Released: Dec 13, 2011
Genre: Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal
Label: Warner Bros
Number Of Tracks: 4
Heavy metal giants Metallica celebrated their 30 year anniversary as a band. MetClub members were given a download code to receive the studio recording of the songs recorded for "Death Magnetic" that didn't quite make it on to the 2008 album. The result is the 4-song digital EP known as "Beyond Magnetic".
Beyond Magnetic [EP]
Reviewed by:
Kwyjibo2006, on december 16, 2011 16 of 20 people found this review helpful
Sound: This month, heavy metal giants Metallica celebrated their 30 year anniversary as a band. To commemorate the occasion, the band played four shows at the historic Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. The shows were littered with special appearances, such as former members Dave Mustaine and Jason Newsted, as well as King Diamond and Marianne Faithfull. Lucky fans got to hear some never-before-played-live songs, like their 1988 instrumental "To Live Is To Die". But not only were these shows filled with old fan favourites. Every night, Metallica played a song recorded for "Death Magnetic" that didn't quite make it on to the 2008 album. The following day, MetClub members were given a download code to receive the studio recording of the song. The result is the 4-song digital EP known as "Beyond Magnetic".
Obviously, seeing as these tracks are taken from the same recording sessions as "Death Magnetic", the instruments and vocals sound just like they do on their 2008 release. Fans of Robert Trujillo will be disappointed once again, as his bass is barely audible on most tracks, while fans of James Hetfield's guitar tone should be pleased. However, while these songs sound the same as "Death Magnetic", some of the styles explored are certainly not. Given that this EP consists of only four tracks, a song-by-song review seems appropriate:
01. "Hate Train": The song starts off with a bit of an awkward intro before James comes in with a simple, very "Metallica" riff. For those who remember watching the "Mission Metallica" videos back in '08, the little solo beginning every video kicks in soon after. The song continues just as you'd expect before a nice, clean tone breakdown. More riffage, and cue the solo. Kirk Hammett's fingers dance across the fretboard with what sounds like little wah pedal before another riff that "Mission Metallica" fans will remember. More soloing before a VERY heavy riff that would make Pantera proud. The track soon returns to the intro riff before Hetfield hits his high note, ending the track.
02. "Just A Bullet Away": Most fans will recognize this one as the song "Shine", from the "Death Magnetic" sessions. The song starts with a D-standard riff with an almost Opeth-like quality before going into a galloping rhythm. While the intro features some catchy riffs, it does come across as a little repetitive, but soon the song launches into what fans will recognize as the "Shine-riff". The song goes back and forth between the intro and verse riffs before abruptly hitting a haunting clean riff, complete with harmonizing guitars. Next up, Kirk begins a great solo before the song returns to the main riff and wrapping up. The song may be a tad repetitive for some fans, though it is undeniably one catchy riff. Some transitions, mainly the riff to clean bridge, are a bit awkward, but the largest complaint for this song is, unfortunately, Lars Ulrich's mediocre drumming throughout. It seems he didn't really know what to do with the song. But still, that riff...
03. "Hell And Back": The EP's third track starts with a nice clean riff while Lars and Rob add strange, though interesting accents. Another catchy main riff that will make you bob your head follows, before returning to the clean riff which becomes the verse of the song. About 4 minutes in, the guitars fade, leaving the drums to pound out a rhythm similar to "One" or "The Day That Never Comes". Soon, the guitars enter with a simple E power chord riff. In typical Metallica fashion, the song turns into riff central before Hetfield yells "YEAH!" and Kirk's barrage of notes help the main riff finish the song. While the song isn't exactly the band's most original, the energy of the song is simply astounding.
04. "Rebel Of Babylon": Another clean riff starts the final track. It doesn't last long, however, before a chromatic riff comes crashing through. Next thing you know, the song enters thrash metal heaven, tremolo picking and power chords fast enough to rival Whiplash. The song soon enters a mid-tempo beat before returning to the fast-paced riff and repeating the cycle. Kirk's solo in this one begins as just noise over another very catchy riff, and soon, James and Kirk are duelling again. Lars gets a mini solo before he and Trujillo enter an oddly-timed breakdown and yet another heavy riff. Soon, the song returns to the trash riff before finishing. The song features so many riffs and tempo changes, it sounds almost like a Megadeth song. The key point is, this is the most "old-school" the band have sounded since "...And Justice For All".
