72 Seasons
by Metallica
  • Record Label: Rhino
  • Release Date: Apr 14, 2023
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 126 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 91 out of 126
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 126
  3. Negative: 17 out of 126
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  1. CKhound
    May 12, 2023
    0
    I would argue this is the best material they have brought out since Jason left the band. It is a mix of some earlier sounds for sure (with Kill em All, Load, ReLoad, and maybe even a bit of The Black Album mixed in) but has a feel of its own at the same time.

    The album is completely loaded with amazing riffs, and while sometimes the songs can feel bloated to many, I felt like the    I would argue this is the best material they have brought out since Jason left the band. It is a mix of some earlier sounds for sure (with Kill em All, Load, ReLoad, and maybe even a bit of The Black Album mixed in) but has a feel of its own at the same time.

    The album is completely loaded with amazing riffs, and while sometimes the songs can feel bloated to many, I felt like the lengths were justified and nice, no rushing around just for the sake of rushing.

    Overall a great album, with some great bass included in the mix for once.    … Expand
  2. raoulvador
    Apr 17, 2023
    2
    This is a nope for me. Every song are based on the same pattern or quite the same : guitar riff, snare drum roll on the riff, after one minute double bass drum rythm, verse / chorus, double bass drum, fast solo with no hook or melody, bridge, blablabla. Problem : riffs are not that good and lacks of soul.

    I would like to love this album but I cant, its just boring. And I really do love    This is a nope for me. Every song are based on the same pattern or quite the same : guitar riff, snare drum roll on the riff, after one minute double bass drum rythm, verse / chorus, double bass drum, fast solo with no hook or melody, bridge, blablabla. Problem : riffs are not that good and lacks of soul.

    I would like to love this album but I cant, its just boring. And I really do love Metallica, I've seen them live 6 times or so. But this one is : listen to it and forget it.    … Expand
  3. EmilioAluminio
    Apr 14, 2023
    3
    I'm sorry, I don't care if they are 60 years old, if they've been playing for 40 years already, or if they were the biggest band back in the day. They sound uninterested. They put zero creativity on this record and it shows.

    Every song sounds the same, every lyric reads the same, solos are indistinguishable, Rob still feels constrained by what the band wants him to play at every moment.    I'm sorry, I don't care if they are 60 years old, if they've been playing for 40 years already, or if they were the biggest band back in the day. They sound uninterested. They put zero creativity on this record and it shows.

    Every song sounds the same, every lyric reads the same, solos are indistinguishable, Rob still feels constrained by what the band wants him to play at every moment.

    For me, the only salvageable part of this record is Inamorata's middle section, and i don't even like the rest of the song.    … Expand
  4. Nuxx_exe
    Apr 24, 2023
    3
    Dishonorable mentions include "Sleepwalk My Life Away" for starting off promising then jumping off a cliff 90 seconds in, "Lux Aeterna" for trying its best to be a Judas Priest song (but not nearly as good) and "If Darkness Had a Son" because Lars' kick drum sounds straight like FL Studios' stock kick drum sound.
  5. GTXMike
    Apr 17, 2023
    0
    Whole album sounds like one long generic rock song... The least attractive part of the album are actually vocals. Must be the worst album they released to date, time to retire maybe?
  6. Sacker421
    Apr 15, 2023
    1
    I was at the global premiere at the cinema and I couldn't be more disappointed. Every song sounds similar, it's not creative. Sound of guitars is just bad, Lars's drumming is terrible and I mean it not in technical way but composition. This open hi-hat is not it. Kirk Hammett forgot how to play after black album, his solos are just bunch of the same notes, he lacks technique too. ThereI was at the global premiere at the cinema and I couldn't be more disappointed. Every song sounds similar, it's not creative. Sound of guitars is just bad, Lars's drumming is terrible and I mean it not in technical way but composition. This open hi-hat is not it. Kirk Hammett forgot how to play after black album, his solos are just bunch of the same notes, he lacks technique too. There were maybe 3 songs that were okay. Also what is with those unnecessary long songs. Half of them could be shorter. Riffs are boring. Honestly, worst Metallica album. Even death magnetic had some creativity.… Expand
  7. Juarez27
    Apr 14, 2023
    0
    It's crazy that a band with such a large budget can't hire a decent producer and engineer. 72 seasons,each song lasts a season or 6 too long. A mishmash of riffs that don't make a whole. The solos make room for vicarious embarrassment, this is just not possible. James just keeps complaining and whining in his lyrics you gradually want the man to drink himself a beer or 2. No,t his is oneIt's crazy that a band with such a large budget can't hire a decent producer and engineer. 72 seasons,each song lasts a season or 6 too long. A mishmash of riffs that don't make a whole. The solos make room for vicarious embarrassment, this is just not possible. James just keeps complaining and whining in his lyrics you gradually want the man to drink himself a beer or 2. No,t his is one of Metallica's worst albums, maybe the worst.
    A piece of ****    … Expand
  8. reardelt
    Apr 14, 2023
    3
    This album is not good worse one of the discography. I like their old and newer stuff but this is plain boring
  9. DartPancake
    Jul 19, 2023
    3
    I don't know how people can give this album 8-9-10 score. Are you didn't listen to a real 10 albums? Are you really sure that this is equal to Master of Puppets or Paranoid or Painkiller or Number of the Beast? Seriously?

    Very boring and mediocre riffs, a lot of repetitiveness, no hits, all songs sound the same, absolutely horrible solos, bass drum sound (Metallica disease for last 20    I don't know how people can give this album 8-9-10 score. Are you didn't listen to a real 10 albums? Are you really sure that this is equal to Master of Puppets or Paranoid or Painkiller or Number of the Beast? Seriously?

    Very boring and mediocre riffs, a lot of repetitiveness, no hits, all songs sound the same, absolutely horrible solos, bass drum sound (Metallica disease for last 20 years). Oh, also unreasonably long songs. They should listen to "Believer" by Ozzy for example. Great song structure, not a one riff repeat for one minute 5 times = song.

    Previous album wasn't their best, but at least you can hear difference when songs change. One "Halo on Fire" is better than this whole album.

    Overall - 3/10. Boredom, laziness, degradation, compositional weakness and impotence of the once great group. As a long time fan - their worst album in career.

    Huge respect for James anyway. He is still in great musician shape    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2023

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Mojo
    May 16, 2023
    80
    Lux Æterna [is] a prime example of 72 Seasons' astonishing vigour. ... Metallica are worthy again. [Jul 2023, p.82]
  2. The Wire
    May 9, 2023
    80
    Virtuosity quickly shades into something inhuman, as every plectrum and drumstick lands inevitably – and thrillingly – on target. [Jun 2023, p.54]
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Apr 24, 2023
    60
    For all Hetfield’s soul-baring, however, as a whole 72 Seasons seems to mark the end of their late-career renaissance and is ultimately far more solid than spectacular.
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