Metallica's most recent release is a pretty decent comeback from the mediocre "Death Magnetic".

It still carries a lot of issues that were found in its predecessor, like its inexplicable length (2 sides, 11 songs) and the fact that these legends really do not know how to trim their own material properly. Honestly, I'm getting tired of this habit of unecessarily stretching every song for over 7 minutes without adding anything more to it. The opening track "Hardwired" is the ... read more

This is the first and only Metallica album that needs a couple of listens to grasp. Despite being a Metallica fan for years, I've only listened to it twice. The first time I loathed it, the second one I found myself appreciating a number of things. It might be because I'm older and wiser (music-wise), and therefore more tolerant to different sounds and musical directions. This rating will surely change for better or for worse, over time.

So, I'll keep it simple for now. "Lulu" is ... read more

Following the dark period that culminated in the release of "St. Anger", Metallica made their anticipated comeback with "Death Magnetic". I know that most fans appreciate the band's return to their thrash metal roots, as well as the pre-tested formula of fuzing together heavier stuff with soft ballads and instrumentals, but it's not enough. In terms of quality, it's objectively better than its predecessor (that wasn't difficult), but not that convincing on its own. ... read more

"90/100"
"The true mastes have finally awakened from their slumber"
"The band's best since the Black album"

Honestly, what the hell. Are those music crirics on drugs? Did they listen to a different album?

St. Anger is without a doubt, one of the worst albums in music history. It's perhaps the most famous example of 'disappointing album made by a legendary band'. I won't get into details. Everyone knows of this album's laughable production, atrocious mixing, messy ... read more

"S&M" is a live album where Metallica shares the stage with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, performing some of the best material from their discography. In other words, this is not merely a 'Greatest hits' compilation album, but a unique collaboration that takes the band's thrash/heavy songs and enhances them with symphonic elements.

Now, this type of experimentation doesn't work that good for all of the songs, and that makes the album a bit inconsistent. But there are ... read more

This is a compilation of cover songs, and hence cannot be compared to the rest of Metallica's discography. I always appreciate it when artists decide to re-visit their roots and pay tribute to their influences. Not only this is a way of showing respect and gratitude to your idols, but it helps popularizing musical works that may be relatively unknown to the public. Bands from the new wave of British heavy metal, and from genres such as proto-metal, classic rock, hard rock and hardcore ... read more

As I said in my "Load" review, both albums have grown on me in time, and I completely respect Metallica's decision to stay true to themselves and explore a different direction in their music. That being said, "Reload" is not as good as its predecessor. In fact, it's weaker in every aspect.

The songwriting isn't bad, but it's definitely not as consistent as that of "Load". The album is essentially a compilation of good songs and a bunch of fillers. Contrary to ... read more

As if the Black album 'sell out' wasn't enough, Metallica decided to piss off their fans even more, by releasing the hard/classic rock inspired "Load/Reload" twin albums. These albums received the hate of the century when they came out, and are still difficult for Metallica fans to digest. And I have to admit, I used to find these albums very dissapointing. I couldn't accept that the band went softer and softer as years passed by, and I would refuse to acknowledge any good element in ... read more

Seriously, anyone who says this album is overrated, overhyped, or 'not real metal' knows nothing about music. Anyone who claims Metallica 'sold out' because they abandoned their thrash metal roots and went after a more straightforward, melodic and approachable sound, completely misses the point. Aside from its immeasurable influence in music, the Black album is the epitomy of musical maturity; perhaps the most honest artistic expression in heavy metal.

The songwriting is outstanding for the ... read more

"And Justice For All" used to be my favourite Metallica album when I was younger. I was fascinated by the incredible riffs, the socio-political lyrics, the aggression, the pessimistic atmosphere. Everything made sense back then, and I would listen to this album non-stop from start to finish. But I don't feel the same way anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I love this album. It's unique for many reasons, but I've come to realise it lacks in numerous areas when compared to "Ride the ... read more

This is not a music record, it's a World Heritage monument.

