Anyone else listened to Death Magnetic?

[stomer]

What do you think?

I'll listened to almost all of it. The lyrics are clichéd. Songs are ok. But for me, the entire album is completely ruined by bad production.

There is absolutely no dynamic range. The dynamic range has been compressed so much that the bass and drums distort on pretty much every song. DM was never going to have the production quality of MOP of AJFA but I just don't understand how the level of distortion was found to be acceptable.

The level dynamic range compression makes it a chore to listen to this album.

[Cask]

I've been a huge Metallica fan for some time, and wasn't really looking forward to this album after ST. Anger. When I heard the released tracks, The Day That Never Comes, Cyanide and My Apocalypse, it changed my mind. It is like they're back! After hearing the full album yesterday, I really like most of the songs, still nowhere near close RTL, MOP or Justice, but better than anything they've released in the last 20 years.

However, I agree with you on the production. Although I think most songs are great, they are really ruined by the loudness and all the clipping. It is like there is no dynamic range whatsoever. Why do they have to master this stuff so loud????? In my opinion, that killed what could have been an excellent album otherwise. Some people believe that the clipping is the result of poor compression when encoding to WMA (the original format in which the leak was encoded so far), but mp3 or wma compression doesn't generate clipping. That is the result of poor mastering.

[lozanoj83]

I listened to it. and yeah you guys are right...
The album is in no way compared to Master or Lighting or Justice, but it beats Reload, Load and St. Anger which I did not like... not one bit...


The songs are alright, not the best but id take this any day than St. Anger

I didnt hear any clipping on the audio one that I listened to, and im not that sure about the production issues. It sounds good to me just that they recycled some old riffs, which I dont mind just wished they would have come up with newer riffs and all....

but then again im just an 18 year old with not a wide variety of music..

[shizzlegtx]

I listened to it. and yeah you guys are right...
The album is in no way compared to Master or Lighting or Justice, but it beats Reload, Load and St. Anger which I did not like... not one bit...


The songs are alright, not the best but id take this any day than St. Anger

I didnt hear any clipping on the audio one that I listened to, and im not that sure about the production issues. It sounds good to me just that they recycled some old riffs, which I dont mind just wished they would have come up with newer riffs and all....

but then again im just an 18 year old with not a wide variety of music..

I think the songs are all sick. Broken, Beat and Scarred and All Nightmare Long are so old school ...AJFA-esque.

Anyone who doesn't like this new album isn't a real Metallica fan.


Metal up your ass!

[MacProRocker]

I think the songs are all sick. Broken, Beat and Scarred and All Nightmare Long are so old school ...AJFA-esque.

Anyone who doesn't like this new album isn't a real Metallica fan.


Metal up your ass!

I half agree with you. It is definitely more like old school Metallica. I do, however, agree with the OP. The production/engineering/mastering of this album is POOR!!! Not as bad as St. Anger, though. Whoever mic'ed the drums, particularly the snare on St. Anger should never be allowed in a professional studio again.

[PhaserFuzz]

If you guys all heard the 128kbps leaked version, like myself, the quality is not the greatest. That is why it sounds bad to you guys. I do not believe a high quality rip has surfaced yet, so don't judge production until you hear the final version.

[stomer]

If you guys all heard the 128kbps leaked version, like myself, the quality is not the greatest. That is why it sounds bad to you guys. I do not believe a high quality rip has surfaced yet, so don't judge production until you hear the final version.
The leak sounds like crap. Mission Metallica release of TDTNC sounds like crap. M:M My Apocalypse release sounds like crap. iTunes TDTNC sounds like crap.

A higher bit rate file with not magically restore the dynamic range. Nothing that's been released or leaked has any dynamic range whatsoever.

[bartelby]

A friend, whose opinion I trust, has had the album a couple of weeks. She says it sounds like all the best bits from all the old albums. But with fantastic modern day production quality.

I will be purchasing the vinyl edition. I can't wait.

[rockosmodurnlif]

I'm no fan of the new songs but please, can we stop comparing these songs to classic songs from Master, Ride, or Justice or even lesser albums like Load or Anger? Just take the songs on their own.

