Following eight long years, Metallica has announced their 10th studio LP, Hardwired… To Self-Destruct, will drop November 18.
The first single — and simple black and white video — is below. Also the album’s opener, “Hardwired” is a thrash-tastic slice of classic Metallica, checking in at a surprisingly brief three-minutes-and-change. It’s the second shortest track in the band’s history, bested only “Motorbreath” from the 1983 debut Kill ‘Em All.
Musically, “Hardwired” is full-steam ahead at a breakneck pace. Frontman James Hetfield, never the strongest lyricist, leaves a bit to be desired with the chorus: “We’re so fucked/Shit outta luck/Hardwired to self-destruct.” The song is available for instant download for fans who pre-order Hardwired… To Self-Destruct, which is a two-disc set, a first for the band.
Metallica’s last effort, Death Magnetic, came out in September 2008. Since then, the band hasn’t exactly been taking it easy, touring the world, headlining Glastonbury, and releasing an ill-fated concert film, Through the Never. Next month, the group will play the Global Citizen concert in New York’s Central Park. And while the new single may be one of the shortest songs in the Bay Area based outfit’s catalog, this has been the longest period of time between records. Full tracklisting and album cover are below.
The band said in a statement, posted on their official website:
“It really does exist! We know it’s been a long time coming, but today we proudly introduce you to Hardwired… To Self-Destruct, the long awaited next Metallica studio album that is the follow-up to Death Magnetic! Two discs, nearly 80 minutes of music is coming your way on November 18, 2016… yes, THIS YEAR!
Hardwired… represents the next phase of our journey as Metallica and we are so excited to share it with you. If anyone was tuned into radio station 93X in Minneapolis earlier today, you heard the world debut of the first track, ‘Hardwired’ and we’re hoping you’ll hear a lot more of it in the coming days. Produced by Greg Fidelman, along with James and Lars, this is our 11th studio album and is available for pre-order in a variety of configurations including 12 songs on a double CD, vinyl, digital download, as well as a deluxe version with the riffs that were the origins of the album. Everyone who pre-orders the album through Metallica.com will receive an instant download of the song ‘Hardwired.’”
Hardwired…To Self-Destruct tracklisting:
Disc One
Hardwired
Atlas, Rise!
Now That We’re Dead
Moth Into Flame
Am I Savage?
Halo On Fire
Disc Two
Confusion
Dream No More
ManUNkind
Here Comes Revenge
Murder One
Spit Out The Bone
Disc Three (Deluxe Edition Only)
Lords Of Summer
Riff Charge (Riff Origins)
N.W.O.B.H.M. A.T.M. (Riff Origins)
Tin Shot (Riff Origins)
Plow (Riff Origins)
Sawblade (Riff Origins)
RIP (Riff Origins)
Lima (Riff Origins)
91 (Riff Origins)
MTO (Riff Origins)
RL72 (Riff Origins)
Frankenstein (Riff Origins)
CHI (Riff Origins)
X Dust (Riff Origins)
