72 Seasons- A Light in the Darkness

Metallica's latest album, 72 Seasons, is as close to an absolute masterpiece as can be expected from a metal band composed of guys eligible for Social Security. It showcases the band's incredible musicianship and songwriting prowess. From start to finish, this album is a tour de force that ranks among the band's best work since their groundbreaking 1991 album, Metallica (The Black Album).

Right from the opening track, "72 Seasons," it's clear that Metallica is firing on all cylinders. The song is a blistering thrash metal assault that features some of the band's most aggressive playing in years. From there, the album continues to impress with highlights like "You Must Burn!," "Room of Mirrors," and "Inamorata," each of which is a masterful display of Metallica's ability to craft powerful, memorable songs that stay with you long after the album is over. (I've been humming “Misseryyyyyy” to myself for several days).

One of the things that makes 72 Seasons so impressive is the way that Metallica has managed to incorporate elements of their earlier work while still pushing their sound forward. Fans of the band's classic albums like Master of Puppets and ...And Justice for All will appreciate the album's heavy, thrashy riffs and intricate song structures, while those who enjoyed the more experimental direction the band took on Load and ReLoad will find plenty to love here as well. If 72 Seasons represent the formative years of one’s life, it’s easy to hear some of their inspirations creeping into the tracks. I heard Motorhead, King Diamond, Thin Lizzy, and Black Sabbath very clearly, among others.

I’m not old enough to be an original fan. I remember hearing “Enter Sandman” at a friend’s house at a pool party sometime in late ‘91, maybe ‘92.  My life, and certainly my musical tastes, were changed forever. The first album I bought at release was Load. While many thrash fans were boo-hooing that day, saying the band had sold out, I was simply stoked that my favorite band had some new music available. I still love Load and ReLoad to this day because those were the music of my high school years. While the early days are represented here, I think fans of 90s Metallica will especially love this. I can hear bits of some of Metallica’s best 90s work, like “Bleeding Me” and “The Outlaw Town” and “Fixxxer” in tracks like “Inamorata.”

Perhaps the most impressive thing about "72 Seasons," though, is the way that Metallica has managed to stay relevant and vital after more than 40 years in the business. Many bands from the '80s thrash metal scene have fallen by the wayside or become nostalgia acts, but Metallica has managed to continue evolving and pushing themselves creatively. This album is a testament to their ongoing commitment to making great music and exploring new sounds and ideas.

Specifically, the vocals on this album truly stand out. James has never sounded better. And it’s not just his voice. Some of the vocal melodies and harmonies are really creative, and you can hear the effort he put into the arrangements to create something catchy and memorable. I also really appreciate them letting Rob sing on the album. Maybe he’s gotten some vocal coaching (I don’t know), but he actually sounds good on the album, and there’s a few spots where his backing vocals shine (like the middle breakdown of “You Must Burn”—which leads right into the best riff of the album, and one of the best riffs James has written in decades). His bass is also noticeably present in places in the mix, and I can’t remember that happening since the 90s. Also, in terms of technique, he’s doing some cool slide bass things and creating some exciting new sounds for a Metallica album.

Also, credit to Lars for staying in his pocket on the drums. People trash him a lot online, but I think he’s pretty good here. Moreso, I think he deserves even higher praise for the setlist/track order of the album. Listening to the songs individually is fine, but when listening to the full album, themes seem to emerge and tracks are strengthened. For example, I didn’t fall in love immediately with “Lux Aeterna” the burner of a first single they released. But on the album, following the “Sad But True-like” chugginess of “You Must Burn!,” that thrashy riff really works better, and now I think that song’s a face-melter.

If there’s a weak spot on the album, I agree with what I’ve heard others say, that Kirk’s solos aren’t his best work. That’s true, but they’re not bad at all, and there’s a few times where I think they’re quite good (again, “You Must Burn,” “Inamorata”). But even if they’re not his greatest solos, he does a lot of good work on the album. Some of his leads are quite good, and has there ever been more guitar harmony on a Metallica album? Maybe, but there’s a lot here and it’s special. I thought for a bit, I’d put on some Thin Lizzy instead, and that’s high praise from me.

Overall, "72 Seasons" is an absolute triumph that ranks among Metallica's best work to date. Fans of the band will find plenty to love here, and it's sure to win over new listeners as well. I can imagine all of those kids who only know them from Stranger Things picking this up or downloading it and having a huge grin on their faces. If you're looking for a heavy, powerful, and memorable album that showcases one of the greatest bands of all-time at the top of their game, look no further than "72 Seasons." I hope this is a portent of several equally good albums to come, and not a swan song. I think this light that the lyrics repeatedly reference is still shining bright for Metallica.

My track rankings (1 being the best):

12. Sleepwalk My Life Away

11. Crown of Barbed Wire

10. Shadows Follow

9. Chasing Light

8. Screaming Suicide

7. Lux Aeterna

6. 72 Seasons

5. Too Far Gone?

4. If Darkness Had a Son

3. You Must Burn!

2. Room of Mirrors

1. Inamorata

Agree or disagree? Comment below, or send me a message on Twitter @FrankNix