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So glad that you are doing this entire record. It's easily in my top 5 all-time albums for me (no order): Kind of Blue - Miles Davis A Love Supreme - John Coltrane Master of Puppets - Metallica Lateralus - Tool Kid A - Radiohead (For the record, Master is probably in my top 2 as well, with Miles Davis' Kind of Blue being perhaps the best record ever pressed on vinyl by far)
Can't wait until you guys land on Disposable Heroes, so overlooked. That main groove in the beginning is one of the top moments for me in their entire catalogue
Disposable Heroes is one of their best songs that gets overlooked a lot.. it’s a beast of a song and that opening ‘galloping’ riff is ridiculous, along with the middle bridge part “why! Am I dying!” Then ending with “I was born for dying!” That whole song just rips so hard 🤘🤘🔥🔥
Absolutely love the song but It’s chorus is the weakest part and I think that’s what drags it down a bit or makes it overlooked. Everything else is just fantastic
Lars has incredible song composition skills. He may not be formally trained, but he had an ear for what sounds good since the beginning. He doesn’t get enough credit for that.
When you play the heaviest song in your catalogue, you gotta make it even heavier.😂 Also you can feel the look on James's face as he sung that, it was so good.
Definitely great vocals, but definitely doesn't sound possessed. Like, if you heard nowadays modern deathcore vocals, those are the ones I'd call possessed.
it's just a dirge. People of a certain ilk fall into the trap of "slow and tuned down = heavier" it's not. It's just the worst song on an album that is otherwise a masterpiece.
@@twintoygamechannel4983 I think that massively undersells it. The track is dark and like I said upthread, menacing. It's the intervals James uses and how the drumming accents exactly the right parts. I mean the intro is on an acoustic guitar and it still sounds heavy. I would argue Orion is way more of a dirge, but I like that track too.
40 years later and I'm still finding new things in this song. Like, for example, the changes in tempo/riff have a disquieting effect. It's like you're being stalked by a predator.
23 y/o here who has loved Metallica throughout my life and this shit still bangs, it is crazy to me how timeless RTL and MOP still sounds. At least to me.
You really can’t miss on any of Metallicas early albums, every album is like a greatest hits showcase, that’s why it can be easy to miss a song. The whole album is masterful.
Cliff Burton Original bassist was a Student of Music he taught Music Theory to the guys and was the mastermind of this sound. I could only imagine if he had not been killed how they would sound now.
Imo perhaps they would have been influenced by burton to make Load/Reload style of music way early since burton was a massive fan of music within that style or he would've quit the band to do solo projects/bands
This is probably the heaviest Metallica song that they ever wrote and recorded. They talk about how they wanted it to sound crazy and otherworldly in interviews, and I think they nailed that feel and tone. Kirk's solo is exactly what I think of when I think about Cthulu and madness and all that.
Two things. Lars plays the comfortably unexpected. That’s how I describe his drumming. It’s not inherently difficult to play. It’s just not many drummers in the same situation would’ve approached their parts like that. But it still feels great. Two. The “nasty” feeling in the riffs are because they are chromatic. Meaning they are putting semitones up against each other. That always makes things feel evil. Jaws theme is a perfect example two notes have never sounded scarier.
I never appreciated this song when I was a teenager, but the thing I love about it now is how well the music and lyrical content complement each other. The main opening/verse riff sounds like something bubbling up from the depths. The prechorus sounds like some undersea creature scanning the deep. The guitar solo is jarring and unnatural sounding. It all gives weight to the story that’s being told.
In 1986 this was extremely heavy metal, you just had to be there to understand how devastating Metallica was back then, and if you didn't listen to heavy metal you had no idea who Metallica was.
The huge student of music in Metallica was definitely Cliff Burton on the bass. This album is very closely associated with his sense of art with their music, and his experimentation. He was basically the composer of this album, taking the riffs that James would write and stringing them together and adding arrangements to them to create something more than just in your face thrash. There's a reason that after he passed they almost never played some of the songs off of this album, such as Orion, they were just Cliff songs. RIP, but he'll never be forgotten because of this album and the two before it.
This comment definitely revitalized how special Cliff really was with song structuring to me. Something about Metallica is unexplainable, there are just certain elements so above thrash or metal. Master of Puppets as an album is the Magnum Opus for me. Cliff brought something out of the world, to the world. And he was taken early because of that. Him and Chuck Schuldiner changed the face of metal forever. Destiny took em' early because they would've torn every single human a new asshole with their music if they kept breathing.
None of this is true, James would write the riffs and him and Lars would put them together to make the song. Cliff has only 3 writing credits on this album
@@georgewootten4428 - The original comment is not entirely untrue. Cliff Burton did go to college and studied classical music and music theory. I would have to say that Cliff was definitely the backbone of the band. He knew more than James and Lars. The only other member of Metallica that had any form of education in music is Kirk Hammett.
@@georgewootten4428 - While writing credits are limited, you don't think that Cliff had some sort of influence on their sound, let alone their direction?
I think this is also the one where some of the studio effects towards the end (that sound like some underwater beast) were from putting a microphone in a vase and using it to fret the guitar, dude had some innovative techniques to really find a unique sound. Although that might have Ktulu or something from the prior album I'm thinking of.
@@firewarrior5828 "That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons, even death may die." - H.P. Lovecraft, The Nameless City Of course, Metallica tweaked it a bit to fit the cadence of the song. Great quote though.
@@TheNothing6 Did you ever watch Arch Enemy's Handshake in Hell video on youtube ? There is a scene where the sun is shining behind the singer and it peaks at you through her legs. I dubbed it The Thigh Gap From Hell. You can't deny that she is super.
@@myrtislockett7792 Same, well I like the first 5 albums and of course Spit Out The Bone (couldn't care less for the rest). As for Megadeth I hate Risk, and The World Needs A Hero is 50% bangers 50% meh. But all other albums are good to great
I believe this is the first song in Metallica's discography where they tuned their guitars down. That's why it's so beastly. That's why it's so sluggishly heavy. This song is a great illustration of cosmic horror; it's Lovecraftian. Also, probably my favorite Kirk Hammett guitar solo. It's very different from his normal style and it's just so cool. Very ugly and chaotic. It fits the song so well.
