Metallica - 72 Seasons Review

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72 Seasons might take some time to grow on you, but at its core, it’s undeniably a Metallica album. It packs in all the essentials—thrashy riffs, soaring guitar solos, gruff and gritty vocals, and those signature chunky drums. Yet, despite its familiar Metallica DNA, the album lands somewhere in the realm of slightly above average rather than an instant classic.

One thing that can’t be denied? The production is top-tier, as you’d expect from one of the richest and most successful metal bands in history. With their limitless budget and resources, Metallica has ensured that every note is crisp, every riff hits hard, and every drumbeat carries weight. However, while the sound quality is phenomenal, the overall energy of the album doesn’t always maintain momentum.

I hate to say this about the Kings of Thrash, but at certain points, I found myself zoning out—not because the album is bad, but because some tracks lack the punch to keep you fully locked in. That being said, this only happened once or twice, and there are still plenty of high-energy moments scattered throughout.

Among the standout tracks, "If Darkness Had a Son" immediately grabbed my attention with its dark atmosphere and heavy drive. Lyrically, Metallica still proves they have something to say—songs like "Screaming Suicide" and "You Must Burn!" showcase some of the strongest writing on the album, touching on weighty themes with a sense of urgency.

For longtime fans, there are definitely a couple of tracks worth adding to your playlist, but for many, this album might not have the staying power of their legendary classics. Metallica hasn’t lost their touch completely, but they’re also not pushing the boundaries of their genre like they once did. 72 Seasons is a solid, well-produced album, but it won’t be remembered as one of their defining works.