Stephen Olivieri

James’s voice is the grittiest it’s been since the black album. The growl is back. By far the deepest and most thoughtful lyrics James has possibly ever written. The lyrics exemplify that after years of fighting his demons, multiple stints in rehab, James is in recovery from his addictions and has a self awareness of what is going on inside of him that is very rare in metal circles. His vulnerability and courage to share his struggles authentically, yet with hope to overcome, is so refreshing and positive that the true message of this 72 seasons album goes far beyond the music. James is so frank and real about the pain and damage he experienced during his first 72 seasons (18 years) yet also gives hope that it doesn’t have to define you. Chasing Light is a great example of this. James cries out, “All the love a young one needs thoughtless elders have destroyed. It is destroyed. He’s just a boy.”Yet James balances this darkness when he growls, “there’s no darkness without light.” “Chase that fight lean on me. Face that fight lean on me.” Lessons James has learned through a lifetime of wrestling with his past and tools to not let it define you, nor let the darkness overwhelm you, is beautifully captured in each song. Unlike the dark nihilism of most of heavy metal this album with leave you optimistic, and upbeat. Musically it is goes back to their thrash roots at times, but also embraces every shift they’ve had during their 40+ year career. Metallica has never embraced bass really since the death of Cliff Burton but Robert Trujillo finally gets a few moments to shine creatively in this album and takes full advantage. This album for everything it does well does have its faults. It can be very repetitive such as the opening to if darkness had a son. The ripper Kirk Hammett is curiously weak on some of his signature solos such as Lux Aeterna and Screaming Suicide. Even with these few criticisms this Album is so strong in ways Metallica does so uniquely well. There are so many memorable riffs that, while a little repetitive are so well done they don’t seem that unbearable. The title track 72 seasons is a great example of this. At over 7 and a half minutes, on an album that is repetitive at times, has the potential to drudge on painfully but it really doesn’t. By the time the song is over you can hardly believe it’s over. It is as flawless of a son as Metallica has gotten since dare I say and Justice for all or the black album. With deep lyrics, great riffs, a thundering bass line at the intro and killer solo by Kirk, the song feels like it could’ve come right off of Ride The Lightning. The whole album feels fresh and thoughtful, with a ruthless edge that doesn’t let up the entire time. There doesn’t seem to be even one true dud on the whole thing. Overall it’s the best Album Metallica has put out in the 21st Century.