But yes, the lyrics do suck and James' "singing" doesn't help and I don't care what anyone says, Day That Never Comes is terrible. I've only heard that, My Apocalypse and Cyanide (live), they're alright, nothing I get excited about.

I think the songs are all sick.
Sick is a four letter word, probably the right one. I hope they get well soon.

[McGiord]

The sound quality that never comes....

It seems that we must wait for the live show to hear them better.

Even old cassette tapes sound better...

Magnetic Dead for the unforgiven responsible for the latest recordings!

[Ballis]

The leak sounds like crap. Mission Metallica release of TDTNC sounds like crap. M:M My Apocalypse release sounds like crap. iTunes TDTNC sounds like crap.

AFAIK, the iTunes version of TDTNC was pulled and replaced with a remastered version, by apples request. (Norwegian media reported this). I expect all songs to sound good once on iTunes. Metallica simply cant afford to ignore the worlds largest music store.

Anyways, aside from the sound issues on the leaked version, the songs are great. Its a fantastic album, and its still growing on me.

[rhett7660]

The quality is what is really killing it for me. Granted I have only heard what is on iTunes, but from what I have heard on iTunes from other bands and then I listen to the cd the difference is not huge. If this is any indication of the sound that is going to be on this cd..... blah. Very disappointed again. SA was horrible and I have a feeling when it comes to the sound on this album I am going to be disappointed again.

[bartelby]

How many people have actually heard either a lossless or an original cd/vinyl copy of this album?

[shizzlegtx]

The more I listen to the album, the more I love it.

Its so old Metallica, it's not even a little funny.

[metalbrett]

sup peeps,

Ive only heard a ripped version of new tallica, I havent stopped listening to it. In all honesty I was sceptical bout the songs I had heard before release, until listenin and headbangin along with the entire album, in context, its mad. Once again I have learnt that assumption is the mother of all **** ups!

peace

[ReanimationLP]

I am enjoying it a lot. Compared to St. Anger, which was horrible if you ask me.

Though the dynamic range is definitely missing.

[rhett7660]

sup peeps,

Ive only heard a ripped version of new tallica, I havent stopped listening to it. In all honesty I was sceptical bout the songs I had heard before release, until listenin and headbangin along with the entire album, in context, its mad. Once again I have learnt that assumption is the mother of all **** ups!

peace

Good god you know you are getting old if you have to re-read a post a couple of times to figure out what this person is trying to say... LOL...

[Primer]

The album "Death magnetic" leaked in france is really a fake to throw people off.

The real final cuts have surfaced:
Death magnetic
256kbps
(7:08-5:58) That Was Just Your Life
(7:58-6:36) The End Of The Line
(6:25-2:19) Broken, Beat & Scarred
(7:56-5:00) The Day That Never Comes
(7:58-4:57) All Nightmare Long
(6:39-3:16) Cyanide
(7:46-7:46) Unforgiven 3
(8:00-6:38) The Judas Kiss
(9:57-6:59) Redemption
(5:01-3:56) My Apocolypse
(?-4:18) Remember Tomorro (b side)
(?-2:38) The Door (b side)

[Cask]

Hmmm ok, got the album, and it is exactly the same as the leaked version, same clipping and all. Sounds exactly like the scene release that was encoded at VBR and appeared Sunday. Whatever you're taking must be good.

The album "Death magnetic" leaked in france is really a fake to throw people off.

The real final cuts have surfaced:
Death magnetic
256kbps
(7:08-5:58) That Was Just Your Life
(7:58-6:36) The End Of The Line
(6:25-2:19) Broken, Beat & Scarred
(7:56-5:00) The Day That Never Comes
(7:58-4:57) All Nightmare Long
(6:39-3:16) Cyanide
(7:46-7:46) Unforgiven 3
(8:00-6:38) The Judas Kiss
(9:57-6:59) Redemption
(5:01-3:56) My Apocolypse
(?-4:18) Remember Tomorro (b side)
(?-2:38) The Door (b side)

[rhett7660]

Thanks for the link... but I think you both should take them down. I don't think macrumors needs this type of stuff going on.

