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. MehdiM.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    It fucking rocks the hell out of all metallica hater. It's amazing, fabulous, fantastic. Long Live Metallica !!!
  2. MyBusiness
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    The best Metallica album for 20 years. Awesome.
  3. 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.
  4. 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!
  5. MarioD.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    Damn good songs.
  6. MikaK.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    The boys are definitely back! This is awesome! Sounds like ..And justice for all mixed with rest of the past albums. This is good enough to compare with the 80's records of Metallica. My favourites are "That was just your life", "Broke, beat & scarred" and "All nightmare long". Can't stop listening this record.. I'm on fire!
  7. KevinD
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    The gods who perfected Heavy Metal after Black Sabbath created it are here to stay. All you haters can go back into your caves for a while.
  8. JayS.
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    As Metallica go down the "hard rock" path they laid out in "Load" days, I think they do so with speed and an edge. While the detrators will all say it's not "Kill 'em All," "Puppets," or "Lightning," they album still rocks hard and is a must for any 'tallica fan.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. MikeMoran
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Best In awhile!! I LOVE IT!!!!!
  12. EdK.
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    What a driving force of an album. Give it a few listens, it grows on you.
  13. AlexM.
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    Finally a good album of Metallica since And justice for all... There is a lot of epic songs, Cyanide is the one i prefer. My only bad note, the drum is sometimes overplayed. Death Magnetic is and will be the metal album of the year, without doubts.
  14. BitBurn
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    Finally they did it! Metallica back to its roots. Here's an album that will shut up a lot of people, mostly those that thought Metallica were finished. Try this: This is one of their best album.
  15. STroy
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    If another band had made this album, everyone would say its amazing. Since we expect so much out of Metallica, whatever they do, we don't consider perfect!
  16. NikhilM.
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Best Metallica album since Justice. Enough said. Haters of the album have no arguments, and just want to hate. This is too good to describe. The main draw back is the drums, but I still give it 10/19.
  17. ChadG.
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Quite simply the finest all-round effort of their career. Ingredients from every previous album make Death Magnetic the something for everyone cd by this band.
  18. AlexandreM.
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    F***!!! really nice! beast album since and justice!
  19. ChadB.
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    The BEST album to hit the shelves in probably 15 years.
  20. ChrisW.
    Sep 12, 2008
    7
    At least it's better than their last album.
  21. 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.
  22. ThomasC
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Metallica is really back in this album. Every song on the disc kicks ass except Unforgiven 3 which is just good. The best tracks in my opinion are All Nightmare Long, My Apocalypse, and the Judas Kiss. Buy this album ITS F*CKING EPIC!!!
  23. MattS.
    Sep 12, 2008
    8
    As close to a return to form as you will find with a band that has been a band for 25 years.
  24. MikeG
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Metallica have reinvented the term metal with this stunning new album. After the very poor St Anger, metallica have reinstated themselves as the slaves to metal. Epics such as The Day That Never Comes and the latest in tune to the Unforgiven it's not hard to see why Metallica are the most successful band in Metal.
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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
  29. 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.
  30. KristopherC.
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    Awesome album. Not perfect, but better than any other metal album of recent memory. Gets better with repeated listens, which creates familiarity with the connections between the scattered riffs. It all comes together in the end.
  31. StevenO.
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    This album is great!!! Metallica is back and with something to prove. They once again the kings of metal.
  32. WadeW.
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    A definite return to form. Bravo.
  33. johnc
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    WOW Metallica is back sounds great cant wait till see them in Boston.
  34. 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".
  35. ArcariS.
    Sep 12, 2008
    9
    Welcome back Horsemen!!!!!
  36. 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
  37. Beethy
    Sep 12, 2008
    10
    Metallica's best album since the 'Metallica' (black album) Very impressed.
  38. 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
  39. 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!
  40. 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.
  41. 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.
  42. 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!!
  43. D.
    Sep 11, 2008
    2
    I tried listening to this album with an open mind but that was nowhere near enough to make me want to ever listen to this album again. Boring and uninspired average hard rock from a one time great band. If I was given this album for free I'd still feel ashamed for owning it.
  44. 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.
  45. 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.
  46. JohnN.
    Sep 11, 2008
    10
    Best Metallica Album in 20 years!
  47. 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.
  48. JasonB.
    Sep 11, 2008
    9
    Brilliant return to form.
  49. [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
  50. flyh.
    Sep 11, 2008
    3
    R.I.P. Metallica has died.
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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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