What makes Lords of Summer by Metallica notable?

'Lords of Summer' gained attention as it was the first new original song from Metallica since 'Death Magnetic', showcasing their continued relevance in heavy metal. The track was performed live extensively during their tours, generating excitement among fans and further solidifying the band's enduring legacy in the genre. When 'Lords of Summer' was released in 2014, Metallica was in a transitional phase following their last studio album, 'Death Magnetic' from 2008. The band had been focusing on live performances and refining their sound, and this release served as a teaser for their upcoming album, marking a shift towards new material after several years of relative silence.

How many songs are on Lords of Summer?

Lords of Summer has 2 tracks, running approximately 17 minutes.

Lords of Summer

Metallica · 2014

17 min · 2 tracks · heavy metal

A thunderous return to form with intricate riffs and relentless energy, embodying Metallica's signature thrash metal sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Lords of Summer (first pass version) — This original version captures the raw energy and complex arrangements that define Metallica's later work while offering a glimpse into their evolving sound.
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Lords of Summer (live version) — The live rendition amplifies the song's dynamic intensity, showcasing the band's performance prowess and connection with their audience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100

Foothills

Higher than 48% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong composition and craft but lacks cohesion due to its limited tracklist.

What we noticed

The live version captures the energy of a performance, with crowd interaction and variations in dynamics compared to the studio version.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — First new original song since 'Death Magnetic', marking a return to form and relevance.
Themes: thrash metal revival· live performance energy
Career context: When 'Lords of Summer' was released in 2014, Metallica was in a transitional phase following their last studio album, 'Death Magnetic' from 2008. The band had been focusing on live performances and refining their sound, and this release served as a teaser for their upcoming album, marking a shift towards new material after several years of relative silence.
Stylistic neighbors: Megadeth· Slayer· Anthrax