Death Magnetic#Deluxe edition

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|quote = If you're in the studio, everybody presumes you're recording or making a record. Last time there was no real separation between the writing process and the recording process. With St. Anger nobody brought in any pre-recorded stuff or ideas; it was just make it up on the spot, be in the moment. So this time we are doing exactly what we did on all the other albums;— first we're writing, then we're recording. The only difference is that we're writing where we record. So we're writing here at HQ because this is our home, we're writing in the studio.

|source = — Lars Ulrich, on the new album{{cite web|title=Metallica's Ulrich: 'We're Actually Not Recording Right Now'|work=Blabbermouth|date=2006-05-20|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=52884|access-date=2007-07-18}}

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Early in 2004, lead singer James Hetfield revealed that Metallica had been playing new material during studio sessions, but that there was no mention of plans for a ninth studio album at that time.{{cite web|title=Metallica's Hetfield Talks About Dave Mustaine, Exodus and Follow-up to 'St. Anger'|work=Blabbermouth|date=January 16, 2004|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=18188|access-date=March 12, 2004}} Select music from the jam sessions may be used on the album, as Lars Ulrich stated, "I definitely look forward to sifting through some of that stuff when we get back to the studio in January."{{cite web|title=Metallica's Ulrich Is Looking Forward to Returning to the Studio in January|work=Blabbermouth|date=March 12, 2004|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=20296|access-date=July 18, 2007}} On that note, by October 2004, the band had already compiled nearly 50 hours of pre-set jamming, with hundreds of riffs, chord progressions and bass lines.{{cite web|title=Metallica Bassist Says There Are More Than 50 Recorded Hours of New Music to Sift Through|work=Blabbermouth|date=October 15, 2004|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=28040|access-date=July 18, 2007}} On September 30, 2004, Launch Radio revealed from an interview with Hetfield that the band hoped to return to the studio in spring of 2005 to begin recording their ninth studio album for Warner Bros. Records.{{cite web|title=Metallica Frontman Wishes 'St. Anger' Songs Were Shorter|work=Blabbermouth|date=September 30, 2004|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=27438|access-date=July 18, 2007}}

On March 10, 2006, it was reported that Metallica was planning to use the following six months to write material for the album, in addition to the previous two months they had already been spending writing music.{{cite web|title=Metallica to Spend Six Months Writing Before Commencing Recording Process|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=March 10, 2006|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=49414|access-date=July 18, 2007}} Ulrich also stated that the band was getting along much better in the studio than they did during the recording of St. Anger.{{cite web|title=Lars Ulrich: No Therapist Needed on New Metallica Album|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=March 20, 2006|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=49867|access-date=July 18, 2007}} On April 6, he revealed that the band had composed "six to seven" songs (except for vocals) from their findings off the riff tapes recording during pre-sets of the Madly in Anger with the World Tour.{{cite web|title=Metallica Continue Work on New Album, Attend Queen Show in California|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=April 16, 2006|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51044|access-date=July 18, 2007}} He also said that by this point, the band's new material was reminiscent of "old school" Metallica works, and that it certainly did not feel like a St. Anger "part two".

On May 20, 2006, Kirk Hammett revealed that the band had fifteen songs written and were writing on average two to three songs per week. Hetfield also praised producer Rick Rubin for his production style in giving the band their own freedom and keeping the pressure at a minimum, despite the sessions becoming sometimes briefly unfocused.{{cite web|title=Metallica's Hammett: 'We Have Fifteen Songs' Written for Next Album|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=May 20, 2006|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=52553|access-date=July 18, 2007}} On May 27, Metallica updated their website with a video featuring information regarding the album.{{cite web|url=http://iomusic.com/Bands_and_Artists/M/Metallica/|title=Metallica Update|last=Collins|first=Sam|work=Iomusic News|access-date=November 29, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713052533/http://iomusic.com/Bands_and_Artists/M/Metallica/|archive-date=July 13, 2011}}

Three studios were used to produce the album, those being Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California, Shangri La Studios in Malibu, California, and HQ in San Rafael, California. On January 1, 2007, Ulrich stated in an interview with Revolver that the band would be conceiving the album much like they did their albums prior to working with ex-producer Bob Rock; they would sit down, write a select number of songs, then enter the studio to record them. He also quoted Rubin by saying "Rubin didn't want them to start the recording process until every song that they were going to record was as close to 100 percent as possible."{{cite web|title=Metallica's Lars Ulrich on New Songs: 'We're Trying to Be As Self-Critical As Possible'|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=February 19, 2007|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=65482|access-date=July 18, 2007}}

On March 5, Ulrich revealed that the band had narrowed a potential 25 songs down to 14, and that they would begin recording those fourteen on the following week. He also expanded on Rubin's style of production, saying,{{cite web|title=Metallica to Record 14 New Songs Starting Next Week; 2008 Release Expected|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=March 5, 2007|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=68219|access-date=July 18, 2007}}

{{blockquote|Rick's big thing is to kind of have all these songs completely embedded in our bodies and basically next Monday, on D-Day, just go in and execute them. So you leave the creative element of the process out of the recording, so you go in and basically just record a bunch of songs that you know inside out and upside down, and you don't have to spend too much of your energy in the recording studio creating and thinking and analyzing and doing all that stuff. His whole analogy is, the recording process becomes more like a gig—just going in and playing and leaving all the thinking at the door.}}

On March 14, the band's official website issued a statement: "Metallica left the comfort of HQ this week to descend upon the greater Los Angeles area to begin recording their ninth original album. This is the first time they've recorded outside of the Bay Area since they spent time at One-on-One Studios recording their self-titled album in 1990 and '91."{{cite web|url=http://metallica.com/index.asp?item=600185|title=...And Recording for All|date=March 14, 2007|work=News Headline|publisher=Metallica.com|access-date=December 4, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231114435/http://metallica.com/index.asp?item=600185|archive-date=December 31, 2008}} This was confirmed on July 24, 2008, on Mission: Metallica, as a video surfaced showing the crew moving into Sound City Studios of Nirvana fame.{{cite web|url=http://www.missionmetallica.com/node/102414/get?width=775&height=600|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801114218/http://www.missionmetallica.com/node/102414/get/?width=775&height=600|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 1, 2020|title=Fly on the Wall Video|date=July 24, 2008|publisher=Mission: Metallica|access-date=July 25, 2008}}

On June 4, Robert Trujillo revealed that only select portions of the two new songs debuted in Berlin and Tokyo respectively would be featured on the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=73895|title=Metallica Bassist Trujillo: New Album Is Dynamic, Heavy and Groovin'|date=June 4, 2007|work=News|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=July 18, 2007}} The band hoped to have the album finished by October or November, when the album would be mixed.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=76664|title=Metallica's Lars Ulrich: New Album to Arrive Next Spring|date=July 12, 2007|work=News|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=July 18, 2007}} He predicted the album would be out in February 2008, and revealed that the songs they were working with were quite long.

