Hardwired... to Self-Destruct
A thunderous double-album explosion reigniting the band's heaviest, most ambitious sonic identity.
Released as Metallica's ninth studio effort, Hardwired... to Self-Destruct returns the four-piece to extensive songwriting and complex arrangements after years of shorter records. This double album navigates modern anxieties, aging, and the passage of time within the band's own history without softening the blow. Fans recognize its sheer scale, featuring some of the longest tracks in the catalog, including a nearly twenty-minute epic that closes the record. Here, the group embraced their status as heavy metal legends while refusing to compromise on aggression or musical ambition.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Metallica
- Released
- 18 November 2016
- Recorded
- May 2015 – August 2016
- Studio
- Metallica's HQ (San Rafael, California)
- Genre
- Heavy metal; thrash metal
- Length
- 77:42
- Label
- Blackened
- Producer
- Greg Fidelman
- James Hetfield
- Lars Ulrich
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the mythology of the band's discography, this record is often viewed as a phoenix rising from the ashes of a quieter era. It captures a specific moment in time where the members felt an urgent need to reclaim their expansive sound, pushing against the constraints of modern radio formats. The themes woven throughout are deeply personal yet universally resonant, touching on the fragility of life and the inevitability of destruction that comes with power. The creation process was a grueling journey of rediscovery, forcing the musicians to confront their own creative boundaries. It is seen by fans as a bridge between the classic era's sprawling compositions and the modern heaviness they have cultivated over decades. The album's title itself suggests an internal conflict, a wiring that leads inevitably toward a catastrophic but necessary release. Critically, it solidified the band's reputation for longevity, proving that their songwriting had not stagnated.
Reader's Guide
Released in November 2016, Hardwired... to Self-Destruct is a double album comprising two discs of intense heavy metal. The production was handled by Greg Fidelman alongside the band, utilizing a mix of analog warmth and modern precision. The tracklist features twenty songs, anchored by the title track opener and the twenty-minute closer 'Dream No More.' Other standout tracks include 'Moth Into Flame' and 'Halo on Fire,' showcasing the band's dynamic range from mid-tempo grooves to blistering thrash. Upon release, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming their fourth consecutive studio record to achieve this feat. Critics praised its ambition and energy, noting it as a triumphant return to form for the group's heavier side. Historically, the album was created during a period of reflection following the death of bassist Cliff Burton, with themes of loss and resilience subtly woven into the lyrics. It stands as a definitive chapter in their ongoing story.
Track listing
Disc one
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hardwired | 3:10 |
| 2 | Atlas, Rise! | 6:30 |
| 3 | Now That We're Dead | 7:00 |
| 4 | Moth into Flame | 5:50 |
| 5 | Dream No More | 6:30 |
| 6 | Halo on Fire | 8:15 |
Disc three
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lords of Summer | Hetfield, Ulrich, Trujillo | 7:10 |
| 2 | Ronnie Rising Medley (A Light in the Black / Tarot Woman / Stargazer / Kill the King) (medley of Rainbow covers) | Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio, Cozy Powell | 9:03 |
| 3 | When a Blind Man Cries (Deep Purple cover) | Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord, Ian Paice | 4:35 |
| 4 | Remember Tomorrow (Iron Maiden cover) | Steve Harris, Paul Di'Anno | 5:50 |
| 5 | Helpless (Live) (Diamond Head cover) | Sean Harris, Brian Tatler | 3:08 |
| 6 | Hit the Lights (Live) | Hetfield, Ulrich | 4:07 |
| 7 | The Four Horsemen (Live) | Hetfield, Ulrich, Dave Mustaine | 5:19 |
| 8 | Ride the Lightning (Live) | Hetfield, Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Mustaine | 6:56 |
| 9 | Fade to Black (Live) | Hetfield, Ulrich, Burton, Kirk Hammett | 7:24 |
| 10 | Jump in the Fire (Live) | Hetfield, Ulrich, Mustaine | 5:13 |
| 11 | For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live) | Hetfield, Ulrich, Burton | 4:32 |
| 12 | Creeping Death (Live) | Hetfield, Ulrich, Burton, Hammett | 6:43 |
| 13 | Metal Militia (Live) | Hetfield, Ulrich, Mustaine | 6:07 |
| 14 | Hardwired (Live) | Hetfield, Ulrich | 3:30 |
| Total length | 79:37 | ||
Track listing from the source article.
Did You Know?
- This was the first double album released by Metallica since their self-titled 'Black Album' era, though that record was a single disc.
- The album cover art features a stylized image of a skull with wires attached, symbolizing the human connection to technology and destruction.
- It marked the band's first release under their own label, Blackened Recordings.
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