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My favorite Metallica song by far is the four horseman. This complex in this complicated to be on a debut album is nothing short of amazing. I'd love to see you tackle it some time, I'm interested to see what your opinions are.
A deeper cut from Metallica that is a favourite of mine is no remorse off of kill em all it is less produced than their later stuff but the rawness of it is part of why I like it the song is super busy with lots of different guitar parts throughout would love to hear your opinion on it.
Metallica first ballad, absolutely masterclass, crazy solos, and these lyrics are insane. P.S. Combination of acoustic guitar and electric make this song on of top 5 metal songs all of time.
You are totally right! It is WAY better to listen to the "Album" Version, before hearing the live one. It annoys me when people hear the "Live" one first, the artist crafted every piece of their personality in the album's presentation, without limits on area, stamina, and environmental acoustics etc. After hearing the album version, the appreciation of a timeless live performance increases exponentially. Especially on particularly "Dramatic" and dynamically complex parts.
@@nigeldepledge3790 I can definitely think of worse, but they're not perfect either. Especially at the shows where Lars decides to f*ck with the timing and leave the guitars waiting to see when he will decide to go into another section, so they can begin the next part.
I was 14 when this album came out and going through some very dark times, this song saved me. Every word in the lyrics was what I was feeling but the final solo was so inspiring, so uplifting so impactful that it showed me that there was a little light within the darkness and there was hope... I'm 53 now and have had battled depression all my life yet this song is my life line...
Yep. These lyrics were what I was going to leave on my note but somehow at 15 I was too afraid to do it. I’m glad I didn’t and anytime I hear this song it’s hard to keep from crying.
Same here. I listened to this song every day when I was 15. I wasn't sure I wanted life and felt alone. This song made me realize that I wasn't the only one with those feelings and that probably saved my life.
I feel kids and young adults missed out on all the amazing music we got in the late 80’s-2005 from all genres. Life was so much simpler then music, friends, and family.
As a longtime Metallica fan, my favourite two songs are Master of Puppets and Fade to Black… so it’s funny that those are your first two songs that you’ve checked out. Both songs are epic, contain great change ups, and utilise light and shade expertly. I absolutely love these songs. A few more from my own top 10 that you might enjoy would be: - Welcome Home (Sanitarium) - The Call of Ktulu (instrumental) - One - The Four Horsemen And for a point of difference, some of their alternative, definitely non-metal tracks: - The Outlaw Torn - The Unforgiven - Until it Sleeps
You would really enjoy Orion. This is an instrumental that needs no lyrics. The instruments tell the story. It's a ride with many emotions. When I hear the middle section I sometimes get emotional because it reminds me of the old days.
Love the reaction! You have to check out the song One by Metallica! It’s one of the most emotionally powerful songs ever written on the effects war can have on an individual. Compositionally, it’s similar to Fade to Black in that it seems like two songs in one, but the differences are going to be more stark.
Such a beautiful song that helped me through some of the darkest points in my life. This song was not encouraging suicid* but rather showing people that they were not alone in their sorrow and despair and it comforted them. It’s the same old thing of people calling all rock music devil music without truly listening to it. An egregious misunderstanding of what can often be one of the most beautiful forms of music. Love seeing new ears give this band a listen. Hope you check out more from them.
Yeah it’s true and there’s pastors on UA-cam that like Metallica it’s not devilish songs like lesper messiah may seem satanic but it’s referencing the priests in mega churches like Keneth Copeland if who asks people to donate convincing them that money is the key to heaven
@themusickingdom Wow....I love this review. The way you put the song into context with age and everything else ìs really refreshing. I've been a Metallica fan since 1989, and usually very defensive of critique. But you've done an outstanding job with objective analysis. And especially with this song Fade to Black, which was dear to me when I was in my teens. And I still appreciate now. Thank you for your analysis and channel More Metallica please! Thank you Tom 🙂
Like so many people that claim that this song saved them I can also include myself in that group. I just put my headphones on and listen and feel it all. By the time the song ends with the outro solos I am in tears and feel alive again. Metallica will always be a huge gift and part of my life. Thank you for saving so many of us through your music. Long live Metallica.
Going back about 30 years,I saw them play this live more than once.Add some beer,and it rates a 9.Creeping Death is a 9.75.It was so different that it took many listens to get it,but once I did...Metallica became the soundtrack of my teen years.
I'm 43yo and call myself a metalhead since around 30 years . I grew up with Metallica , they are one of my favourite bands and " Fade to black " is one of my favourits by them . \m/
I'd like to add to the analysis how well the guitars 'speak'. In the beginning they were like veiling and crying and in the end there was this rush of chaos and adrenaline when the subject of the story goes through his plan and finally fades to black.
In my opinion, the next song you should review by metallica is "One", in my opinion is one of the, if not the best written song in their catalog, the story telling is simply amazing, the composition is also just perfect, it really drives even further the imagery they are painting with the words
If you're on metal you should give Pantera a listen...Legendary band. "Cemetery gates" is a good get your foot in the door song. Rip dimebag and Vinney (guitarist and drummer that both passed, dimebag shot on stage during a performance)😢
Funny fact about this song: Since James was still new to singing clean he had trouble staying on key so if you listen super closely you can hear him using a keyboard to help him match the key
Well done as usual. I think that's a very accurate score for this song. It's in my top 10 for them, the back half. My favorite Metallica songs are probably not your cup of tea (I'm not as highbrow). Am I Evil, Disposable Heroes, and Battery are probably my favorites. Whisky in the Jar is good for kindler gentler Metallica...
"I was me, but now he's gone" I don't know how to explain this line, I'm not native English speaking. but it hits home to all those days of being down and out, but then the sheer force and anger of "this can't be it" kicks back in. I can highly relate to this song, being diagnosed as depressive. no pity needed, just let me say - this song is a great piece of art we should all appreciate. I will never not cry to this song and I'm damn well proud of it.
