Still astonishing to think that they were only 21, 22 years old when they wrote and recorded this. Especially as they were deep in their 'Alcoholica' phase.
I think that's part of how it came to life. Especially if linked to a traumatic event, having a depressive or even s**icidal episode is pretty easy when heavily intoxicated
It’s not really astonishing to me. They didn’t have the internet cellphones social media and plastic in their food to rot their brains and make them dull sheep people. They read books, Cliff loved literature and showed it to the guys.
@@Huddle_House56It's true Cliff brought a lot to the band, but the core has always been Lars' energy/song arrangements + James' angst and riff/ melody writing. James went through hell as a teenager, Fade to Black emotionally speaking is almost 100% James.
if it really does reflect your life experiences, I think these lines become implanted in you. personally fade to black was my favorite song before I had a good understanding of what James was saying, as non native English speaker. then it just stayed my favorite.
Its usually only near death that most people are able to let go of the ego (me). Those that can drop it before actually dying become enlightened... which is like a non-physical death itself, the death of the me and the birth of something greater, the all.
@@hb6789 no idea what that's supposed to mean. Maybe transcend the body. You see the world today, narcissists taking selfies and all that. They identify as the body, and as the mind. Both which die. It's not eternal like the being.
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...
I just absolutely lost it now during the final solo. Whole body tensing, closed eyes, silent screams. And that was just on my phone speaker, God I love this song. Gets me every time.
So many people have similar stories. This song and Ktulu quickly separated metallica from the rest of the thrash scene (thanks Cliff!). There was more than just pure aggression to James. There was a tender, inner sincerity to him as well. He was afraid. He hurt. And he told us about it. Somehow, that appealed to me. Made it ok, as a “guy,” to feel feelings and be hurt. As a 14-year old when I first heard it (1991), it was so comforting to me. And it still is. Just a couple weeks ago I attended my 8-9th shows - live from Arlington - but I saw it in the theater. When they started into it, I realized I had never heard it “live.” I just began to tear up. I couldn’t believe after all these years and after several shows - including being at S&M2 and both 40th anniversary shows, that I had never heard it “live.” Now, it still doesn’t quite count since it was in the theater. My friend Mike Mueller (aka MetFan Mike) says this is the greatest song in the history of recorded music. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. But it can’t be too far off…
How u did it? I'm 27 today and I was 13 when I first heard this song. It also saved my life, it felt like I finally had a friend and that someone could understand what I was going though, just like u said. I'm almost giving up on life and it scares me think that I have lots of years ahead of me. Like I'm afraid I won't wing this fight.
”Missing the one inside of me” ”Emptiness is killing me” Those words gave a frame for my depression. I was able to understand what was going on. This song saved my life.
Best and less boomerish and edgy one is "I was me but now he's gone". It might sound edgy, but to anyone that has had even a close call to depression alone, it resonates perfectly with what we were all feeling
After nearly 40 years, this song still has one of the best acoustic sections to learn, the best rhythm sections to learn, and the best solos to learn. It's an absolute gem, and they were only a few years out of being teenagers.
One of my favourite songs of all time too. The whole thing just comes together so well and just works on kind of a natural level - hard to put into words really!
Yeah the verse instrumental is beautiful. I personally couldn't say I felt the same about the other parts but absolutely understand why many would and do really like it. It's just not my cup of tea is all By it I mean the other parts of the music, not the song. I like the song as contradictory as that may sound lol
I downloaded this song on lime wire 20 years ago not ever having heard it but liking the title. It took 8 hours to download using our new DSL line. I remember coming home that night excited to hear my new song. To say it changed my life is an understatement. I young man with depression was yearning for some understanding. I have listened to and played Fade to Black over 1000 times in the past 20 years.
Gotta chuckle, we must be within a couple years of age. This was also one of my first downloads, on Limewire, on DSL. I certainly didn’t experience the same impact, but this was the song that sold me on Metallica; it wasn’t just heavy and speed, and I always have enjoyed a band that has range. The true meaning didn’t hit me until much later, I’ve always been about the instruments and how the vocals play in(I don’t need to hear the lyrics word for word, I want to hear the emotions in vocals, just as if it’s another instrument). This song struck me, and still does.
@@LouderGrawlix 😂😂😂 Worst miscalculation of their career. I mean, I get what they were going for, but they made a mountain out of a molehill, and it damaged them.
From a personal standpoint this song was able to give voice and express what I couldn’t do myself and at the same time helped me feel not so alone when I was in a dark place in my life.
This song has been credited for saving a lot of lives. Sometimes just knowing someone else gets what you feel is enough. Appropriate for Suicide Prevention Month.
The solo still gives me chills and makes my hair stand up EVERY SINGLE TIME. Just incredibly intense. And when Lars’s double bass pedals start it always makes me feel that it’s the blood pumping from the body. No doubt intentionally.
