Metallica released “Death Magnetic” album 8 years ago. On November 18, 2016, the band’s last album “Hardwired … To Self-Destruct” was released. The album has achieved great success all over the world and took place at the top of its sales lists in 57 countries.
What’s the difference between “Hardwired … To Self-Destruct” and Death Magnetic? Vocalist James Hetfield described the answer to this question.
Speaking in an interview by Revolver Magazine, James Hetfield described the differences between Metallica’s last two albums. He said:
“It’s documenting exactly where we are right now. I don’t want to compare it to previous stuff — that stuff is what it is, and this stuff is what it is. Maybe the initial intention was ‘simplicity’ — I wanted more simplicity, so I kept saying, “Kill ‘Em All”. The Black Album [1991] is more simple than some of the others, song-wise; but the production of that record is quite complex and really layered.
I wanted the new one to have a little more layers than “Death Magnetic,” but I also wanted it to be more simple — and I wanted it to be more palatable to the ear. I think “Death Magnetic” is very, very powerful, and I love it, but it abuses the ear quite a bit. This record sounds loud and powerful, but in a warmer way.”
According to James Hetfield, Death Magnetic had a hard and disturbing sound. “Hardwired … To Self-Destruct” has a softer sound. That’s why listening to Hardwired is more enjoyable.
