(Of course) polarizing

As expected, the opinions on the new album from Metallica go home already apart very strong. From completely exaggerated, fanatical adulation to groundless niedermachen without conclusive arguments, and more - although one must not be too much fooled at this time of the reviews. Many of them (both positive and negative) were written when just 2 - 3 songs were known. The evaluation platform was once again transformed into a discussion forum, which is of course in response to legitimate reviews and desirable, but as a self-assessment creates a completely false picture ... which it should be noted when you look at the average rating.

At "Death Magnetic" self Much has been written, one has to be a reasonably objective fan be stated, however: from an absolute "masterpiece" (and when I speak of such, I mean "Master Of Puppets" and "Ride The Lightening") is the current output but quite far away. I want mooring this opinion because the CD for my ears like a strange mixture of uninspired all previous periods Metallica sounds.

There are (thankfully few) set pieces from "St. Anger" - especially as the vocal quality of certain "concerns passages and some drum patterns (especially" The End Of The Line ") Load" The. "- Or "Reload" phase can be seen in some places in the guitar sound.

The length of the pieces reminded again primarily to "... And Justice For All", the intricacy and the fundamental style of some compositions in accordance with this classic ("Broken, Beat & Scarred", "The Day That Never Comes"). Even the now well-known reasonably well "Cyanide" and "The Judas Kiss" can convince the "new" Metallica ratios well. As a really well done I feel the instrumental (in my case an exception because I usually pieces with vocals prefer) "Suicide & Redemption", which is in my ears almost (!) With "Orion" record.

Luckily there this time - unlike "St. Anger" actually recorded no blackouts. Only "The Unforgiven III" in my opinion, falls off sharply, mainly because - according to the title - is always looking for comparisons to its predecessors. You will find it hard, which is probably mainly the lack of, compelling chorus.

Why is it still only 3 stars despite some gutklassiger songs, for the following reasons: the reference works of Metallica are now times in the 80's, and if I have two CDs with "Metallica" is great, it's legitimate, a better and a bad find, even without directly (ie the style) to compare. If you "Ride The Lightening" rated 5 stars and called masterpiece, one "Death Magnetic" simply can not give the same rating. This is for me the one on that elusive and an analysis widersetzendem concept of songwriting, which immediately generated in songs such as "For Whom The Bell Tolls" or "Master Of Puppets" This extraordinary feeling which simply lacks the new songs. Secondly, the new CD has for me just the aforementioned retrospective character who is trying to unite all the creative periods of the band on an album, partly in a song. This plan may be a matter of taste, I find it in any case not so successful, in part by the songs sound as cover versions.

Overall, I feel "Death Magnetic" as average, in relation to Metallica oeuvre. A strong improvement on "St. Anger", it is all.