 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Death Magnetic
Common Sense Media says
Rock vets deliver dark images, big guitar riffs.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this album -- which made its debut as the first full downloadable album for the video game Guitar Hero III -- has all the trademark heavy metal staples: lyrics about death, dying, and pain accompanied by driving guitars and furious beats. Younger teens might not be ready for some songs' haunting images (references to annihilation, spilling blood, poison, and stalkers, to name a few) and intense vocals. Discussions of suicide and retribution are also briefly mentioned.
What's the story?
Even though Metallica has been around for nearly 30 years, the heavy metal rockers aren't done rocking quite yet. This is their ninth studio album, and the first with new bassist Robert Trujillo and mega-producer Rick Rubin. The album also marks a milestone in gaming, as the band allowed music from the CD to be downloaded for use in the Guitar Hero III video game before the album's actual release.
Is it any good?
Thunderous and imposing, heavy metal is enjoying a resurgence of late (at least partly thanks to the popularity of games like Guitar Hero). Metallica was there at the beginning of metal's move into pop culture, and, with this album, the band has gone back to its intense roots, embracing extended guitar-fueled riffs and the dark, brooding images of their past. "The Day That Never Comes" is similar in theme to "Unforgiven," and "All Nightmare Long" has the same terror-inspiring imagery as "Enter Sandman."
But this time around, the band is a lot louder, with powerful guitars charging through every track. James Hetfield's vocals are also more aggressive and muscular than recent albums -- almost harmonic screaming, if you will. Even the once-melodic "Unforgiven" is given a super-charged reinvention in its third interpretation.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Metallica would decide to pair their music with a video game like Guitar Hero III. Why would that appeal to them? How are games like Guitar Hero influencing the music industry? Also, how has the band's sound changed? After many years of trying to fit into the alternative rock sound, Metallica has come back to heavy metal. Do you think that decision was influenced by today's popular music, or do you think the band generally wanted to try something else? How influential do you think current music trends are on the direction that an established band takes?
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AGE
THE SCARIEST BUT BEST METALLICA ALBUM EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the songs: it's just that the messages are of scary, violent imagery, and the use of the word "hell" frequently could grant many people lifelong nightmares!
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AGE
Cool
It is a great for kids who like rock and roll.
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AGE
this review sucks
this is nothing my little 8 year old brother can't handle the people who run this site are a bunch of prudes
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AGE
Amazing CD But...
they shouldn't really compare this to Metallica( the Black Album). Honestly, this album is much easier to compar to Ride the Lightning or Master of Puppets. It is hard but it is not moreso than either of those CD's.
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AGE
It's Metallica, of course it's good!
Of course it's good! Tons better than Reload, St. Anger and Load, and whoever doesn't let their kids listen to Metallica due to violence needs to inject themselves with growth hormones!
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AGE
Hi.
I like this album, but it's not near as good as their older stuff. I have absolutely no concerns about the album, so yeah.
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AGE
Well I don't listen to them much...
My grandmother likes this band.
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AGE
Great music
REEAALY GOOD BAND!!! Yes, some of their songs are a little too violent. I prefer their older thrash-metal songs i.e. For Whom The Bell Tolls, King Nothing, Enter Sandman. Nobody's really sure if anyone in the band has done drugs, so I can't say much about the role models, although Kirk did say something about James and Lars doing cocaine...
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AGE
Tiny too violent for pre teens, fine for teens
Awesome album, but a tad violent at some parts.
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| Artist: | Metallica |
| Release date: | September 12, 2008 |
| Label: | Warner Brothers |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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