Spot on about the solo, very chaotic with an unusual structure for Kirk. I read in the book Back To The Front that this solo was entirely composed and recorded in less than an hour (40 minutes maybe?) before Kirk had to fly back to the US. The solo really exudes a feeling of urgency, I love it.
I was in the 9th grade when this album came out. Back then, we mainly listened to cassette tapes. I wore out 3 copies, before cd’s finally came out. Now, I’m a 52 year-old grandfather, and this Metallica album still holds up.
Oh yeah, this is definitely one of the most ominous songs they ever made. Did you guys know this song was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's work and that they actually wrote it really quick? It just like happened in a jam or something. They were like "Lets make this really nasty, heavy and dark jam that makes it sound like we're in R'lyeh and Ctulhu is amongst us..". I'd say it worked out really well 🙂(The thing they're refering to that should not be is Ctulhu). I really dig James' eerie vocals on this baby. Reminds me of For Whom the Bell Tolls which is also one of my very favourite Metallica songs. It has that same dread-doom-horror vibe. Love it!
@@j.j.gilpin3303 ….4th if you count the hounds of tindelos as being part lovecraft as he didn’t technically write it but it’s in the canon. Because all nightmare long is about the hounds.
Lars is the Ringo Star of metal, not the most technical but put some absolutely unforgettable, incredible performances to tape. This record in particular was THE defining moment in metal, the benchmark which all other metal was judged against for many years to come. All the Lars shit talkers can gargle his sweaty balls because they know they will NEVER COME CLOSE to impacting the world like he and Metallica did.
And he's an amazing arranger and musical director. James, Kirk or Cliff bring their riffs and ideas and Lars arranges those shorts ideas and make them a whole song.
Won't disagree with you on the main point. Same way Ringo and Peter Criss were criticized as "talentless" but just by sitting on a throne, influenced thousands of kids to become drummers before Metallica existed, Lars did the same for me when I was a kid. Lars knew he wasn't as good as Lombardo or Benante, but didnt need to care because he could stick to a good formula and create a memorable intro that got people's ears sucked right into the song, not unlike Dave Grohl. He also knew if he was gonna do a fill to make sure it's done by the two of the next bar, which kinda became his trademark. The problem when you get to today is that live his tempo is a giant rubber band and he either subtracts cool things from classic songs that make you scratch your head, or he flails around with long, sloppy, disjointed fills or practice room improvs that ruin the feel of his original parts that people are kinda expecting to hear. Like listen to all the extra bullshit he's putting into One in that recent Lollapalooza video. Extra stuff that's not good, creative, or in any way adding something valuable to the performance.
I already know someone is gonna come in here going "well Lars is a lot older now you dont expect him to play as cleanly as he did when he was 30" Lars Ulrich is 58. Danny Carey is 61. Matt Cameron is 59. Dave Lombardo is 57. Gene Hoglan is about to be 55. No excuses bruh.
@@sevendeep the only excuse is injuries. That changes everything. For a drummer playing this type of music, you have to be an athlete. I know very well how injuries change your game. You have to work around them.
Im pretty sure there's a video where someone took the vocals from the s&m and replaced the studio version with it and added the symphony. It sounds amazing.
I remember hearing this album in '86 when it came out. I think all of the Big 4 albums came out within 10 months of each other. Slayer: Reign In Blood, Megadeth: Peace Sells, Metallica: Puppets, and Anthrax: Among The Living. Everything changed about music for me after that. Up to that point it had been more classic rock. AC/DC, Priest etc. This was faster, crunchier, more aggressive. I was hooked. Shit, I'm still hooked.
What a run! I remember wearing my Metallica 'Master of Puppets' shirt before Metallica ever played on MTV and people thought I killed babies on weekends! My girlfriend at the time liked Edie Brickell & New Bohemians while I moshed. Opposites attract haha!
You wanna know why Lars is so good and these two can notice it too ?? The man can play cool and rememberable stuff WITHOUT GOING OUT OF GROOVE, in fact Lars tends to enhance the groove with his fills and overall playing
I'm glad you brought up the fact that this song is after Master of Puppets, and how it flows from the end of MoP to this one. That's something that's lost on 2 generations of people that don't listen to albums, but just singles. Albums have a flow to them, and it's really the proper way to experience a band's music. A lot of thought goes into an album's flow. Listening to the whole album makes each song more intense than just listening to them individually and out of order.
The stink face reaction immediately conveys to me that this man gets it! Nothing better than rocking out to some Metallica with my friends Ryan and George!!
It's nice to see Lars get a little love. He gets blasted so hard all over the internet, to a degree that has become beyond ridiculous. It's just really, really, cool to hate on Lars Ulrich instead of giving him the respect he's earned.
People that rag on Lars are just haters he’s made a great living at playing music. The folks that talk shit are just jealous of him and his success. I believe he’s a good drummer more than good enough for Metallica it just works well.
Lars is no Dave Lombardo but nobody else is either. He is a good drummer and there would be no Metallica without him. Most people still hate him because of the Napster thing back in the day.
The amazing thing about "reaction" videos is seeing people, like yourselves, getting pulled fully into a song. How does that happen? I think it's because you're seeing bands in the "zone", able to express their musical creativity at such a level, that you can't help but be spiritually changed by the experience. This is the true "hook" of any presentation. Some individuals, or groups, have this capacity to take us to another state of being. Metallica always does this. I think it's just their individual vibe as a group of guys and it's something out of this world. I feel the same about Iron Maiden, Opeth, Megadeth, Elvis, Diana Ross, etc., etc. Some people are perfect expresssions of themselves through their art or craft. It's really a blessing and inspiration to be able to see these performances and, I think, wakes people up to their own special gifts. Thanks guys. You are amazing. Blessings, Neil
This song always gets me in a certain kind of mood, and it's great for setting up a horror environment such as dark as The Call of Cthulhu and Cthulhu's mythos. One of my favourite parts is James quoting the actual book "not dead which eternal lie, strange aeons death may die". Incredibly powerful and haunting.
I love how you guys make me re-appreciate all the classics I overplayed in my youth. Watching you guys react remind of the feelings I got when I heard this shit for the first time ... this is hard! haha
I always say that I can't experience my favourite greatest song again for the first time but I can enjoy someone else experiencing it for the first time especially if they love it....