On February 2, 2008, Sterlingsound.com revealed that Ted Jensen from Sterling Sound Studios would be mastering the new record. According to Blabbermouth.net and other sources, Greg Fidelman, who had served as a sound engineer, had also been tapped to mix the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=97151|title=Metallica's New Album to Be Mixed by Greg Fidelman|date=May 16, 2008|work=News|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=August 3, 2008}}

Ulrich confirmed on May 15, 2008, that Metallica recorded eleven songs for Death Magnetic, although only ten would appear on the album due to the constraints of the physical medium.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2008/05/breaking-news-metallica-tells-all-about-new-album/|title=Breaking News: Metallica Tells All About New Album|date=May 15, 2008|last=Goodman|first=William|department=News|work=Spin|access-date=August 3, 2008|archive-date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119080810/http://www.spin.com/2008/05/breaking-news-metallica-tells-all-about-new-album/|url-status=live}} The eleventh song, titled "Shine" (which was later retitled "Just a Bullet Away"), was a song Hetfield "based around a Layne Staley type, a rock & roll martyr magnetized by death."{{cite book|title=Metallica: Metal Machines (Louder Faster Stronger)|publisher=Rolling Stone|date=October 2008|pages=58–67}}

{{see also|Beyond Magnetic}}

A number of unreleased songs from Death Magnetic, including the above-mentioned "Just a Bullet Away", but also "Hell and Back", "Hate Train" and "Rebel of Babylon" were left off the album, but were rumored to be released as B-sides or on the next album. The titles were confirmed by Hammett and Ulrich on the MetOnTour video from December 20, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.metontour.com/portal/video/mediaplayer.asp?Media_Type=FLV&url=rtmp://cp57092.edgefcs.net/ondemand/flvstreams/metallica_com/2008/tour/12dec20_Oakland.flv&title=Dec%2020,%202008%20-%20Oakland&desc=Tuning,%20Blackened,%20Lars%20pie-ing|title=MetOnTour Video 20th December Confirming The Titles Of The Unreleased Songs|publisher=Metontour.com|date=December 20, 2008|access-date=November 11, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504114222/http://www.metontour.com/portal/video/mediaplayer.asp?Media_Type=FLV&url=rtmp%3A%2F%2Fcp57092.edgefcs.net%2Fondemand%2Fflvstreams%2Fmetallica_com%2F2008%2Ftour%2F12dec20_Oakland.flv&title=Dec%2020%2C%202008%20-%20Oakland&desc=Tuning%2C%20Blackened%2C%20Lars%20pie-ing|archive-date=May 4, 2009}} On December 5, 7, 9 and 10, 2011, the band played four new songs, "Hate Train", "Just a Bullet Away", "Hell and Back" and "Rebel of Babylon", at the band's 30th Anniversary concerts. The day after each concert, MetClub members were sent an e-mail with a code for a free download of a rough mix of the song played at the show.{{cite web|last=Bosso|first=Joe|title=Listen: Metallica's previously unreleased song, Hate Train|date=December 6, 2011|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/listen-metallicas-previously-unreleased-song-hate-train-518237|publisher=Music Radar|access-date=June 16, 2013|archive-date=August 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806125701/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/listen-metallicas-previously-unreleased-song-hate-train-518237|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Metallica: Another Previously Unreleased Song From 'Death Magnetic' Sessions Available|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallica-another-previously-unreleased-song-from-death-magnetic-sessions-available/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102172141/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallica-another-previously-unreleased-song-from-death-magnetic-sessions-available/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2014|publisher=BlabberMouth}}{{cite web|title=Metallica: Another Previously Unreleased Song From 'Death Magnetic' Sessions Available – Dec. 11, 2011|date = December 11, 2011|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=167119|publisher=Blebbermouth.net|access-date=June 16, 2013}} The songs were released officially on the Beyond Magnetic EP, released on December 13, 2011.{{cite news|last=Sciarretto|first=Amy|title=Metallica Release 'Beyond Magnetic' EP|url=http://loudwire.com/metallica-beyond-magnetic-ep/|access-date=June 16, 2013|newspaper=Loudwire|date=December 13, 2011|archive-date=November 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102192112/http://loudwire.com/metallica-beyond-magnetic-ep/|url-status=live}} Two other songs recorded during Death Magnetic, based on "The New Song" (performed in 2006) and "The Other New Song" (performed in 2006 and 2007), have not been released, though parts of "The New Song" can be found in the recorded songs "The End of the Line" and "All Nightmare Long".

Kirk Hammett played a role in inspiring the album title by bringing a photograph of deceased Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley to the studio where Metallica was recording. "That picture was there for a long time", said Hammett, "I think it pervaded James' psyche." Wondering why someone with Staley's talent would choose to use drugs so heavily and die so young, Hetfield started writing a song based on his questions (the song "Rebel of Babylon").

On July 16, 2008, Hetfield commented on the album's title:

{{blockquote|Death Magnetic, at least the title, to me started out as kind of a tribute to people that have fallen in our business, like Layne Staley and a lot of the people that have died, basically—rock and roll martyrs of sorts. And then it kind of grew from there, thinking about death ... some people are drawn towards it, and just like a magnet, and other people are afraid of it and push. Also the concept that we're all gonna die sometimes is over-talked about and then a lot of times never talked about—no one wants to bring it up; it's the big white elephant in the living room. But we all have to deal with it at some point.{{cite web|title=Hetfield: Trujillo Has Written More on New Metallica Album Than Newsted Had in 14 Years|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=2008-07-17|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=101057|access-date=2008-08-03|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216201734/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/hetfield-trujillo-has-written-more-on-new-metallica-album-than-newsted-had-in-14-years/|url-status=live}}}}

The title is referenced in the track "My Apocalypse". According to Hammett, another title considered for the album was Songs of Suicide and Forgiveness. Death Magnetic was eventually picked out of four working titles when Hetfield met with creative agency Turner Duckworth, who were brought in to deal with the album's visual identity, and as he discussed the songs "it was clear that they were all linked to death, facing up to the nature of death, and the fear and attraction that surrounds death."[http://adage.com/article/behind-the-work/branding-metallica/131085/ Branding Metallica] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426214430/http://adage.com/article/behind-the-work/branding-metallica/131085/ |date=April 26, 2017 }}, Advertising Age

File:Kirkhemmettwien07.JPG

In January 2008, a statement was made by Stereo Warning that the album would be delayed until September 2008,{{cite web|author=lusson on |url=http://www.stereowarning.com/2008/01/metallica_album_delayed_again_until_september|title=Metallica album delayed again until September|publisher=Stereo Warning|date=January 21, 2008|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001072710/http://www.stereowarning.com/2008/01/metallica_album_delayed_again_until_september|archive-date=October 1, 2010|url-status=usurped}} The album, which was completed on August 10, 2008,{{cite web|url=http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=601090|title=Metallica.com|publisher=Metallica.com|date=October 8, 2008|access-date=November 11, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203084033/http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=601090|archive-date=December 3, 2010}} was released on September 12 in the United States and issued in a variety of different packages.

