Review by Paddy Gallagher for MPM
It’s getting ever closer. 14th April 2023. Release date of 72 Seasons the new album from Metallica. A special date in any calendar, when the mighty put out a release and surge of excited anticipation for the first listen sends shivers down the spine and a tingle in the belly.
The chugging riff of the third track to be released in advance of the album, “If Darkness Had A Son” and the steady beat of the drums lead to James’s chanting “Temptation……. temptation……. temptation……. temptation” and into a song which, after initial appraisal of the lyrics appears to be about the writhing inner thoughts of someone in a dark place reflecting on many battles with temptation.
This is vintage Metallica make no mistake, it has all you’d expect from the band and is instantly recognisable. Some will love it, some will not. Those that don’t? Well, they can move on elsewhere and leave the rest of us in our happy place listening to a band who moulded us, developed musically along with us, aged with us, progressed through life with us and have played an influential part in our lives.
“The beast still shouts for what it’s yearning
He stokes the fire, desire burning
The never-ending quenchless craving
The unforgiving misbehaving
If darkness had a son, here I am
Temptation is his father
If darkness had a son, here I am
I bathe in holy water
Temptation, leave me be”
Following “Screaming Suicide” and “Lux Æterna” we appear to be continuing the song writing trajectory of “Hardwired…”, the dark subject matter reflecting in the anger of the music. Straight-ahead, no-nonsense Metal with a slight tinge of hardcore punk. 3 top pieces of music out of 3 so far from our genre’s, our generation’s Metal institution.
The 4 Horsemen are still riding their leather steeds, “the quartet of deliverance rides”.
Listen to “If Darkness Had a Son”: https://metallica.lnk.to/IfDarknessHa…
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