Magnet: ESSENTIAL NEW MUSIC: METALLICA’S “72 SEASONS”
72 Seasons boasts the greatest leap that Metallica has ever made in terms of melody, with the pre-solo section of “Too Far Gone?” being perhaps the best example. Hetfield and Hammett begin with epic, harmonizing guitar parts that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Rainbow album. “Epic,” as a style, is a territory that Metallica has explored on record before, but never has the band executed it this well. It’s the perfect accompaniment to Hetfield’s soaring melody of desperation and isolation. If you can’t hear a sold-out-stadium crowd singing along with “Too Far Gone?”, check your pulse. Metallica has not put this feel on a record in decades.