(For those of you who are not MetClub members, all four songs can be found on YouTube.) // 7
Lyrics and Singing: It should be stated at this point that these tracks are demos, not final recordings that would have appeared on the album. That being said, the vocals are not perfect, nor are the lyrics. James Hetfield's voice stays in his regular gutteral growl for most of the EP, though in songs like "Hate Train" he does hit some high notes. His delivery, however, is not always perfect. Some of the lyrics themselves aren't great either: the "suck on the barrel, suck until it's gone dry" lyric from "Just A Bullet Away" is sure to cause laughter amongst the people who believe James Hetfield is a table. However, some of the more memorable lyrics include "You took away tomorrow / Still I stand" from "Hate Train" and (this reviewer's personal favourite section from the EP) "I become two / We become one / Unbridled... unequaled... unholy... undone" from "Hell And Back". The EP's vocals leave something to be desired, but contain some memorable moments, for sure. Not bad for unfinished products. // 7
Impression: The "Beyond Magnetic" EP, to some, will simply be a "please forgive us" from the band after the entire "Lulu" debacle. For those who watched Mission Metallica, it acts as a cool flashback to some catchy riffs and allows fans to finally hear where those riffs ended up. In some ways, it acts as a celebration of the many styles Metallica have gone through: If you want a more modern, "Death Magnetic" tune, pop on "Hate Train". If it's heavy you're after, go for "Just A Bullet Away". "Black Album" energy? Try "Hell And Back". Or, if you want thrash, Rebel of Babylon is the obvious choice. "Beyond Magnetic" is simply a band having fun, and while the arguing over which song from the EP should replace which song from "Death Magnetic", there really only remains one thing left to say: Happy Birthday, Metallica. // 8
Beyond Magnetic [EP]
Reviewed by:
Bluesmetalguy, on december 16, 2011 3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Sound: So Metallica released an EP, barely a month and a half after "Lulu". Many fans say that this is their way to control the damage, others say it's just a part of the 30th anniversary celebration. The songs on this record are the tracks left over from "Death Magnetic", and they are remarkably good, for Metallica. With this EP they have made a great Christmas gift for their fans and proved that they aren't decadent quite yet. The guitar parts have some fun riffs but often seem to be lacking direction. The bass work from Trujillo is solid as always. Ulrich's drumming is typical of more modern Metallica and shows some skill. Hetfield's vocals are fairly good on this album and show some really nice melodic singing. Yet the guitar attack is what really draws us into this record.
The guitar work on this album features some very impressive work. The riffage on these songs is very solid and allows for a lot of headbanging yet so many of the songs seem to lose direction after a point. One example of this is the track Hate Train which features a really well written heavy thrash riff that is then paused for an acoustic section and a melodic chorus. To me that just doesn't work. The changes in tempo are frustrating. In addition to this some of the riffs seem to have a punk rock flavor. This isn't bad, it just strikes me as slightly bizarre and thought it deserved mention. The solos however are very good and have a lot of high energy fills that show that Hammet hasn't completely lost it.
The bass work from Trujillo on this record is pretty good and some of his fills are really nice. In particular the bass work on the riff of "Just A Bullet Away" is very good. Trujillo shows a lot of aggression and he manages to get a bit of a thrash metal tone back in Metallica's rhythm section. Ulrich's drums are typical of his more recent stuff and they feature a lot of different fills. He could have a better attack and his technique is not the best. Yet his experience shines through and his drumming leaves Metallica with their signature sound. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: The vocals of Hetfield are actually pretty solid and show that he is still advancing. His melodic vocals on "Hate Train" show a lot of skill. Hetfield's vocals are simply awesome, he still possesses some of the old anger but now it's tempered a little. I feel that if he had more of that raw energy left in him he could bring focus back into the songs that get lost. As for his lyrics, they leave a lot to be desired, they are typically poorly written and make me facepalm. For example Hate Train starts of with the lyrics "Hate/on a train", and frankly, it doesn't get much better. The only song showing true lyrical skill is "Rebel Of Babylon" which is honestly, rather epic. All in all Hetfield's vocals are rather similar to those on "Death Magnetic" but with lyrics that could have some improvement. // 8
Impression: In conclusion, this new EP from Metallica is very decent and features some fairly good songs. The riffs are typically well done and when the songs stay focused they are quite good. The solos are decent and show that Hammet still is rather skilled. The bass work of Trujillo is heavy as ever and he shows that he can thrash just as well as the other guys. Ulrich's drumming is decent, and while it could have more aggression it does a good job capturing the air of the album. To finish, this is a decent EP that is definitely worth checking out, it is a great sign for the future of this band.
