Hardwired... to Self-Destruct: Difference between revisions

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| border = yes

| alt = A portrait of the band's faces superimposed on each other. The band name and album title appear at the top and bottom, respectively.

| released = {{start date|2016|11|18|mf=yes}}

| recorded = May 2015 – August 2016

| studio = Metallica's HQ ([[San Rafael, California]])

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| next_title = [[S&M2]]

| next_year = 2020

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = [[Metallica]] studio album

| type = studio

| prev_title = [[Death Magnetic]]

| prev_year = 2008

| title = Hardwired... to Self-Destruct

| year = 2016

| next_title = [[72 Seasons]]

| next_year = 2023

}}

{{Singles

| name = Hardwired... to Self-Destruct

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In October 2011, bassist [[Robert Trujillo]] said that the band had returned to the studio to begin writing new material. He said: "The writing process for the new Metallica album has begun. We've been in the studio with [[Rick Rubin]], working on a couple of things, and we're going to be recording during most of next year."<ref>{{cite web|last=Warner|first=Brett|url=http://ology.com/music/metallica-begin-work-their-next-studio-album|title=Metallica Begin Work on Their Next Studio Album|website=...ology|date=October 26, 2011|access-date=October 30, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106002222/http://ology.com/music/metallica-begin-work-their-next-studio-album|archive-date=November 6, 2011}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' on January 8, 2013, [[Lars Ulrich]] said regarding the album, "What we're doing now certainly sounds like a continuation [of ''Death Magnetic'']". He also said, "I love Rick [Rubin]. We all love Rick. We're in touch with Rick constantly. We'll see where it goes. It would stun me if the record came out in 2013."<ref>{{cite web|last=Barton|first=Geoff|title=Ulrich: Metallica 3D movie project influenced by Zeppelin|url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/ulrich-metallica-3d-movie-project-influenced-by-led-zeppelin/|website=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|access-date=January 19, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113022730/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/ulrich-metallica-3d-movie-project-influenced-by-led-zeppelin/|archive-date=January 13, 2013}}</ref> In a July 2013 interview, Ulrich told ''Ultimate Guitar'', "2014 will be all about making a new Metallica record"; he said the album would most likely be released during 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metallica to Hit the Studio in 2014: 'We'll Run Out of Excuses for Not Doing It by Then'|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/metallica_to_hit_the_studio_in_2014_well_run_out_of_excuses_for_not_doing_it_by_then.html|website=Ultimate Guitar|access-date=April 25, 2016|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403080029/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/metallica_to_hit_the_studio_in_2014_well_run_out_of_excuses_for_not_doing_it_by_then.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Trujillo and [[Kirk Hammett]] later confirmed the band's intention to enter the studio.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dekel|first=Jon|title=Metallica to record new album in 2014|url=http://o.canada.com/entertainment/tiff13/metallica-to-record-new-album-in-2014/|publisher=[[Postmedia News]]|date=September 9, 2013|access-date=December 26, 2013|archive-date=December 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229153844/http://o.canada.com/entertainment/tiff13/metallica-to-record-new-album-in-2014/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2014, Metallica began a tour called "Metallica By Request", in which fans requested songs for the band to perform,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/metallica-announce-final-round-request-summer-2014-tour-dates |title=Metallica Announce Final Round of 'By Request' Summer 2014 Tour Dates |publisherwork=Guitar World |date=December 4, 2013 |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801123159/http://www.guitarworld.com/metallica-announce-final-round-request-summer-2014-tour-dates |url-status=live }}</ref> and a new song, titled "[[Lords of Summer]]", was written for the concerts and released as a "first take" demo in March 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallicas-lars-ulrich-says-new-song-lords-of-summer-is-going-down-well/ |title=Metallica's Lars Ulrich Says New Song 'Lords Of Summer' Is 'Going Down Well' |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=June 23, 2014 |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801121754/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallicas-lars-ulrich-says-new-song-lords-of-summer-is-going-down-well/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[Black Friday (shopping)|Black Friday]] exclusive single featuring the "First Pass Version" and a live version limited to 4,000 copies was released later that year on [[Gramophone record|vinyl]]. In March 2015, Ulrich told ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' that twenty songs had been written for the album, and that he hoped some of them could be played at their shows later in the year.