Hey there g1's! Last Friday I was stocked to get Metallica's new album "Death Magnetic" (I could've pirated it.. but didn't want to, because of religious reasons *cough*). I managed to get the last copy in my local music store (damn I was happy about that), I go home to listen to my new epic music CD.. and then I put it on. "WHAT? IS MY MUSIC SYSTEM BROKEN?" That's what I first thought when I put "Death Magnetic" on. I tried it on different systems.. but it wasn't me. By the time I put my computer on, internet forums were littered with fans complaining about the miserable audio quality of "Death Magnetic". Now, don't get me wrong: the music on the album is absolute greatness, but the audio quality is abominable: it sounds.. wrong. Now, I could live with this If Metallica (or atleast their record label) acknowledged this and put things straight (for example, giving remastered versions to all people who bought the original CD.. hell, I would rebuy "Death Magnetic" even without that), but up to now no-one has replied yet. However, the sound engineers and the mastering engineer have made several blogs on the subject matter, and they basically blame Metallica and their producer, Rick Rubin. Chris Athens, one of the sound engineers, wrote the following: "Rick Rubin and Metallica are solely responsible for the end product. They gave the directions, they approved it. They are not rookies and no one at the label can ever bully these guys into anything. Both parties are 800 pound gorillas in the music industry. These guys are smart and in control. You and I may not like their taste, but it's not a Chris Athens record. It's a metallica record and this is what they want to give the record buying public. Only Metallica and Rick know why it sounds like it does." Now, I wouldn't post this here If this had nothing to do with videogames.. but it has: the mix used for Guitar Hero sounds better. You heard me right: the mix for GUITAR HERO is better than the RETAIL CD. This really pissed me off when I first heard this: I paid 20 euros for a poorly mixed album, but people who have paid way less get a good version? What a paradox. For this, I totally agree with Paster of Muppets at the Metallica forums: "[A guy said Metallica wouldn't be able to remix, because they got a busy shedule ahead] ... You're right. They would want to be there. It would probably go down like this. Studio guy: "Guys, we are dropping the levels on all the individual tracks so it will sound like it should to remove the distortion" Metallica: "Cool sounds good" Total elapsed time 30 seconds. See if you can fit that into their schedule please. By the way tell James I said hi. " I advice anyone who got ripped off by this, to go to The Pirate Bay.com and search for "Metallica - Death Magnetic - v.GHIII".. and enjoy the album you just rebought. If you didn't get it yet: buy the Guitar Hero version: it really is that much better. If you don't believe me, look at this: The above is the Guitar Hero version (with all the dynamics music should have), and the bottom version is the "brick wall" of the CD version. Please, Metallica, RE-RELEASE THIS! The current CD is just unhearable.