Beyond Magnetic [EP]
Reviewed by:
Ritchie360, on december 16, 2011 2 of 6 people found this review helpful
Sound: "Beyond Magnetic" is Metallica's latest E.P. issuing unreleased songs from "Death Magnetic". As said by Metallica themselves, these are the best rough mixes available for these songs. As lot's have criticized Metallica for their over distorted sound on the "Death Magnetic" album, this E.P. doesn't seem to have this "problem". The guitars are heavy as hell, the drums are nailed and James Hetfield's voice is better than ever. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are kind of boring, not really Metallica worthy. "Just A Bullet Away" how ever does have some powerful lyrics. "Redemption purify, will nothing satisfy, the scars will multiply in the sound of a midnight revolver". James' voice is insane. The guy's a god and sings like one. His voice on "Death Magnetic" is great! "Beyond Magnetic" (being recordings of "Death Magnetic") are equally great! // 5
Impression: Metallica has completed and already perfect album with 4 more songs: "Hate Train", "Hell And Back", "Just A Bullet Away" and "Rebel Of Babylon". Riffs are recognized by true fans from the 2008 "Mission Metallica" video clips. Working titles "Shine", "Holy Revolver" and "Hell Bound" are finally given out and they're TERRIFIC! // 9
Beyond Magnetic [EP]
Reviewed by:
matthijs97, on january 05, 2012 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: They said it was a rough mix, but you won't notice. At least, I didn't. The distortion is epic on this record, and the style of playing is really different from "Death Magnetic" itself. "Rebel Of Babylon" could be an "...And Justice For All" song, and still you won't notice it was made for "Death Magnetic", their newest sound. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: James, you've did it again! What an epic voice on this record, way better than "DM"! The lyrics are also great. At "Rebel Of Babylon" he sings "don't let it burn out, tonight!" and when he sings "tongight!". It makes me feel a bit like Mercyful Fate medley, like such a high note and his voice isn't sounding different than normal! Thanks James. You're epic. // 10
Impression: Just a review of all the songs;:
01. "Hate Train": Nice heavy intro, with one of the most impressive main riffs of Metallica. Also, the beginning solo is in one word EPIC. Kirk kicks a-s here. Also, when the song goes from dist. To clean in the chorus. It just kicks a-s! Lyrics aren't the best on this one.
02. "Just A Bullet Away": This doesn't really sound like Metallica. I don't really like it at least. It just doesn't sound like the other songs on "Beyond Magnetic", and "DM". One of the weaker songs.
03. "Hell And Back": Evil clean intro, and then a part that sounds a bit like an amateur group... But then... BOOM! One of the greatest Metallica riffs! It's so damn f***ing awesome! And the lyrics are also sublime! One of the best tracks.
04. "Rebel Of Babylon": When I started listening this song for the first time, I didn't really like the intro. But I kept listening and then it turned AWESOME! Just epicness in music. Epic singing, epic riffs, epic lyrics, epic guitar-playing, epic bassline, epic drums, epic everything! // 9
I don't want to go down as the troll, but for whatever reason, I have a harder time listening to James' vocals now than I do Mustaine's. James is easily the better of the two, but something about his voice just really irks me at this point.
Rebel of Babylon should have been released on Death Magnetic, for sure.
