I've just heard this
Its heavy and intense with a ton of riffs but could not remember a single song afterwards. No ear worms and stand out tracks.
Now listening a second time. Starting to grow on my ears now. Atlas Arise is a highlight.
Hardwired - nah. Heard it 5 times already.... nagh - Not liking that. Its just a relentless riff, very fast, but not a lot going on prog wise. Swearing is unwelcome, they never did that on previous albums. at least its short.
Opinions - Happy it's not a disaster. Some awesome riffs and speed metal, Hammett solos and very complex time sigs at times. Hetfield gives his all though his vocals are scorched and multi tracked in places. Good news is its way superior to St Anger and Load albums. Bad news is it's nowhere near as awesome as the early albums or DEATH Magnetic. Overall it delivers but I can't remember one riff or melody. It just washes away as soon as it ends. Each track feels different so it's diverse but if you're Comparing it to previous albums it is below standard. Metallica set a very high standard so people expect a masterpiece. It's not that but they still can deliver intense heavy metal and that's not a bad thing considering their age and how long they have been In The business. We fans can be very harsh but my opinion is despite everything the album stands up amongst other metal albums from various metal bands. They show they can still thrash with the best of them but they have reached their pinnacle long ago so they are their own Worst enemy. Perhaps a new approach to their music would have been better rather than retreading old territory. I'm amazed they can still do this so really impressed with the music. Instrumentally the band can do no wrong.
Listening to more - will get back. Vocals are high tuned or auto or just not good at times.
:Love the heavy intense guitars and drums though! Its better than St Anger - not as good as Death Magnetic. or any early releases up to Black Album.
Edited by AtomicCrimsonRush - November 18 2016 at 20:56