“72 Seasons” marks the 11th studio album by Metallica. I’ve spent days, even months, debating this album with others, even before its release. As a die-hard Metallica fan, I’ve defended the band fervently despite agreeing with some of the criticisms. But this time, I’m at a loss for words. Today, I’ll try to share my thoughts on Metallica’s new album, which feels more like a mass-produced product from a corporate entity than a genuine musical creation. As always, happy reading!

First off, I want to mention that I’m writing this on April 14th, the day after I had the chance to attend the “Global Premiere” in a cinema and listen to the album a day before its general release. Before diving into the tracks, I have some thoughts to share. Generally, I’ve always liked the idea of “listening parties.” The band’s brief explanations and production insights before each song were a nice touch, even though I didn’t entirely agree with their sentiments. They compared “Lux Aeterna” to Motörhead, which I found quite fitting. They played tracks like “72 Seasons,” “If Darkness Had A Son,” “Screaming Suicide,” and a few others, complete with music videos. However, the visuals for the remaining songs were horrendous. The whole two-hour presentation, including 20-25 minutes I couldn’t bear to watch, left me wishing we had just stared at a static album cover while listening.

Anyway, let’s move on to the main topic: the music.

I don’t want to write out a tracklist and discuss each song one by one. The album was released by their own label, BLACKENED RECORDINGS. Like their previous album, the relatively unsuccessful “Hardwired… To Self-Destruct,” Greg Fidelman handled production and mixing. I prefer listening to albums as whole pieces rather than disjointed tracks. That’s why I appreciate concept albums, and Metallica certainly focused on a concept this time, which I enjoyed.

Listening to the album, I felt like it was built around a single riff, repeatedly stretched and varied to complete the album. The guitar solos, which I never had high expectations for, did not surprise me. I also noticed more mid-song solos compared to other albums, which didn’t bother me. I’m not saying it’s bad, just that it lacks originality. Among the four released tracks, only “If Darkness Had A Son” grabbed me with its riff. After listening to the whole album, I added “You Must Burn!” to my list of favorites.

And you know what I realized? Something I’m sure won’t surprise you: the snare tone that feels untouched and the exhausting open hi-hat madness throughout the album. I’ve discussed Lars Ulrich extensively with friends and respected peers. While I won’t comment further, I can’t deny there are some good fills and transitions. I’m not talking about difficulty, just the cohesion with the other instruments. “Sleepwalk My Life Away” is a prime example of this.

Some of you might agree or disagree, but the straightforward, groovy intro of “Sleepwalk My Life Away” was enjoyable.

By the way, did you know the band has a bassist? For years, it felt like they were hiding him from us. Post-“…And Justice For All” and “Black Album,” I felt a significant bass presence in “Load” and “Reload.” This album gave me a similar feeling. I’m not making comparisons, just noting my observations. The bass guitar might be the only reason I’d revisit this album.

One track I didn’t mention yet is “Inamorata.” It’s the only song that came close to making me say “Wow” and is the album’s final track. At 11 minutes long, despite the incessant open hi-hat, I wasn’t bored for a single minute. It reminded me that Metallica has two guitars, with this song feeling more dynamic and sounding better to my ears. I didn’t discuss every track, but while some might enjoy “Shadows Follow,” “Crown Of Barbed Wire,” “Chasing Light,” and “Too Far Gone?,” these tracks didn’t resonate with me. This repetition and lost feeling exhausted me.

To summarize: every year, I make a list of albums I’ve listened to and enjoyed. “72 Seasons” will undoubtedly be on that list, played in various settings. Some will love it, others will disagree, maybe even laugh at my take. But I’ve shared my thoughts honestly. Despite my love for Metallica, this album felt like a factory-made product that left me disappointed. These are just drops in the ocean, but I wanted to express them.

Happy listening and reading!

Osman Can Tolacıoğlu