Lars is one of the best. I don't care if he's old or lazy to play his own songs they way it should be (he's playing really well nowadays anyway) BUT he wrote those fking drums, man. HE WROTE IT AND HE PLAYED IT FOR THE ALBUM, his drum parts and his fills are so fking CREATIVE and amazing and actually hard to pull off exactly in the same way he did. There are a lot of virtuous technical dudes but none of them find the way to pull off such amazing drums that also are memorable and so fit for the songs. He's not my favourite drummer but man, he deserves to be respected.
I'm with you bro. Nobody ever had a bad thing to say about Lars until the whole Napster thing. (Which time has proven him to have been 100% right.) Lars may not be the greatest drummer ever, but he is a great one and he's always distinct.
Yes, slower is harder when done right. And in THIS case, it's done Masterfully. Therefore, this is one of the hardest songs ever written. I come to your channel because your understanding of complex music on FIRST listen is astonishing. Ryan's ecstasy over Lars's multiple cymbal hits at 17:20 for example is a proper outburst that reminds me of my own reactions back in the day. I'm proud that you guys welcome and embrace the genre of metal. I'm of irish origin (so I'm as white as they come), and I would be honoured to call you my brothers - if you'd permit me. And remember... Metallica is the first 4 only. A small caution regarding the And Justice for All album: this is material that is impossible to fully understand (therefore shouldn't be judged conclusively) on first listen due to its "Godly" timing changes. But once digested, you will find that it actually Flows like water. All timing will become one and will be "cut from the same cloth", and you will realize that this album is the epitome of metal music writing. The track "To Live is to Die" is a song that Beethoven would probably wish he could call his own. Cheers.
They do a version of this song on the S&M album with an orchestra. One of my absolute favorite songs of all time. There are even videos of from the composers view when they were recording it live... is beyond lit.
@@DB-xo6xh The S&M version is Biblical. The extra evil Orchestrated sounds makes it sound like the Apocalypse is happening, like an epic scene from an Action Horror movie. As much as Ive always loved the original, the S&M rendition, like Outlaw Torn, Ktulu, and many others, gives it a whole new layer and lease of evil life.👍👍
@@kylereece1979 Honestly.. they should just do an S&M marathon one day. Will get enough Metallica out of the way where they can set it aside for a good while content-wise and they will get to hear.. imo.. the best of the best that Metallica has to offer. Start to finish that album is absolutely amazing. I can just imagine Ryan getting up out of his chair 30 seconds into -human and just throwing his hands in the air like, "best song ever, man... what can I say.."
Don't know if you guys realize it, but the first three metallic albums were based off the drummer, not the base. It's what gives him the special sound. It wasn't until the black album that they went off the bass player instead of the drummer.
The part that George really likes has always been my favorite part of the song as well. James Hetfield said in an interview that their goal was to play string instruments like percussion instruments. I think that is displayed really well in this song.
To me this song has been like a part 2 to The Call of Ktulu (Cthulhu) as James sings in the Chorus "Fearless Wretch, Insanity. He watches lurking beneath the sea. Great old one (Another name for Cthulhu). Possibly one of their more heavier tracks, especially the outro with Cliffs bass and the guitars sounding like an evil creature
Heavy AF. Recorded in D standard and played live in C# standard tuning. The final cut created and completed in the studio during the recording of MOP. Kirk recorded the solo in one 45 minute session and purposely freestyles it live. So heavy, this one. It sits right on your chest the whole time and never lets you breathe. A true masterpiece.
good heavy one from metallica, old school, i'm 53 so seen them in their prime. great group. this song got me through some dark times in my life so personal. we see what we believe but beyond that is unbounded by our imagination.
You guys brought up a really good point! Not only does Metallica pull off "groove" and time or "speed" changes but in their live performances they seamlessly transition between multiple songs into a medley as they're called.
Saw this tour in 1987 Nuremberg Germany Monsters of Rock at age 18. Cliff (RIP) was lost a few months before. Dio, Ratt, Deep Purple, Helloween, Cinderella…. What a show !!!!
I also saw them at The monsters of rock tour, Miami FL. It was 1988 when I saw them, different line up, Dokken, Scorpions, Van Halen, and a couple others I don't remember.
When Cliff died and they brought Jason in they broke him in with "The 5.98 EP" . It's Metallica doing cover songs they like, but man it's got everything your looking for. You may not like all of it, but you'll love most of it. It's probably their funkiest album. It stanks for sure.
I still listen to MoP, almost 40 years later after I listened to it the first time. It still hits so hard to this day. Metallica was transcendent. No wonder they are the biggest band in music.
This song being in D makes it that much more heavy. Also during the outro when you hear what sounds like the pick scraping the strings? My god, insaneeeeee
I would venture to say that the rhythmic scraping may have bred the likes of one Tom Morello. He took it in his own hi hop record scratching direction but it is very much like a beginner record scratching exercise.
You hit the nail right on the head my Brother. "Students of music". The boys from 'Tallica (including Dave Mustaine) have always said that back in the day Cliff Burton was THE source. He was classically trained, he knew music theory and harmonies, etc. He taught everyone of them how to be more musical. And he played on this album. Great catch there man.
what is this opsesion with cliff? he was the composer, but you need someone to bring that song to the audience. and that was metallica with jason newsted and angry james... its like the director and the actors in a movie. thats my opinion
Y’all need to do some early Ozzy solo, Suicide Solution, I Don’t Know, Believer, Mr. Crowley, Bark at the Moon, y’all in for a treat & you gonna love it.
This is the reason why I have always loved Lars so much. We can all agree that he isn't the greatest drummer of all time, but he sure as hell knows what makes a good song. Lars is the maestro of Metallica and a huge part of why they are as big as they are.
The drums in this song apologize to no one and don’t need approval. Perfect fit for a perfectly menacing tune. Great job guys. And thank you Metallica for creating this masterpiece.
You guys are truly the best at breaking down a song and telling it like it is and are fn hilarious at doing it! Metallica definitely deserves all the praise they are truly the best Metal Band in the Land! Can’t wait to hear you guys break down Inamorata! Take care mis hermanos!
