Artist: Metallica

Album: Death Magnetic

Label: Universal / Vertigo

Rating: *** out of *****

Standout Tracks: "That Was Just Your Life", "The End Of The Line", "Broken, Beat & Scarred"

Metallica has been many places and done many things. They have lost two bassists, achieved rock stardom and commercial supremacy, performed in front of thousands of fueled-up fans and made a documentary about themselves in the revelatory Some Kind Of Monster (2004).

Their sold-out live performance at Lebak Bulus stadium in Jakarta was one of the most unforgettable concerts the city has ever seen. The Promethean sound, fatalistic riot and hefty media attention on the band had got the adrenaline of those who were there pumping. People had no idea how the concert would turn out, or even whether they arrive home safely afterward.

News that Death Magnetic, the band's latest studio album of 10 tracks, has reached the number one spot on Amazon.com also hit like an ambush.

The members of Metallica (James Hetfield on guitar and vocal, Lars Ulrich on drums, Kirk Hammett on lead guitar and Robert Trujillo on bass) have realized that their recent approach to their image and sound have tainted their trade.

This time, they shred again by building up the rhythm solidly, executing their signature double guitar licks and slowing down their tempo for room to breathe. They might tell each other to scrap their recent image and just have fun the way they used to.

Death Magnetic is sheer fun if you dig old school Metallica (the period before the notorious Black Album, which many fans regarded as the last decent Metallica album). Load, Reload and St. Anger proved a lame continuation as the band fell into a downward spiral of waning musical creativity.

Death Magnetic, as creepy as the album cover and title are, should be heard in its entirety to get the whole feel of what they are trying to say.

The album kicks off with "That Was Just Your Life". Just sample this song and you will realize how it sounds so youthful, rebellious -- and heavy, of course.

"The End Of The Line" continues the pace of the first tune and escalates it through fine aesthetics.

"The Unforgiven III", although the title might sound jaded, has an elemental solo piano intro and unforgettable solo. Fans of their monumental song "One" are likely to dig this track.

Their last few songs on the album do sound a bit stretched in an uninteresting way. The vocals on "The Day That Never Comes" and "All Nightmare Long", however, are a bit of a letdown because of their formulaic hooks.

All in all, Death Magnetic will surely sound great live. Those who love the old Metallica should give it a listen. The band has come full circle back to what they invented almost two decades ago.

-- Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo

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