[stomer]

The album "Death magnetic" leaked in france is really a fake to throw people off.
The real final cuts have surfaced and can be found here:
Death magnetic

I downloaded TDTNC and didn't listen long enough to hear the distortion/clipping but instead, there was a background hiss all the way through the first minute of the song. Reminded me of the good old days of tape.
Final cuts my ass.

[Ballis]

Hmmm ok, got the album, and it is exactly the same as the leaked version, same clipping and all. Sounds exactly like the scene release that was encoded at VBR and appeared Sunday. Whatever you're taking must be good.

For real? You have the CD and it sounds like ****?

[Primer]

Sounds like the sound quality is only local to macs.
I use a PC, and I don't hear a darn thing wrong with the tracks.
At 256kbps, I dont see any reason for clipping, popping, or static.


Actually it's not a publicity stunt either.
These are remixes, that have all of the excessive riffing, and boring solos cut out of them, and then the original track is spliced back together.
This makes a seemless transition into the next good riff.
All the parts of these songs, that you would like to fastforward through, are already cut out. Trust me it sounds way better musically.
Do we really need to hear that riff 8 times?

[Cask]

Yeah, unfortunately the final CD has all the distortion and stuff. There are a few stores down here in Mexico that started selling it early. It is really a big disappointment, I still had some hope that the album would sound different, even if every source we got so far sounded distorted.

[rhett7660]

So, the ablum is sounding like a lot of the stuff that is floating around and that is on iTunes? Dang it, I was hoping this wasn't the case.

[stomer]

Sounds like the sound quality is only local to macs.

In that case it seems that there's very large number of Mac users that frequent Metallica's own BB.

I have over 2000 songs in my iTunes library, only ten of them sound like complete ****. I'm no audiophile. I have Californication, it's an album that's renowned for its clipping, but I can just barely notice it. Even then, it doesn't detract from my enjoyment to listening to it.

[davidanddavid]

I've listened to 5 songs and have not heard a song I'd want to hear again yet

[rhett7660]

David..

I tend to agree. But from what I have been hearing give it a few listens and see if it changes. It hasn't for me yet... Still giving it a couple more turns before I make my final judgment. I can say it is not as bad as St. Anger thou. That one I did not like from song one. But it hasn't got me hooked like say a master or and justice.

[Primer]

I just checked two more PC's, and there is no sound quality difference.
Later today, I'll try it on my friends mac, to see what the fuss is about.

I find it hard, but not impossible to believe that this is a production problem.
I really don't think the CD, and other files floating around have distortion along with them,
but it's in fact the machine that's not playing them correct.
I'm not insulting the MAC either.
We can't expect the production team to change the audio files,
just because mac's seem to have an audio bug.

However, Justice did fart alot with the heavier bass sound, so maybe I'm wrong.
You should be able to change settings, if that's the case.
If that doesn't help, then it's probably the machines fault.

[bartelby]

However, Justice did fart alot with the heavier bass sound, so maybe I'm wrong.

Have they remastered that album?
It's renowned for it's lack of bass. The lower mid range is muffled and distorts a lot but not the bass

[Ballis]

Sounds like the sound quality is only local to macs.
I use a PC, and I don't hear a darn thing wrong with the tracks.
At 256kbps, I dont see any reason for clipping, popping, or static.

Are you for real?! I played it on two macs, an iphone and a Vista PC, i even burned it from the Vista box to play it on the stereo. It sounds the same on all setups. Death Magnetic makes my Klipch / Onkyo setup sound no better than my car stereo.

[Ballis]

Yeah, unfortunately the final CD has all the distortion and stuff. There are a few stores down here in Mexico that started selling it early. It is really a big disappointment, I still had some hope that the album would sound different, even if every source we got so far sounded distorted.

Thats really sad. Thanks for letting everyone know though. Musically, its Metallicas best album in years, still im not buying anything sounding like this.

[Ballis]

Okay, i now have both the iTunes version, and the retail CD. Sound is crap on both :/

[TwitchOSX]

I've d/l My Apocalypse and The Day that never comes from iTunes and i'm listening to Unforgiven 3 on Youtube and its pretty damn nice. I'm gonna buy the whole album when it comes out today.. hopefully on iTunes.... HURRY! I'm then gonna burn it and take it home and blast it on the big stereo at home.

