Metallica – Hardwired…to Self-Destruct (Blackened Recordings, 2016)
Metallica’s 10th studio album, Hardwired…to Self-Destruct, has turned an unsatisfied metal-head like myself into a believer again. If Metallica were to combine the sound of their last album, Death Magnetic, their breakout album, Metallica and their Load/Reload albums, you would get Hardwired…to Self-Destruct.The album features incredible vocals from lead singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield who, at 53, is still able to belt out his lyrics in a way that gives you chills. The guitar riffs on the album are fast and catchy and demonstrate a strong comeback. Songs like “Spit out the Bone” and “Hardwired” are some of their fastest and heaviest songs to date. The one problem with the album is that the songs are a little repetitive, as the riffs tend to be repeated more than they need be. Despite that one issue, Metallica’s latest record is one of their best releases since the 1990s.
Trial Track: “Atlas, Rise!”
8/10
