Since the band’s dawn in the ’80s, Metallica has turned the world of rock n’ roll on its back, delivering nine studio albums since the band’s maiden voyage in 1981. Metallica has made itself invaluable to the music world, collecting eight Grammy Awards and selling over 110 million records around the world.
After their induction into the Hall of Fame in 2009, they announced they had begun their tenth studio album to be named “Hardwired to Self-Destruct.” After several set-backs and postponements, the band has finally settled on a double disc release for Nov. 18. Since their announcement in August, they have released two singles, album art and a track list consisting of 14 songs.
The two singles they have released, however, have both debuted at number one on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart. “Hardwired,” their first single from the album, features a short and fast opener, going back to their thrash metal roots and choppy, fast-paced nature. It has garnered nearly 17 million views on YouTube within two months of its upload. “Moth into Flame,” released just in September, was the final single until the release of the album in November.
Since its upload to YouTube, the single’s music video has received over 5.8 million views on YouTube with over 96 percent of its ratings considered positive by viewers. “Moth into Flame” features a lighter touch, with more melodic riffs and a slower tempo overall. These singles have been praised by critics and fans alike, with the overall response being that Metallica has found its old sounds and that this new album will be well worth the eight-year wait.
Regardless of the mixed opinions of thrash metal from the public, Metallica is a cornerstone for rock n’ roll, and the 60-year-old rock stars show no signs of slowing down. Their newest album will be released as a double track set and will be available for digital download and streaming on Spotify and Apple Music Nov 18.
by Brandon Hussey