No, instead of Rebel or Hate Train, Cyanide was released. Good job, Metallica.
see heres the problem with death magnetic. cyanide was a good song. right up until it dragged into 6 different parts at 3 and a half or four minutes. like the rest of the album.
im all for raw music but ive heard two albums from these guys in the last 10 years with horrible production. i wanna hear these songs with andy sneap production. or **** it bring back bob rock and tell him to just produce it and not write it for them. personally i can see why these did not make it onto the album.
im all for raw music but ive heard two albums from these guys in the last 10 years with horrible production. i wanna hear these songs with andy sneap production. or **** it bring back bob rock and tell him to just produce it and not write it for them. personally i can see why these did not make it onto the album.
rather i can see why they didnt make it because i think that the songs on DM all kicked ass. UF3 to me was an awesome song that wouldve gone down in history (like the rest of the album) as a classic. the album is epic and these would fit in real good if there werent some weak points. but honestly i was hoping for just a bullet away to come out. glad it did.
I don't want to go down as the troll, but for whatever reason, I have a harder time listening to James' vocals now than I do Mustaine's. James is easily the better of the two, but something about his voice just really irks me at this point.
I know what you mean. It has a weird soudn on the albums. Sounds....kind of synthetic. Don't know how to describe it.
Rebel of Babylon should have been released on Death Magnetic, for sure.
No, instead of Rebel or Hate Train, Cyanide was released. Good job, Metallica.
see heres the problem with death magnetic. cyanide was a good song. right up until it dragged into 6 different parts at 3 and a half or four minutes. like the rest of the album.
that's not really the problem in my opinion, Metallica extends their songs this way since Ride the Lightning, and yeah, Death Magnetic got some good stuff on it (Judas Kiss, That Was Just Your Life and Broken, Beat and Scarred are great songs), but choosing that crap called The Unforgiven III and Cyanide (I think Cyanide is a pretty average song) instead of Hate Train and Rebel of Babylon, to me was a big mistake.
I need to give these songs a listen. I thought Death Magnetic sucked, but after reading so many good comments about these unreleased songs, I might not completely give up on Metallica.
iommi600 wrote:
that's not really the problem in my opinion, Metallica extends their songs this way since Ride the Lightning, and yeah, Death Magnetic got some good stuff on it (Judas Kiss, That Was Just Your Life and Broken, Beat and Scarred are great songs), but choosing that crap called The Unforgiven III and Cyanide (I think Cyanide is a pretty average song) instead of Hate Train and Rebel of Babylon, to me was a big mistake.
Unforgiven 3 is actually the best song on the album for me IMO. It was really good metal ballad. Not to mention it had the best solo on the album. And alot more people like it than hate it. I do think Cyanide and My Apocolypse were bad though.
I know James can write riffs all day, so I don't think that's lacking. These guys just don't have what it takes to write powerful songs anymore. They don't care about transitions at all. Rebel of Babylon had some of the best parts Metallica has written in ages, and not only did it not make the album, Lars doesn't even try to do the thrash riffs justice (lol).
I don't want to go down as the troll, but for whatever reason, I have a harder time listening to James' vocals now than I do Mustaine's. James is easily the better of the two, but something about his voice just really irks me at this point.
People talk about Mustaine's vocals all day long, but to me they just have more character than Hetfield
I need to give these songs a listen. I thought Death Magnetic sucked, but after reading so many good comments about these unreleased songs, I might not completely give up on Metallica.
"Metallica is the fourth best-selling music artist since the SoundScan era began tracking sales on May 25, 1991, selling a total of 52,672,000 albums in the United States alone"
LMAO...yeah, you hang in there pal--don't "give up" on em yet. Someday they might make it big! Remember--it's your support that keeps them going!
haha, that guy reviewed my band too. did anybody notice the focus has shifted from them making a good album to them not making a bad album? Why is that? Did Metallica EVER release anything substandard?
how can you call someone else's music a debacle? don't comment on something you don't even understand. you listen to Lulu with expectations that weren't even close, and you bitch that it's not what you want?
I don't see why anyone would ever complain about extra material being released. We used to have 10 songs, now we have 14 songs. Pick your favs and enjoy it man, Metallica's sick
i must be a minority cause i think "suck on the barrel, suck on the barrell, suck suck till its dry" is freakin catchy, it's just that most people have sick minds
also known as the We-Are-Really-Really-Really-Sorry-For-The-Train-Wreck-That-W as-Lulu EP[/quote
Lars said the songs that didn't make it on DM but were on Mission Metallica would be released eventually as everyone threw a sissie fit that they weren't on the album when it came out but they were all over Mission Metallica.
