User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 715 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 79 out of 715

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  1. Dean
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    I never give an album a 10, but i had to with Death Magnetic, Because this is truly Metallica best album since "The Black Album".
  2. ArcariS.
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    Welcome back Horsemen!!!!!
  3. MattW.
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    In the midst of a modern metal scene in which banality and recycled cliches are the order of the day, Metallica reminds devotees of the genre that it isn't impossible to make fast, heavy and aggressive music that also takes into account melody and vocal hooks. They have been masters of that art right from the beginning, (who doesn't get the riff from Seek & Destroy stuck in his In the midst of a modern metal scene in which banality and recycled cliches are the order of the day, Metallica reminds devotees of the genre that it isn't impossible to make fast, heavy and aggressive music that also takes into account melody and vocal hooks. They have been masters of that art right from the beginning, (who doesn't get the riff from Seek & Destroy stuck in his head after every listen) and have reverted to their old ways after the directionless abortion of an album that was St. Anger. Expand
  4. Beethy
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Metallica's best album since the 'Metallica' (black album) Very impressed.
  5. TomC
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Imagine Metallica having made albums for the past 15 years which weren't up to the standard produced from the 80's. What sort of album does Metallica need to get their career back to the point of making groundbreaking music? Well, whatever it is they have certainly done that on Death Magnetic. The album sounds as if it fits perfectly inbetween ...And Justice For All and The Imagine Metallica having made albums for the past 15 years which weren't up to the standard produced from the 80's. What sort of album does Metallica need to get their career back to the point of making groundbreaking music? Well, whatever it is they have certainly done that on Death Magnetic. The album sounds as if it fits perfectly inbetween ...And Justice For All and The Black Album. The album has Slayer-esque riffs aswell as Dream Theater influences. Not a single song on the album can be skipped as they all sound so good the moment you hear the thumping of the heart on "That Was Just Your Life". Overall, a fantastic rendition of 80's Metallica. Metal up your ***. Expand
  6. JCL.
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    the best of the old and the newest metallica mixed in one album. Even do some people might have been disappointed by the three previous metallica albums (I never was), this chapter add a new dimension to Death Magetic, great album!
  7. NicoD.
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Excellent album, rating an album with a 10 is very unlikely but i am looking at thrash metal in this day and age and this album is seriously the best thing out there right now. Since the 80's no good thrash metal has come out.
  8. JackS.
    Sep 11, 2008
    10
    This is easily their best effort since AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. Though perhaps not better than any of the 80s albums, it is a combination of everything that the band is now. Better than I ever hoped for and perhaps an indication where the band will go next. The high rating is for the sheer suprise of the quality of this album.
  9. MarcF.
    Sep 11, 2008
    10
    Now they finally are using more Dynamics, Key/Time Changes, different Rythms, tempos, and style that balances of what Music real is at a professional Level 6. Don't get me wrong I love their old Music, but the today is more complete. This is a Masterpiece Album!! The CD should have a Label: WARNING: Songs are highly addicting, please listen at your own risk!!
  10. Pete
    Sep 11, 2008
    9
    Overall a very solid album, and a return to form. Would seem to be the missing link between ...And Justice for All and the Black Album.
  11. William
    Sep 11, 2008
    9
    This is not Metallica's first four albums. Get over it. The best music the band has put out since 1990, in my humble opinion. Very good metal (albeit with a few glaring hiccups) that should put a smile on the face of any old school Metallica fan.
  12. JohnN.
    Sep 11, 2008
    10
    Best Metallica Album in 20 years!
  13. Matt
    Sep 11, 2008
    9
    After my very first listen, I decided that this CD was in the upper echelon of Metallica's albums, right up there with RTL, Master of Puppets, and AJFA. A few songs here stand out as some of the best metallica songs ever, bar none.
  14. JasonB.
    Sep 11, 2008
    9
    Brilliant return to form.
  15. [Anonymous]
    Sep 11, 2008
    8
    Lots of so called "Old School" Metallica fans have been slamming the guys from the bay area for some time. I grew up on these guys from Kill'em All to what I felt was their weakest album...St. Anger. Not to say it wasn't heavy...just wasn't Metallica to me. This is the closest they have been to the Glory Days of Puppets. I like Rick Rubin and his approach he took with the Lots of so called "Old School" Metallica fans have been slamming the guys from the bay area for some time. I grew up on these guys from Kill'em All to what I felt was their weakest album...St. Anger. Not to say it wasn't heavy...just wasn't Metallica to me. This is the closest they have been to the Glory Days of Puppets. I like Rick Rubin and his approach he took with the guys this time around. Everyone ages with time....and so do musicians...you have to take it for what its worth. They still kick some a$$ in my opinion and always will...their Metallica! Expand
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Sometimes the album's mini-epics come off as we've still got it! stunts. But when it's working, the effect is like ceding your senses to a particularly well-engineered roller coaster in the dark.
  2. The best ones spit in the face of death; this album instead finds aging men trying to reclaim their youth.
  3. The musicianship feels thrillingly live throughout, and nimble new bassist Robert Trujillo helps, even though he's mostly heard as a distant, ominous rumble.