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Death Magnetic
by
Death Magnetic Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 715 Ratings

  • Summary: The Rick Rubin-produced album for the heavy-metal band is its first to feature Robert Trujillo on bass.

Top Track

The Day That Never Comes
Born to push you around Better just stay down You pull away He hits the flesh You hit the ground Mouths so full of lies Tend to block your eyes Just... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. The Boston Phoenix
    100
    Of special note is the 10-minute instrumental 'Suicide and Redemption': listening to it, you almost forget that there are supposed to be words in rock songs, since it’s filled with building riffs, escalating volleys of tension and release, and moments of frantic drum abandon from Lars Ulrich that should do a lot to redeem his standing in Modern Drummer’s Drummer of the Year polls.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Not only does it banish the memory of "St Anger" but it’s easily their best work in 17 years.
  3. Q Magazine
    80
    Producer Rick Rubin has made Metallica sound like Metallica again. [Nov 2008, p.116]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. 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.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    75
    It's a conservative, preservative move by men who needed to reclaim their ground. But playing by those rules, Metallica wins.
  6. Hot Press
    70
    Metallica certainly have a lot to prove with Death Magnetic, the follow-up to 2003’s "St. Anger," an album which divided the critics and the band’s own audience.
  7. Pitchfork
    49
    The best ones spit in the face of death; this album instead finds aging men trying to reclaim their youth.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 215 out of 250
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 250
  3. Negative: 15 out of 250
  1. Spielberg00
    Sep 10, 2011
    10
    2008 marks 25 years since Metallica's very first release, and they're still amazing. Also, this proves that DEATH MAGNETIC is not just a2008 marks 25 years since Metallica's very first release, and they're still amazing. Also, this proves that DEATH MAGNETIC is not just a celebration of 25 years since KILL 'EM ALL--it's original, and every song is worth listening to--over and over and over.… Expand
  2. 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 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!… Expand
  4. RodS.
    Sep 20, 2008
    10
    Eventhough critics are unfairly comparing it to their earlier works, Death Magnetic stands on its own as a great album... although the post Eventhough critics are unfairly comparing it to their earlier works, Death Magnetic stands on its own as a great album... although the post Black albums were'nt up to expectations, you still have to give the band credit for trying to evolve musically (I'd like to think Death Magnetic is just the first of many albums showcasing that evolution)... Well done!… Expand
  5. 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. 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.… Expand
  6. tennisstallion
    Sep 19, 2008
    9
    Metallica back to what they do best. Critics are unfairly weighing their history against them, because this album is a solid 9 out of 10. Not Metallica back to what they do best. Critics are unfairly weighing their history against them, because this album is a solid 9 out of 10. Not perfect by any stretch, but a hell of a metal album! Screw the Napster-loving Lars-haters! Metallica is still the best!!!!… Expand
  7. CoryM.
    Sep 26, 2008
    8
    I enjoyed this album very much. A welcome change back to the old thrash days, with very heavy riffs and great solos. This is what should have I enjoyed this album very much. A welcome change back to the old thrash days, with very heavy riffs and great solos. This is what should have been after the Black Album, in my opinion.… Expand
  8. EvanK.
    Sep 14, 2008
    0
    I just don't get Metallica. I gave this album a listen, and it was just terrible. Then I listened again -- worse yet. I need to scrub my I just don't get Metallica. I gave this album a listen, and it was just terrible. Then I listened again -- worse yet. I need to scrub my ear lobes after that trash.… Expand

See all 250 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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