I could not agree more and I am a native English speaker. This line has made my my soul do weird stuff for 30ish years. This band...is just different. Or they were for a time...any maybe again.....or hit a point of seeing too much stuff on the road for years for long stretches of time. a previous post about them being 17-20 says alot. Unreal the talent....and they are 60 now. Look up how many Black albums were sold...It's mind-blowing
By their own admission, many people have said this song literally saved their life when they were feeling suicidal. It's an utterly brilliant and transcendent song. Also, not every song from every band is better live. Always do the studio version first
When I was quite young there was a college radio station called Lock 88, and one of the djs played Fade to Black at the end of every broadcast. That station, and her set in particular were very enlightening for my musical tastes
In addition to checking One by Metallica, check My Friend Of Misery, my personal favorite out of The Black Album and like several songs on the album it talks about the lead singer (James) and his anger issues, dealing with those myself it’s super meaningful to me and so underrated
how have I not come across your channel before, great review, and really really like the format you provide, liked and subbed. greetings from a metal head up North on this marble in space.
as soon as the song kicks in 55 seconds in, i get goosebumps every single time even though ive listened to this song thousands of times. it is so masterfully crafted.
One of my favorite Metallica songs. The intro gives me goosebumps and if I’m in my car I crank it LOUD. Favorite songs by them 1) Fade to Black 2) For Whom the Bell Tolls 3) One 4) Master of Puppets 5)Sad but True
Wow, very polished and professional video. I’m surprised you don’t have more subs. I love the format and the fact that y’all sound so knowledgeable, the experts corner part was very cool and informative.
Their best song live In which I saw Cliff play live That is 1985 Day on the Green For whom the bell tolls Which is base on the book of the same name Cliff's opening bass solo will blow ur mind
The one thing I completely agree with you on (especially with Metallica) is to listen to the studio version and do it multiple times before you hear the live version. Fade to Black is my “favorite” Metallics song and always has been. I’ll give you my top 20 Metallica songs, but just understand it’s so hard to create a top 20 of this band. 25-30% of their songs are so interchangeable in rankings. 1) Fade to Black 2) Master of Puppets 3) One 4) Unforgiven (original) 5) Welcome Home (Sanitarium) 6) The Four Horsemen 7) Battery 8) Creeping Death (live makes it what it is) 9) Wherever I May Roam 10) For Whom the Bell Tolls 11) Disposable Heroes 12) Bleeding Me 13) Blackened 14)Enter Sandman 15) Ride the Lightning 16) Nothing Else Matters 17)Seek and Destroy 18) And Justice For All 19) The Day That Never Comes 20) Sad But True I could keep going on and as there are so many more i feel this list is inadequate as a Metallica fan. I’m leaving off a lot of “deep cuts” and I know you like deep cuts so maybe I’ll subscribe and we can continue the journey of the rabbit hole of Metallica! Edit: I wanna add I did not include any instrumentals in this list. There are 3 instrumentals from Metallica that I could absolutely fit in this list (Call of Ktulu, Orion, and To Live is to Die)
I have 6 Metallica songs to recommend to you from different points in their career. 1. "Metal Militia" from their debut album, Kill 'Em All. This song represents a starting point for guys who were 18-20 years old at the time the album was released. 2. "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" from their third album, Master of Puppets. This was the first Metallica song I ever heard (I was 11 years old at the time) and is a big reason why I got hooked on the band in general. 3. "Orion" also from Master of Puppets. This instrumental is widely considered bassist Cliff Burton's magnum opus. You will understand why when you hear it. 4. "Dyer's Eve" from their fourth album, ...And Justice For All. Most are going to recommend "One" from this album, but I think that song is not only over analyzed as it is, but it is also definitely not a "deep cut" song for Metallica the way "Dyer's Eve" is. 5. "Through the Never" off their self titled fifth album, also known colloquially as "The Black Album" (or as James Hatfield called it, None More Black). 6. "The Outlaw Torn" from their sixth album, Load. This song, while both a departure from their usual sound and not a hugely complex song in and of itself, it is a deep soulful song and is still in keeping with their signature style and shows some of the breadth and scope of their abilities as a band. From these, you can see just how far they grew and developed musically in just their first 6-7 albums (tonally, Load and Reload are virtually identical and can almost be considered two halves of the same album). From here, you can select any track off of Death Magnetic, Hardwired to Self-Destruct, and 72 Seasons and see how their previous efforts have colored their three newest albums. Their eighth album, St Anger, is a wildly different album tonally and musically from all of their other work, to the point that it's difficult to recognize it as a Metallica album because it is such a huge departure from their established and versatile style.
Cliff, their late bass player, was in many ways Metallica's special weapon. He was a brilliant musician and songwriter and his loss affected the band in many ways, and they've never been the same since his death imo.
Absolutely. He was a special musician and was their entire source for music theory. Metallica's music became more average, then bad, with every album after his death. I still feel Cliff's loss and hearing his music makes my hair stand up.
Eh, I'd say AJFA is just as good as the first 3 albums. After that, you can see their creativity start to drop off. Maybe Cliff had more to do with AJFA before he died than we think
@@ImThe5thKing You're right. Justice is a great album. You can definitely tell there is a sizable shift, but not in a bad way. If only they kept in that direction. Also, imagine Justice with Cliff's sweet noodling. Or any bass for that matter. The black album is not without its nuggets, but there's a steep decline. We will not discuss what came after lol.
Well done guys, nice reaction. HUGE Metallica fan, your assessments are rather accurate, in my opinion. They caught a lot of flak mostly for the musical composition, not the lyrical content. This song was a great struggle for the band but, in hindsight, was an incredible indicator of the band’s future. As an “80’s metal band”, it was thrash, power and screaming riffs that got you attention. But, as “artists”, they had other sounds in their heads. Some of their initial fan base was not having any ballad. BUT…a lot of their fans came to realize that they were enjoying this blend of melodic & heavy. Very confusing at the time. Metallica is quite the wormhole. Where do you want to go? There is TONS of power (Battery, Disposable Heroes, Creeping Death, Blackened…the list is LONG), melodic (much of their Load & Reload albums), symphonic (their 2 S&M albums are backed by full symphony) and even a spot of country (Mama Said). I agree with others…your next dive should be “One”, for sure. Really the moment they launched into super-stardom. I look forward to more reactions!
