For the past 25-plus years Metallica has become the metal band for people who don’t really know anything about metal.
Heck, even amongst its thrash peers, Metallica is a woeful band.
Death Angel, Testament, Exodus, Megadeth, Forbidden, Kreator, Destruction, etc. … ALL releasing album after album of terrific stuff.
Metallica releases yet another flaccid, uninspired pancake and all the clueless become excited.
This new one is James desperately trying to resurrect his muse by channeling the NWOBHM.
Sad.
The first four Met records are ESSENTIAL. Then, after the self-titled, it’s been all downhill.