Initial Analysis: Metallica, "72 Seasons"
The 4th single (and title track) finds the new album taking shape
Watch the video for “72 Seasons” HERE
Now that 4 tracks from Metallica’s upcoming album have been released, we have collectively heard a third of the entire record and are starting to get a sense of what this album is going to be. And coming after the NWOBHM worship of “Lux Æterna” and “Screaming Suicide”, as well as ‘00s/Hardwired continuation of “If Darkness Had a Son”, the title track seems to indicate that 72 Seasons will be a collection of tunes that, while not thematically linked or totally cohesive, will represent all eras of the band’s history.
That “72 Seasons” is not only the record’s title track but also its opening number is rather instructive, as it is a lengthy tune that both stretches out and folds in on itself. Greg Fidelman’s simultaneously full-bodied and sterile production is of a piece with Hardwired, James’ riffing is fundamentally Hetfield, Lars’ drumming is by turns dynamic, idiosyncratic and awkward, and the slightly unwieldy runtime calls out that some of the bits feel more stitched together than thoughtfully arranged. So there’s a mix of Justice, the Black Album, St. Anger and Hardwired blended into the track, which gives it a push/pull feeling: ever since Death Magnetic, Metallica has threaded the needle between being strictly a legacy act (mostly by touring for years on end long after the conclusion of an album cycle) versus a band that is still part of the conversation on account of their new material (mostly by taking their time, not adhering to a schedule and only putting out new records when they really felt the urge), which has not only made fans accept these songs alongside the warhorses, but actually embrace them. After all, although neither Death Magnetic nor Hardwired were classics, they had their share of good songs, and even a few really good ones. And everyone in the band, especially James and Lars, seems to have locked into a style and approach that feels unique and natural to them, and with decent production this results in some really enjoyable music. But then again, even if nobody else on the planet sounds exactly like this (and James’ vocals sound urgent and hungry), “72 Seasons” meanders more than the similarly lengthy “If Darkness Had a Son”, which felt more focused and structured even as it left room for a lengthy Kirk solo and band jam. All of the different bits and bobs don’t totally fit together into a cohesive whole, thought they sound nice enough on their own.
But when placed in context alongside the other three previously released numbers, “72 Seasons” presents another aspect of Metallica’s approach over the past 40 years and points to the album being a culmination. One might be tempted to suggest that 72 Seasons will be some kind of magnum opus, given its apparent diversity, but come on: this is Metallica in 2023, and even they know they are long past making their definitive statement. It certainly seems like the record will be a hodgepodge of tracks, for better or worse, since “72 Seasons” is a hodgepodge itself.
72 Seasons arrives April 14, 2023.