The period between Death Magnetic and Hardwired ... to Self-Destruct albums is Metallica 's longest gap without considering the band 's collaboration with Lou Reed .
It is their first studio album in eight years following Death Magnetic ( 2008 ) , marking the longest gap between two studio albums in the band 's career ( not counting the band 's poorly received collaboration album with Lou Reed , Lulu ) .
Hardwired... to Self-Destruct