Very nice reaction!! You should check out Kingston Wall - Shine On Me. The genre is psychedelic rock and it's so well composed. It's sad that they didn't get the recognition they deserved when their highly talented guitarist and singer was still alive.
I have a friend that listens to pop and kpop. When we were hanging out we started talking about music and i decided to send her some metallica songs. I sent her Sanitarium, Seek & Destroy and Fade to black. It ended up with her adding every song to her playlist with her liking Fade to Black the most
This takes me back to 2006 or so, I'm at the bowling alley playing pool. There was a pool shark there taking everyone's money and I'm playing him. I'm losing atm and someone plays this song on the jukebox and I get in the zone and I come back and take every penny from him 😅 this has been and will always be one of my favorite songs by them.
I've always been a Metallica fan having grown up with them. This song was really helpful in my teen years as it was extremely identifiable. This album came out before master of puppets. If you want to check out their composition mastery check out their instrumental tracks. Especially Orion and call of ktulu.
My favourite song of all time. The intro solo is the best of any song ever written. I first picked up a guitar at 13 just to be able to play that intro. I made the decision this would be my funeral song at 15.... That was 17 years ago and no song has taken its place.
Music kingdom hi I have been fan of Metallica since I was 13 years old since 1983 over 40 years now 🤘🤘🤘 I grew up with Metallica my favourite songs are screaming suiclde the more I see enter sandman wherever I may roam From KIM Alexandra jacobs Melbourne Australia
Heads up, if you ever gonna listen to them live. Do Live in Moscow 91 or Seattle 89. Only coz they were at their Prime. 1. Enter Sandman (Live in Moscow) 2. Fade to Black (live in Moscow) 3. Master of puppets( Seattle 89) 4. Creeping Death( live in Moscow
I don't know if I'd call "Fade to Black" a "power ballad". _Ballad_ to me implies some sort of love story/love lost topic, which this clearly isn't (unless I suppose you're talking about love lost for yourself). It also doesn't follow the standard verse/chorus structure typical of rock ballads...I've never taken it as a ballad, anyway. This also wasn't their first promotional single--that honor went to "Whiplash" from the Kill 'Em All album. As far as commercial airplay, they really didn't get much of any except on explicit _metal_ stations or shows; that didn't really change until after "One" was released 4 years later. The mid '80s were a weird time for music, and metal music in particular took the blame for a lot of stuff. There were actual court trials involving hard rock/metal musicians being blamed for suicides & crimes committed by their supposed fans, culminating in several musicians testifying in Congress as to what their music was really about; in the end, they wound up creating the "Parental Advisory" stickers which we're all used to now. I don't recall "Fade to Black" being singled out over the subject matter, but that could well have been because they were less well known than artists like Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne at the time. FWIW, I do not recall very much blowback from the fans over this song, either. It was a slower pace than their previous tracks (pretty much _everything_ was slower than their previous tracks at that point), but it was still definitively Metallica. The real criticisms among Metallifans wouldn't really come until the Black album (and more so after later releases). I'm sure there were a few, but there are _always_ a few. This is my favorite Metallica song (by a pretty significant margin). Others to check out should definitely include "One", which was of course the single that truly broke Metallica into the mainstream. I'd also suggest "Creeping Death", "Harvester of Sorrow" (my screenname actually comes from that song), and "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth" for a taste of what Cliff Burton could do on the bass.
No other band sounds like Metallica!!! The anger and rawness of these young boys back in the 80's gives this music so much feeling and heart!!! To all the haters who say these guys somehow "sold out," this is an album intended for sale!!! These guys wanted to see finacial return for pouring their souls into this production!! To do that, the music needs to be appetizing to its audience!!! Death, Speed, Black, Dark, Thrash metal is not enjoyed by people because its harder to digest. Takes a special ear if you will.... Mettallica bridged an important gap beyween popular heavy music and the obscure. Thaks for a great reaction. Peace
As I recall, one of the reasons the gear being stolen effected him so much was one of the pieces was an amp his mother had bought him before she passed.
THis song was never a favorite of mine but it totally hits. So funny to look back and think Metalica was selling out" with this song. I really think power/metal ballads landed for good three years earlier with Def Leppard's "Bringing on the Heartbreak." Yes, D-Lep went Pop Metal after that. Anyway, growing up during that time every metal band after that had one on every album.
Top 5 metal song of all time, compositional masterpiece, guitar solo of the decade, lyrically confronting and controversial, life changing track... yeah, nah solid 8
I've been a Metallica fan since '91. I've seen them live 11 times on two continents. I could see them 10 shows in a row, and if they played this song every night, I wouldn't be upset. This song, along with several others really resonate with me. If you were note versed with Metal music - Master of Puppets is a hell of a song to dip your toe into. There are others from the album that are a "better" way to start. If you continue down the Metallica rabbit hole, I would highly encourage you to listen to the instrumentals. They have 5 total, and they are just beyond amazing Pulling Teeth (anesthesia) - Kill 'em All The Call of Ktulu - Ride the Lightning Orion - Master of Puppets To Live Is To Die - ...And Justice For All (probably my favorite) Suicide & Redemption - Death Magnetic
Another 'ballad' you should listen to is 'Beyond The Realms Of Death' by Judas Priest. Would be interested to hear your comments on the music, lyrics, and vocals. Love your analysis of the metal songs!
Metallica better live? Yeah, they were back in the 80s to early 90s. Not today. All respect but they're just very well past their prime. Seattle '89 and Moscow '91.
It think Remember Tomorrow by Iron Maiden (1980) has highly influenced Metallica writing this song esp on ballad-hard-ballad-hard composition style. Also the riff in the bridge has been influenced by Black Sabbath. Great reaction/review.
PLEASE react to VH1 Behind The Music Metallica. The full version (only about 45 minutes). Metallica is one of "the big 4" bands that started the speed metal or thrash metal genre. But you NEED to know their story. These guys have huge hearts. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll triple your subs in one day!
