Metallica - 72 Seasons [2 Black Vinyl LPs]

Metallica's eleventh studio album 72 Seasons arrived seven years after Hardwired... to Self-Destruct, clocking in at over 77 minutes of uncompromising heavy metal. Produced by Greg Fidelman with Hetfield and Ulrich, the album was released in 2023, through the band's own Blackened Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Metallica's HQ in San Rafael, California, from March 2021 to November 2022. James Hetfield explained the album's concept: the title refers to the first 18 years of life, those formative 72 seasons that shape who we become as adults. The theme explores how childhood experiences create patterns that follow us throughout life, examining whether we remain prisoners of those early influences or break free from them. The album received generally positive reviews and won Best Metal Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards for the title track. The artwork features designer David Turner's striking yellow and black color scheme, with burned objects symbolizing childhood trauma contrasted against yellow representing light and hope.

Singles include "Lux Æterna," "Screaming Suicide," "If Darkness Had a Son," and the title track "72 Seasons." The nearly eight-minute title track opens the album with a Motorhead-ish groove before exploding into classic Metallica thrash. "Shadows Follow" and "Screaming Suicide" maintain the aggressive momentum, with the latter taking the unusual perspective of addressing suicide as a personified entity. "Lux Æterna" delivers a punishing three-and-a-half minutes that nods to Diamond Head and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. "You Must Burn!" could have fit on the Black Album with its accessible yet heavy approach, while "Crown of Barbed Wire" and "Room of Mirrors" explore self-reflection themes. The closer "Inamorata" runs over 11 minutes, making it Metallica's longest original song to date, showcasing the band's ability to craft epic compositions that balance complexity with raw power.

This black vinyl double LP pressing spreads the 12 tracks across four sides, housed in a gatefold jacket with die-cut inner gatefold sleeve. The package includes a 4-page lyric insert that allows listeners to follow Hetfield's introspective examination of childhood's lasting impact. The vinyl delivers powerful sound reproduction that captures the album's dynamic range, from crushing heaviness to more contemplative moments. This pressing preserves an album that proves Metallica remains vital and relevant more than four decades into their career.

• Format: Black Vinyl 2 LP
• Standout tracks: "72 Seasons," "Lux Æterna," "Screaming Suicide," "Inamorata"
• Pressing details: Gatefold jacket, Die-cut inner gatefold sleeve, 4-page lyric insert
• Genre/style: Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Hard Rock
• UPC: 810083961101

72 Seasons demonstrates that Metallica can still create compelling, introspective heavy music while maintaining the aggression that defined their legacy. This gatefold vinyl edition captures 77 minutes of a legendary band confronting the past while charging into the future.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. 72 Seasons
2. Shadows Follow
3. Screaming Suicide

Side B:

1. Sleepwalk My Life Away
   
2. You Must Burn!
3. Lux Æterna

Side C:

1. Crown Of Barbed Wire
2. Chasing Light
3. If Darkness Had A Son

Side D:

1. Too Far Gone?
2. Room Of Mirrors
3. Inamorata