This is DEFINITELY better than St. Anger (although, the song St. Anger I did like)

And for those that say "i wish they would come up with new riffs/stuff" I say.. you know what? They tried that and got bashed for it so dont wish for that.

[TwitchOSX]

I didnt notice that it was on iTunes already.... i only found the "Countdown to Death Magnetic" ...

Only problem is.. it lets me buy the album for $9.00 thinking that I have only purchased one song previously.... but I bought 2 songs.. wtf iTUNES???

[ActionJax]

Yeah, IMO it's a pretty strong album. I've listened to it over and over since I bought it yesterday, and I can't say that I did the same with any of their last few albums.

That said, the mastering IS CRAP. It's mastered loud enough to hear the clipping in spots and it's just plain draining to listen to with headphones/earbuds. I don't know who in their right mind thinks it's a good idea to compress audio like this.

As unlikely as it is, I hope they end being pressured to remaster the album and replace discs (or offer a re-download) for paying customers. The non-paying customers will get a free copy as well :)

[mrJnC]

Can someone tell me what the iTunes encoded bit rate is for this album, 128 or 256 kbps? Thanks!

[spoon man]

It's pretty good well better than St Stinker. For me its a cross between there first 4 albums Kill'em All, Ride The lightning, Master Of Puppets, And Justice For All, and load, reload. So far I really like cyanide, That Was Just Your Life. The others are slowly working on me but so far so good and Lars drumming is back on track no stupid snare sounds and Mr. Hammet’s guitar solos are back: D in fact I don’t think Lars was allowed to make any suggestions during the making of this album to mess it up like the last one. In all its worth buying if you’re a fan of Metallica. ;)

[rhett7660]

I am really digging this. I picked it up having listen to some of the singles that are already out.

I really like the cover of Iron Maidens "Remember Tomorrow". Love that song by Maiden and now I love it by Metallica.

I am also really digging "Broken, Beat & Scarred" and "That was just your life"

So far I am impressed with it. Much better then St. Anger in terms of quality and songs.

After about 10 plays around I am really digging this one.

[Ballis]

I really like the cover of Iron Maidens "Remember Tomorrow". Love that song by Maiden and now I love it by Metallica.

WTF? Yea i like that song to by maiden, but where the hell is that on DM?!?

[stomer]

WTF? Yea i like that song to by maiden, but where the hell is that on DM?!?
It's not. It was released on a Kerrang cover CD containing covers of various Iron Maiden songs. I believe you can listen to it on Metallica's myspace page.

[Modular1]

its not poor in-studio production that has ruined the sound of this album.. its poor mastering that has caused the distortion.

this album is another victim of the loudness war. i hope the record companies stop this **** soon. i didnt fork out loadsa cash on hifi to have my listening ruined by 'broken' discs.

i hope they release a dvd version with a decent DTS version on it. (not likely tho )

[godmachine12]

It's not a world-changing album by any means, but it isn't that bad either. Compared to the abomination they last realeased, it's amazing, but that's just me. I agree that the sound is very poor, but maybe it was intentional? I mean, it is Metallica. They can basically do what they want and people eat it up. People actually bought St. Anger, so that says a lot right there.

To me, they have always been more of a live band. These new songs, regardless of their album quality, will benefit from a live environment. They are long, riffs all over the place, and some nicely placed solos. It's built on the foundation that made Metallica popular in the first place. They are what they are and they don't need to change. Lars is still a crap drummer, Hetfield's voice is subpar, but I still play it loud as hell. Some things never change.

[rhett7660]

Send a message via AIM to stomer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ballis View Post
WTF? Yea i like that song to by maiden, but where the hell is that on DM?!?
It's not. It was released on a Kerrang cover CD containing covers of various Iron Maiden songs. I believe you can listen to it on Metallica's myspace page.

Correct.......

[Cask]

Just heard the tracks encoded from the Guitar Hero game, man they sound so good!! No clipping at all, sounds much better than the actual CD. I can't believe than the soundtrack of the videogame is the best version of it, it's flawless.