I think one of the elements that gets lost when listening to this album is that we take the production somewhat for granted. Flemming Rasmussen, the engineer and producer leans towards a very straightforward production obviously, with an emphasis on making the guitars in the drums much more razor-sharp as opposed to the somewhat fuzzy production on their debut record. There was a bit more money obviously and the band opted to stay in Denmark or the rates were cheaper so that they could spend more time with the album than doing it in the states. What we don't tend to remember is that prior to this metal guitars were simply not this crunchy. There is a very massive amount of distortion guitars that is wrangled and beaten into submission by James Hetfield's Precision Rhythm playing. The way he Palm mute the low strings to make it a much more percussive sound was a key element in the difference between metal and thrash metal in terms of execution musically. Without the seemingly effortless production, it would have been a giant mess sonically. Metal is a genre where you were trying to get the instruments to sound natural but also everything needs to be big, if not bigger, if not biggest. So where does one decide which element is going to be the key that jumps out at you when everything is supposed to sound huge? It is a interesting dance, and one that these Metallica records helped sonically shape into what would become the new standard for Hard Rock and metal recordings going forward.
I think you would enjoy some of Opeth's work, I would recommend as a starter, Burden or To Rid the Disease, then of you want to get on the heavier side of the band, listen to Ghost of Perdition, they have lots of constradting parts like the acoustic parts of this song and lately have by far been my favourite band
One of their greatest! And you can hear it later in Unforgiven songs, so much so, that if they weren't all Metallica songs theyd probably be fighting over copyright infringement, but I guess you cannot plagiarize yourself!
If you like metal guitar solos try something like Pantera - Cemetary Gates, another power ballad. Jerry Cantrell from Alice in Chains has some really nice solos, say Man in the Box or Love, Hate, Love. For something not metal but by a total guitar god try Frank Zappa - Black Napkins.
I had this on cassette when the album was hot off the press. . . . Now, SO many years later, I just now noticed the lightning is in a M (duh, for Metallica!) shape. Something so obvious, that no one mentioned it. . . . Don't I feel like an idiot!
Coming from a pure metal head and I’m sure your learning were very protective of it and ready to lash out at anyone being negative.. that being said you and your partner give a very informative and professional view the times I have stoped by your channel I’ve left with more knowledge about something I thought I knew everything there was to know about metal… Fuckn badass review
I would like you to listen to Orion. An epic instrumental that needs no lyrics to take you on a journey. I’ll be waiting to see your reaction to this masterpiece.
Although I was a bit thrown off by our Black Sabbath and Dio reviews, which in comparison with Tool f.i. (-as far as any comparison is justified!) scored too high. Dio is an absolute legend and a great singer, compositionwise we're talking powermetal, which in itsself rises above the three minute radio stuff but doesn't peak at what f.i. Metallica does here. Having said that, this was a review nearly spot on. You missed a few things, but for a first time listener, you managed to shake out more than anyone else including myself. Two important things that maybe would have influenced the composition score would be the drum rhythms. As with the melody in Master of Puppets it artistically represents a heartbeat. Then the ending solo. You'd need a deeper knowledge of where these musicians came from. Kirk Hammett was a student of Joe Satriani, and Kirk used -on alternating licks- a ton of double repeating - almost signature saitriani licks, the phrasing however falls in line with the rhythms coming to an end (or a fade if you will) , it sort of breathes (going down, going back up asf) coming to a final high to the final arrest. Musically most noteable is that a metal song is written in a major key while having minor phrasing, and shifts keys, something that is hardly ever done (anymore). Nevertheless very impressive review and blind analysis. Still waiting for you to pick Dream Theater. But beware a dream theater album is a story divided on a single or multiple albums. A cool song would be Metropolis Pt2. See ya next time!
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Anything I really need to hear? Personalized song & album reviews!👇🏼
ko-fi.com/musickingdom/commissions
Agree or disagree? Favorite Metallica songs? Metal recommendations? Share your thoughts!
My favorite Metallica song by far is the four horseman. This complex in this complicated to be on a debut album is nothing short of amazing. I'd love to see you tackle it some time, I'm interested to see what your opinions are.
Sorry I forgot to edit it. Talk-to-text is such a wonderful thing. But I think you get the gist of what I was trying to say. LOL
could you do pull harder on the strings of your martyr by trivium? thatd be awesome, great channel anyway cant wait for new vids
A deeper cut from Metallica that is a favourite of mine is no remorse off of kill em all it is less produced than their later stuff but the rawness of it is part of why I like it the song is super busy with lots of different guitar parts throughout would love to hear your opinion on it.
Disagree. Fade to Black is a really great song, but compared to so many of their other songs (including Master of Puppets) it’s a measly 7 IMO.
Imagine these guys being 20-21 years old writing this masterpiece…..🤯…..shows you the otherworldly talents they posess
THIS
try 18-19
Imagine being as old as that guy and never hearing Metallica.
@@kuntox666 discovering them for the first time was the best feeling ever
Metallica first ballad, absolutely masterclass, crazy solos, and these lyrics are insane.
P.S. Combination of acoustic guitar and electric make this song on of top 5 metal songs all of time.
That contrast is intoxicating.
You are totally right! It is WAY better to listen to the "Album" Version, before hearing the live one. It annoys me when people hear the "Live" one first, the artist crafted every piece of their personality in the album's presentation, without limits on area, stamina, and environmental acoustics etc. After hearing the album version, the appreciation of a timeless live performance increases exponentially. Especially on particularly "Dramatic" and dynamically complex parts.
Well said!
Yeah, also, Metallica is just about the worst band live, judging from videos I've seen and live tracks that they put on their singles' b-sides.
@@nigeldepledge3790 I can definitely think of worse, but they're not perfect either. Especially at the shows where Lars decides to f*ck with the timing and leave the guitars waiting to see when he will decide to go into another section, so they can begin the next part.
Facts. Especially with a song like Fade to Black, they do it very differently live and it’s doesn’t hit quite as the studio version.
I disagree. Metallica is one of the few bands that sounds better live than in the studio. Just go liaten to any KEA song for an example.