<ref>{{cite news|last=Falina|first=Melanie|title=New Metallica album expected to drop soon; 20 new songs written thus far|url=http://www.axs.com/new-metallica-album-expected-to-drop-soon-20-new-songs-written-thus-fa-42925|work=AXS|date=March 5, 2015|access-date=April 28, 2016|archive-date=April 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424215119/http://www.axs.com/new-metallica-album-expected-to-drop-soon-20-new-songs-written-thus-fa-42925|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2015, the band unveiled a new website with an introduction from Ulrich containing footage from the studio of the band working on new material.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Site, New Club|url=http://metallica.com/blog/news/356048/new-site-new-club|publisher=Metallica.com|access-date=November 19, 2016|archive-date=July 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711185419/https://www.metallica.com/blog/news/356048/new-site-new-club|url-status=live}}</ref> In November, Hammett said that the album was expected to be released in late 2016 or early 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gaenzler|first=Rich|title=Kirk Hammett On Timeline For Next Metallica Album: 2016 Or Early 2017 At The Latest|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kirk-hammett-on-timeline-for-next-metallica-album-2016-or-early-2017-at-the-latest/|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=November 6, 2015|access-date=April 30, 2016|archive-date=April 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416015815/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kirk-hammett-on-timeline-for-next-metallica-album-2016-or-early-2017-at-the-latest|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 6, 2016, during their "The Night Before" show at [[AT&T Park]] prior to [[Super Bowl 50]], [[James Hetfield]] said that the band was nearing the end of the recording process, and Ulrich said that the album would be released soon.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kennelty|first=Greg|title=Metallica Nearing The End Of Recording Process For New Album, Allude To A 2016 Release|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/metallica-says-new-record-is-almost-done-alludes-to-a-2016-release|work=Metal Injection|date=February 8, 2016|access-date=April 28, 2016|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505073816/http://www.metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/metallica-says-new-record-is-almost-done-alludes-to-a-2016-release|url-status=live}}</ref> This was compounded by the band playing a new riff at the show, which ended up being from the song "Murder One". Ulrich further elaborated in March 2016, when he said that the band hoped to finish production of the album during the spring. "I think [2016] will be a pretty in-your-face year, at least the back half of it... hopefully we should be able to knock that on the head (finishing the album) this spring, I would guess".<ref>{{cite news|last=Kennelty|first=Greg|title=Metallica Hints At "Real, Heavy" New Album In The Second Half Of 2016|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/metallica-hints-at-real-heavy-new-album-in-the-second-half-of-2016|work=Metal Injection|date=March 11, 2016|access-date=April 28, 2016|archive-date=May 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512205745/http://www.metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/metallica-hints-at-real-heavy-new-album-in-the-second-half-of-2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2016, Hammett said that the band had worked with [[Greg Fidelman]], who engineered and mixed ''[[Death Magnetic]]'', as producer on the new album. "The title 'producer' itself is a bit ambiguous. It differs from person to person. You can call Rick Rubin a producer, but he's not the [same] type of producer as [[Bob Rock]], who is there for every note. At the same time, Rick Rubin gets stuff done. Greg Fidelman is a different type of producer in that he's with the engineer always looking to try and move the project forward."<ref>{{cite news|last=Downey|first=Ryan J.|title="This month I start writing my script" – Q&A with Kirk Hammett of Metallica|url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/this_month_i_start_writing_my_script_qa_with_kirk_hammett_of_metallica|work=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]|date=March 14, 2016|access-date=April 28, 2016|archive-date=April 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421030716/http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/this_month_i_start_writing_my_script_qa_with_kirk_hammett_of_metallica|url-status=live}}</ref>