On September 2, a French record store began selling copies of Death Magnetic, nearly two weeks ahead of its scheduled worldwide release date,{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=103902|title=Metallica's 'Death Magnetic' Sold Two Weeks Early At French Record Store?|publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com|access-date=November 11, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809005659/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=103902|archive-date=August 9, 2011}} which resulted in the album being made prematurely available on peer-to-peer clients.{{cite news |last1=DeCicco |first1=Nick |title=Downloading leaked albums strikes a chord |url=https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/wires/entertainment/downloading-leaked-albums-strikes-a-chord/ |access-date=December 23, 2021 |work=Daily Republic |publisher=McNaughton Newspapers |date=May 4, 2011 |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223225932/https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/wires/entertainment/downloading-leaked-albums-strikes-a-chord/ |url-status=live }} This prompted the band's UK distributor, Vertigo Records, to officially release the album two days ahead of schedule, on September 12. Ulrich, who was questioned about the leak on a San Francisco radio station, responded,{{cite magazine|title=Metallica Album Leak...|magazine=Kerrang!|date=September 3, 2008|url=http://www2.kerrang.com/2008/09/metallica_album_leak.html|access-date=September 18, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905225835/http://www2.kerrang.com/2008/09/metallica_album_leak.html|archive-date=September 5, 2008}}

{{blockquote|We're ten days from release. I mean, from here, we're golden. If this thing leaks all over the world today or tomorrow, happy days. Happy days. Trust me. Ten days out and it hasn't fallen off the truck yet? Everybody's happy. It's 2008 and it's part of how it is these days, so it's fine. We're happy.}}

He later told USA Today,{{cite web|title=Ulrich on 'Death Magnetic' Leak 10 Days Before Release: 'By 2008 Standards, That's a Victory'|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=September 11, 2008|url=http://www.blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104517|access-date=September 18, 2008}}

{{blockquote|By 2008 standards, that's a victory. If you'd told me six months ago that our record wouldn't leak until 10 days out, I would have signed up for that. We made a great record, and people seem to be getting off on it way more than anyone expected.}}

During their Escape from the Studio '06 tour, Metallica debuted two songs.Blabbermouth.net. Metallica Debut New Song At Berlin Concert, reported by [https://archive.today/20130104162254/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53342 Blabbermouth.net] June 6, 2006. Retrieved July 18, 2007. "The New Song" debuted on the European leg in Berlin, Germany on June 6, 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/online_downloads/metallica_debut_new_song_in_berlin.html|title=Metallica Debut New Song In Berlin | News @|publisher=Ultimate-guitar.com|access-date=November 11, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605100904/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/online_downloads/metallica_debut_new_song_in_berlin.html|archive-date=June 5, 2011}} The song, as performed, is approximately eight minutes long. The title was rumored to be "Death Is Not the End"{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} as Hetfield repeatedly sings the line throughout the song. This song would appear again in multiple Fly on the Wall videos on the Mission: Metallica website, showing the band partway through the song's recording, as noted by the slower tempo and lack of lyrics.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} "The Other New Song", (which was later named "Vulturous") debuted on August 12, 2006, in Tokyo, and is much shorter, taking just below four minutes to perform.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/online_downloads/metallica_perform_another_new_song.html|title=Metallica Perform Another New Song | News @|publisher=Ultimate-guitar.com|access-date=November 11, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107182422/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/online_downloads/metallica_perform_another_new_song.html|archive-date=January 7, 2009}} To the surprise of fans, Metallica played "The Other New Song" once again on June 29, 2007, in Bilbao, Spain.{{cite web|url=http://www.livemetallica.com/live-music/0,143/Metallica-mp3-flac-download-6-29-2007-Bilbao-BBK-Live-Festival-Bilbao-SPA.html|title=Bilbao Setlist from official LiveMetallica website|publisher=LiveMetallica.com|access-date=September 30, 2008|archive-date=October 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002001301/http://www.livemetallica.com/live-music/0,143/Metallica-mp3-flac-download-6-29-2007-Bilbao-BBK-Live-Festival-Bilbao-SPA.html|url-status=live}} Although neither of the "New Songs" appear on the album themselves, "The End of the Line" and "All Nightmare Long" both contain elements of "The New Song".

On August 9, 2008, Metallica debuted the first album track, "Cyanide", at Ozzfest, in Dallas, Texas and was performed again on August 20, 2008, in Dublin, Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://www.livemetallica.com/live-music/0,189/Metallica-mp3-flac-download-8-20-2008-Marlay-Park-Dublin-IRL.html|title=Download Metallica August 20, 2008, Marlay Park, Dublin, IRL MP3 FLAC|publisher=LiveMetallica.com|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-date=July 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716141030/http://www.livemetallica.com/live-music/0,189/Metallica-mp3-flac-download-8-20-2008-Marlay-Park-Dublin-IRL.html|url-status=live}} On August 22, at the Leeds Festival, they debuted the first single, "The Day That Never Comes".'Metallica's Ulrich, Hammett Talk About 'The Judas Kiss'; Video Available, reported by [http://www.blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104559 Blabbermouth.net] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108164537/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104559 |date=January 8, 2009 }} September 11, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008.

On July 31, 2009, it was announced on Metallica.com that the band felt that the song "My Apocalypse" was in need of an introduction when played live to "set the mood". The statement on Metallica.com reads, "We've been enjoying playing 'My Apocalypse' out here on the road but felt like it could use something extra. We decided that it needed a cool intro to set the mood so James wrote one. Check out and enjoy this free download ... and make sure you learn it for singing along at a future show!" The approximately minute-long introduction is available as a free MP3 download. The song had originally been debuted live on March 25, 2009, at the LG Arena in Birmingham, United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=http://www.metallica.com/news/jul-31-2009-my-apocalypse-new-intro.asp|title=My Apocalypse – New Intro!|work=metallica.com|publisher=Metallica|date=July 31, 2009|access-date=September 29, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119125654/http://www.metallica.com/news/jul-31-2009-my-apocalypse-new-intro.asp|archive-date=January 19, 2013}}

On the day of the release FMQB radio broadcast The World Premiere of Death Magnetic, which was heard on more than 175 stations across the United States and Canada. The live program from Metallica HQ featured all four members of Metallica talking with Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and drummer Taylor Hawkins. Originally scheduled for a 90-minute broadcast, the show ended after two hours.{{cite magazine|title=Metallica Live Broadcast Sets Record|magazine=FMQB|date=September 12, 2008|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=883387|access-date=September 12, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914233739/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=883387|archive-date=September 14, 2008}}

Ulrich brought the agency Turner Duckworth, co-owned by his personal friend David Turner, as he wanted someone that "would bring fresh ideas", and commanded respect in branding but were not jaded by the music business". While Turner and his partner Bruce Duckworth played with the two elements from the title, they emerged with the cover that combined a white coffin, a grave, and a magnetic field, depicted by a model made and photographed by Andy Grimshaw. Turner added the image was "simple and literal but at the same time open to all sorts of interpretations", saying that Hetfield considered the coffin shaped as "a door, to another experience, or consciousness". Duckworth stated that the cover fit their intention of something that would also be recognizable in a digital format, "small icons that go on your phone or iPod".[http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallica-looks-outside-the-music-industry-for-design-and-branding/ Metallica Looks Outside The Music Industry For Design And Branding] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013144721/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallica-looks-outside-the-music-industry-for-design-and-branding/ |date=October 13, 2016 }}, Blabbermouth[https://www.creativereview.co.uk/branding-metallica/ Branding Metallica] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013150310/https://www.creativereview.co.uk/branding-metallica/ |date=October 13, 2016 }}, Creative Review

Turner compared the Metallica project with a campaign they did for Coca-Cola, as both approaches went down to "stripping things back down to what the brand was originally and the other part was adding a fresh new approach." The original Metallica logo was brought back to demonstrate how the band was trying to restore their old identity, while the cover was primarily white to contrast how the color is hardly used in the metal genre. Given the band wanted the physical release to be memorable to ensure it still had value in an age where audiences were purchasing more digital music, the original digipak featuring a layered die cut, where each page of the booklet resembled a layer of dirt being thrown on the coffin.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2009/packaging-design/17406/death-magnetic-digi-cd/ |title=Death Magnetic Digi CD |access-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013144537/http://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2009/packaging-design/17406/death-magnetic-digi-cd/ |url-status=live }} Death Magnetic was issued on vinyl in a special box set, and also had a deluxe edition shaped like a coffin, bundled along with an additional disc full of demos, a making-of DVD, an exclusive T-shirt, guitar picks, a flag and a fold-out poster.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/metallica-reveal-death-magnetic-coffin-box-details-20080710 |title=Metallica Reveal "Death Magnetic" Coffin Box Details |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004010924/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/metallica-reveal-death-magnetic-coffin-box-details-20080710 |url-status=dead }}

