Metallica - Hardwired...To Self-Destruct

I like this one. Probably their best since the Black Album. Production is actually good for once, which was shocking. Metallica's always struggled with having their albums sound listenable, despite being one of the biggest bands on the planet.

Sure, this is way too long, and the songs could have been shortened individually too. But damn, the good tracks on here are GREAT.
The second half is definitely weaker than the first, which I think is true for almost all Metallica albums. They settle into a midtempo groove for most of the second half, with a bunch of samey-sounding songs that don't really do anything to move the album forward. Murder One is the prime offender - I can't even remember how it goes despite hearing it several times. Maybe they could've done with another ballad?

Here's a better tracklist for this album, imo:
1. Hardwired
2. Atlas, Rise!
3. Now That We're Dead
4. Halo On Fire
5. Dream No More
6. Moth Into Flame
7. Confusion
8. Spit Out The Bone

I think with this tracklist, it could easily have been an 80 or 85 for me. And it's still over 50 minutes! Goes to show how long the original is.

Favorites: Hardwired, Atlas Rise, Dream No More, Moth Into Flame, Halo On Fire, Spit Out The Bone
Least Favorites: Am I Savage, Murder One