Metallica

Hardwired...To Self-Destruct

While ‘Hardwired… To Self-Destruct’ isn’t dissimilar in delivery to their last record, 2008’s ‘Death Magnetic’, Metallica still – in their fifties – remain both vital and innovative.

Metallica have just made their finest record in 25 years. Hardwired … to Self Destruct is by no means perfect: at 88 minutes it’s far too long and sags dreadfully during its second half, but when it’s good, it’s almost startling in its efficacy.

The mostly epic-length tracks – almost entirely written by drummer Lars Ulrich and singer-guitarist James Hetfield – are melodically assured furies of serial riffing and tempo shocks.

Hardwired… to Self Destruct shows audiences a side of Metallica that’s been sorely missing for the last 29 years: fiery, focused, aggressive, disciplined.

If the riffs don't always sink in deeply -- and if the entire production feels slightly monochromatic -- what impresses here is the thought and musicality within the compositions and the performances, elements that have always been at the band's core and shine brightly on Hardwired...To Self-Destruct.

There’s plenty of returning to old ground, but this is not a derivative record, and neither is it a return to form. It finds Metallica rediscovering what makes them tick.

Beginning and ending on a high note, ‘Hardwired…’ miraculously leaves the listener hungry for more, following an all-out binge on some of Metallica’s strongest work since 1991.

Throughout Hardwired… To Self-Destruct’s extended runtime is the sound of band that finally seems to be playing whatever they want without any outside pressure.

Instantly more enjoyable than the laborious drag of Death Magnetic, by returning to their roots, the quartet have finally crafted a record that sounds like they’re having some fun.

Like Death Magnetic, the record attempts a self-conscious return to form; the only difference is that this time the band sound like they’re actually trying, and–dare I say it–maybe even having a bit of fun.