Engineer Ian Shepherd compared a number of albums for dynamic range, the key element in the "loudness war." Death Magnetic topped his list - but lost significant amounts of sonic detail in the process.

The 2008 title scored a dynamic range rating of DR3, compared to the band's 1991 Black Album, which was much lower on the list at DR11. The least-loudest was Dire Strait's Brothers In Arms at DR16.

Shepherd says in his Production Advice blog: "Why is it crazy? Because it doesn't work. None of these 'loudness' differences will be audible in any of the most popular places we listen to music." Read more including the loudness list - here.

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