bound to year similarities to older stuff. If you can just let go and allow yourself to enjoy it its definitely an album worth your time.
Crown of barbed wire. But I get how you forgot the title. Forgettable at first listen.
@@MrMOGHammer Haha yeah oops. Have been just skipping it after the first listen or two my bad haha.
Totally agree, this is the first album that I’m not excited about, at all. Almost every song reminds me of other Metallica songs but not in a good way.
Agreeed!
I think you’re completely wrong on this. That’s a fucking killer cd. Dig your videos. Everyone I’ve talked to loves the recording. The sound is great.
Not wrong .. just my thoughts but I shall give it another listen over time
Really was diggin too far gone and inamorta. I also felt james guitar wasn't as in your face as it usually is. He also used the marshall jcm800 modded which has a cool tone but it just wasn't attacking like james tone usually is. Forever metallica!!!!
For me it's definitely better than Hardwired. Also it's always been like that with Metallica that every new song has to grow on us. With every other listening, it gets better and better. For me it's solid album 7/10 or even 8/10
Innamorato di inamorata ❤
This album is a hard grind to listen to. The riffs don’t particularly reflect he message in the lyrics and the songs are far too long with not enough twists and turns to merit their length. I was really hoping for more of a Load/Reload vibe with a bit more depth to the production.
The sad thing too is that it didn’t make me want to pick up my guitar and try to figure anything out. So yeah, no covers from me on this one.
I’m wit ya man. Been with them since 1983 and barring a couple cool new riffs it was just rehashed old riffs they didn’t use in the past and plopped on this album. No heart no surprises just meh. What a shame. I hope James gets back to writing monumental sideways crushing riffs without the NWOBHM tone shit. Stop with the “stock” riffs and get to writing a fucking crusher of an album again that everyone is waiting for. Enough heartfelt lyrics just give us bangers and hammer everyone with powerful exciting time changing timeless riffage and bad ass lyrics!!! Do it one last time before time runs out. Please.
Love you Matt you are f1ck!n cool guy :)
You’re the cool one 🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻
Metallica did their job and splits fans to two groups - lovers and haters. So, nothing new. My opinion - very good album 8.5/10
some of the songs feel overproduced for me, like the feeling when somebody is giving u things that u dont want
It's funny how all these reactions guys become so cynical from a band that has been on top for 40 years lmao ..dude has biggest views on anything metallica nothing else
I feel they recycle riffs etc. 5 out of 10
I'm not a fan of it tbh
I have to say that this album is with St. Anger and Lulu the most disappointing, but I didn’t have high expectations. They’ve had an amazing music career and have been touring for a life time. No wonder that they reached their creative limits and the band will still be one of my all time favorites.
My opinion it's about the same as your Matt, i was at the premiere in the movie theater and all of the new songs remind me of something else from metallica. I was expecting so much more after 7 years of Hardwired. And i have to me that it will be one more album and this one will be the last one.
The sound is muffled and mellow. Drums are loud, again. Solos are just fillers, no substance. Guitar tones, no crunch, as they get older. Bass almost like And Justice For All. Thanks to Lars.
Same problem with Hardwired, there is absolutely NO REASON why this album should be as long as it is. The songs are too long and bloated. Yes there are several good songs here, but 70% of this album is mediocre and forgettable. Metallica needs to keep their albums to 7 or 8 songs max. And before you start whining that "they're 60 years old blah blah blah"....we know they can produce good music still, look at "Spit out the Bone".... I LOVE metallica but most of you fans are in denial here.
There’s nothing wrong with this album really, except the fact it’s incredibly forgettable.
I agree totally. Its not a shite album by any stretch, but its not blown me away at all.
I think some parts of it are like a watered down hardwired, especially the first 6 sings from hardwired. From hardwired to Halo on fire i was hooked, then the secind part of Hardwired i found myself getting a bit distracted, still cool riffs, but the songs where turgid at points.
I think 72 seasons kind of follows suit.
Great riffs, but poor self editing. Hetfields voice is fucking incredible whuch is a positive. The 11 minute epic everyone is spunking their jocks over goes straight over my head? Its ok, but they have pissed all over it before? Outlaw Torn is far superior is it not? If we are talking about a closing epic?
Again, i like parts of this record, cool riffs here and there, but i feel like its riffs ive heard from hardwired before, and to me its a 3 star out of 5 album. Its ok, not blowing me away in anyway whatsoever.
So to conclude, id say Matts review is spot in.
I went to the Cinema for the Premiere n I was Headbangin.. But then Again I must Agree Whole Heartedly with Ya. I cant remember the Song but it had Very Close resemblance to Sad But True But it had a Slight Nod to Seek and Destroy with Kirk's Lead Bits at some Parts. Bangin Album but Lacks Freshness. Inamorata was not really Necessary.... Id Have Preferred 3 extra 3 n Half Minute Tracks. I give it a 6½ maybe 7/10 Purely coz Its Metallica.
A lot of good riffs it is true.. but they are ruined by repetitive chorus/pre chorus sections which are just d and e powerchords.. there were so many sections that were way too simple.. a lot of f# chords too.. im not going to be cringe overhyped "fan" who takes their stuff like it's tech death level of guitar playing, it's the reality, it was 5.5/10
For the first time in 30 plus years I have to say I'm just not into this new album. The whole thing is just kinda ok. I like alot of the riffs. But the song writing this time just doesn't do it. Man I was really hoping for better quality. I will give them all more listens but I find this album just hard to get into
So its regurgitated riffs of crap I hated before?
So in other words, you weren't a Metallica fan before, and this isn't going to change your mind. Seems pretty par for the course in that case.