"Master of Puppets" takes everything that made "Ride the Lightning" great, and amplifies it by 10. Thirty-six years since its release, it remains one of the most ambitious, innovative, heavy, dark, and overall intelligent pieces of art. A lot of people herald it as the greatest heavy metal album of all time, and I completely follow this thought. It's one of the first heavy metal albums I ever listened to, and as ... read more

Let's fucking go.
Almost a year after their debut album, Metallica released something as raw, evil and ferocious, but ten times more ambitious, more mature, more imaginative, more progressive and overall more enjoyable. "Ride the Lightning" is where golden Metallica begins.

From start to finish, this album screams of creativity, energy, excitement, but most importantly, mature and tight musicianship. It takes thrash metal and enhances it with unique melody and chord progression. It ... read more

Metallica is one of my favourite bands. As with the majority of their fanbase, I was blown away by the innovation, the refinement and the maturity they displayed in their second album, "Ride the Lightning" and carried along for over a decade. Those elements don't appear as much in their debut work, "Kill 'Em All", yet that's exactly why it's so unique. There are few debut metal albums that feel as nasty, energetic and ferocious as this one.

It's absurd to think that a ... read more

After "The Book of Souls" and the accompanying Legacy of the Beast tour, I really thought Iron Maiden's time was coming to an end, in terms of creative studio work. As always with this band, I was wrong. Their latest release, "Senjutsu", is as ambitious as its predecessor, yet darker in terms of lyrics and more melodic in terms of arrangement.

When the album's first single, "The Writing On the Wall" was released, I wasn't really impressed, as it seemed a bit ... read more

Every time I listen to this album, I have the same expression: Wow.

"The Book of Souls" is perhaps the most ambitious work Iron Maiden has ever put out. A double album, running over 1 hour and 30 minutes, with 6 out of 11 songs being 'long' compositions, and the ending song lasting nearly 20 minutes. On paper, this is a recipe for failure, considering the band's previous three releases, which felt lenghtier than necessary. Yet, Iron Maiden managed to deliver their best record in 15 ... read more

I love Iron Maiden, but even I have to admit that as years go by, their songwriting becomes rather repetitive and derivative. This album is the best example of this. It employs the same formula that had been introduced in earlier works: a combination of short, straightforward songs, and long-drawn compositions. This style had worked perfectly in "Brave New World", had survived in "Dance of Death" and "A Matter of Life and Death", but it finally became too obvious ... read more

"A Matter of Life and Death" could have easily been a concept album about war; the motives, the fighting, the sight of death, the horrible consequences, and the new world that rises from the ashes. Having said that, this album wins in terms of lyrics and the themes it presents. Iron Maiden is well-known for their immersive songs and their great story-telling. Those two factors are basically the core that this album is formed around. The instrumentation is very good, with decent guitar ... read more

This album doesn't sound as fresh and catchy as "Brave New World", yet it conveys the same energy and rejuvenation. It's as consistent as its predecessor, and arguably even better in terms of instrumentation. The title track is an Iron Maiden classic, and undoubtedly the highlight of the record. Moreover, numerous songs are worthy of a second listen, while all the weaker ones are well-positioned so as to not bore the listener. Last but not least, the ending "Journeyman", is ... read more

Bruce is back, Adrian is back, Iron Maiden is back. "Brave New World" is the band's best work since "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son", and possibly the best comeback album of any artist out there. It was the first Maiden album I listened to its entirety when I was young, and it holds a special place in my heart, to this day. It's an album of great songwriting consistency, with fresh ideas and instrumentation, as well as memorable hooks and catchy tunes.

I can't be objective ... read more

Just to make things clear, this is not a good album by Iron Maiden standards. The songwriting is not quite 'there', many songs feel way lengthier than they should have, and Blaze's vocals just don't have that extra flavour. No argument here. Yet, "Virtual XI" is definitely not the abomination that most people think it is. It's not as blank and boring as "No Prayer for the Dying", and the instrumentation is way tastier than "The X Factor". In contrast to those two, ... read more