Alongside the release of the album, it was released as downloadable content (DLC) for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.{{cite web|url=http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/Product/Metallica-Death-Magnetic-Full-Album/00000000-0000-400c-80cf-001e415607f7|title=Metallica "Death Magnetic" Full Album|work=xbox.com|publisher=Microsoft|date=September 12, 2008|access-date=June 14, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115132303/http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/Product/Metallica-Death-Magnetic-Full-Album/00000000-0000-400c-80cf-001e415607f7|archive-date=January 15, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/08/metallicas-death-magnetic-album-for-guitar-hero-3-this-friday/|title=Metallica's 'Death Magnetic' album for Guitar Hero 3 this Friday, forward compatible with World Tour|work=Joystiq|first=James|last=Ransom-Wiley|date=September 8, 2008|access-date=June 14, 2012|archive-date=May 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515175643/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/08/metallicas-death-magnetic-album-for-guitar-hero-3-this-friday/|url-status=live}} This content would later be optimized for external use in Guitar Hero World Tour, Guitar Hero: Metallica (although "All Nightmare Long" was included on the in-game setlist), Guitar Hero 5, Band Hero, and Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.

The Guitar Hero DLC had two versions of the instrumental track "Suicide & Redemption". The versions differed by the guitar solo performed on the song: one version had a solo performed by Hetfield, the other a solo by Hammett. The tracks were titled according to the solo they contained, with the Hetfield version named "Suicide & Redemption J.H." and the Hammett version named "Suicide & Redemption K.H."

Due to technical restrictions, the Wii version of Guitar Hero: World Tour only could hold the three shortest songs of the eleven: "Broken, Beat & Scarred", "Cyanide" and "My Apocalypse".{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/56921/full-guitar-hero-metallica-tracklist|title=Full Guitar Hero: Metallica Tracklist Revealed|publisher=Shacknews|first=Chris|last=Faylor|date=January 23, 2009|access-date=June 14, 2012|archive-date=June 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614021617/http://www.shacknews.com/article/56921/full-guitar-hero-metallica-tracklist|url-status=live}} These songs also appear on the Wii and PS2 versions of Guitar Hero: Metallica as bonus songs instead of DLC. The eight remaining tracks (including both versions of "Suicide & Redemption") were released on November 24, 2009, as DLC for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero for Wii.{{cite web|url=http://www.metallica.com/news/oct-30-2009-remaining-death-magnetic-tracks-coming-to-wii.asp|title=Remaining Death Magnetic Tracks Coming to Wii|work=metallica.com|publisher=Metallica|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=June 14, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119001252/https://www.metallica.com/news/oct-30-2009-remaining-death-magnetic-tracks-coming-to-wii.asp|archive-date=January 19, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/news/november-guitar-hero-5-dlc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119080809/http://www.1up.com/news/november-guitar-hero-5-dlc|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2016|title=November Guitar Hero 5 DLC Revealed|publisher=1UP.com|first=Dustin|last=Quillen|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=June 14, 2012}}

File:Metallica London 2008-09-15 Kirk and James.jpg

{{main|World Magnetic Tour}}

Metallica promoted Death Magnetic with the World Magnetic Tour, which started on October 21, 2008, in Phoenix, Arizona.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/metallica-announce-u-s-tour-dates-completion-of-death-magnetic-20080811 |title=Metallica Announce U.S. Tour Dates, Completion of "Death Magnetic" |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-date=August 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816064050/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/metallica-announce-u-s-tour-dates-completion-of-death-magnetic-20080811 |url-status=dead }} The North American leg finished in February 2009 and was followed by European concerts, interrupted only by a surprise gig at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, to promote the video game Guitar Hero: Metallica. A second North American leg, prioritizing markets missed by the original concerts, began in September.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ticketnews.com/metallica-tour-charges-death-magnetic-for-north-american-return/ |title=Metallica tour charges 'Death Magnetic' for North American return |date=January 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013215839/http://www.ticketnews.com/metallica-tour-charges-death-magnetic-for-north-american-return/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/metallica-pound-sxsw-with-90-minute-greatest-hits-set-at-surprise-show-20090321 |title=Metallica Pound SXSW With 90-Minute Greatest-Hits Set at "Surprise" Show |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-date=August 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816061329/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/metallica-pound-sxsw-with-90-minute-greatest-hits-set-at-surprise-show-20090321 |url-status=dead }} The tour returned to both continents while also extending to Latin America, Israel, Japan and Oceania in 2010, ending on November 21 in Melbourne, Australia.{{Cite web |url=https://metallica.com/tour/10812 |title=2010-11-21 Melbourne, Australia |access-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013153734/https://metallica.com/tour/10812 |url-status=live }} The 2010 Sonisphere Festival headlined by Metallica had them for the first time accompanied by the rest of the "Big Four of thrash metal", Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax, and the concert where all bands played together for one song was released theatrically and on home video as The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria.[http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=140448 "Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax: 'Big Four' Coming To A Theater Near You"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726094012/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=140448 |date=July 26, 2010 }}. Blabbermouth.net. May 20, 2010. Metallica also released in November 2009 two video albums out of World Magnetic Tour performances that year, Orgullo, Pasión, y Gloria: Tres Noches en la Ciudad de México featuring three Mexico City concerts in June, and Français Pour une Nuit with a concert in the French town of Nîmes in July.{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallica-orgullo-pasi-n-y-gloria-tres-noches-en-la-ciudad-de-m-xico-dvd-details-revealed/ |title=Metallica: 'Orgullo, Pasión Y Gloria - Tres Noches En La Ciudad De México' DVD Details Revealed |date=November 14, 2009 |access-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013143909/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallica-orgullo-pasi-n-y-gloria-tres-noches-en-la-ciudad-de-m-xico-dvd-details-revealed/ |url-status=live }}

{{Music ratings

|MC = 78/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/death-magnetic|title=Death Magnetic – Metallica|website=Metacritic|access-date=March 3, 2012|archive-date=April 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419045020/http://www.metacritic.com/music/death-magnetic|url-status=live}}

