If this was released by any other metal band we'd all be raving about the next big thing in metal. Metallica, having set the bar so high after lightning and puppets are on a hiding to nothing with anything they release now. This album is better than their last 3 albums and also for me captures more of their roots than the black album ever did.

guy Johnstone, London, uk

James Hetfield is not Bono and Metallica's lyrics are little more than vocal drumbeats. On Death Magnetic the band simply crushes and destroys any theories that they had somehow dried up or lost it. This CD shows that no one plays faster, harder, or better than Metallica.

Anthony, Sacramento, CA, USA

This record has me happily head-banging like a kid again. Not since Justice have I been so psyched to hear Metallica. This is as true a return to form as could possibly be hoped for - epic, complex songs, intense soloing from the long-silenced Kirk, doomy-doom lyrics about death. Great comeback.

mike, seattle, usa

get the Guitar Hero version, some dudes have pulled it off from the game and it sounds more cleaner and has a lot more dynamics than the retail CD release.

Bob Rock, LA, USA

It is obvious that Metallica enjoyed making this album. There was absolutely no agenda when deciding which songs made the album, just the ones that kicked ass. The production gives the band a live feel but is still tight. The guitar sound is awesome. Don't listen to the naysayers, this album rocks!!

J Walters, Lichfield, UK

This is a class album. Some people must be deaf because all i can hear is greatness. From start to finish this album satifies
unlike their previous 3albums. It does take more than one listen but after that your hooked.

Ciaran, dublin, ireland

Short review! This album isn't their best effort, it's a great metal album, but as a Metallica album it doesn't rate highly. The production just isn't brilliant. It sounds unfinished rather than rough and ready. The drums are too loud and just don't sound great, but it's an improvement on StAnger

Jez, Reading, UK

"clean, no frills production"...including no mastering. the songs are in my opninion the best since the black album. mastering/recording quality...right in line with st. stainger...sounds absolutely horrible.

Tom, Buffalo, NY,

I love the album on the whole. James is my hero, and I have defended Metallica for years, through Load/Reload, Napster, St. Anger and so on. That said, my only complaints really are trivial ones. Some songs drag on, James sounds good at times but to me he's singing new metal with an older voice.

Hollywood, Calabash, United States

Metallica is the one band that makes all metalhears proud by always trying to combine artistic progress, respect to their roots, but also to themselves. In the top and respected by all music fans. The album rocks! It needs 3-4 hearings though as the songs are complex. Thx guys!

Manolis, Athens, Greece

its obvious that the reviewer didnt listen to much of this album and does'nt like metal. After listening 2-3 times to all songs this is definately their best album since the black album and will be remembered in years to come as a great Metallica along with the likes of Master of Puppets.

Kieran, London,

The first four Metallica albums are classics. I've never been impressed with the black album onwards. This may 'sound' like the 'justice' album in places but the songs are not good enough. James' vocals are awful. Let everyone rave how good it is. They did that when St Anger came out. Disappointing.

mark, darlington, uk

Truly an amazing album. Be thankful. Metallica has once again given us an album that defines whay they are and have always been the heavy weights of metal. There are songs on this album that you will enjoy now and forever, much like there 80's albums.

Brandon, Allen, USA

This album combines the raw thrash metal riffing of the early days combined with the polished vocal hooks of the 90's and my god it works. Lars and Kirk sound better than ever and James seems to have found himself again.
Rick Rubin seems to have recaptured the essence of the band perfectly.

Paul Hancock, Derby, UK

Metallica have produced an absolutely epic album. I think it caters for every Metallica fans tastes, whether it be their early thrash style or the more melodic Black Album or Load. Death Magnetic has everything. I would have to agree with John, best album since Justice.

Ryan Fettes, Edinburgh,

Poor review for a Album that gets better eveytime you listen to it. That in itself is the sign of a classic. As said you are probably not a fan of Metal so are trying to compare a Band like Metallica to the likes of Coldplay. Metallica's best since justice.

John, Naas, Ireland

3 stars out of 5?!?!??? Metallica's masterwork first 4 albums set their bar impossibly high to reach, probably even for themselves. However this album is not only their best in almost 2 decades, it marks a return to their thrash metal greatness. Being a metal fan for over 30 years I am confident that many others upon hearing will share the opinion that Death Magnetic is an epic album that is certainly worthy of more than a 60% score (3 stars out of 5)..

Mike in L.A., Los Angeles, USA

This is a poor review. The album is great!

Joe, Belfast,

I'm wondering if you are a fan of the metal Genre. It looks like you liked the album. If James vocals were the only downside ( I dis-agree) why would you give it an average score? I think the album is the best metal album in years. A true return to form.

Lonboy, Ottawa, Canada

I have always been a Metallica Fan. I have to say what i have heard from the new album is far better than St. Anger, which to me was a bit disappointing. The only let down to me was James' Strong, Raw and Intense vocals that was always heard on previous albums. Puppets and Justice days were awesome!

James Peek, Valdese, United States