The Kings🤘 The Aeons! The Old Ones! 🤘This is the first album I ever bought when I was 12 years old. I picked up a guitar and I’m a professional musician. I’m also Texan 🤘 Amazing reaction guys! Thanks! 🤘
This based of H.P Lovecraft call of the cuthul and from start to finish tells the story....and you have to thank Cliff for the study of music he was a student and helped so much...best album from metallica of all time
What's so incredibly interesting to me is how simple this song is to play! It's probably the easiest song to play on guitar out of all their playlist.. yet arguably the heaviest of all Metallica songs? Love it
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You two need to look up Jazzmatazz volume 1 look up Guru too
Thgis song takes inspiration lyrically from the sci fi/horror author HP Lovecraft.
So glad that you are doing this entire record. It's easily in my top 5 all-time albums for me (no order):
Kind of Blue - Miles Davis
A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
Master of Puppets - Metallica
Lateralus - Tool
Kid A - Radiohead
(For the record, Master is probably in my top 2 as well, with Miles Davis' Kind of Blue being perhaps the best record ever pressed on vinyl by far)
2:52 Ryan practically described Cliff Burton 🤘🔥🖤🔥🤘
Now strap in and do Lepper Messiah!
Can't wait until you guys land on Disposable Heroes, so overlooked. That main groove in the beginning is one of the top moments for me in their entire catalogue
Disposable Heroes is one of their best songs that gets overlooked a lot.. it’s a beast of a song and that opening ‘galloping’ riff is ridiculous, along with the middle bridge part “why! Am I dying!” Then ending with “I was born for dying!” That whole song just rips so hard 🤘🤘🔥🔥
Already done it
Spoiler: They may like it even more than Puppets.
The bridge in Disposable Heroes is just awesome.
Absolutely love the song but It’s chorus is the weakest part and I think that’s what drags it down a bit or makes it overlooked. Everything else is just fantastic
Lars has incredible song composition skills. He may not be formally trained, but he had an ear for what sounds good since the beginning. He doesn’t get enough credit for that.
Loll I wrote my comment before the end of the video and Ryan says exactly the same thing at the end.
Lars learned on the job. But it was the best training possible.
His dad told them that St anger was trash, they didn't 👂
He does get enough credit, he has song writing credits for almost every Metallica song
@@Jamesforce1234 No he didn't
Lars nailed the feel on this song, and he doesn't get enough credit for it.
Lars always was a great arranger.
He knew his craft as a drummer back then.
He was great , so much cool accents and fills.
Diverse .
The drums really makes this song , it’s the backbone of the darkness to the song
Yah its like i can see the devil looming thru the whole song. They know stuff...
Yeah people say shit about lars, but hes a fcking good drummer, nowdays hes just old
Idk, i think the sinister nature is better expressed by the guitar
This and Leper Messiah are criminally underrated
Couldn't agree more.
This song isn't underrated, it's considered one of their best songs lol
@@4seiken-594 some people think it’s cool to think things are underrated 😂
Whole album, apart from master of puppets and Battery, is pretty underrated
@tyyny6810 brother, what are you smoking? Master of Puppets is one of the, if not THE most critically acclaimed metal album of ALL TIME
MOP is just simply a perfect album. There isn't a bad moment on it.
Well surprisingly enough they didn't like Leper Messiah and Damage Inc. And they kinda liked Battery but only the middle section.
@@moondawwg WHAAAAAAT NOOOOO my favorite songs ever
@@moondawwg What? 🤔 When did they do those songs? I have been on their Patreon pretty recently and never saw a reaction video for any of those songs.
Unarguable
seriously? where did they say that?
You need to watch the Seattle 89 live version of this. Heavier than the universe.
Agreed !
Agreed!!
^
Or literally anything from that concert. By far their best live show.
When you play the heaviest song in your catalogue, you gotta make it even heavier.😂
Also you can feel the look on James's face as he sung that, it was so good.
I think Hetfield’s vocal performance is underrated in this song. He sounds possessed at times, especially in the verses
Agree. It's so good it doesn't sound like he's performing, he sounds like he's like some demented John The Baptist announcing the coming of Cthulhu
Definitely great vocals, but definitely doesn't sound possessed. Like, if you heard nowadays modern deathcore vocals, those are the ones I'd call possessed.
@@GenZ_Guitarist you mean shit
@@GenZ_Guitarist They don't hold a candle against hetfield's raw vocals. Hetfield from 86 to 93 was the most badass vocalist on planet Earth.
Nasty song !
This is one of the heaviest songs ever written in my opinion. It never ever gets old. Menacing is the correct word fellas.
@Snakeoilresin haha, OK
it's just a dirge. People of a certain ilk fall into the trap of "slow and tuned down = heavier" it's not. It's just the worst song on an album that is otherwise a masterpiece.
@@twintoygamechannel4983 I think that massively undersells it. The track is dark and like I said upthread, menacing. It's the intervals James uses and how the drumming accents exactly the right parts. I mean the intro is on an acoustic guitar and it still sounds heavy. I would argue Orion is way more of a dirge, but I like that track too.
@@twintoygamechannel4983 Get outa here with your BS.
@@adam872 Your mom is heavy too. Very heavy. Because she eats a lot.
Every single song on this album is a banger. That's it. That's the message.
Heaviest song ever. Lars is all over this song and Cliff's Bass is all over the album. All four guys were on fire.
This song gets lost because it’s between Master of Puppets and Sanitarium, very underrated, always one of my favorites.
This dropped back when I was in 10th grade. I’m now 52 and this STILL hits hard as it did back then. 🤘
40 years later and I'm still finding new things in this song. Like, for example, the changes in tempo/riff have a disquieting effect. It's like you're being stalked by a predator.
23 y/o here who has loved Metallica throughout my life and this shit still bangs, it is crazy to me how timeless RTL and MOP still sounds. At least to me.
55 I listened to this album just yesterday.
Do u still smoke joints and get deep wasted thinking listening to it?
Indeed, I still receive chills from THE THING THAT SHOULD NOT BE.
You really can’t miss on any of Metallicas early albums, every album is like a greatest hits showcase, that’s why it can be easy to miss a song. The whole album is masterful.
They did the whole album on Patreon
Heck they should do all of their albums
@@riffhousestudios96 disposable hero’s
Both Metallicas and Megadeths first few albums were like that.
Word.
I been seeing your reactions enough to know that this song would be down your alley. The heaviest number known to mankind.