I was 14 when this album came out and going through some very dark times, this song saved me. Every word in the lyrics was what I was feeling but the final solo was so inspiring, so uplifting so impactful that it showed me that there was a little light within the darkness and there was hope... I'm 53 now and have had battled depression all my life yet this song is my life line...
Yep. These lyrics were what I was going to leave on my note but somehow at 15 I was too afraid to do it. I’m glad I didn’t and anytime I hear this song it’s hard to keep from crying.
Same here. I listened to this song every day when I was 15. I wasn't sure I wanted life and felt alone. This song made me realize that I wasn't the only one with those feelings and that probably saved my life.
My dad showed me this and I instantly understood why he loves this, it is an instrumental masterpiece
That solo is a masterpiece
Kirk shines, f the haytuzz
Yes.
I feel kids and young adults missed out on all the amazing music we got in the late 80’s-2005 from all genres. Life was so much simpler then music, friends, and family.
As a longtime Metallica fan, my favourite two songs are Master of Puppets and Fade to Black… so it’s funny that those are your first two songs that you’ve checked out.
Both songs are epic, contain great change ups, and utilise light and shade expertly. I absolutely love these songs.
A few more from my own top 10 that you might enjoy would be:
- Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
- The Call of Ktulu (instrumental)
- One
- The Four Horsemen
And for a point of difference, some of their alternative, definitely non-metal tracks:
- The Outlaw Torn
- The Unforgiven
- Until it Sleeps
You would really enjoy Orion. This is an instrumental that needs no lyrics. The instruments tell the story. It's a ride with many emotions. When I hear the middle section I sometimes get emotional because it reminds me of the old days.
They need Orion 2
To Live Is To Die by Metallica is one of my favorite pieces of music. Really think you'd enjoy the rollercoaster that song will take you on.
Another one with beautiful composition in parts.
Love the reaction! You have to check out the song One by Metallica! It’s one of the most emotionally powerful songs ever written on the effects war can have on an individual. Compositionally, it’s similar to Fade to Black in that it seems like two songs in one, but the differences are going to be more stark.
the transition between the softer and heavier sound is also amazing in "one"
Definitely One.
Such a beautiful song that helped me through some of the darkest points in my life. This song was not encouraging suicid* but rather showing people that they were not alone in their sorrow and despair and it comforted them. It’s the same old thing of people calling all rock music devil music without truly listening to it. An egregious misunderstanding of what can often be one of the most beautiful forms of music. Love seeing new ears give this band a listen. Hope you check out more from them.
Yeah it’s true and there’s pastors on UA-cam that like Metallica it’s not devilish songs like lesper messiah may seem satanic but it’s referencing the priests in mega churches like Keneth Copeland if who asks people to donate convincing them that money is the key to heaven
@themusickingdom
Wow....I love this review.
The way you put the song into context with age and everything else ìs really refreshing.
I've been a Metallica fan since 1989, and usually very defensive of critique.
But you've done an outstanding job with objective analysis.
And especially with this song Fade to Black, which was dear to me when I was in my teens. And I still appreciate now.
Thank you for your analysis and channel
More Metallica please!
Thank you
Tom 🙂
Thanks Tom!
Great song. My favorite song by Metallica is "No Leaf Clover." They have an Orchestra behind them.
Like so many people that claim that this song saved them I can also include myself in that group. I just put my headphones on and listen and feel it all. By the time the song ends with the outro solos I am in tears and feel alive again. Metallica will always be a huge gift and part of my life. Thank you for saving so many of us through your music. Long live Metallica.
Going back about 30 years,I saw them play this live more than once.Add some beer,and it rates a 9.Creeping Death is a 9.75.It was so different that it took many listens to get it,but once I did...Metallica became the soundtrack of my teen years.
I'm 43yo and call myself a metalhead since around 30 years . I grew up with Metallica , they are one of my favourite bands and " Fade to black " is one of my favourits by them . \m/
Ya........this song saved my life. Literally.
One of the greatest songs ever written and not even the best Metallica song
Which one You think is the best
@@caioaugustho4350 too many contenders for their best for me. This is definitely one of them though
@@austinwilliams3305 yeah, I coudnt say myself
St. Anger, of course. /sarcasm
@@chrisandras44 Nah Fax
I'd like to add to the analysis how well the guitars 'speak'. In the beginning they were like veiling and crying and in the end there was this rush of chaos and adrenaline when the subject of the story goes through his plan and finally fades to black.
Well said!
In my opinion, the next song you should review by metallica is "One", in my opinion is one of the, if not the best written song in their catalog, the story telling is simply amazing, the composition is also just perfect, it really drives even further the imagery they are painting with the words
I concur.
And pick the official music video.
If you're on metal you should give Pantera a listen...Legendary band.
"Cemetery gates" is a good get your foot in the door song.
Rip dimebag and Vinney (guitarist and drummer that both passed, dimebag shot on stage during a performance)😢
They finish this song live to thunderous applause. Every.. single.. time.
Funny fact about this song: Since James was still new to singing clean he had trouble staying on key so if you listen super closely you can hear him using a keyboard to help him match the key
Well done as usual. I think that's a very accurate score for this song. It's in my top 10 for them, the back half. My favorite Metallica songs are probably not your cup of tea (I'm not as highbrow). Am I Evil, Disposable Heroes, and Battery are probably my favorites. Whisky in the Jar is good for kindler gentler Metallica...
"I was me, but now he's gone"
I don't know how to explain this line, I'm not native English speaking. but it hits home to all those days of being down and out, but then the sheer force and anger of "this can't be it" kicks back in.
I can highly relate to this song, being diagnosed as depressive. no pity needed, just let me say - this song is a great piece of art we should all appreciate. I will never not cry to this song and I'm damn well proud of it.
I could not agree more and I am a native English speaker. This line has made my my soul do weird stuff for 30ish years. This band...is just different. Or they were for a time...any maybe again.....or hit a point of seeing too much stuff on the road for years for long stretches of time. a previous post about them being 17-20 says alot. Unreal the talent....and they are 60 now. Look up how many Black albums were sold...It's mind-blowing
Metallica did an entire album with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra call S&M and the song No Leaf Clover is one of my favorite songs ever
By their own admission, many people have said this song literally saved their life when they were feeling suicidal. It's an utterly brilliant and transcendent song.
