What are you doing? Whatever it is drop it right now because Metallica have just dropped a new song. No, no, no, we know what you’re thinking. You’re groaning and thinking about Death Magnetic and St. Anger.

But Metallica’s new song, ‘Hardwired’, is actually freaking awesome. It’s as though the classic Metallica you always knew and loved, the Metallica that made Ride The Lightning and Master of Puppets, was just hiding all along.

The song’s already drawn comparisons to ‘My Apocalypse’ from the maligned Death Magnetic album and ‘The Shortest Straw’ from 1988’s …And Justice for All, but unlike the former, the production is beefy and in-your-face.

Of course, you can’t please everyone and fans are already complaining about the quality of Kirk Hammett’s solo, the “raw” production, and even accusing the band of ripping off Slayer. Make up your own mind below.

‘Hardwired’ is the first single off Metallica’s forthcoming new album, Hardwired… To Self-Destruct, which is officially available 18th November.

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