The lyrics are ****in awesome for an unfinished product, listen to the demos for black and load with the "na na na nanana na na na na nananan" for every single ****in lyric. I also have the demos for Death Magnetic and what do you ****in know the lyrics are different from what is on the album .... wierd. Fuck most of you are so retarded in your ****in comments and complain about worthless crap. Oh oh Hetfield said "love" that is so not metal.
I love both Death Magnetic and this EP. Both have equal appeal to me, though some songs on Death Magnetic could've been replaced with the ones on this album. I'm pointing at you, Broken, Beat and Scarred.
how bout they replace lars with mike portnoy...their songs need some serious pro drumming not lars bland pounding crap.
Right now...Portnoy is basically toxic. The dude's been whining for 2 years almost. First about how he wanted to do his own thing for a bit. Then, he left Dream Theater to do it, and he's been whinging about how he got kicked out. Just check the UG front page. What business does Portnoy have saying, "I think this riff sounds like that riff from the band Red"? None whatsoever. No one's gonna touch MP for awhile now, man.
how bout they replace lars with mike portnoy...their songs need some serious pro drumming not lars bland pounding crap.Right now...Portnoy is basically toxic. The dude's been whining for 2 years almost. First about how he wanted to do his own thing for a bit. Then, he left Dream Theater to do it, and he's been whinging about how he got kicked out. Just check the UG front page. What business does Portnoy have saying, "I think this riff sounds like that riff from the band Red"? None whatsoever. No one's gonna touch MP for awhile now, man.
I'd rather listen a whiny drummer that can actually play than a whiny drummer who can't. That being said, I had a happy face on listening to Beyond Magnetic until Lars' blasted drumming came crashing in.
People complaining about people complaining is almost as bad as people complaining about people complaining about people complaining. If everyone posted nothing but positive comments here, you'd have a circle jerk, and not much else. It's not like you contribute more to the discussion by lecturing people as if Metallica have been consistent their whole career.
People complaining about people complaining is almost as bad as people complaining about people complaining about people complaining. If everyone posted nothing but positive comments here, you'd have a circle jerk, and not much else. It's not like you contribute more to the discussion by lecturing people as if Metallica have been consistent their whole career.
So what you're complaining about is people complaining about people complaining about people complaining?
Sorry, I couldn't resist. I actually agree with you though. From "Master of Puppets" to "Metallica", they could do no wrong. Then the bus went out of control, flipped, and crushed their spirit and it's been bland ever since.
"James Hetfield's voice stays in his regular gutteral growl for most of the EP..." WTF? Growl? Really?? It's Thrasher shout, not growl.
you really dont know the difference between a thrasher shout and hetfields somewhat growl-esk voice?
Some of these reviews are just pure ass kissing. Death Magnetic and the new EP don't deserve nearly as much credit as they have received, they were ok, but absolute miles away from being "perfection" and "god-like". This is why mediocrity is allowed to exist in music, because fanboys will always praise where it isn't due.
Hey UG, how about your drop the Lulu jokes already? They're not cute or funny, all you're doing at this point is pandering to all the metalheads that frequent your site who acted like big babies about their favorite band doing a different kind of album with an experimental musician. This isn't Metallica's "please forgive us for Lulu" album. They've already stated that they had no regrets about doing it and enjoyed it. Maybe it's their "Shut the hell up about Lulu already" album because they're sick of websites like you dragging it out? If there's one thing I know for certain, it's that every post regarding the album on this website is UG's "Hey, look at how much we hate Lulu too!" post.
I hope Lars really does a better job on their next album. His drumming is certainly mediocre, and I'd imagine he could do a better job if he thought about what he was doing more rather than playing practically the same thing for every song.
I think Metallica should just stop making albums and just tour off and on. They could still make fans happy. Ever since the Black Album, or to some it starts there, it seems their music has become bland. They will never make a "Master of Puppets" again. We need to get over this and Metallica needs to retire from the studio and just tour.
I don't want to go down as the troll, but for whatever reason, I have a harder time listening to James' vocals now than I do Mustaine's. James is easily the better of the two , but something about his voice just really irks me at this point.
What? Hetfield has a flat, plain voice and can't even pull off a vibrato. Mustaine is leagues better at singing.