Also, not every song from every band is better live. Always do the studio version first
When I was quite young there was a college radio station called Lock 88, and one of the djs played Fade to Black at the end of every broadcast. That station, and her set in particular were very enlightening for my musical tastes
In addition to checking One by Metallica, check My Friend Of Misery, my personal favorite out of The Black Album and like several songs on the album it talks about the lead singer (James) and his anger issues, dealing with those myself it’s super meaningful to me and so underrated
One of the best power ballads ever every time I listen to this song it makes me cry. And I've been listening it since I was 15
In my opinion the greatest ballad in metal
how have I not come across your channel before, great review, and really really like the format you provide, liked and subbed. greetings from a metal head up North on this marble in space.
Much appreciated my man!
Another spot-on analysis! For the best live version of Fade To Black, check out Moscow, Russia 1991 (2021 HD Remaster).
I used this song for a report in music class back in 87 at my old HS.
as soon as the song kicks in 55 seconds in, i get goosebumps every single time even though ive listened to this song thousands of times. it is so masterfully crafted.
When that beautiful electric acoustic hits, instant goosebumps 😢
One of my favorite Metallica songs. The intro gives me goosebumps and if I’m in my car I crank it LOUD. Favorite songs by them 1) Fade to Black 2) For Whom the Bell Tolls 3) One 4) Master of Puppets 5)Sad but True
Wow, very polished and professional video. I’m surprised you don’t have more subs. I love the format and the fact that y’all sound so knowledgeable, the experts corner part was very cool and informative.
Much appreciated Gerardo!
Great format with the music theory breakdown for us musicians! I subscribed haha
FTB gets me every time
10/10 for me on pure emotional impact.
Their best song live
In which I saw Cliff play live
That is 1985 Day on the Green
For whom the bell tolls
Which is base on the book of the same name
Cliff's opening bass solo will blow ur mind
The one thing I completely agree with you on (especially with Metallica) is to listen to the studio version and do it multiple times before you hear the live version. Fade to Black is my “favorite” Metallics song and always has been. I’ll give you my top 20 Metallica songs, but just understand it’s so hard to create a top 20 of this band. 25-30% of their songs are so interchangeable in rankings.
1) Fade to Black
2) Master of Puppets
3) One
4) Unforgiven (original)
5) Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
6) The Four Horsemen
7) Battery
8) Creeping Death (live makes it what it is)
9) Wherever I May Roam
10) For Whom the Bell Tolls
11) Disposable Heroes
12) Bleeding Me
13) Blackened
14)Enter Sandman
15) Ride the Lightning
16) Nothing Else Matters
17)Seek and Destroy
18) And Justice For All
19) The Day That Never Comes
20) Sad But True
I could keep going on and as there are so many more i feel this list is inadequate as a Metallica fan. I’m leaving off a lot of “deep cuts” and I know you like deep cuts so maybe I’ll subscribe and we can continue the journey of the rabbit hole of Metallica!
Edit: I wanna add I did not include any instrumentals in this list. There are 3 instrumentals from Metallica that I could absolutely fit in this list (Call of Ktulu, Orion, and To Live is to Die)
Your expressions mirror those of us who 1st heard it drop. 😎
I have 6 Metallica songs to recommend to you from different points in their career.
1. "Metal Militia" from their debut album, Kill 'Em All. This song represents a starting point for guys who were 18-20 years old at the time the album was released.
2. "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" from their third album, Master of Puppets. This was the first Metallica song I ever heard (I was 11 years old at the time) and is a big reason why I got hooked on the band in general.
3. "Orion" also from Master of Puppets. This instrumental is widely considered bassist Cliff Burton's magnum opus. You will understand why when you hear it.
4. "Dyer's Eve" from their fourth album, ...And Justice For All. Most are going to recommend "One" from this album, but I think that song is not only over analyzed as it is, but it is also definitely not a "deep cut" song for Metallica the way "Dyer's Eve" is.
5. "Through the Never" off their self titled fifth album, also known colloquially as "The Black Album" (or as James Hatfield called it, None More Black).
6. "The Outlaw Torn" from their sixth album, Load. This song, while both a departure from their usual sound and not a hugely complex song in and of itself, it is a deep soulful song and is still in keeping with their signature style and shows some of the breadth and scope of their abilities as a band.
From these, you can see just how far they grew and developed musically in just their first 6-7 albums (tonally, Load and Reload are virtually identical and can almost be considered two halves of the same album). From here, you can select any track off of Death Magnetic, Hardwired to Self-Destruct, and 72 Seasons and see how their previous efforts have colored their three newest albums. Their eighth album, St Anger, is a wildly different album tonally and musically from all of their other work, to the point that it's difficult to recognize it as a Metallica album because it is such a huge departure from their established and versatile style.
Cliff, their late bass player, was in many ways Metallica's special weapon. He was a brilliant musician and songwriter and his loss affected the band in many ways, and they've never been the same since his death imo.
Absolutely. He was a special musician and was their entire source for music theory. Metallica's music became more average, then bad, with every album after his death. I still feel Cliff's loss and hearing his music makes my hair stand up.
Eh, I'd say AJFA is just as good as the first 3 albums. After that, you can see their creativity start to drop off. Maybe Cliff had more to do with AJFA before he died than we think
@@ImThe5thKing You're right. Justice is a great album. You can definitely tell there is a sizable shift, but not in a bad way. If only they kept in that direction. Also, imagine Justice with Cliff's sweet noodling. Or any bass for that matter. The black album is not without its nuggets, but there's a steep decline. We will not discuss what came after lol.
@@PeeNile shut up
@@ImThe5thKing shut up
Well done guys, nice reaction. HUGE Metallica fan, your assessments are rather accurate, in my opinion.
They caught a lot of flak mostly for the musical composition, not the lyrical content. This song was a great struggle for the band but, in hindsight, was an incredible indicator of the band’s future. As an “80’s metal band”, it was thrash, power and screaming riffs that got you attention. But, as “artists”, they had other sounds in their heads. Some of their initial fan base was not having any ballad. BUT…a lot of their fans came to realize that they were enjoying this blend of melodic & heavy. Very confusing at the time.