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Stephen |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r1422243/review |title=Death Magnetic – Metallica |publisher=AllMusic |date=September 12, 2008 |access-date=November 11, 2010 |archive-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102055003/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1422243/review |url-status=live }}

|rev2 = Blender

|rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}

|rev3 = Consequence

|rev3score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Ziegler|first=Jay|title=Album Review: Metallica – Death Magnetic|url=https://consequence.net/2008/09/album-review-death-magnetic/|access-date=June 16, 2013|magazine=Consequence of Sound|date=September 5, 2008|archive-date=June 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619073502/https://consequence.net/2008/09/album-review-death-magnetic/|url-status=live}}

|rev4 = Entertainment Weekly

|rev4score = B+{{cite magazine|last=Willman|first=Chris|title=Music Review Death Magnetic (2008)|url=https://ew.com/article/2008/09/16/death-magnetic/|access-date=June 16, 2013|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=September 16, 2008|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201211303/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20224803,00.html|url-status=live}}

|rev5 = The Guardian

|rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Thomson|first=Jamie|title=Rock review: Metallica, Death Magnetic|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/12/rockreview.metallica|access-date=June 16, 2013|work=The Guardian|date=September 12, 2008|archive-date=May 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509055312/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/12/rockreview.metallica|url-status=live}}

|rev6 = Los Angeles Times

|rev6score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite web|last=Powers|first=Ann|title=Review: Metallica's 'Death Magnetic'|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-metallica12-2008sep12,0,4254224.story#axzz2qvyeUJkd|access-date=June 16, 2013|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 12, 2008|archive-date=October 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015235904/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-metallica12-2008sep12,0,4254224.story#axzz2qvyeUJkd|url-status=live}}

|rev7 = NME

|rev7score = 8/10{{cite web|last=Patashnik|first=Ben|title=Metallica – Death Magnetic|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/9898|access-date=June 16, 2013|work=NME|date=September 11, 2008|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201230115/http://www.nme.com/reviews/9898|url-status=live}}

| rev8 = Pitchfork

| rev8Score = 4.9/10{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Cosmo |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12180-death-magnetic/ |title=Metallica - Death Magnetic |website=Pitchfork |date=October 28, 2011 |access-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-date=January 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119230812/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12180-death-magnetic/ |url-status=live }}

|rev9 = Rolling Stone

|rev9score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Hiatt|first=Brian|title=Metallica: Death Magnetic|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/death-magnetic-20080918|access-date=June 16, 2013|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 18, 2008|archive-date=January 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131075606/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/death-magnetic-20080918|url-status=dead}}

|rev10 = Uncut

|rev10score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Dalton|first=Stephen|title=Metallica – Death Magnetic|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/metallica/metallica-death-magnetic-review|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114033734/http://www.uncut.co.uk/metallica/metallica-death-magnetic-review|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 14, 2013|access-date=June 16, 2013|work=Uncut}}

}}

{{Quote box|quote=But if you ignore the lyrics, Death Magnetic sounds more like it's about coming back to life. Everything comes together on the fan-favorite-to-be "Broken, Beat and Scarred", which manages to channel the full force of Metallica behind a positive message: "What don't kill ya make ya more strong", Hetfield sings, with enough power to make the cliché feel fresh. The aphorism he paraphrases happens to come from Nietzsche's Twilight of the Idols, which is subtitled How to Philosophize With a Hammer. Metallica's philosophizing may get shaky — but long may that hammer strike. |source=— Review by Rolling Stone, 2008|width =30em |align=right}}

In a 2007 interview with Rolling Stone, ex-Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum described his impressions of the unfinished songs:{{cite magazine|last=Hiatt|first=Brian|title=Metallica's New Album: "Ridiculous", "Sick", "Bitchin'" Says Matt Sorum|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 25, 2007|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/07/25/metallicas-new-album-ridiculous-sick-bitchin-says-matt-sorum|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019031243/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/07/25/metallicas-new-album-ridiculous-sick-bitchin-says-matt-sorum/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 19, 2007|access-date=July 25, 2007}}

{{blockquote|Lars is a good friend of mine. He played me the demos from San Francisco, and I turned and looked at him and I said, 'Master that shit and put it out.' It's ridiculous. The demos were sick. Eight-minute songs, all these tempo changes, crazy fast. It's like, 'Dude, don't get slower when you get older, but don't get faster!? How are you gonna play this live?' And then me and Lars were out partying all night, and he had to go in the studio the next day and do this stupid like nine- or ten-minute song, and I was laughing at him—because he played me the demo of it, and it was [sings really fast drum part], so fast. I called him, and said, 'Dude, how are you feeling?' He was like, 'Dude, I'm hurting.' They're cutting everything to tape, no fuckin' Pro Tools—live, no clicks.}}

The album's first single, "The Day That Never Comes", was described by BBC Music as the closest thing to a ballad on the album. Rock Sound has also compared it to the likes of Thin Lizzy.{{cite web|url=http://www.BlabberMouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=98355|title=Metallica's New Album Previewed: Rock Sound and Metal Hammer Offer Their Opinions|date=June 4, 2008|work=News|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=August 3, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801184929/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=98355|archive-date=August 1, 2008}} The band has abandoned the solo-free approach that they followed on St. Anger, returning to complex, multi-layered arrangements such as those typically found on the band's fourth album ...And Justice for All.[http://www.thequietus.com/2008/06/metallica-and-reviews-for-all/ The Quietus – first listen to Metallica's new album] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616162909/http://www.thequietus.com/2008/06/metallica-and-reviews-for-all/ |date=June 16, 2008 }}

Death Magnetic has been praised by fans as well as critics as a comeback for Metallica after the widely panned St. Anger. Thrash Hits was one of the first websites, along with The Quietus, to comment on Death Magnetic, claiming "it is a vast improvement on 2003 album St Anger". Metal Hammer noted Death Magnetic{{'}}s "sharp riffs" and "uncharacteristic bouncing grooves", and favorably compares the band's sound on the album to bands like Slayer, Led Zeppelin and Rage Against the Machine.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/?id=48459|title=Metallica Album: Our First Impression|date=June 11, 2008|work=Metal Hammer|access-date=August 3, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227003049/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/?id=48459|archive-date=December 27, 2008}} Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy has praised the album, saying "Death Magnetic is hands down the best Metallica album in 20 years. This is the CD I've been waiting for them to make since ...And Justice for All. And thumbs up to them for doing the first real Metallica instrumental in 20 years since 'To Live Is to Die'. Welcome back, boys."{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.ca/page/News?&news_page=&news_id=65314|title=Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy On Metallica's 'Death Magnetic' – 09.13.08 – Roadrunner Records Canada|publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.ca|date=September 13, 2008|access-date=November 11, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125043654/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.ca/page/News|archive-date=November 25, 2010}}

While Metallica was on the first leg of their 2008 tour in Europe, a third party at their management Q Prime demanded that media impressions and blogs commenting on the album be taken down from their website for reasons that were not explained to the band. However, when the band learned of this, they were upset and Ulrich re-posted many of the links along with other reactions to the new album, along with an apology to those whose links had been removed from Metallica's website.{{cite web|url=http://metallica.com/index.asp?item=600942|title=Reviews...|publisher=metallica.com|date=June 11, 2008|access-date=June 11, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612164711/http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=600942|archive-date=June 12, 2008}}

Reviews for the album have been mostly positive. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine stated the album was like "hearing Metallica sound like Metallica again". Other positive reviews come from publications like The Guardian, who say that the album is "the strongest material the band have written in 20 years", and Uncut, declaring that "like all the best heavy rock albums, it suspends your disbelief, demands your attention and connects directly with your inner adolescent." BBC Music's Chris Jones felt that Hetfield's lyrics had become "the channel of his post-therapy angst".{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/qzvr|title=Metallica Death Magnetic Review|work=BBC Online|first=Chris|last=Jones|date=September 8, 2008|access-date=March 29, 2012|archive-date=December 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207145056/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/qzvr|url-status=live}} The Observer stated "it's a joy to have these gnarled veterans back to reinforce the sheer visceral thrill of timeless heavy metal".{{cite web|author=Emma Johnston|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/14/popandrock16|title=CD: Rock review: Metallica, Death Magnetic | Music | The Observer|publisher=Theguardian.com|date=September 14, 2008|access-date=June 2, 2014|archive-date=June 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602201037/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/14/popandrock16|url-status=live}}