10:43 when you point at the camera, I lost it. So good
Cliff Burton Original bassist was a Student of Music he taught Music Theory to the guys and was the mastermind of this sound. I could only imagine if he had not been killed how they would sound now.
Cliff Burton wasn't the original bassist; he replaced Ron McGovney in 1982.
@@luigidabber4573 I think recording on a band's debut album qualifies you as an original member.
@@Brandonmtlhd agreed
@@luigidabber4573 Really bro?
Imo perhaps they would have been influenced by burton to make Load/Reload style of music way early since burton was a massive fan of music within that style or he would've quit the band to do solo projects/bands
Looking forward to seeing your Sanitarium reaction. By far my favorite Metallica song. The transitions are amazing
Already done it
Check their Patreon. It's there.
On here I mean
@@bnm1211 yeah i've been waiting for it too
This is probably the heaviest Metallica song that they ever wrote and recorded. They talk about how they wanted it to sound crazy and otherworldly in interviews, and I think they nailed that feel and tone. Kirk's solo is exactly what I think of when I think about Cthulu and madness and all that.
Two things. Lars plays the comfortably unexpected. That’s how I describe his drumming. It’s not inherently difficult to play. It’s just not many drummers in the same situation would’ve approached their parts like that. But it still feels great.
Two. The “nasty” feeling in the riffs are because they are chromatic. Meaning they are putting semitones up against each other. That always makes things feel evil. Jaws theme is a perfect example two notes have never sounded scarier.
I never appreciated this song when I was a teenager, but the thing I love about it now is how well the music and lyrical content complement each other.
The main opening/verse riff sounds like something bubbling up from the depths. The prechorus sounds like some undersea creature scanning the deep. The guitar solo is jarring and unnatural sounding.
It all gives weight to the story that’s being told.
Great to see “The Thing That Should Not Be” get some love!
For real, I’ve loved this song since the day I heard it 20 years ago
That stank face when the riff hits is exactly why I lovde this song. One of the heaviest feeling songs ever to me.
In 1986 this was extremely heavy metal, you just had to be there to understand how devastating Metallica was back then, and if you didn't listen to heavy metal you had no idea who Metallica was.
It was heavy for mainstream metal but Seven Churches by Possessed came out in 1985 and that was some unhinged shit.
Metallica was my gateway to metal
@@Rx_orcist Heavy still has to sound good, and that does not.
@@xaviervega468 agree to disagree I guess. Can’t expect everyone to be into every style of music.
@@Rx_orcist it wasn't mainstream back then
You can thank Cliff Burton for the “student of music” feel. He was a genius
Came here to say exactly this.
Cliffem All!!! Cliff burned a guitar down 🔥 🔥 🔥
Yes sir
Amen
The huge student of music in Metallica was definitely Cliff Burton on the bass. This album is very closely associated with his sense of art with their music, and his experimentation. He was basically the composer of this album, taking the riffs that James would write and stringing them together and adding arrangements to them to create something more than just in your face thrash. There's a reason that after he passed they almost never played some of the songs off of this album, such as Orion, they were just Cliff songs. RIP, but he'll never be forgotten because of this album and the two before it.
This comment definitely revitalized how special Cliff really was with song structuring to me. Something about Metallica is unexplainable, there are just certain elements so above thrash or metal. Master of Puppets as an album is the Magnum Opus for me. Cliff brought something out of the world, to the world. And he was taken early because of that. Him and Chuck Schuldiner changed the face of metal forever. Destiny took em' early because they would've torn every single human a new asshole with their music if they kept breathing.
None of this is true, James would write the riffs and him and Lars would put them together to make the song. Cliff has only 3 writing credits on this album
@@georgewootten4428 - The original comment is not entirely untrue. Cliff Burton did go to college and studied classical music and music theory. I would have to say that Cliff was definitely the backbone of the band. He knew more than James and Lars. The only other member of Metallica that had any form of education in music is Kirk Hammett.
@@slantera how can you possibly say that if James and Lars are responsible for writing the majority of the songs even when Cliff was in the band?
@@georgewootten4428 - While writing credits are limited, you don't think that Cliff had some sort of influence on their sound, let alone their direction?
My favorite solo of Kirk’s. Pure haunting aggression.. especially the 1989’ Seattle version
i couldn't agree more! gives me chills every time \m/
The solo absolutely fits the song
Dude you’re not wrong, the solo is fkn chilling!!
I think this is also the one where some of the studio effects towards the end (that sound like some underwater beast) were from putting a microphone in a vase and using it to fret the guitar, dude had some innovative techniques to really find a unique sound. Although that might have Ktulu or something from the prior album I'm thinking of.
I wish he extended the harmonised part in place of the whammy wanking
"That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange Aeons even death may die" Most metal line in the song
"That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die."
but that’s not the line… the line is “Not dead which eternal lie
Stranger eons death may die”
Thank you, I always misheard that lyric.
That's a line from the sci fi/horror author HP Lovecraft.
@@firewarrior5828 "That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons, even death may die."
- H.P. Lovecraft, The Nameless City
Of course, Metallica tweaked it a bit to fit the cadence of the song. Great quote though.
This has to be the most in-depth discussion I've ever heard of Metallica and Megadeth's level of fly.
I really only listen to Metallica's first 4 albums but I really dig everything that Megadeth had done.
@@myrtislockett7792 I'm the complete opposite. I don't like anything after Youthanasia.
@@TheNothing6 Did you ever watch Arch Enemy's Handshake in Hell video on youtube ? There is a scene where the sun is shining behind the singer and it peaks at you through her legs. I dubbed it The Thigh Gap From Hell. You can't deny that she is super.
@@myrtislockett7792 Someone likes Alissa! 😁 Yeah, I've watched that video. The gap is there a bunch of times. 🤣 😂 🤘🏼
@@myrtislockett7792 Same, well I like the first 5 albums and of course Spit Out The Bone (couldn't care less for the rest). As for Megadeth I hate Risk, and The World Needs A Hero is 50% bangers 50% meh. But all other albums are good to great
I believe this is the first song in Metallica's discography where they tuned their guitars down. That's why it's so beastly. That's why it's so sluggishly heavy. This song is a great illustration of cosmic horror; it's Lovecraftian.
Also, probably my favorite Kirk Hammett guitar solo. It's very different from his normal style and it's just so cool. Very ugly and chaotic. It fits the song so well.