Metallica is quite the wormhole. Where do you want to go? There is TONS of power (Battery, Disposable Heroes, Creeping Death, Blackened…the list is LONG), melodic (much of their Load & Reload albums), symphonic (their 2 S&M albums are backed by full symphony) and even a spot of country (Mama Said).
I agree with others…your next dive should be “One”, for sure. Really the moment they launched into super-stardom. I look forward to more reactions!
Phenomenal reaction and breakdown. I needed this today. Thank you. SUBSCRIBED 🤘🤘🤘
Very nice reaction!! You should check out
Kingston Wall - Shine On Me. The genre is psychedelic rock and it's so well composed. It's sad that they didn't get the recognition they deserved when their highly talented guitarist and singer was still alive.
I wish I could hear this song for the first time again.
IMHO, the best song they've done! And I've been a fan since before anyone knew who they were! 🤟👍
I have a friend that listens to pop and kpop. When we were hanging out we started talking about music and i decided to send her some metallica songs. I sent her Sanitarium, Seek & Destroy and Fade to black. It ended up with her adding every song to her playlist with her liking Fade to Black the most
Please do something off of And Justice for All album. Blackened is my fav but One is also great :)
This takes me back to 2006 or so, I'm at the bowling alley playing pool. There was a pool shark there taking everyone's money and I'm playing him. I'm losing atm and someone plays this song on the jukebox and I get in the zone and I come back and take every penny from him 😅 this has been and will always be one of my favorite songs by them.
I've always been a Metallica fan having grown up with them. This song was really helpful in my teen years as it was extremely identifiable. This album came out before master of puppets. If you want to check out their composition mastery check out their instrumental tracks. Especially Orion and call of ktulu.
My favourite song of all time. The intro solo is the best of any song ever written. I first picked up a guitar at 13 just to be able to play that intro. I made the decision this would be my funeral song at 15.... That was 17 years ago and no song has taken its place.
Music kingdom hi I have been fan of Metallica since I was 13 years old since 1983 over 40 years now 🤘🤘🤘
I grew up with Metallica my favourite songs are screaming suiclde the more I see enter sandman wherever I may roam
From KIM Alexandra jacobs Melbourne Australia
Heads up, if you ever gonna listen to them live. Do Live in Moscow 91 or Seattle 89. Only coz they were at their Prime.
1. Enter Sandman (Live in Moscow)
2. Fade to Black (live in Moscow)
3. Master of puppets( Seattle 89)
4. Creeping Death( live in Moscow
I don't know if I'd call "Fade to Black" a "power ballad". _Ballad_ to me implies some sort of love story/love lost topic, which this clearly isn't (unless I suppose you're talking about love lost for yourself). It also doesn't follow the standard verse/chorus structure typical of rock ballads...I've never taken it as a ballad, anyway. This also wasn't their first promotional single--that honor went to "Whiplash" from the Kill 'Em All album. As far as commercial airplay, they really didn't get much of any except on explicit _metal_ stations or shows; that didn't really change until after "One" was released 4 years later.
The mid '80s were a weird time for music, and metal music in particular took the blame for a lot of stuff. There were actual court trials involving hard rock/metal musicians being blamed for suicides & crimes committed by their supposed fans, culminating in several musicians testifying in Congress as to what their music was really about; in the end, they wound up creating the "Parental Advisory" stickers which we're all used to now. I don't recall "Fade to Black" being singled out over the subject matter, but that could well have been because they were less well known than artists like Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne at the time.
FWIW, I do not recall very much blowback from the fans over this song, either. It was a slower pace than their previous tracks (pretty much _everything_ was slower than their previous tracks at that point), but it was still definitively Metallica. The real criticisms among Metallifans wouldn't really come until the Black album (and more so after later releases). I'm sure there were a few, but there are _always_ a few.
This is my favorite Metallica song (by a pretty significant margin). Others to check out should definitely include "One", which was of course the single that truly broke Metallica into the mainstream. I'd also suggest "Creeping Death", "Harvester of Sorrow" (my screenname actually comes from that song), and "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth" for a taste of what Cliff Burton could do on the bass.
Welcome Home aka Sanatorium
Sanitarium
It helps me wash some of those feelings away even to this day.
I would suggest Welcome Home (Sanitarium) by them... its their second power ballad
Hands down my favorite Metallica song.
You completely missed the "heartbeat" from the drums during the solo. It goes from rapid, tachycardia, flatline.
No other band sounds like Metallica!!! The anger and rawness of these young boys back in the 80's gives this music so much feeling and heart!!! To all the haters who say these guys somehow "sold out," this is an album intended for sale!!! These guys wanted to see finacial return for pouring their souls into this production!! To do that, the music needs to be appetizing to its audience!!! Death, Speed, Black, Dark, Thrash metal is not enjoyed by people because its harder to digest. Takes a special ear if you will....
Mettallica bridged an important gap beyween popular heavy music and the obscure. Thaks for a great reaction. Peace
As I recall, one of the reasons the gear being stolen effected him so much was one of the pieces was an amp his mother had bought him before she passed.
This is one of my favorite songs. You should check out, Anesthesia, Orion, Creeping Death and One.
THis song was never a favorite of mine but it totally hits. So funny to look back and think Metalica was selling out" with this song.
I really think power/metal ballads landed for good three years earlier with Def Leppard's "Bringing on the Heartbreak." Yes, D-Lep went Pop Metal after that. Anyway, growing up during that time every metal band after that had one on every album.
I’m somewhat of a metal head and this is my favorite song of all time
Top 5 metal song of all time, compositional masterpiece, guitar solo of the decade, lyrically confronting and controversial, life changing track... yeah, nah solid 8
I've been a Metallica fan since '91. I've seen them live 11 times on two continents. I could see them 10 shows in a row, and if they played this song every night, I wouldn't be upset. This song, along with several others really resonate with me.
If you were note versed with Metal music - Master of Puppets is a hell of a song to dip your toe into. There are others from the album that are a "better" way to start.