I don't want to go down as the troll, but for whatever reason, I have a harder time listening to James' vocals now than I do Mustaine's. James is easily the better of the two, but something about his voice just really irks me at this point.
What? Hetfield has a flat, plain voice and can't even pull off a vibrato. Mustaine is leagues better at singing.
I dont think metallica can get any worse...
Lulu was god awful and tell you the truth death manectic and st anger were just as bad as lulu.
I love early Metallica ride the lighting and so on.
but the last couple of albums have been the worst metal albums i have ever heard. i have a lot of meatllica fan and fanboys, and even they have completely where turned off by st anger and death magnetic. lulu is just what they do best now. crap all over them selfs.
I don't want to go down as the troll, but for whatever reason, I have a harder time listening to James' vocals now than I do Mustaine's. James is easily the better of the two, but something about his voice just really irks me at this point.
What? Hetfield has a flat, plain voice and can't even pull off a vibrato. Mustaine is leagues better at singing.
Dear god I hope you're trolling
i have to agree ive always thought James had the better singing voice. but always liked Megadeth more musically. still like daves weird but cool singing. but now james is just a washed up drunk singer,well thats what he sounds like.
i cannot for the life of me understand how this band go so bad...
All the songs on this EP were great. death magnetic was a great comeback album. but something about the sound quality kinda pissed me off. But the EP sounded great and im glad it didn't go on Death Magnetic. I think this almost makes up for lulu. but Megadeth Is once again beating metallica in the race becouse of 4 good songs and a lulu album doesn't compare to 13 great songs and Megadeths 2nd best album in my opinion to date
I dont think metallica can get any worse...
Lulu was god awful and tell you the truth death manectic and st anger were just as bad as lulu.
I love early Metallica ride the lighting and so on.
but the last couple of albums have been the worst metal albums i have ever heard. i have a lot of meatllica fan and fanboys, and even they have completely where turned off by st anger and death magnetic. lulu is just what they do best now. crap all over them selfs.
Someone hasn't gotten over the feud, i take it....
James since load, has sounded mostly AWFUL - like a grumpy country-singer-wannabe and when he pronounces words like "hate-uh and "end-uh" it's like someone took to my balls with a razr blade. And, frankly, his lyrics and thematic concepts post-black have headed due south almost without exception! (Song titles too - "Damage Inc" or "All Nightmare Long"? no contest!!
Lars' drums sound completely horrendous, and his playing is bland, repetitive and uninspired. When he downsized his kit for Load, and decided Oasis was his favourite band, he should have done the honourable thing and blown his greedy little art collecting poncey head off!
This ep is less like a collection of songs and more like 4 collages of sounds (Lars' pisspot noodling) and riffs, some pretty good, others puke-poor, and yet others simply recycled from albums past. The songs lack cohesion and simply wind along aimlessly, mostly irritating, occasional flashes of what-could have been. Very little originality really. One area Metallica have fallen from grace most spectacularly is intros - most on this ep (and all albums since "Black") They invariably sound thin and amateurish these days.
These songs like effectively everything on Load and onward, are simply sub-par and despite numerous moments, nothing post-Black is more solid than ANYTHING prior. Sad, but true! Another disappointment, but I have long-since expected nothing but disappointment from what was once the finest METAL band on the planet (and a contender for best band, period). We are left with a hard-country-rock band, that occasionally recycles a thrashy riff, and even more occasionally a promising new one, squandered in a below-par stylistic mismatch. I'd probably be less critical if they weren't Metallica - but then, if Metallica's career had started with Load, "Until it Sleeps" would have been as far as I'd have cared for them.
Nonetheless a great EP, yet, contrary to what the others are saying that some of the songs in that EP should have been included in Death Magnetic. I beg to disagree. All the songs were great (Rebel Of Babylon is my favorite), but the mood and feel of these songs are not matched with Death Magnetic. BM and DM have separate identities.
you dick!
Lars is perfectly fit on metallica. Metallica sound will be nothing without lars. Just you watch Portnoy lesson on youtube you think his better.. oh yeah skills wise his better. But lars Jive is what he has since day one..
![Beyond Magnetic [EP]](/reviews/images/10_84_38722.jpg)
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