Metallica’s tenth studio album Hardwired… to Self-Destruct is as modern as the 33 or so year old band could probably create. Thankfully, it lacks the gimmicks of its two predecessors St Anger and Death Magnetic.
Hardwired… to Self-Destruct isn’t thrash, nor is it mid-tempo hard-blues like Load/Reload. Rather the album has an over-arching feel of their Black album, albeit stripped back. There’s the break-neck thrash of title track ‘Hardwired’ and then there’s the superb bluesy, mid-tempo ‘Halo on Fire’, then there’s tracks such as ‘Moth Into Flame’ that switch up the pace throughout.
Weighing in at 77 minutes across two discs, the album can feel a little arduous here and there, but this is unmistakeable Metallica, and with that comes out of this world song writing, riffs, killer rhythm and beats you simply cannot help but air drum along to. James’ vocals are more than tolerable on this album, and there’s some catchy sing-along parts that really get stuck in your head and demand more listens.
Blackened Records
Reviewed by Paul S Taylor
Three and a half stars
