DEATH MAGNETIC

Well, yeah . definitely I am not the right person to review any Metallica album because I am actually not a fan at all even though I do not hate the music. It's basically most of my friends are metalheads as compared to proghead. That's one of the ways to keep young, isn't it? So why I am finally getting into Metallica? Simple: influence from friends plus my deep love with Dream Theater's "Stream of Consciousness" (Train of Thought) where most of my metalhead friends told me that this album of Dream Theater is very Metallica. Whenever I spin Train of Thought I always stuck with Stream of Consciousness due to its crispy melody, heavy riffs and solid composition. Then I was recommended by friends of mine to spin "And Justice For All" that unfortunately I did not like the drumming on the opening track "Blackened". So, I did not play the other tracks of that album. Later I tried black album and I do enjoy some tracks especially "Enter Sandman".

But, when I listened to "Death Magnetic" where my colleague Hardiansyah Rizal introduced me the album through "All Nightmare Long" track, it blew me away with ist excellent composition. I said to Rizal right away that the song is really "prog" because it has changing tempo and style throughout the song. And then I tried to spin the whole album and I found joy in listening to it in its entirety.

.and let me try to give my views on this album.

Like it or not, I have seen two international magazines (Classic Rock & Rolling Stone) and some local magazines had their cover story for this new album by Metallica. There are many reviews already on the net about this album. There is no need to justify how the album has influenced metal and rock scene all over the world. With my minimum knowledge about previous albums of Metallica, let me try to write my own words about this album.

The album starts "That Was Just Your Life" with an ambient effects that reminds me to Jethro Tull's "A Passion Play" ambient, followed by simple guitar fills that reminds me to Dream Theater's "Pull Me Under". Of course, they are all not the same because Metallica's music is nothing to do with Jethro Tull and Metallica is older than Dream Theater. What follows is a dynamic drumwork and heavy guitar riffs supporting vocal line in fast tempo. It's a so energetic track. The track is truly heavy and fast, and I do enjoy it very much. There are tempo and style changes that indicate a sense of prog. "The End of the Line" (7:52) has some flavor of Rush music style, performed faster with stunning riffs and melody. I like the way how double guitar play riffs and melody combined with dynamic bass guitar as well as drum work. The guitar solo at 4:44 is truly stunning even though it's quite short. The song tones down at the ending part of the track "The slave becomes The Master ." and returns back to high energy music.

"Broken, Beat & Scarred" (6:25) starts with excellent combination of guitar riffs and drum which do not sound like straight rock music. Metallica has made the music not truly sound like typical straight heavy metal music. The music runs faster at 3:46 followed with truly rockin' guitar solo in fast speed. "The Day That Never Comes" (7:56) brings the music down with catchy guitar fills followed with soft guitar riffs and drumwork. The vocal line sounds differently with blues tinge. Keep praying / Just keep waiting. Waiting for the one / The day that never comes / When you stand up and feel the warmth / But the son shine never comes, no .. It's a nice song which only peaks up with heavy music at minute 3:59. The speed then moves faster featuring guitar solo. The part at 5:44 on guitar notes are truly stunning! It's an excellent composition. I believe Dream Theater members will be amazed by this album.

Luck. Runs. Out.

"All Nightmare Long" (7:57) starts with a music with similar style like Dream Theater's "Pull Me Under" with heavy drumwork, followed by very fast and heavy music. The intro part has stimulated my adrenalin to run faster due to its beautiful and solid composition. Oh man .. I really love this track and I keep repeating this track because I love the way the vocal line is handle. So powerful! Luck. Runs. Out. Structurally, this is a progressive track as it has many tempo and style changes. This is the first track I listened to from this album and made me amazed with the dynamics of the song. Oh .. I love this kind of metal music. It's truly progressive metal tune.

"Cyanide" (6:39) is another excellent follow-up with great riffs. At minute 3:12 the music changes into different style. The guitar solo is stunning especially backed with excellent combination of dynamic drums and heavy guitar riffs. I feel like I am playing Dream Theater now..

The music tones down into nice piano touches and string section as intro of "The Unforgiven III" (7:46). Hmm .. I cannot believe this is Metallica as it's so sweet and mellow. What follows is a nice guitar fills in repeated style supported by drum. I never imagine that I truly love this melodic song and I cannot believe that this is composed by Metallica - a band that connotes to something truly happy. It reminds me to their "Nothing Else Matters" of Black album. The guitar solo that starts at 5:36 is really great and it reminds me to vintage rock music in the 70s. Metallica rules! The music brings back to "The Judas Kiss" (8:00) which also another excellent one.

Another favorite of mine is "Suicide & Redemption" (9:57) which starts brilliantly with powerful bass lines followed by stunning guitar riffs. There are riffs (minute 1:35) that remind me to Black Sabbath's "Hole In The Sky" (of "Sabotage" album) even though they a not alike. But this is truly an excellent track that satisfies me. Structurally, this is not a straightforward track at all. Suicide & Redemption is Metallica's answer to Dream Theater's Stream of Consciousness! Well, Dream Theater has to face it that this long and prog instrumental track is killing. I am totally "nggeblak!" with this track man .! Fantastic! The album concludes nicely with "My Apocalypse" (5:02).

I cannot help it ..This is a masterpiece work!

Having spun this album for more than five times with no dissatisfaction at all, I have to say straight to the point that this is a masterpiece progressive metal music. This album is definitely not a "prog related" music because in every single track there are significant characteristics that categorize this album as a progressive metal album. The only drawback of this album is the production, which is not quite good. I don't know why Rick Rubin does it this way. By saying that this is a masterpiece work, you might challenge my proggy-ness .but, I am sorry my friends, I have to tell you frankly that I admire this album. I will definitely have to trace back their previous albums. Any recommendation which one to start first? - Keep on proggin' ..!!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)