Think of how many grunge bands use that sound in the beginning of the song.
Spot on about the solo, very chaotic with an unusual structure for Kirk. I read in the book Back To The Front that this solo was entirely composed and recorded in less than an hour (40 minutes maybe?) before Kirk had to fly back to the US. The solo really exudes a feeling of urgency, I love it.
The lyrics are inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, one of his tales about Cthulu. The heaviness is WAY appropriate! Great reaction as always.
One of the most eerie and evil sounding solos of all time! Kirk Hammett! 🤘🏼
Yep. One of my favorite Metallica solos. Straight to the point and short.
I was in the 9th grade when this album came out. Back then, we mainly listened to cassette tapes. I wore out 3 copies, before cd’s finally came out. Now, I’m a 52 year-old grandfather, and this Metallica album still holds up.
Cliff is major reason why first 3 albums are epic
Oh yeah, this is definitely one of the most ominous songs they ever made. Did you guys know this song was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's work and that they actually wrote it really quick? It just like happened in a jam or something. They were like "Lets make this really nasty, heavy and dark jam that makes it sound like we're in R'lyeh and Ctulhu is amongst us..". I'd say it worked out really well 🙂(The thing they're refering to that should not be is Ctulhu).
I really dig James' eerie vocals on this baby. Reminds me of For Whom the Bell Tolls which is also one of my very favourite Metallica songs. It has that same dread-doom-horror vibe. Love it!
Wow! This is the most Lovecraftian song, other than the Call of Ktulu, that they’ve written. Nice drop!!!!!!
Hardwired to Self Destruct - Dream No More is their 3rd Lovecraft song
@@j.j.gilpin3303 ….4th if you count the hounds of tindelos as being part lovecraft as he didn’t technically write it but it’s in the canon. Because all nightmare long is about the hounds.
All nightmare long also
@@j.j.gilpin3303 Ktulu awaken!
@@tudorleonte9950 Actually no, it's about something about a USSR organism made in the war that can "revive" dead tissue
Playing drums is WAY more about what you don't play than what you do play. The spaces that you find are what makes an excellent drum part.
Lars is the Ringo Star of metal, not the most technical but put some absolutely unforgettable, incredible performances to tape. This record in particular was THE defining moment in metal, the benchmark which all other metal was judged against for many years to come. All the Lars shit talkers can gargle his sweaty balls because they know they will NEVER COME CLOSE to impacting the world like he and Metallica did.
And he's an amazing arranger and musical director. James, Kirk or Cliff bring their riffs and ideas and Lars arranges those shorts ideas and make them a whole song.
"All the haters can gargle his sweaty balls" dude 💀💀
Won't disagree with you on the main point. Same way Ringo and Peter Criss were criticized as "talentless" but just by sitting on a throne, influenced thousands of kids to become drummers before Metallica existed, Lars did the same for me when I was a kid. Lars knew he wasn't as good as Lombardo or Benante, but didnt need to care because he could stick to a good formula and create a memorable intro that got people's ears sucked right into the song, not unlike Dave Grohl. He also knew if he was gonna do a fill to make sure it's done by the two of the next bar, which kinda became his trademark.
The problem when you get to today is that live his tempo is a giant rubber band and he either subtracts cool things from classic songs that make you scratch your head, or he flails around with long, sloppy, disjointed fills or practice room improvs that ruin the feel of his original parts that people are kinda expecting to hear. Like listen to all the extra bullshit he's putting into One in that recent Lollapalooza video. Extra stuff that's not good, creative, or in any way adding something valuable to the performance.
I already know someone is gonna come in here going "well Lars is a lot older now you dont expect him to play as cleanly as he did when he was 30" Lars Ulrich is 58. Danny Carey is 61. Matt Cameron is 59. Dave Lombardo is 57. Gene Hoglan is about to be 55. No excuses bruh.
@@sevendeep the only excuse is injuries. That changes everything. For a drummer playing this type of music, you have to be an athlete. I know very well how injuries change your game. You have to work around them.
This is such an underrated gem, the S&M version is haunting as hell, one of my favorites off this album of favorites
I still want these guys to review the intro to S&M, Kthulu into puppets. Its possibly the best start to any rock gig ever.
Im pretty sure there's a video where someone took the vocals from the s&m and replaced the studio version with it and added the symphony. It sounds amazing.
@@404social I'm surprised they haven't even touched S&M yet.
I remember hearing this album in '86 when it came out. I think all of the Big 4 albums came out within 10 months of each other. Slayer: Reign In Blood, Megadeth: Peace Sells, Metallica: Puppets, and Anthrax: Among The Living. Everything changed about music for me after that. Up to that point it had been more classic rock. AC/DC, Priest etc. This was faster, crunchier, more aggressive. I was hooked. Shit, I'm still hooked.
This is exactly the same thing for me! It changed my life! That’s no lie!
Reign in blood is 1B to MOP. Pure genius
Starting from Kill em All , and ending at the Black Album is one of the greatest album runs in the history of music.
What a run! I remember wearing my Metallica 'Master of Puppets' shirt before Metallica ever played on MTV and people thought I killed babies on weekends! My girlfriend at the time liked Edie Brickell & New Bohemians while I moshed. Opposites attract haha!
@@Physics_Dude Opposite styles but that Eddie Brickell had some great tunes.
Definitely, however Maiden and Death still have the longest run (7 albums)
Funny enough
With The Black Album started something that has never happened in music
Every single album to date debuting °1 on Billboard
@@Walamonga1313 Stevie Wonder and David Bowie had a great run in the 70s
You wanna know why Lars is so good and these two can notice it too ?? The man can play cool and rememberable stuff WITHOUT GOING OUT OF GROOVE, in fact Lars tends to enhance the groove with his fills and overall playing
I'm glad you brought up the fact that this song is after Master of Puppets, and how it flows from the end of MoP to this one. That's something that's lost on 2 generations of people that don't listen to albums, but just singles. Albums have a flow to them, and it's really the proper way to experience a band's music. A lot of thought goes into an album's flow. Listening to the whole album makes each song more intense than just listening to them individually and out of order.
I am a Megadeth guy but love Metallica just the same. This album is one of my all time number ones of any genre.
The stink face reaction immediately conveys to me that this man gets it! Nothing better than rocking out to some Metallica with my friends Ryan and George!!
