Metallica/72 Seasons/2023

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

 
That’s what comes to mind when I think of Metallica and the deluge of debate and opinion surrounding the bands eleventh studio album, “72 Seasons.” The internet is abuzz with reaction videos, reviews, performances, remasters, remixes, retakes, and rewrites of the newest Metallica release. Which is fine, I suppose, but is this really where we’re at as fans? It feels like Metallica have crossed into Star Wars territory — one in which a new release is as much about new content as it is fan backlash. I suppose that’s a byproduct of becoming a corporate behemoth, but unlike Star Wars, I don’t feel like a Metallica album is a cynical cash grab — whether I care for the music or not, I believe there is integrity to what they do artistically.

 
As a fan of the band for 35 years — my first experience being a cassette of “... And Justice for All” delivered by Santa Claus on Christmas day in 1988 — I've fallen in and out of love with the band through the years. For me this on again, off again relationship has little to do with the music itself and more to do with their Godzilla-sized popularity and how in the world of heavy metal fandom, they have a tendency to suck all of the air out of the room. The debates are legendary: How significant were Dave Mustaine's contributions, really?, The band hasn't been the same since Cliff Burton died. He was the REAL genius!, They've sucked since the first four records!, The “Black Album” is a sell out. Bob Rock ruined Metallica!,  Load and Reload are desperate alternative tripe. I can't believe they cut their hair!,  Lars' “St. Anger” snare sounds like he's beating pots and pans!, LuLu!!! Arrgh! It's all so exhausting. There's so much great metal out there. Why must every conversation be reduced to another stale and needless Metallica debate?

 
However, Metallica are one of the biggest rock bands in history and the release of a new Metallica album is still an event. Regardless of my personal relationship with the band at the moment, there's no way I'm not going to see what they've been up to and where they're at creatively. 

 
Their latest effort, “72 Seasons”, isn’t a masterpiece on the level of “Ride the Lightning” or “Master of Puppets.” There are several self-plagiarizing moments on the album for sure. But it’s also an undeniably strong effort from a 40-year-old band whose members are all around or over 60. I would describe “72 Seasons” as a cross between Metallica’s 1991 self-titled album and 2003’s “St. Anger.” Like the “Black Album”, the songs groove, have hooks, and are relatively to point (for Metallica — a band who is seemingly unable to write 3-minute songs. Lux Æterna notwithstanding). And Like “St. Anger” the album is relentlessly punishing. There are no ballads, few dynamics, and a snare that while not sounding like a garbage can lid, remains omnipresent in the mix and unavoidable to the ears. Moreover, like “St. Anger”, “72 Seasons” is long and difficult to consume in one sitting.

 
There are references to previous Metallica tracks, My Friend of Misery, Sad But True, and No Remorse to name a few. It feels like for the first time Metallica are recycling riffs. But here’s the catch. It works. Almost despite itself. When a song starts to feel fatiguing, a hook, guitar riff, or lyric pulls you back in. James Hetfield’s vocals are amazing throughout. Biting and rough with just the right amount of venom and grit. They feel authentic and convey his deeply personal lyrics with conviction. He’s the MVP of this record. I think Lars Ulrich sounds great. He’s really grooving on this record. Driving the songs and sitting in that Phil Rudd comfort zone that he's made his own since the 90s. Simple, but effective and honestly just doing what’s best for the riff. I’m not crazy about Robert Trujillo’s bass tone on the record, but his performance is great. He’s in the mix which is cause for celebration in its own right because Metallica always struggles with finding a home for the bass guitar frequencies. Kirk Hammett has caught the most flack for his performance. He’s supplanted Lars as everyone’s favorite Metallica whipping boy. I’ve seen folks online describe his performance as lazy and uninspired. The abuse has gotten so bad that Kirk felt the need to defend himself and address the backlash to his playing in the press. Get off his back. These songs would sound ridiculous with sweep picked arpeggios and mapped out harmonic minor neoclassical metal wankery. Have we heard it all before? Sure. But his wah-wah drenched pentatonic “Kill ‘Em All” approach works and sounds like Metallica. Like it or not internet, Kirk’s playing is integral to their sound. Those tired pentatonic speed runs are every bit as vital as James Hetfield’s right hand to the vibe and feel of Metallica.

 
Much of “72 Seasons” feels like a love letter to the bands Metallica grew up on and are influenced by — primarily Diamond Head, Black Sabbath, and Motorhead. Maybe that’s intentional given the subject matter of the album — a loose concept album about the formative first 18 years of one’s life (72 seasons—get it?) — to revisit those bands that they enjoyed as teens.

 
There’s a level of sophistication to what they do. Metallica are just smarter than their metal peers. There aren’t any skulls, devils, or cliched heavy metal iconography on the album artwork. The design is clean and almost “Apple-like.” in its simplicity. The subject matter is adult and age appropriate for men of their vintage to be playing and writing about. They’re not embarrassing themselves by trying to come off as any younger or hipper than they really are. Even the band photos in the album packaging unapologetically show their age. No air-brushing or Photoshopping necessary, thank you very much. The lyrics, music, design, packaging, color — it’s all purposeful. Everything is thought out and imbued with the meaning of the albums themes of aging, personal growth, and the challenge of finding light along the way.

 
Mid-era Metallica went through a lengthy experimental phase — “Load”, “Reload”, “LuLu’, “St. Anger”, symphonies, movies, and self-run music festivals. All with varying degrees of success. Fans were probably justified to wonder if they’d ever get back to resembling the Metal Gods they once were. “72 Seasons” doesn’t break new ground, but I’m thankful it exists and that Metallica sound so vital and vibrant this late in their career. The album is more focused than 2016's “Hardwired…to Self-Destruct” and less forced than 2008's “Death Magnetic.” This is as comfortable with being Metallica that we’ve heard Metallica sound since the “Black Album” era of the band. They’re one of the greatest and most successful rock bands of all time — the Led Zeppelin of my generation. Maybe I’m getting overly sentimental in my old age, but I’m just thankful they’re still around and doing what they do at such a high level. Even if we’ve heard it before. 9/10