On September 15, 2008, after a reviewer for Swedish daily Sydsvenskan admitted that he preferred a shortened mix of Death Magnetic to the official release,{{cite web|url=http://www.sydsvenskan.se/kultur--nojen/musik/skivrecensioner/metallica/|title=Metallica|last=Jeppsson|first=Jonn|date=September 13, 2008|language=sv|access-date=November 17, 2012|quote=Via en hemsida som har ett sjörövarskepp som logotyp hittade jag ett lika konkret som inspirerande bevis för att James, Kirk, Rob och Lars inte kan skilja lax från potatis i sin egen musik: en torrent med namnet "Death Magnetic: Better, Shorter, Cut", där någon händig typ har trimmat bort mellan en och fyra minuter per sång.|archive-date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119080809/http://www.sydsvenskan.se/kultur--nojen/musik/skivrecensioner/metallica/|url-status=live}} a scheduled interview was duly canceled by Universal Music Sweden. Its president, Per Sundin said:{{cite web|title=Metallica Interview Cancelled Due to Illegal Download|publisher=CMU|date=September 16, 2008|url=http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/htmldaily/080916.html#09|access-date=September 16, 2008|archive-date=February 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224115331/http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/htmldaily/080916.html#09|url-status=live}}

{{blockquote|The reviewer is referring to a BitTorrent where someone has altered the original songs. The reviewer explains exactly where one should go in order to download the file that totally infringes on a copyright. It's not only an illegal file, but an altered file. The reviewer also writes that this is how the album should have sounded. File-sharing of music is illegal. Period. There's nothing to discuss. That fact—that Sydsvenskan has a writer that has downloaded this music illegally and then makes mention of an illegal site in his review—is totally unacceptable to us.}}

File:Metallica My Apocalypse waveform.png (less dynamic) than the Guitar Hero downloadable release (bottom).]]

The album has been criticized for having compromised sound quality, due to an excessively compressed dynamic range, leading to audible distortion.{{cite episode|title=Fans threaten to send back Metallica album|series=You and Yours|series-link=You and Yours|network=BBC Radio 4|airdate=October 9, 2008|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/items/01/2008_41_fri.shtml|access-date=November 24, 2008|archive-date=January 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110181020/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/items/01/2008_41_fri.shtml|url-status=live}} Sean Michaels of The Guardian explains that this is "a result of the 'loudness war'—an ongoing industry effort to make recordings as loud as possible".{{cite news|last=Michaels|first=Sean|title=Metallica Album Latest Victim in 'Loudness War'?|newspaper=Guardian|date=September 17, 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/17/metallica.guitar.hero.loudness.war|access-date=September 17, 2008|archive-date=October 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030012002/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/17/metallica.guitar.hero.loudness.war|url-status=live}} A Rolling Stone article states that Rubin was "overseeing mixes in Los Angeles while the band is in Europe, headlining shows" and only communicated with him by conference calls.{{cite magazine|last=Fricke|first=David|title=Louder Faster Stronger|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=October 2, 2008|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/23089135|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918054442/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/23089135|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 18, 2008|access-date=November 25, 2008}}

Fans have noted that these sonic problems are not present in the Guitar Hero version of the album, where the guitars, bass, drums, and vocals are presented separately due to the mechanics of the game. The tracks were sent to the game publishers prior to being compressed.{{cite magazine|last=Van Buskirk|first=Eliot|title=Analysis: Metallica's Death Magnetic Sounds Better in Guitar Hero|magazine=Wired|date=September 16, 2008|url=http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/09/does-metallicas.html|access-date=September 17, 2008|archive-date=September 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918231632/http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/09/does-metallicas.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Metallica Fans Hit Guitar Hero for Better Sound|publisher=IGN|date=September 16, 2008|url=http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/910/910469p1.html|access-date=September 18, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720033121/http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/910/910469p1.html|archive-date=July 20, 2011}} As a result, fans have shared "Guitar Hero" versions of the album. MusicRadar and Rolling Stone attribute a quote to the album's mastering engineer Ted Jensen in which he claims that "mixes were already brick-walled before they arrived" for mastering{{cite web|last=Vinnicombe|first=Chris|title=Death Magnetic Sounds Better in Guitar Hero|publisher=MusicRadar|date=September 16, 2008|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/blog-death-magnetic-sounds-better-in-guitar-hero-173961|access-date=September 18, 2008|archive-date=December 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202052453/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/blog-death-magnetic-sounds-better-in-guitar-hero-173961|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|title=Fans Complain After "Death Magnetic" Sounds Better on "Guitar Hero" Than CD|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 18, 2008|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/09/18/fans-complain-after-death-magnetic-sounds-better-on-guitar-hero-than-cd/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919234008/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/09/18/fans-complain-after-death-magnetic-sounds-better-on-guitar-hero-than-cd/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2008|access-date=September 18, 2008}} and cite a petition from fans to remix or remaster the album.

Metallica and Rubin initially declined to comment, while the band's co-manager Cliff Burnstein stated that complainers were in a minority and that response to the album had otherwise been "overwhelmingly positive".{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Ethan|title=Even Heavy-Metal Fans Complain That Today's Music Is Too Loud!!!|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=September 25, 2008|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122228767729272339|access-date=September 26, 2008|archive-date=December 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217025029/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122228767729272339|url-status=live}} Ulrich later confirmed in an interview with Blender, that some creative control regarding the album's production had been transferred to Rubin but also stressed his satisfaction with the final product.{{cite magazine|last=Yarm|first=Mark|title=Exclusive: Metallica Drummer Lars Ulrich Breaks Band's Silence on Death Magnetic Loudness Controversy|magazine=Blender|date=September 29, 2008|url=http://www.blender.com/BlenderBlogNewPost09292008/Blender-Blog/blogs/1168/42090.aspx|access-date=September 30, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231131911/http://www.blender.com/BlenderBlogNewPost09292008/Blender-Blog/blogs/1168/42090.aspx|archive-date=December 31, 2008}}{{cite magazine|last=Van Buskirk|first=Eliot|title=Lars Ulrich Responds to Death Magnetic Mixing Criticism|magazine=Wired|date=September 29, 2008|url=http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/09/lars-ulrich-res.html|access-date=September 30, 2008|archive-date=September 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930220256/http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/09/lars-ulrich-res.html|url-status=live}}

In 2015, the album was re-released on iTunes with a new "Mastered for iTunes" mastering which features an improved dynamic range and lack of distortion. Digital downloads from Metallica's official website all use the "Mastered for iTunes" version.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metallica.com/store/CTE7WW9_.html|title=Death Magnetic (Digital Download)|website=www.metallica.com|access-date=January 26, 2019|archive-date=January 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127035139/https://www.metallica.com/store/CTE7WW9_.html|url-status=live}}

Death Magnetic and its songs were nominated for five Grammy Awards at the 51st Grammy Awards on February 8, 2009, including Best Rock Album and Best Rock Instrumental Performance for "Suicide & Redemption", winning Best Metal Performance for "My Apocalypse". Rick Rubin also received the award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, and art directors Bruce Duckworth, David Turner & Sarah Moffat were awarded Best Recording Package.{{cite web|title=Grammy Award winners – Death Magnetic|publisher=Grammy.com|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=&field_nominee_work_value=%22Death+Magnetic%22&year=All&genre=All|access-date=April 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414193102/http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=&field_nominee_work_value=%22Death+Magnetic%22&year=All&genre=All|archive-date=April 14, 2015}} "The Unforgiven III" was also nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 52nd Grammy Awards. Death Magnetic was awarded Best Album in the 2009 Kerrang! Awards.