If you continue down the Metallica rabbit hole, I would highly encourage you to listen to the instrumentals. They have 5 total, and they are just beyond amazing
Pulling Teeth (anesthesia) - Kill 'em All
The Call of Ktulu - Ride the Lightning
Orion - Master of Puppets
To Live Is To Die - ...And Justice For All (probably my favorite)
Suicide & Redemption - Death Magnetic
My Fav song of all time!
Another 'ballad' you should listen to is 'Beyond The Realms Of Death' by Judas Priest. Would be interested to hear your comments on the music, lyrics, and vocals. Love your analysis of the metal songs!
Here. This is a version with the original ending and no fade out. ua-cam.com/video/9GTHOMxN5zs/v-deo.html
Metallica better live? Yeah, they were back in the 80s to early 90s. Not today. All respect but they're just very well past their prime. Seattle '89 and Moscow '91.
You should listen to their instrumentals The Call of Ktulu and Orion
You are so right listen to studio version before live
I would recommend metallicas welcome home sanitarium as it is a personal favorite of mine
It think Remember Tomorrow by Iron Maiden (1980) has highly influenced Metallica writing this song esp on ballad-hard-ballad-hard composition style. Also the riff in the bridge has been influenced by Black Sabbath. Great reaction/review.
PLEASE react to VH1 Behind The Music Metallica. The full version (only about 45 minutes). Metallica is one of "the big 4" bands that started the speed metal or thrash metal genre. But you NEED to know their story. These guys have huge hearts. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll triple your subs in one day!
I think one of the elements that gets lost when listening to this album is that we take the production somewhat for granted. Flemming Rasmussen, the engineer and producer leans towards a very straightforward production obviously, with an emphasis on making the guitars in the drums much more razor-sharp as opposed to the somewhat fuzzy production on their debut record. There was a bit more money obviously and the band opted to stay in Denmark or the rates were cheaper so that they could spend more time with the album than doing it in the states. What we don't tend to remember is that prior to this metal guitars were simply not this crunchy. There is a very massive amount of distortion guitars that is wrangled and beaten into submission by James Hetfield's Precision Rhythm playing. The way he Palm mute the low strings to make it a much more percussive sound was a key element in the difference between metal and thrash metal in terms of execution musically. Without the seemingly effortless production, it would have been a giant mess sonically. Metal is a genre where you were trying to get the instruments to sound natural but also everything needs to be big, if not bigger, if not biggest. So where does one decide which element is going to be the key that jumps out at you when everything is supposed to sound huge? It is a interesting dance, and one that these Metallica records helped sonically shape into what would become the new standard for Hard Rock and metal recordings going forward.
The thing that really put Metalica apart on the first albums was for me Cliff Burton the way he was able to make his bass sound like a third guitar
I think you would enjoy some of Opeth's work, I would recommend as a starter, Burden or To Rid the Disease, then of you want to get on the heavier side of the band, listen to Ghost of Perdition, they have lots of constradting parts like the acoustic parts of this song and lately have by far been my favourite band
You should react to some megadeth next, either holy wars the punishment due, or symphony of destruction.
Great reaction and analysis. Wish I could give an additional thumbs up for the 'Giggity' lol
Ride the Lightning and this song was never considered a sell-out It started with the Black Album
Well, you should check out S&M.. It is a live performance of Metallica and a symphony orchestra.. It's brilliant
One of their greatest! And you can hear it later in Unforgiven songs, so much so, that if they weren't all Metallica songs theyd probably be fighting over copyright infringement, but I guess you cannot plagiarize yourself!
One of my favorite solos to play
As there former bass player Jason Newsted once said. Yeah we sold out, every arena and stadium of every town we ever go to!
If you like metal guitar solos try something like Pantera - Cemetary Gates, another power ballad. Jerry Cantrell from Alice in Chains has some really nice solos, say Man in the Box or Love, Hate, Love. For something not metal but by a total guitar god try Frank Zappa - Black Napkins.
would love to see orion by metallica
I had this on cassette when the album was hot off the press. . . . Now, SO many years later, I just now noticed the lightning is in a M (duh, for Metallica!) shape. Something so obvious, that no one mentioned it. . . . Don't I feel like an idiot!
great channel
extra points for the intro played in Bm then modulation to Am. the chord progression there is really smooth and confusing.
Coming from a pure metal head and I’m sure your learning were very protective of it and ready to lash out at anyone being negative.. that being said you and your partner give a very informative and professional view the times I have stoped by your channel I’ve left with more knowledge about something I thought I knew everything there was to know about metal… Fuckn badass review
Thanks Mike!
amazing song.. incredible kirk hammet solo. Please react to "Orion". An amazing instrumental composition.
I would like you to listen to Orion. An epic instrumental that needs no lyrics to take you on a journey. I’ll be waiting to see your reaction to this masterpiece.
Although I was a bit thrown off by our Black Sabbath and Dio reviews, which in comparison with Tool f.i. (-as far as any comparison is justified!) scored too high. Dio is an absolute legend and a great singer, compositionwise we're talking powermetal, which in itsself rises above the three minute radio stuff but doesn't peak at what f.i. Metallica does here. Having said that, this was a review nearly spot on. You missed a few things, but for a first time listener, you managed to shake out more than anyone else including myself. Two important things that maybe would have influenced the composition score would be the drum rhythms. As with the melody in Master of Puppets it artistically represents a heartbeat. Then the ending solo. You'd need a deeper knowledge of where these musicians came from. Kirk Hammett was a student of Joe Satriani, and Kirk used -on alternating licks- a ton of double repeating - almost signature saitriani licks, the phrasing however falls in line with the rhythms coming to an end (or a fade if you will) , it sort of breathes (going down, going back up asf) coming to a final high to the final arrest. Musically most noteable is that a metal song is written in a major key while having minor phrasing, and shifts keys, something that is hardly ever done (anymore). Nevertheless very impressive review and blind analysis. Still waiting for you to pick Dream Theater. But beware a dream theater album is a story divided on a single or multiple albums. A cool song would be Metropolis Pt2. See ya next time!
One of the best albums ever.