Metallica – 72 Seasons

I am a minor Metallica fan, but I have diligently listened to their albums as they have been released over the years and own most of their albums (mostly on CD, but some on vinyl). My introduction to the band was seeing them live in 1988 when they were an undercard on the Monsters Of Rock tour. I was impressed by their energy and sound enough to pick up …And Justice for All when it was released a few months later. I was all in on 1991’s Metallica (commonly known as The Black Album).

The band has never matched their studio 1980s output, but they haven’t tarnished it either. Their releases have been consistently good to great, just not the masterpieces of the 80s.

Which brings us to their eleventh studio album – their latest (2023) release 72 Seasons. My initial reaction is it is true to their brand and that Kirk Hammett’s guitar solos are particularly brilliant. The new album is only relevant to their current fan base and is unlikely to attract new fans. It is a solid Metallica album that will bring no shame to their catalog.

Regarding the album title, 72 Seasons, James Hatfield stated:

“The first 18 years of our lives that form our true or false selves. The concept that we were told ‘who we are’ by our parents. A possible pigeonholing around what kind of personality we are. I think the most interesting part of this is the continued study of those core beliefs and how it affects our perception of the world today. Much of our adult experience is reenactment or reaction to these childhood experiences. Prisoners of childhood or breaking free of those bondages we carry.”

From Metallica’s website

Lyrically, the album deals with the usual Metallica themes: you were born screwed, suicide, music (especially loud music) is salvation, etc.

This album is a nice summary of their career: the thrash/speed metal of the 80s, the pop hard rock of the 90s and the mature sound of the last two decades.

I love the recording/sonics. Each instrument is distinct, a nice use of stereo effect, and the vocals are nice and clear without being too forward. Over all I like this recording and will continue to listen.