It's nice to see Lars get a little love. He gets blasted so hard all over the internet, to a degree that has become beyond ridiculous. It's just really, really, cool to hate on Lars Ulrich instead of giving him the respect he's earned.
Lars is underrated.
He is the backbone of the band and he creates the beats to which heads have banged for 40 years.
People that rag on Lars are just haters he’s made a great living at playing music. The folks that talk shit are just jealous of him and his success. I believe he’s a good drummer more than good enough for Metallica it just works well.
Lars is no Dave Lombardo but nobody else is either. He is a good drummer and there would be no Metallica without him. Most people still hate him because of the Napster thing back in the day.
I agree, I fell in love with that nasty riff all those years ago
The amazing thing about "reaction" videos is seeing people, like yourselves, getting pulled fully into a song. How does that happen? I think it's because you're seeing bands in the "zone", able to express their musical creativity at such a level, that you can't help but be spiritually changed by the experience. This is the true "hook" of any presentation. Some individuals, or groups, have this capacity to take us to another state of being. Metallica always does this. I think it's just their individual vibe as a group of guys and it's something out of this world. I feel the same about Iron Maiden, Opeth, Megadeth, Elvis, Diana Ross, etc., etc. Some people are perfect expresssions of themselves through their art or craft. It's really a blessing and inspiration to be able to see these performances and, I think, wakes people up to their own special gifts. Thanks guys. You are amazing. Blessings, Neil
"Nobody else can do smooth transitions like Metallica".
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson would like a word.
This song always gets me in a certain kind of mood, and it's great for setting up a horror environment such as dark as The Call of Cthulhu and Cthulhu's mythos. One of my favourite parts is James quoting the actual book "not dead which eternal lie, strange aeons death may die". Incredibly powerful and haunting.
"a solid, twisted sound"
They actually describe the song within the lyrics, and nobody ever noticed...
Actually it comes from the Lovecraft tales when describing the sound of the otherworldly beings
@@RowdyRedBeard could also be a double entendre
It's "cult has summoned, twisted sound".
Check the lyrics brotha
I love how you guys make me re-appreciate all the classics I overplayed in my youth. Watching you guys react remind of the feelings I got when I heard this shit for the first time ... this is hard! haha
I always say that I can't experience my favourite greatest song again for the first time but I can enjoy someone else experiencing it for the first time especially if they love it....
I love that George is a Megadeth guy and Ryan is a Metallica guy. 😂 Makes this reaction so much better.
Too funny when he was like “yea but they’re not fly tho” lol
Truthfully one of Metallica’s greatest songs.
Lars is one of the best. I don't care if he's old or lazy to play his own songs they way it should be (he's playing really well nowadays anyway) BUT he wrote those fking drums, man. HE WROTE IT AND HE PLAYED IT FOR THE ALBUM, his drum parts and his fills are so fking CREATIVE and amazing and actually hard to pull off exactly in the same way he did.
There are a lot of virtuous technical dudes but none of them find the way to pull off such amazing drums that also are memorable and so fit for the songs. He's not my favourite drummer but man, he deserves to be respected.
Lars was an amazing songwriter, and he still had the chops back then.
I'm with you bro. Nobody ever had a bad thing to say about Lars until the whole Napster thing. (Which time has proven him to have been 100% right.) Lars may not be the greatest drummer ever, but he is a great one and he's always distinct.
Yes, slower is harder when done right. And in THIS case, it's done Masterfully. Therefore, this is one of the hardest songs ever written. I come to your channel because your understanding of complex music on FIRST listen is astonishing. Ryan's ecstasy over Lars's multiple cymbal hits at 17:20 for example is a proper outburst that reminds me of my own reactions back in the day. I'm proud that you guys welcome and embrace the genre of metal. I'm of irish origin (so I'm as white as they come), and I would be honoured to call you my brothers - if you'd permit me. And remember... Metallica is the first 4 only. A small caution regarding the And Justice for All album: this is material that is impossible to fully understand (therefore shouldn't be judged conclusively) on first listen due to its "Godly" timing changes. But once digested, you will find that it actually Flows like water. All timing will become one and will be "cut from the same cloth", and you will realize that this album is the epitome of metal music writing. The track "To Live is to Die" is a song that Beethoven would probably wish he could call his own. Cheers.
My favorite Metallica solo. Unique and sinister.
Has a middle eastern flavor to it.
I always think it sounds like an evil laugh when it starts
Wish Kirk explored more this lead style since he's heavily into horror.
@@fritzburbank935 there's a harmonic minor descending lick in there that gives that vibe, excellent resource by Kirk
They do a version of this song on the S&M album with an orchestra. One of my absolute favorite songs of all time. There are even videos of from the composers view when they were recording it live... is beyond lit.
Thanks. I must’ve completely forgotten this and I’ll be looking it up.🤘🏼
It sounds even more menacing on S&M, one of my favorites from that album.
@@DB-xo6xh The S&M version is Biblical. The extra evil Orchestrated sounds makes it sound like the Apocalypse is happening, like an epic scene from an Action Horror movie. As much as Ive always loved the original, the S&M rendition, like Outlaw Torn, Ktulu, and many others, gives it a whole new layer and lease of evil life.👍👍
@@kylereece1979 Honestly.. they should just do an S&M marathon one day. Will get enough Metallica out of the way where they can set it aside for a good while content-wise and they will get to hear.. imo.. the best of the best that Metallica has to offer. Start to finish that album is absolutely amazing.
I can just imagine Ryan getting up out of his chair 30 seconds into -human and just throwing his hands in the air like, "best song ever, man... what can I say.."
S&M marathon would go crazy
Don't know if you guys realize it, but the first three metallic albums were based off the drummer, not the base. It's what gives him the special sound. It wasn't until the black album that they went off the bass player instead of the drummer.
This whole album is a masterpiece.
One of the heaviest riffs of all time, no contest
The part that George really likes has always been my favorite part of the song as well. James Hetfield said in an interview that their goal was to play string instruments like percussion instruments. I think that is displayed really well in this song.
To me this song has been like a part 2 to The Call of Ktulu (Cthulhu) as James sings in the Chorus "Fearless Wretch, Insanity. He watches lurking beneath the sea. Great old one (Another name for Cthulhu). Possibly one of their more heavier tracks, especially the outro with Cliffs bass and the guitars sounding like an evil creature
Exactly. I feel like this was a continuation of their love for hp Lovecraft.
