"Hardwired to Self Destruct" is the 2016 double album released by the American Speed / Thrash Metal band "Metallica". It was released 8 years after their previous album "Death Magnetic" and produced by the new for Metallica producer: Greg Fidelman.
This web-page has hires photos of the album cover, inside pages, custom inner sleeves and vinyl lp's
In the world of heavy metal, few bands loom as large, or cast as long a shadow, as Metallica. Their ascendancy in the 80s, fueled by raw aggression and technical virtuosity, redefined the genre's boundaries. But the 90s saw them stumble, their creative spark seemingly dimmed by commercial pressures and internal strife. With 'Hardwired...to Self-Destruct,' released in 2016 after an eight-year gap, Metallica sought to reclaim their throne, and though the road back was long and arduous, this double album serves as a defiant roar, a testament to their enduring power.
Produced by Greg Fidelman, along with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, and recorded at their own HQ studios in San Rafael, California, 'Hardwired...' is a sprawling beast, clocking in at nearly 80 minutes. This isn't the lean, mean Metallica of 'Master of Puppets.' It's a band wrestling with their legacy, their demons, and the passage of time itself.
The album opens with the title track, a thrash metal blitzkrieg that harkens back to their roots. It's a statement of intent: Metallica are back, and they're still pissed off. Yet, the sheer length of the album, combined with a polished production, became a point of contention among fans and critics alike. Some praised the return to heavier sounds, seeing it as a course correction after the divisive 'St. Anger' and the more experimental 'Lulu.' Others felt the album was bloated and lacked focus, with filler tracks diluting the impact of the stronger songs.
However, 'Hardwired...' isn't simply a nostalgia trip. It's a journey through the band's musical evolution. There are nods to their classic sound, but also forays into new territory. 'Moth Into Flame' is a stadium-sized anthem with a soaring chorus, while 'Halo on Fire' is a brooding, epic ballad that showcases Hetfield's introspective lyrics. Kirk Hammett's solos, once a hallmark of Metallica's sound, were noticeably toned down on this album, sparking debate about their creative direction. While some fans missed the extended instrumental showcases, others appreciated the tighter song structures and emphasis on riffs.
The album's themes are dark and introspective, reflecting the band's own struggles. 'Atlas, Rise!' is a defiant call to arms in the face of adversity, while 'Spit Out the Bone' is a nihilistic vision of a dystopian future. There's a sense of mortality that permeates the album, a recognition that even metal gods aren't immune to the ravages of time. This isn't the sound of a band clinging to past glories. It's the sound of a band grappling with their own mortality, their place in the world, and the legacy they'll leave behind.
'Hardwired...to Self-Destruct' is a flawed but ultimately triumphant return to form for Metallica. It's an album that defies easy categorization, a sprawling, ambitious work that showcases both their strengths and their weaknesses. It reignited debates about their musical evolution, their place in the modern metal landscape, and whether they could ever truly recapture the magic of their early years. But it also proved that, even decades into their career, Metallica still had the power to provoke, challenge, and inspire. It's not perfect, but it's undeniably Metallica. And in a world where rock music often feels safe and sanitized, that's something to be cherished.
Thrash Metal
Blackened Recordings – 00602557156416
Record Format: Double 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 480 gram
2016 Europe
This double 12" LP vinyl music record comes comes in a Fold Open Cover (FOC), which is also also known as a Gatefold cover. The inner pages of this album cover contains photos, artwork.
Each record comes in a custom inner sleeve with artwork and lyrics of the songs on "Hardwired To Self Destruct".
Greg Fidelman - Producer
Ulrich - Producer
Hetfield - Producer
Lindsay Chase - Album Production Coordinator
Mike Gillies - Sound Engineer
Sara Lyn Killion - Sound Engineer
Kent Matcke - Sound Engineer
Dan Monti - Digital Editing
Jason Gossman- Digital Editing
Jim Monti - Digital Editing
Dave Collins - Mastering Engineer at Dave Collins Mastering
Recorded and mixed at HQ, San Rafael
Turner Duckworth - Album design and Creative Director
Alex Tenta - Album Artwork LP Adaption
Herring & Herring - Photography
Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )
This section shows the complete Metallica discography ordered by album-title. Several titles are International and have been listed with the country of release
This release on "Blackened Records" label, is the 2018 audiophile re-issue of ""...And Justice for All" the first album released by Metallica after the death of Cliff Burton. It is also the first album with Jason Newsted on Bass guitar.
- ..And Justice For All (Blackened Records) - ..And Justice for All (1988, Netherlands)
Creeping Death by the American Thrash Metal band "Metallica" is a 12" EP Vinyl record from 1984. Un-official versions from France (with different labels) have been released in the colors: Blue, Green, Red, White and Yellow Vinyl.