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The lyrics follow a general theme of nihilism and pessimism. The title, "Hardwired... to Self-Destruct", came from an utterance Hetfield heard. "Somebody said to me the other day, and it stuck with me, 'Hardwired... Hardwired to Self-Destruct'. So it's like no matter what you do in your life you're really trying to not go down that path that you're maybe hard-wired to do."<ref>{{cite web|title=Metallica: Riff Charge (The Making of "Hardwired")|website=YouTube|date=November 26, 2016 |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sFkXt_TB-QA&feature=youtu.be|access-date=4 March 2020|archive-date=March 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302150453/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sFkXt_TB-QA&feature=youtu.be|url-status=live}}</ref> This theme unites disparate topics such as the dangers of fame on "Moth Into Flame" and [[cosmicism]] in "Dream No More".

''Hardwired... to Self-Destruct'' marks the first studio album by the band not to feature songwriting contributions from Hammett since he joined the band in 1983 prior to the recording of ''Kill 'Em All''. In 20142015, Hammett had lost his phone at [[Copenhagen Airport]], which contained almost 250 riff ideas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metallica's Kirk Hammett Says He Tracked His Missing iPhone To Copenhagen Airport|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallicas-kirk-hammett-says-he-tracked-his-missing-iphone-to-copenhagen-airport/|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=August 12, 2015|access-date=October 11, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108110500/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallicas-kirk-hammett-says-he-tracked-his-missing-iphone-to-copenhagen-airport/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since Hammett did not back up the data, it affected his creative input for the new album and he "had to start at zero again while [Hetfield and Ulrich] had material for songs."<ref>{{cite web|last=Kielty|first=Martin|title=Why Kirk Hammett didn't write much for new Metallica album|url=http://teamrock.com/news/2016-09-22/why-kirk-hammett-didn-t-write-much-for-new-metallica-album|website=TeamRock|date=September 23, 2016|access-date=October 11, 2016|archive-date=August 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816180304/http://teamrock.com/news/2016-09-22/why-kirk-hammett-didn-t-write-much-for-new-metallica-album|url-status=live}}</ref> Trujillo's sole writing credit on the album was the introduction to "ManUNkind", which he later said was written as a tribute to former Metallica bassist [[Cliff Burton]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Metallica's Rob Trujillo pays tribute to Cliff Burton on "ManUNkind" intro|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbz_k1f-cRY|website=[[YouTube]]|date=December 1, 2016|access-date=December 6, 2016|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128000217/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbz_k1f-cRY&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Regarding lyrical themes, ''Hardwired... to Self-Destruct'' bemoans the [[music industry]] on "Moth Into Flame" and subjects such as drug addiction and overdose on "Hardwired."{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kielty |first1=Martin |title=James Hetfield: How Amy Winehouse inspired Moth Into Flame |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/metallica-james-hetfield-how-amy-winehouse-inspired-moth-into-flame |website=[[LouderSound]] |access-date=February 6, 2019 |date=December 12, 2016 |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015025/https://www.loudersound.com/news/metallica-james-hetfield-how-amy-winehouse-inspired-moth-into-flame |url-status=live }}</ref> Familiar lyrics dealing with the [[H. P. Lovecraft]] [[Cthulhu Mythos]] are explored on "Dream No More", and "Murder One" serves asis a tribute to the late [[Motörhead]] frontman [[Lemmy]], who died in December 2015; the song was named after the bassist's favorite amplifier.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Huart |first1=Warren |title=Mixing Motorhead with Cameron Webb – Warren Huart – Produce Like A Pro |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuStvRQoIdc |website=YouTube |date=December 19, 2016 |access-date=29 July 2019 |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118201244/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuStvRQoIdc&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Music and stuff |title=Lemmy Tests A Signature Murder One Amp (From The Lemmy Movie) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RT4uKcmnCg |website=YouTube |date=August 22, 2022 |access-date=2 September 2022 |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902094002/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RT4uKcmnCg |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Release and promotion ==

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== Critical reception ==

{{Music ratings

|ADM=6.8/10<ref name="ADM">{{cite web |title=Metallica: Hardwired...To Self-Destruct |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/8387/Metallica-HardwiredTo-Self-Destruct.aspx |website=[[AnyDecentMusic?]] |access-date=July 20, 2018 |archive-date=July 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720225543/http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/8387/Metallica-HardwiredTo-Self-Destruct.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

|MC = 73/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|title=Hardwired...To Self-Destruct|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/hardwiredto-self-destruct/metallica/critic-reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=December 24, 2016|archive-date=November 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120062545/http://www.metacritic.com/music/hardwiredto-self-destruct/metallica/critic-reviews|url-status=live}}</ref>

|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]

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}}

''Hardwired... to Self-Destruct'' received generally positive reviews. The album received an average score of 73/100 from 29 reviews on [[Metacritic]], indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="Metacritic" /> At [[AnyDecentMusic?]], that collates critical reviews from more than 50 media sources, the album scored 6.8 points out of 10, based on 27 reviews.<ref name="ADM" />