Its a well.known fact. Nothing to guess its obvious
They have lovrcraft inspired Songs on every album... so, nothing clever here🤣
Heavy AF. Recorded in D standard and played live in C# standard tuning. The final cut created and completed in the studio during the recording of MOP. Kirk recorded the solo in one 45 minute session and purposely freestyles it live. So heavy, this one. It sits right on your chest the whole time and never lets you breathe. A true masterpiece.
The thing that we have TH-camrs like George and Ryan is a blessing
The whole album is a masterpiece! The template for all metal to come after it! Metallica's Opus 😁
good heavy one from metallica, old school, i'm 53 so seen them in their prime. great group. this song got me through some dark times in my life so personal. we see what we believe but beyond that is unbounded by our imagination.
That is creepy as f...
You guys brought up a really good point! Not only does Metallica pull off "groove" and time or "speed" changes but in their live performances they seamlessly transition between multiple songs into a medley as they're called.
the way the guitar solo takes off is wicked wicked wicked!
I love how you enjoyed this great track.
Saw this tour in 1987 Nuremberg Germany Monsters of Rock at age 18. Cliff (RIP) was lost a few months before. Dio, Ratt, Deep Purple, Helloween, Cinderella…. What a show !!!!
I also saw them at The monsters of rock tour, Miami FL. It was 1988 when I saw them, different line up, Dokken, Scorpions, Van Halen, and a couple others I don't remember.
Must have been a hell of a ride, sir...🤘🏽
Wow. Nice. I was in Germany then too, but I missed that show. I did go to Monsters of Rock in Nuremberg in 1988.
Metallica is the best heavy metal band of all time!! They rock!! Great reaction guys..
It's definitely one of their darkest and meatiest songs.
When Cliff died and they brought Jason in they broke him in with "The 5.98 EP" . It's Metallica doing cover songs they like, but man it's got everything your looking for. You may not like all of it, but you'll love most of it. It's probably their funkiest album. It stanks for sure.
I still listen to MoP, almost 40 years later after I listened to it the first time.
It still hits so hard to this day. Metallica was transcendent. No wonder they are the biggest band in music.
This song being in D makes it that much more heavy. Also during the outro when you hear what sounds like the pick scraping the strings? My god, insaneeeeee
I would venture to say that the rhythmic scraping may have bred the likes of one Tom Morello. He took it in his own hi hop record scratching direction but it is very much like a beginner record scratching exercise.
METALLICA CANNOT BE TOUCHED. PERIOD.
master of the puppets albums never gets old
You hit the nail right on the head my Brother. "Students of music". The boys from 'Tallica (including Dave Mustaine) have always said that back in the day Cliff Burton was THE source. He was classically trained, he knew music theory and harmonies, etc. He taught everyone of them how to be more musical. And he played on this album. Great catch there man.
If you haven't seem them live, you MUST. It all comes alive in a whole new way.
Thanks for doing this guys. This is my favorite Metallica song of all time
Cliff Burton taught Metallica how to play together as a band. He was the student of the music.
Yet, by his own admission, he didn't do much songwriting on MoP
what is this opsesion with cliff? he was the composer, but you need someone to bring that song to the audience. and that was metallica with jason newsted and angry james... its like the director and the actors in a movie. thats my opinion
Y’all need to do some early Ozzy solo, Suicide Solution, I Don’t Know, Believer, Mr. Crowley, Bark at the Moon, y’all in for a treat & you gonna love it.
Hells, you could throw The Ultimate Sin album in there as well. Love every dang song on that one :O
@@erickknutz5599 frankly I only know 4 songs off it, love them though :D
Diary of a Madman is a jam
@@MattSmith-wz1xh oh yes love it
If y'all haven't heard their Sabbath reviews you are missing out. The War Pigs review introduced me to the channel.
Nice to have a reminder of how great this song really is
One of Kirks absolute best solos and one of my favorites!
I wrote a paper on this song in high school comparing the lyrics to the character of Grendel in Beowulf. I thought it was a perfect match.
It's actually about H.P. Lovecraft's story "The Shadow over Innsmouth"
This is the reason why I have always loved Lars so much. We can all agree that he isn't the greatest drummer of all time, but he sure as hell knows what makes a good song. Lars is the maestro of Metallica and a huge part of why they are as big as they are.
The drums in this song apologize to no one and don’t need approval. Perfect fit for a perfectly menacing tune. Great job guys. And thank you Metallica for creating this masterpiece.
Cliff is looking down from Heaven and smiling that people are finding so much joy in his music. His, Jame’s, Lars’ and Kirk’s Legacy is this album.
You guys are truly the best at breaking down a song and telling it like it is and are fn hilarious at doing it! Metallica definitely deserves all the praise they are truly the best Metal Band in the Land! Can’t wait to hear you guys break down Inamorata! Take care mis hermanos!
The Kings🤘 The Aeons! The Old Ones! 🤘This is the first album I ever bought when I was 12 years old. I picked up a guitar and I’m a professional musician. I’m also Texan 🤘 Amazing reaction guys! Thanks! 🤘
You cannot go wrong with any song from the first 4 albums
Great song! No matter what they do.. they BANG it EVERY TIME! Always loved them
Thanks!
That’s my favorite Metallica song since the 80’s.
When George said "I'm about to start some shit", I knew EXACTLY what he was gonna say! Hahahaha! My thoughts exactly!
This based of H.P Lovecraft call of the cuthul and from start to finish tells the story....and you have to thank Cliff for the study of music he was a student and helped so much...best album from metallica of all time
There is no bad songs in Metallica first 4 albums. All masterpieces, highly underrated song.
except maybe Escape...
*Metallica's first 5 albums
@@jdd3786 nah, black album has a lot of filler
@@alcestopeth Really? Almost every song in that album known by everyone bro
@@jdd3786 the black album was meh. I don’t hate it but I don’t love it. But it not on the level as the first 4 imo
One of my favorite tracks! Nice.
What's so incredibly interesting to me is how simple this song is to play! It's probably the easiest song to play on guitar out of all their playlist.. yet arguably the heaviest of all Metallica songs? Love it