Metallica - 72 Seasons

On April, 14, 2023 "Metallica" released "72 Seasons" and proved "The old gods of thrash still thunder...

"Metallica’s" "72 Seasons" roars to life as a bold and blistering testament to endurance. Clocking in at over 77 minutes, this is the band’s longest studio album and arguably their most thematically personal. While it echoes past eras — the speed of "Kill ’Em All", the groove of "Load", the grit of "St. Anger", and the polish of "Hardwired" — "72 Seasons" stands tall as its own beast. It’s not a nostalgia trip. It’s a reckoning! an unapologetically long, riff-heavy journey through themes of time, trauma, aging, and resilience.

James Hetfield described the album’s title as a metaphor for the first 18 years of life — “72 seasons of pain, joy, growth, loss.” This sets the emotional tone. James Hetfield’s lyrics tap into themes of childhood scars, emotional turbulence, and personal growth with more introspection than ever. Rather than pure aggression or theatrics, these songs are fueled by reflection, trauma, and resilience. Lyrically, it’s among Hetfield’s most open-hearted work. The rage is there, but now it's laced with vulnerability and a deeper search for meaning.

The opening title track "72 Seasons" wastes no time. After a long, dramatic buildup, the riff train kicks into high gear and doesn’t let up for over seven minutes. It’s classic "Metallica" thrash — tight, urgent, and full of fire. Hetfield snarls through lines about childhood scars and fractured identity. The breakdown? Heavy. The solo? Fiery. It's a statement of intent. The song won "Best Metal Performance" at the Grammy Awards in 2024. It was "Metallica's" ninth Grammy

"Shadows Follow" swings like a hammer. It’s groove-oriented but maintains a biting edge, combining Hetfield’s layered vocals with a haunting melodic sensibility. Think "Reload" meets "Justice". The lyrics tap into the creeping presence of darkness and self-doubt — a topic "Metallica’s" never shied away from, but here it feels more direct.

"Screaming Suicide" is the second single from the album. It is absolutly a standout both musically and thematically. The galloping rhythm and shout-along chorus are tailor-made for live shows, but underneath the power lies a sobering subject: mental health, suicide and self-destruction which the band previously dealt with on "Fade To Black" and "Sad But True". "Metallica" gets honest here, and it works. “Don’t ever speak that word,” Hetfield sneers, then counters it with defiance. It’s anthemic, gritty, and deeply human. And please listen to Kirk Hammett's solo at 3:32 min. of the song. Is this a rip-off or homage to "Deep Purple's" "Speed ​​King"?

"Sleepwalk My Life Away" is a massive groove-metal track driven by Robert Trujillo’s bass rumble. This one has swagger. It slithers and stomps, reminiscent of "Sabbath" with a modern punch. The lyrics speak to numbness and detachment, making the slow burn feel almost hypnotic — and when the chorus crashes in, it soars.

"You Must Burn!" is perhaps the heaviest track on the album — this is where the doom comes in. Riff-wise, it's like a lost cousin of “Sad But True” and “The Thing That Should Not Be.” Hetfield sounds menacing, Lars Ulrich’s drums pound with weight, and Trujillo is absolutely in the pocket. This is vintage, evil-sounding "Metallica". The song features backing vocals from bassist Robert Trujillo, marking the first time he has sung on a "Metallica" record.

"Lux Æterna" is the lead single, and for good reason. It's a metal bomb that returns the band to its roots but at the same time shows that "Metallica" legacy will shine forever. No wonder the song title means "eternal light" in Latin. It’s fast, fun, and straight to the point. At under four minutes, it’s a full-throttle throwback to "Kill ’Em All", with hints of "Diamond Head" and "Motörhead". Pure adrenaline, and an instant classic in the "Metallica" canon. It wasn't long after the song was released that Kirk Hammett started catching fire online with fans replacing his solo with their own versions.

"Crown of Barbed Wire" shows "Metallica" leaning into restraint and texture over speed and fury. It’s not a single, it’s not the flashiest track—but it’s one of the most emotionally dense. It builds a haunting atmosphere that gives "72 Seasons" some of its depth. It’s the sound of a band confronting inner demons—not by exorcising them, but by wearing them.

“Chasing Light” is "Metallica" on the run — not from the past, but toward something: clarity, healing, peace. It’s one of the most energetic and emotionally-charged tracks on the record, blending old-school thrash mechanics with a deeply human core. The tempo kicks up, driven by Lars Ulrich’s relentless snare attack and a tight, chugging riff that harks back to the band’s "...And Justice for All" and "Hardwired" eras, but with a fresh, modern pulse. The instrumental bridge is especially noteworthy: it slows down into a stomping, syncopated groove, almost like a brief moment of reflection before launching back into the final attack. Kirk Hammett unleashes one of his best solos on the album here — chaotic, fast, and melodic all at once.

"If Darkness Had a Son" is a hulking, stomping beast with a chantable hook: "Temptation! Temptation!" The main riff is simple but infectious. There’s a swagger here that brings to mind "The Black Album", but with a rawer edge. The overall atmosphere feels like “The God That Failed” meeting “Leper Messiah”. Hammett’s solo is great. Sharp and a bit chaotic.

"Too Far Gone?" is a punk-thrash hybrid that flies out of the gate with tight riffage and a memorable chorus. It’s one of the more compact, melodic moments on the album — and maybe the catchiest. It strikes that perfect "Metallica" balance between brute force and melodic sensibility.

"Room of Mirrors" is a total surprise — psychedelic intro, galloping rhythms, multi-layered harmonies, and a dual guitar attack that could’ve lived on "Ride the Lightning". It's a fast, intricate piece that showcases how tight the band still is after 40+ years.

"Inamorata" is an 11-minute monster to close the album. The longest song in "Metallica’s" discography, and a deeply emotional one. It is the epic finale to "72 Seasons". This is "Metallica" going deep, wide, and heavy — emotionally and musically. It's a sludgy-doom, mid-tempo journey that leans into sorrow, regret, and emotional entrapment, but with the wisdom of age and introspection. Almost like a metal ballad in slow motion. A sort of sequel to "My Friend of Misery" ("The Black Album"), but also draws inspiration from “The Outlaw Torn” ("Load") and “Fixxxer” ("Reload") — long, brooding, emotionally rich tracks that put atmosphere before aggression. But “Inamorata” adds a new level of maturity. The slow, crawling riff that opens the track feels "Sabbath"-inspired, almost funereal... heavy, hypnotic, and emotionally potent. Around the halfway mark, the song shifts into a clean, spacious interlude where Hetfield’s vocals are raw and aching. This section — with Trujillo’s bass floating underneath — is one of the most beautiful and haunting moments "Metallica" has recorded in decades, while right after comes a slow, harmonized guitar leads that build a meditative, haunting atmosphere reminiscent of “To Live Is to Die”("…And Justice for All").

"72 Seasons" is not a reinvention of "Metallica" — it’s a reaffirmation. The band leans into what they’ve always done best: heavy riffs, emotional themes, and tight musicianship. But they do it with maturity, insight, and just enough experimentation to keep things fresh. While the album’s length may be daunting, it rarely feels dull. Each track has something to say — and something to prove.

"Metallica" sounds simply great!!! The production is nothing less than amazing!!! Kirk Hammett’s solos are more spontaneous than clinical, which adds personality even if it divides fans. Trujillo shines throughout, and Ulrich delivers one of his most consistent performances in years. Above all, Hetfield is the emotional core — writing some of the best lyrics of his career. He still delivers unforgettable guitar riffs and roars like a lion king.

For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music

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