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. TonyC.
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Metallica back to true form, Death Magnetic reaches out and grabs your throat and then shakes it for a good 80 min metal ride. Great stuff.
  2. ChrisW.
    Sep 12, 2008
    7
    At least it's better than their last album.
  3. ArslanA.
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    They can be called legends now n this album realy sounds awesome 20 years gone n still runnin wild great.
  4. JotAr
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    We should be thankful that the masters of metal can still put out an album with this level of ferocity after so many years.
  5. RB
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Excellent album. If anyone else had released it, the critics would have praised it as one of the best metal albums of all time. Metallica will never be judged fairly.
  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. Beethy
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Metallica's best album since the 'Metallica' (black album) Very impressed.
  8. 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
  9. ArcariS.
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    Welcome back Horsemen!!!!!
  10. johnc
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    WOW Metallica is back sounds great cant wait till see them in Boston.
  11. DylanD.
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    A return to form. This album has everything an Metallica fan could ever want. Those who like post-Black Album will like Unforgiven 3, and those who like pre-Black Album will like everything, especially my personal recommendation, All Nightmare Long. Album did lag sometimes, but you quickly forget it. Metal Performance of the Year, my friends.
  12. MattR.
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Brilliant. A stunning return to form after the disappointing St Anger. This is the best stuff they have done since Justice, it makes you remember just what a great metal band Metallica are. Going to see them at the O2 in London on Monday 15th Sept, and am looking forward to hearing some these tracks live. Metallica have been away for too long and after this album i hope they don't Brilliant. A stunning return to form after the disappointing St Anger. This is the best stuff they have done since Justice, it makes you remember just what a great metal band Metallica are. Going to see them at the O2 in London on Monday 15th Sept, and am looking forward to hearing some these tracks live. Metallica have been away for too long and after this album i hope they don't leave it so long next time!… Expand
  13. ShaneJ
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    Best Metallica Album since ..And Justice for All. Ripping guitar's, hard drumming, its definitely not that piece of crap St. Anger. Favourite tracks include All Nightmare Long, Tommorrow never comes and Unforgiven III.
  14. JeromeV.
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    Best album since and justice for all . The band returned to their roots. Pitcchfork critic is a real bullshit about this album. This the one to get after all this years, fuck off if the men are older now.
  15. DominicC.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    This is amazing. One of Metallica's best for sure!
  16. DanielA.
    Sep 13, 2008
    9
    I don't know how could any Metallica fan complain about 'Death Magnetic', including the naysayers and whiners who have been calling them sell-outs since the video for 'One' was on rotation on MTV. It's indeed the best Metallica album since 'The Black Album', and to some it might not be superior to the '84-'91 era of Metallica, but I don't know how could any Metallica fan complain about 'Death Magnetic', including the naysayers and whiners who have been calling them sell-outs since the video for 'One' was on rotation on MTV. It's indeed the best Metallica album since 'The Black Album', and to some it might not be superior to the '84-'91 era of Metallica, but it's quite close. Metallica fans are getting back what they've been asking for through all these years, heavier riffs, louder snares, longer guitar solos, and James screaming his lungs out. A solid effort that puts Metallica back on the right track.… Expand
  17. toddm.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    Metallics fans have their band back. From the opening note this record rips. The Unforgiven III was a poor choice but other than that Death Magnetic is the best Album they have done since "Justice"
  18. RobertK.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    It1s a really good material.The great return after St. Anger! HELL YEAH!
  19. ChrisF.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    Good stuff! Makes me forgive St. Anger.
  20. MarkM.
    Sep 13, 2008
    9
    Thank you Rick Rubin for freeing Kirk Hammett--his solos have been sorely missed.
  21. AliM.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    Metallica's best work in 17 years!!!!!!!
  22. AlejandroC.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    a remarkable return to form. this album is a shot in the arm for old school Metallica fans who were convinced it could never happen like this again. It has. Thank You Rick Rubin. Thank You Metallica.
  23. MarioD.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    Damn good songs.
  24. whiplash
    Sep 13, 2008
    9
    Big dose of metal. Actually the biggest since the 80's. This album is their best since AJFA. Great job Metallica!
  25. Talos
    Sep 13, 2008
    9
    Epic riffs. Strong performance from James and Kirk goes ballistic. Energetic and brutal album which sounds like the band is having fun again. Best album since AJFA.
  26. MyBusiness
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    The best Metallica album for 20 years. Awesome.
  27. MehdiM.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    It fucking rocks the hell out of all metallica hater. It's amazing, fabulous, fantastic. Long Live Metallica !!!
  28. StephenF.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    A punch in the ribs. Thats how it feels to hear the new metallica effort. A true return to form and (finally) another 'proper' metallica album to stand up alongside Puppets Lightning and Justice. ANY fan of heavy metal needs to own this album, just like they do Metallica's Master of Puppets, Machine Head's The Blackening and Megadeth's Rust In Peace. A modern and A punch in the ribs. Thats how it feels to hear the new metallica effort. A true return to form and (finally) another 'proper' metallica album to stand up alongside Puppets Lightning and Justice. ANY fan of heavy metal needs to own this album, just like they do Metallica's Master of Puppets, Machine Head's The Blackening and Megadeth's Rust In Peace. A modern and future classic.… Expand
  29. JohannesP.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    Very good album, and there isn't any filler songs!
  30. MikeD.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    Incredible album. Start to finish, all quality songs. It has a new style but it rocks! Haven't stopped listening to it since I bought it. Album of the year!
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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.
    Read full review
  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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