[[AllMusic]]'s [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] said although the album featured all of Metallica's core music elements, he thought the band did not sound as ferocious as it did in its '80s heyday.<ref name="AM" /> David Anthony of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' had a mixed impression, saying "77 minutes of endless thrashing gets tiring" and thought the songs would benefit from leaner songwriting. He did, however, praise the album's first three singles, saying they were some of the best songs the band has written since the 1980s.<ref name="AV">{{cite web|last=Anthony|first=David|title=Metallica's latest is quality thrash that gets a little tiring|url=https://www.avclub.com/review/metallicas-latest-quality-thrash-gets-little-tirin-245922|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=November 18, 2016|access-date=November 19, 2016|archive-date=November 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118233230/http://www.avclub.com/review/metallicas-latest-quality-thrash-gets-little-tirin-245922|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', [[David Fricke]] said ''Hardwired... to Self-Destruct'' reminded him of ''[[...And Justice for All (album)|...And Justice for All]]'' and ''[[Metallica (album)|Metallica]]'', having the "jagged apocalypse" of the first and the "focused brawn" of the second.<ref name="RS" />

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|scope="row"| Planet Rock Awards

| International Album

| {{won}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/metallica-black-star-riders-and-joe-bonamassa-among-winners-of-the-rocks-2017/|title=Metallica, Black Star Riders & Joe Bonamassa among winners of The Rocks 2017!|work=Planet Rock |access-date=May 4, 2018|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053503/https://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/metallica-black-star-riders-and-joe-bonamassa-among-winners-of-the-rocks-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref>

|-

|scope="row"| [[2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards|iHeartRadio Music Awards]]

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| title1 = [[Hardwired (Metallica song)|Hardwired]]

| music1 =

| length1 = 3:0910

| title2 = [[Atlas, Rise!]]

| music2 =

| length2 = 6:2830

| title3 = [[Now That We're Dead]]

| music3 =

| length3 = 67:5900

| title4 = [[Moth into Flame]]

| music4 =

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| title5 = Dream No More

| music5 =

| length5 = 6:2930

| title6 = Halo on Fire

| music6 =

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{{Track listing

| headline = Disc three

| title1 = [[Lords of Summer]]

| music1 = {{hlist|Hetfield|Ulrich|Trujillo}}

| length1 = 7:10

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| 4

|-

! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nztop40aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/chartarchive/annual-albums?chart=4331/2016-12-31|title=Top Selling Albums of 2016|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|access-date=December 25, 2016|archive-date=April 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403103248/http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=4331|url-status=live}}</ref>

| 24

|-

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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=album|title=Hardwired ... To Self-Destruct|artist=Metallica|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2017|certyear=2017|access-date=March 2, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=album|title=Hardwired … To Self-Destruct|artist=Metallica|award=Gold|relyear=2016|relmonth=11|certyear=2017|access-date=September 6, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Gold|artist=Metallica|title=Hardwired... to Self-Destruct|typeid=album2016-11-25|idsource=4297newchart|access-date=November 25, 20172024-11-20|type=album}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=album|award=Gold|artist=Metallica|title=Hardwired... to Self-Destruct|relyear=2016|certyear=2018|access-date=July 29, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=album|award=Diamond|title=Hardwired... to Self-Destruct|artist=Metallica|relyear=2016|certyear=2024|access-date=April 3, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|type=album|award=Gold|artist=Metallica|title=Hardwired... to Self-Destruct|relyear=2016|certyear=2018|access-date=February 4, 2021|id=file 2020file_2020-03-31-15-56-46.pdf}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Romania ([[Romanian Phonographic Industry|UFPR]])|certref=<ref name=Romania>{{cite news|url=https://www.infomusic.ro/2019/08/metallica-a-primit-discul-de-platina-in-romania-pentru-albumul-hardwired-to-self-destruct/|title=Metallica a primit discul de platină în România pentru albumul "Hardwired...to Self-Destruct"|trans-title=Metallica received a Platinum award in Romania for the album "Hardwired...to Self-Destruct"|language=ro|publisher=InfoMusic|date=August 20, 2019|author=Stănescu, Alex|access-date=January 12, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906193735/https://www.infomusic.ro/2019/08/metallica-a-primit-discul-de-platina-in-romania-pentru-albumul-hardwired-to-self-destruct/|archive-date=September 6, 2019}}</ref>|award=Platinum|number=4|salesamount=100,000|salesref=<ref name=Romania />}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea|award=Gold|certref=<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://up-1.cdn-fullscreendirect.com/production/photos/7549/large/20170111_154539_7549_965432.jpeg |title=Archived copy |access-date=April 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409201802/https://up-1.cdn-fullscreendirect.com/production/photos/7549/large/20170111_154539_7549_965432.jpeg |archive-date=April 9, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>|nosales=true}}