Metallica is back with a vengeance on their 11th studio album, 72 Seasons, which was released on April 14, 2023. The album is a sonic journey through the first 18 years of the band members’ lives, exploring their childhood experiences and how they shaped their perception of the world. The album is also a testament to Metallica’s musical evolution, as they incorporate elements of heavy metal, thrash metal, progressive metal, and even symphonic metal into their sound.
72 Seasons album opens with the title track, “72 Seasons”, a fast-paced thrasher that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song features a blistering guitar solo by Kirk Hammett, who has regained his creative spark after losing his phone containing riff ideas in 2014. The song also showcases James Hetfield’s powerful vocals and lyrics, which reflect on his turbulent upbringing and his quest for identity.
Then shifts gears with “Shadows Follow”, a dark and atmospheric song that features orchestral arrangements by composer David Campbell. The song is inspired by Hetfield’s struggle with addiction and depression, and how he overcame them with the help of his family and friends. The song also features a guest appearance by Hetfield’s daughter Cali on backing vocals.
Following single continues with “Screaming Suicide”, the second single from the album and one of the most aggressive songs on the record. The song is about the suicide of Hetfield’s mother when he was 16 years old, and how it affected him emotionally and spiritually. The song features a crushing riff by Hammett and a thunderous drum performance by Lars Ulrich, who also co-produced the album with Greg Fidelman.
72 Seasons album then slows down with “Sleepwalk My Life Away”, a ballad that showcases Hetfield’s softer side. The song is about Hetfield’s relationship with his father, who was absent for most of his childhood and who died in 1996. The song features a melodic guitar solo by Hammett and a heartfelt vocal delivery by Hetfield, who sings “I wish you were here to see me now / I wish you could hear me say / I’m sorry for all the pain I caused / I’m sorry for all the things I never said”.
Let's speed the pace again with “You Must Burn!”, a song that deals with Hetfield’s anger towards his former religion, Christian Science, which forbade him from seeking medical treatment for his mother’s cancer. The song features a heavy riff by Hammett and a catchy chorus by Hetfield, who sings “You must burn! / You must pay! / For all the lies you told me / For all the lives you stole”.
The album then reaches its climax with “Lux Æterna”, the first single from the album and one of the most epic songs in Metallica’s catalog. The song is a symphonic metal masterpiece that features a full orchestra conducted by Campbell and a choir composed of Metallica fans who auditioned online. The song is about Hetfield’s spiritual awakening and his search for meaning in life. The song features a soaring guitar solo by Hammett and a majestic vocal performance by Hetfield, who sings “Lux æterna / Luceat eis / In this darkness / Shine your light”.
72 Seasons album then concludes with “Inamorata”, a hidden track that plays after 72 seconds of silence. The song is an acoustic ballad that features Hetfield on guitar and vocals, accompanied by Robert Trujillo on bass. The song is dedicated to Hetfield’s wife Francesca, who has been his constant support throughout his life. The song features a tender guitar solo by Hetfield and a romantic vocal delivery by Hetfield, who sings “Inamorata / You are my love / You are my life / You are my everything”.
72 Seasons is an impressive album that showcases Metallica’s musical diversity and maturity. The album is a personal and emotional journey that reveals the band members’ inner struggles and triumphs. The album is also a musical masterpiece that combines Metallica’s signature sound with new influences and experiments. 72 Seasons is an album that will please both old and new fans of Metallica, and will cement their legacy as one of the greatest metal bands of all time.
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