At the 2008 Metal Storm Awards, the album won Best Heavy Metal Album and Biggest Surprise.http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.todayp?year=2008 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} In January 2009, it won a Swedish Metal Award for Best International Album.{{Cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/swedish-metal-awards-winners-announced|title=Swedish Metal Awards Winners Announced|access-date=March 18, 2022|archive-date=March 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302145005/https://bravewords.com/news/swedish-metal-awards-winners-announced|url-status=live}}

Death Magnetic debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, selling 490,000 copies in just three days of availability.{{cite magazine|title=Metallica Opens At No. 1 Just Shy Of 500K|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003850483|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102212844/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003850483|url-status=dead}} It is the band's fifth consecutive studio album to debut at #1, making Metallica the first band to have five consecutive studio album releases to do so. The album marked the highest first week sales for the group since 1996's Load.{{cite magazine|title=Artist Chart History – Metallica (Albums)|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/metallica/chart-history/|access-date=September 18, 2008|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119201217/https://www.billboard.com/artist/metallica/chart-history/|url-status=live}}

According to the September 27, 2008, issue of Billboard, Death Magnetic landed at #1 on the following ten charts: Billboard 200, Billboard Comprehensive Albums, Top Rock Albums, Top Hard Rock Albums, Top Modern Rock/Alternative Albums, Top Digital Albums, Top Internet Albums, Top European Albums, Tastemakers. "The Day That Never Comes" topped the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.{{cite magazine|title=Artist Chart History – Metallica (Singles)|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/metallica/chart-history/|access-date=September 17, 2008|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119201217/https://www.billboard.com/artist/metallica/chart-history/|url-status=live}} The album stayed at #1 for three consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200, and spent 50 consecutive weeks on said chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://m.billboard.com/#/album/metallica/death-magnetic/1173281|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731120815/http://m.billboard.com/#/album/metallica/death-magnetic/1173281|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2009|title=Billboard Chart Peaks|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 16, 2014}} Internationally, it peaked at #1 in 34 countries, including Ireland, the UK, Canada and Australia.{{cite web|title=Death Magnetic peaks at #1 in 34 countries|url=http://www.euroinvestor.co.uk/news/shownewsstory.aspx?storyid=9983169|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810032801/http://www.euroinvestor.co.uk/news/story.aspx?id=9983169|archive-date=August 10, 2011}}

In addition, nearly 60,000 copies were sold digitally, making it debut at #1 on the Digital Album chart.{{cite web|last=Grein|first=Paul|title=Week Ending Sept. 14, 2008: Metallica and the Hard Rock Pantheon|work=Yahoo! Music|date=September 17, 2008|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/13450/week-ending-sept-14-2008-metallica-and-the-hard-rock-pantheon|access-date=September 17, 2008|archive-date=September 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920092854/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/13450/week-ending-sept-14-2008-metallica-and-the-hard-rock-pantheon|url-status=live}} The album debuted at #1 on the UK albums chart after three days of availability, selling 75,164 copies. It remained at #1 for two weeks and has sold over 150,000 copies to date.{{cite web|title=Official UK Charts Company|work=theofficialcharts.com|url=http://theofficialcharts.com/zoom_album.php?id=1111|access-date=September 15, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917215313/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/zoom_album.php?id=1111|archive-date=September 17, 2008}} In Canada, Death Magnetic debuted at #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-09-27/canadian-albums|title=Canadian Albums – Week of September 27, 2008|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 3, 2011}} It sold 81,000 copies in its first week, making it the second best-selling debut album of 2008 in Canada.{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/M/Metallica/2008/09/17/6793106-ca.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710025621/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/M/Metallica/2008/09/17/6793106-ca.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 10, 2012|title=Metallica's 'Death' hits No. 1|first=John|last=Williams|date=September 17, 2008|work=Jam!|access-date=April 3, 2011}} It remained the #1 album for four consecutive weeks.{{cite web|first=John|last=Williams|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/M/Metallica/2008/10/08/7018346-ca.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802182445/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/M/Metallica/2008/10/08/7018346-ca.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 2, 2012|title=Metallica's 'Magnetic' stays at No. 1|work=Jam!|date=October 8, 2008|access-date=November 11, 2010}} The album was certified 4× platinum in Canada in October 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.cria.ca/gold/1009_g.php|title=Gold & Platinum Certification – October 2009|publisher=Canadian Recording Industry Association|access-date=February 24, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308151505/http://www.cria.ca/gold/1009_g.php|archive-date=March 8, 2012}}

In Australia, Death Magnetic was the fastest selling album of 2008, selling 55,877 copies in its first full week of release.{{cite web|url=http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=6357|title=Metallica Death Magnetic Is the Fastest Selling Album of the Year|publisher=Undercover.com.au|last=Cashmere|first=Paul|date=September 22, 2008|access-date=September 24, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925031326/http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=6357|archive-date=September 25, 2008}} Death Magnetic was Australia's highest-selling record in one week since Australian Idol winner Damien Leith's The Winner's Journey, in December 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,24385451-7484,00.html|title=Metallica prove they're still No.1 with Death Magnetic|publisher=News.com.au|last=McCabe|first=Kathy|date=September 23, 2008|access-date=September 24, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923202345/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C26278%2C24385451-7484%2C00.html|archive-date=September 23, 2008}} The same success was repeated in Germany, where Death Magnetic has become the fastest selling album of 2008. Within the first three days of the album's release, Death Magnetic sold over 100,000 copies and has been certified platinum.{{cite web|url=http://www.bild.de/BILD/unterhaltung/musik/2008/09/18/metallica/bricht-deutschen-rekord-ueber-100000-verkaufte-cds-in-drei-tagen.html|title=Metallica bricht deutschen Rekord: Über 100.000 verkaufte CDs in drei Tagen – Unterhaltung|publisher=Bild.de|date=September 18, 2008|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-date=September 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909012824/http://www.bild.de/BILD/unterhaltung/musik/2008/09/18/metallica/bricht-deutschen-rekord-ueber-100000-verkaufte-cds-in-drei-tagen.html|url-status=live}} According to reports, Death Magnetic is outselling competitors in Russia and Turkey, two countries which do not have an official album chart.{{cite web|last=Gregory|first=Jason|title=Gigwise website|date=September 24, 2008|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/46296/metallicas-death-magnetic-hits-number-one-spot-in-25-countries|access-date=September 24, 2008|archive-date=April 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404121940/http://www.gigwise.com/news/46296/metallicas-death-magnetic-hits-number-one-spot-in-25-countries|url-status=live}}

In Finland, during the second week of January 2009, Death Magnetic jumped eighteen spots back up to #1 on that country's album charts within one week.{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung|url=http://finnishcharts.com/weekchart.asp?cat=a&year=2009&date=200902|title=Death Magnetic jumps from #19 to #1|publisher=Finnishcharts.com|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-date=October 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019134027/http://finnishcharts.com/weekchart.asp?cat=a&year=2009&date=200902|url-status=live}}

