Metallica – 72 Seasons (Blackened Recording)

 

Back in 1983, the 14-year-old me got a recorded cassette of Kill ‘Em All from Metallica, an unknown band from California at the time.  It was a revolutionary album.  While Motorhead and Venom, played fast and heavy, no one ever added such precision to metal as Metallica.  I would walk around my little hometown with that cassette and play it for everyone who would listen.  Many converted, some were freaked out, others thought there was something wrong with me.  I didn’t care, I was on a mission.  40 years later, Metallica is still in the game, and releases their brand-new album titled 72 Seasons, and the cycle continues.

72 Seasons is a very special album.  It will never repeat the ferocity of that first record, but this band traveled places since that time, and this is where they’re at now.  The group sounds heavy and focused here.  The songs have complex structures, and it is clear a lot of thought and reflection went into writing and recording this album. 

The NWOBHM influence is still present, and in many ways more visible than ever.  The songs vary in pace, it goes from fast intense speed to more controlled with a heavy approach.  72 Seasons has everything Metallica came to be known for over the years, minus the experimental phase of the mid 90s.  The band focuses on being heavy, and achieves its goals with clarity.  The album is long, but so is the time since release of the last record.  At this point, Metallica does not have to record any new music, they can still draw enormous crowds, but they chose to do that, and one has to respect that.

There are great performances on this album.  James Hetfield still has a massive sound to his guitar, and his vocals once again soar with emotion.  Hetfield by far is the best rhythm player of the genre.  Kirk Hemmett delivers plenty of catchy signature leads throughout the album.  His style is very well defined by now, but it’s cool to see him still taking chances on few of the tracks.  Bassist, Robert Trujillo is in the world class of his own, and you can actually hear his bass.  Drummer, Lars Ulrich, is a very specific player, he definitely holds it all together.  Ulrich’s role within Metallica should never be undermined.

The booklet features up close photographs of the band members without any touch ups.  You can see the years taking its toll on these guys, but you also see the strength and determination in their eyes, and that is an important aspect of this album and the band.  Metallica went through a lot, and they still stand their ground, and make a record that confirms their vitality.

It would be easy to try knock down Metallica off their pedestal, and many try with their senseless and hateful comments.  Today’s world dwells on negativity, and loyalty is scarce.  This album is way too good for any of that, and so were the last two.  40 years as a recording artist is very impressive and calls for certain amount of respect.  All Metallica is doing is asking you to celebrate with them.  By the way, I wonder what had happened to that old cassette from all those years ago?

Mark Kadzielawa