“Magnetic” redemption

In 2011, Metallica marked their 30th anniversary in the most random and unexpected way. 

 "Lulu," their out-of-nowhere collaboration with The Velvet Underground's Lou Reed, could have ruined a lesser band's career and made "I am the table!" an Internet meme briefly when it came out last November. Fans were merciless in expressing their hatred for the album, and their dismay was not unwarranted.

While that abomination dominated the news, somewhat under the radar, the band released "Beyond Magnetic" on iTunes on Dec. 13. Consisting of four songs recorded alongside their 2008 comeback album "Death Magnetic," this EP (which, for those who don't remember the days of physically buying music, stands for "Extended Play," and means a shorter album) was ostensibly meant to mark the band's anniversary. After the fallout from "Lulu," however, it seems more like the band's way of saying "Sorry we screwed up!"

The opening track, "Hate Train," sounds like an uninspired mash of some of the band's old songs.  The opening riff will make listeners check twice to see if they put on "Fuel" by mistake, and the bridge in the middle drifts off into the faux-moodiness of "The Unforgiven."

Next, "Just a Bullet Away" is not terrible instrumentally, but is brought down by very bad lyrics. The band's sometimes-fatalistic themes made for some great songs like "Fade to Black" and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" 25 years ago, but it does not quite sound sincere today, especially coming from rich middle-aged guys

Things get better on "Hell and Back," though it still is hard to get used to James Hetfield's smoother, almost Southern Rock-style voice that he has used in recent years.  Not a bad song, but his old snarl would be welcome back any time (if his voice allows it at his age).

The final track, "Rebel of Babylon," is easily the best, and better than some of what made it onto "Death Magnetic." The song has Kirk Hammet wailing away on his guitar as beautifully as he used to do. This is the one track where it sounds like the band is having fun and just playing, instead of trying too hard to recapture their old thunder.

Overall, the EP seems more like the few bonus songs that would be on a re-release of an older album than a proper new release.  Still, all things considered, it is not that bad.

Remember when "Death Magnetic" first came out? No, it could not hold a candle to classics like "Ride the Lightning" or "Master of Puppets," but after a decade-and-a-half of wandering the musical wilderness, it was great to hear Metallica playing metal again.

Similarly, "Beyond Magnetic" will likely be a minor footnote in the band's catalogue for only their most complete-ist fans, but they at least redeem themselves for "Lulu."

Well, almost.

"Beyond Magnetic" receives 3 out of 5 stars.