Death Magnetic was certified 2× platinum (two million units sold) by the RIAA on June 28, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Death%20Magnetic&artist=Metallica&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25|title=Gold and Platinum|website=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=December 31, 2009|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151606/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1|url-status=live}} As of March 2023, the album has sold 2,100,000 copies in the United States.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Simon |date=March 9, 2023 |title=Here are the astonishing US sales stats for every Metallica album |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/metallica-album-sales-us |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311130902/https://www.loudersound.com/features/metallica-album-sales-us |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |access-date=March 12, 2023 |website=Metal Hammer (loudersound) |language=en}}

{{track listing

| headline = Death Magnetic track listing

| all_lyrics = James Hetfield

| all_music = Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo

| title1 = That Was Just Your Life

| length1 = 7:10

| title2 = The End of the Line

| length2 = 7:50

| title3 = Broken, Beat & Scarred

| length3 = 6:25

| title4 = The Day That Never Comes

| length4 = 7:55

| title5 = All Nightmare Long

| length5 = 8:01

| title6 = Cyanide

| length6 = 6:41

| title7 = The Unforgiven III

| length7 = 7:47

| title8 = The Judas Kiss

| length8 = 8:02

| title9 = Suicide & Redemption

| note9 = instrumental

| length9 = 9:57

| title10 = My Apocalypse

| length10 = 5:01

| total_length = 74:54

}}

The deluxe edition of the album included a bonus CD titled Demo Magnetic, which consisted of demo versions of the tracks on the album with working titles, and a bonus DVD depicting the making of the album.

{{Track listing

| headline = Demo Magnetic

| title1 = Hi Guy

| note1 = "That Was Just Your Life"

| length1 = 7:11

| title2 = Neinteen

| note2 = "The End of the Line"

| length2 = 7:35

| title3 = Black Squirrel

| note3 = "Broken, Beat & Scarred"

| length3 = 6:13

| title4 = Casper

| note4 = "The Day That Never Comes"

| length4 = 8:15

| title5 = Flamingo

| note5 = "All Nightmare Long"

| length5 = 7:59

| title6 = German Soup

| note6 = "Cyanide"

| length6 = 6:31

| title7 = UN3

| note7 = "The Unforgiven III"

| length7 = 7:50

| title8 = Gymbag

| note8 = "The Judas Kiss"

| length8 = 7:55

| title9 = K2LU

| note9 = "Suicide & Redemption"; instrumental

| length9 = 9:30

| title10 = Ten

| note10 = "My Apocalypse"

| length10 = 5:18

| total_length = 74:17

}}

• Experience 2

:A physical copy of the Death Magnetic CD.

• Experience 4

:A box set of Death Magnetic on five 180-gram vinyl LP records, with five individual sleeves and a Mission: Metallica lithograph. This set was limited to 5,000 copies; 50 limited-edition copies in white vinyl were also later released.{{cite web|title=Mission: Metallica (Calendar)|work=missionmetallica.com|url=http://www.missionmetallica.com/calendar|access-date=September 18, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918044603/http://www.missionmetallica.com/calendar|archive-date=September 18, 2008}}

• The Box Magnetic

:A collector's edition white coffin-shaped box which includes the deluxe edition of Death Magnetic,{{cite web|title=Death Magnetic (Death in a Coffin) Rozm. XL|work=empik.com|language=pl|url=http://www.empik.com/death-magnetic-death-in-a-coffin-rozm-xl-muzyka,prod2270046,p|access-date=September 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912171513/http://www.empik.com/death-magnetic-death-in-a-coffin-rozm-xl-muzyka,prod2270046,p|archive-date=September 12, 2008|url-status=dead}} along with additional "making of" footage not on the bonus DVD, an exclusive T-shirt with the Death Magnetic logo, a flag, guitar picks, a backstage pass, a fold-out coffin-shaped poster with the members of Metallica and a collector's credit card with a code for a free download of a performance in Europe in September.{{cite web|url=http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=601002|title=The Box Magnetic (Death in a Coffin)|publisher=metallica.com|access-date=July 9, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080711193612/http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=601002|archive-date=July 11, 2008}}{{cite news|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|title=Metallica Boxes Up 'Death Magnetic'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044824/metallica-boxes-up-death-magnetic|access-date=June 16, 2013|newspaper=Billboard|date=July 10, 2008|archive-date=September 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914201515/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044824/metallica-boxes-up-death-magnetic|url-status=live}} This set was limited to 2,000 copies.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Metallica

• James Hetfield – vocals, rhythm guitar, guitar solo on "Suicide & Redemption", piano on "Unforgiven III"
• Kirk Hammett – lead guitar
• Robert Trujillo – bass
• Lars Ulrich – drums

Additional musicians

• David Campbell – orchestration on "The Unforgiven III"

{{col-2}}

Production

• Rick Rubin – production
• Greg Fidelman – engineering, mixing, recording
• Andrew Scheps – mixing
• Mike Gillies – additional recording
• Ted Jensen – mastering
• Dan Monti – digital editing

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=== Weekly charts ===

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|type=album|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=P&Tipo=0&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|title=Discos de Oro y Platino|publisher=Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531185849/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=P&Tipo=0&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|certyear=2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|relmonth=09|certyear=2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2008|relmonth=09|certyear=2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|id=6951}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|salesamount=79,415|access-date=August 14, 2013}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=GCC|relyear=2009|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|certyear=2010|type=album|award=Platinum|access-date=August 28, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|relyear=2008|certyear=2019|type=album|award=Gold|number=5|access-date=May 25, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|id=20081201113957|refname=GRE}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Hungary|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|access-date=May 4, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|nocert=true|salesamount=60,000|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |title=Le Cifre de Vendita - Album|work=Musica e dischi|access-date=August 22, 2021|page=8|url-status=dead|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125084131/http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |archive-date=January 25, 2016 }}|note=sales in 2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|certmonth=9}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|access-date=August 17, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|certyear=2018|source=radioscope|access-date=December 31, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|artist=Metallica|title=Death magnetic|relyear=2008|salesamount=64,000|region=Norway|nocert=true|salesref={{Cite web |url=http://www.seher.no/799111/sissel-er-verdensrekord-holder |title=Sissel er verdensrekord-holder |access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224180359/http://www.seher.no/799111/sissel-er-verdensrekord-holder|archive-date=December 24, 2009|url-status=dead }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=album|award=Diamond|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|relyear=2008|certyear=2016|date=November 30, 2016|access-date=November 30, 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|source=archive|access-date=December 23, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Russia|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|access-date=December 23, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=2008|relyear=2008|id=metallica-death-magnetic|access-date=October 23, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|certyear=2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Turkey|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|id=1717-2158-2|salesamount=300,000 ^{{{double dagger}}} / 330,398|salesref={{cite news|url=http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-little-mix-top-albums-chart-with-glory-days/066688|title=Official Charts Analysis: Little Mix top albums chart with Glory Days|last=Jones|first=Alan|date=November 25, 2016|work=Music Week|publisher=Intent Media|access-date=November 25, 2016|url-access=subscription|archive-date=February 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213204459/http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-little-mix-top-albums-chart-with-glory-days/066688|url-status=live}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|salesamount=2,000,000 ^{^} / 2,100,000|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|title=Death Magnetic|artist=Metallica|type=album|award=Platinum|certyear=2008|relyear=2008}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Metallica}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Death Magnetic}}

Category:2008 albums

Category:Albums produced by Rick Rubin

Category:Albums recorded at Shangri-La (recording studio)

Category:Albums recorded at Sound City Studios

Category:Cthulhu Mythos music

Category:Metallica albums

Category:Progressive metal albums by American artists

Category:Vertigo Records albums

Category:Warner Records albums