Death Magnetic
by Metallica
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 715 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 578 out of 715
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 715
  3. Negative: 79 out of 715

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  1. FinchFinch
    Jul 19, 2009
    8
    The sound quality was alright. The guitars have that classic Metallica "buzzsaw" sound. The drum are are too loud and Robert's bass is buried in the mix. Other than that the songs echo their earlier days. The heart and soul isn't all there, but all the tunes are tasteful and aggressive. The songs are a bit long... Every song on Death Magnetic could have benefited from being The sound quality was alright. The guitars have that classic Metallica "buzzsaw" sound. The drum are are too loud and Robert's bass is buried in the mix. Other than that the songs echo their earlier days. The heart and soul isn't all there, but all the tunes are tasteful and aggressive. The songs are a bit long... Every song on Death Magnetic could have benefited from being shortened. The music is intense and demands your attention... But even Metallica isn't awesome enough to keep my attention for over 70 minutes. Upon listening I have to break it up in blocks. However, it does lends itself well upon multiple listens.… Expand
  2. JamesW.
    Nov 15, 2008
    10
    This album is a constant play in my car. From the opening track to the final one, this is a return to the Metallica we grew to love in the 80's with a modern spin on it. This is the album that St. Anger should have been. Best album of 2008!
  3. RustyS.
    Nov 21, 2008
    9
    I'm not even a metal fan but this album was great. It's like St. Anger never even happened so if you aren't buying this just because of St. Anger, you should probably change your mind. This album obviously had a lot of time and thinking into it because some of the guitar material is just amazing.
  4. VenomG.
    Nov 23, 2008
    10
    After reviewing all Metallica history this album was a recall from what Metallica really is.
  5. Aouzy
    Dec 8, 2011
    8
    Although not the best Metallica album it's at least better than everything else after the black album

    Think as if Master of Puppets and And Justice For All... had a baby, this is it.
  6. phavyarden
    Apr 12, 2011
    10
    Wonderful album.! Maybe one of the best metal albums of the decade. I never thought that Metallica will comeback this good! I hope they come to my country to listen this new master piece alive
  7. coldron1
    Nov 2, 2011
    10
    I would consider this the best album i have ever heard and what Metallica have made. they have definitely redeemed themselves on this one. One of the first albums I've heard where i have enjoyed listening to every single song on the album and repeatedly listened to again and again. it's 2011 i bought it in 2008 i still listen now 10/10
  8. WeaselSlayer
    Nov 2, 2011
    7
    The album is impressive, I must say. I'm a huge Metallica fan and my "fandom" had been fading, but for awhile they brought me back with Death Magnetic. However, I must say the songs lost their luster after a good amount of listens and it turned into an album that I can really only listen to while driving or occupying myself with other things. It's just not an album I can sit and listen to,The album is impressive, I must say. I'm a huge Metallica fan and my "fandom" had been fading, but for awhile they brought me back with Death Magnetic. However, I must say the songs lost their luster after a good amount of listens and it turned into an album that I can really only listen to while driving or occupying myself with other things. It's just not an album I can sit and listen to, much like Kill 'Em All. It's a good, fun album, though, and it has me very interested to see what Metallica comes up with next.… Expand
  9. Muhittin
    Aug 20, 2012
    8
    It is not perfect. But it is a turn towards the right direction. Imagine a car going off road since 1991 and with each year it comes closer to the cliff. This album saves the car and puts it in the right road. It is not the best car but it is still working at least.
  10. Aquazi
    Oct 9, 2013
    9
    I consider Death Magnetic to be truly one of the best Metallica's album overall and shows that Metallica are still a band able to rock very hard. Too bad they do not have the same production quality in the last 10 years as Lulu or St. Anger.
  11. HiddenGhul
    Apr 25, 2013
    8
    Sadly I never thought that a Metallica would make another metal album like their earlier works but I'm glad to say the St Anger days are hopefully behind us, this album is great and very metal!
  12. ULTRASURMADRID
    Jan 4, 2018
    10
    Another Masterpiece of Metallica!!! There is no other band close to them in music. A song from this album is more than groups like GnR, Slayer, Queens of the **** age...
  13. Monkeywash
    Nov 16, 2014
    7
    Metallica tries to re-create 80's magic and succeeds to some extent. Death Magnetic is a solid album but if you are a lifelong Metallica fan like myself it will be hard not to hear the materials as a musical mid-life crisis.
  14. BigJ69
    Jan 3, 2017
    9
    Songs are a little derivative of one another. Amazing return after St.Anger. I enjoyed a few of the songs on St.Anger but Metallica went back to the formulaic thrash metal that made the band great. Even though they're alot older now the classic Metallica fades through in Death Magnetic. Some of the songs like Cyanide are great workout music.
  15. Rfsnes
    May 22, 2019
    9
    A great comeback and return from the bad album St. Anger.
    Many good tracks, and they went back to their original sounds.
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2008
15
#15 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    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.
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  2. Pitchfork
    49
    The best ones spit in the face of death; this album instead finds aging men trying to reclaim their youth.
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  3. Rolling Stone
    80
    The musicianship feels thrillingly live throughout, and nimble new bassist Robert Trujillo helps, even though he's mostly heard as a distant, ominous rumble.
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