10 Hard Rock Albums That Were Worth The Wait
6. Metallica - Death Magnetic
Off the back of 2003's St. Anger, it was clear Metallica were in one of their darker times. The Some Kind of Monster documentary revealed in-fighting and James' battle with addictions, the album itself caused pandemonium with its experimental style and lack of solos, the dispute with Napster was only just dying down, and their fanbase was split.
After several years of on/off touring and some much-needed family time, news made the rounds that a new Metallica album was in the pipeline, this time forgoing long-time producer Bob Rock in favour of Rick Rubin. Fans waited with baited breath, albeit trepid from the band's previous experiments, but when lead single "The Day That Never Comes" was released in August 2008, it turned out not to be the song fans needed post-St. Anger, it was the song fans yearned for since ...And Justice for All from 1988.
Death Magnetic was Metallica's return to their thrash metal roots, with high intensity riffs, absolute decimation of the wah pedal from Kirk, tempo changes, and eight minute long monoliths all making welcome comebacks. Critics and peers alike praise the album as a return to form, citing it as the best Metallica album in 20 years.