- Creeping Death Blue Vinyl (1984, France) - Creeping Death Green Vinyl (1984, France) - Creeping Death Red Vinyl (1984, France) - Creeping Death White Vinyl (1984, France) - Creeping Death Yellow Vinyl (1984, France)
This is the audiophile re-release of "Death Magnetic" the 2009 album released by the American Thrash Metal band "Metallica". This re-release comes in a gatefold album cover and two audiophile quality 180grams records.
Death Magnetic ( Blackened Records ) 12" Vinyl LP
Issued as a limited edition 12" vinyl LP, "Hamburg Colorline 12 May 2009" has become a coveted collector's item. Its raw, unfiltered energy transports listeners back to the heart of that explosive concert.
Hamburg Colorline 12" Vinyl LP
"Hardwired to Self Destruct" is the 2016 double album released by the American Speed / Thrash Metal band "Metallica". It was released 8 years after their previous album "Death Magnetic"
Hardwired to Self Destruct 12" Vinyl LP
The A-side explodes with the relentless energy of "Harvester of Sorrow." This track, a centerpiece of their landmark album "...And Justice For All," exemplifies Metallica's progressive thrash metal sound.
Harvester of Sorrow 12" Vinyl Single
"Jump in the Fire" is a single derived from Metallica's debut studio album, "Kill 'em All", released in 1983.
- Jump in the Fire (1983, England) - Jump in the Fire (1983, Holland)
The cover art for "Jump In The Fire" is as iconic as the track itself. Created by artist Les Edwards, the image features a demon-like creature surrounded by flames, inviting the listener to literally "jump in the fire."
Jump in the Fire 12" Shaped Picture Disc
"Kill 'Em All" showcases the raw talent and relentless musicianship of the band's original lineup: James Hetfield on vocals and rhythm guitar, Lars Ulrich on drums, Dave Mustaine on lead guitar, and Cliff Burton on bass.
- Kill 'Em All ( Blackened Records ) - Kill 'em All 2LP (1983, England) - Kill 'Em All (1983, France) - Kill 'Em All (1983, Holland) - Kill 'Em All (1983, UK)
Before the polished production of "Kill 'Em All," Metallica's sound was a volatile beast, unleashed in the cramped confines of a garage. "The Legendary Garage Tapes" serve as a time capsule, showcasing the thrash metal titans
Legendary Garage Tapes 12" Vinyl LP
This 500-copy limited edition is a treasure trove for devotees of Metallica's raw, uncompromising roots. The setlist reads like a greatest hits collection of their early years.
Live at the Playhouse Theatre 12" Vinyl LP
Metallica's "Load" is a sonic journey capturing the band's evolution. Released in 1996, the controversial album's vinyl edition enriches the listening experience, offering warmth and authenticity.
METALLICA - Load ( 2LP Blackened Records ) - Load (1996,E/M Ventures Elektra )
Metallica's 1986 album "Master of Puppets" stands as a towering achievement in heavy metal history. Its complex compositions, blistering aggression, and socially conscious themes cemented the band's reputation as leaders
- Master of Puppets (1986, England) - Master of Puppets 2LP DMM audiophile (England)
The METALLICA "Master of Puppets" 12" Vinyl Picture Disc, a 1986 UK 1st ISSUE with no barcode, is a rare gem for collectors. This limited edition features unique artwork on the vinyl picture disc, adding to its allure.
Master of Puppets 12" Vinyl Picture Disc
This the high-end audiophile release pressed on two 12" vinyl records each on 180 gram vinyl of the self-titled Metallica album and because of the black front and back cover, it is also known as "The Black Album".
METALLICA - Self-Titled The Black Album 12" Vinyl LP
Recorded at the Kopi Arena, this album transports listeners back in time to a pivotal moment in Metallica's career. The band was riding high on the success of their album *Death Magnetic*
Oberhausen Kopi Arena 12" Vinyl LP
Metallica's "Ride the Lightning" 12" Vinyl LP is a collector's gem. This iconic album marked a turning point in metal history, blending thrash metal and intricate compositions.
- Ride The Lightning (1984, England). - Ride the Lightning (Roadrunner, 1984, Holland) - Ride The Lightning (Vertigo, 1984, Netherlands) - Ride The Lightning (Blackened Records, 2006)
This is METALLICA's ninth album, recorded live with the San Francisco Symphony on April 21-22 of 1999. The set list contains songs from Ride the Lightning through ReLoad, as well as two new songs: "- Human" and "No Leaf Clover".
S&M 12" Vinyl LP
St. Anger is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on 5 June 2003. The album was originally to be released on June 10, 2003, but because of fears of extended music piracy over filesharing network
St. Anger 12" Vinyl LP
Following the tragic death of bassist Cliff Burton in 1986, Metallica found themselves with a significant void to fill. With Newsted taking over bass duties, the band opted to record Garage Days
- The 5.98 EP Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987, Holland) - The 5.98 Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987, UK)
This limited edition album "Until It Sleeps" is the first single and the fourth song from Metallica's 1996 album Load. This version is pressed on Red Vinyl and comes in a transparent sleeve.
Until It Sleeps Red Vinyl (1996) 12" Vinyl LP