Thanks for finally getting into Fade to Black, dear Doug. This is a beautiful dark song that had made me cry so many times in different stages of my life. Thanks for appreciating it as it deserves and getting what it means
This song has always been a masterpiece since day 1. It was my favorite song in my teenage era, and not because I wanted to commit suicide or be on depression, whatsoever, it was simply just because instrumentally is so beautiful, and those acoustic notes are majestic.
Excellent analysis of the lyrics. Had the privilege of seeing this song live last year. James got really emotional. It's one of the songs they picked for the offical videos of that show, must've watched it over 20 times by now, lol. Had to hold back the tears when I saw the roadie bring the accoustic to the stage.
Great show. Thank you for doing some more of mighty Metallica. I saw this tour in 85’ in Chicago. I was 19. And 86’on the Master of puppets tour and finally after 37 years I took my son and we saw them just last week in Phoenix. Rock on Doug🤘🏼🤘🏼
That's crazy man! I saw them first time in 2010 and then in 2014. Now I have a 4 year old who loves to listen Metallica with daddy. I'm picturing both of us going together on a concert in the future as you did with your son. It must be something special. Cheers from Brazil!
You know, us metalheads were looked down upon back then. It’s wild to see you, a classical composer, reacting and enjoying this music that we have loved for years. I love hearing you explain it, the notes, how it’s arranged, and the keys different sections are in.
I do like the song, but my recommendation for the greatest heavy metal song is The Ivory Gate of Dreams by Fates Warning. If you haven't heard it you can find the live version from the album Still Life on TH-cam.
i grew up in a rough house, metal saved my life so many times. Feeling the pain, and feeling that im not alone, someone else was talented enough to make music that struck a cord with my inner self tapped into a massive healing gap.
56 year old man crying while listening, and singing along to this, dredging up emotions that this song helped me get through. This song saves lives. Thanks Doug!
Fade to black is one of my favorite songs of all times. One of the reason is that the lyrics talk about the mental process which afflicts people contemplating suicide. I perfectly know this feelings and these thoughts. James makes a perfect photograph of this state of mind that certainly he has experimented. When I heard this song for the first time and when i read the lyrics i I had the awareness that I was not the only one to live this situation. Metallica always made me feel less alone. That’s why i love them so much and feel them so close to me. I think that this song has saved so many lives helping people to making their lives more beareable. Always grateful for this. Thank you Doug for choosing to analyze this eternal masterpiece. Please may you dedicate a video to Dyers Eve? Thanks a lot
Thank you. I consider Fade to Black to be Metallica's Magnum Opus. Every second off it is a masterpiece and to this day it still sends chills down my spine every time I hear it. The music encompasses everything that has always made Metallica great, and the lyrics touch even the deepest darkness in the soul. It's one of the top 2 Metallica songs I request people react to. The other is not just the song, but the music video for The Day that Never Comes.
I love The Day that Never Comes, but I felt a bit cheated on the Death Magnetic tour because I knew I missed the chance to hear Fade to Black live again because there was really no way to do both of those in the same concert.
Not only one of the best, but probably also the most influential song for me. If I had to choose one song that kickstarted my interest in music as a kid, it's this one. It's still great to occasionally put it on after all these years and just sit in awe.
You can really hear Cliff Burton’s influence throughout this entire album. This is the first album where he received writing credits, and the difference between this album and their first effort is stark.
As someone who has been writing poetry and song lyrics for decades I can tell you that doing this has been an amazing therapy for me the entire time. It has helped me process and understand my feelings at such a deep level and I believe has kept me grounded in reality my entire life.
This song is simply a beautiful composition. The subject matter expressed through James' lyrics are cathartic and are truly moving. One of my favorite songs of all time.
This song helped me through some really dark times, offering a release to a lot of my dark thoughts and to help me structure my dark feelings and get them out of my system for a short while. I can still get emotional when hearing it, because it brings back many of those feelings I had through so many years.
It's amazing that you hadn't done this song until now. It's generally as highly regarded as One. First heard this in 1988. I was going through the worst time in my life and this song really helped me get through all that. Sometimes it is hard to listen to now because of the memories it brings back, but it is absolutely one of their masterpieces.
Y'all I don't know how they did this. It's such a masterpiece, there's just never been anything like 1980s metal again. The harmonies and melodies, the classical influences, it's impossible to find now. They were either on drugs or in a religious praying trance, it's just unbelievably masterful.
One of the best feelings in the world is seeing that someone else understands how you are hurting and expresses it in a way that helps you understand it better yourself.
I was a teenager when I discovered Metallica in the late '80s. This song helped me through many dark moments back then. I find it to be very cathartic.
Kirk Hammett used to be my god, Metallica my religion and this album my Bible. But the only thing that hasn't decayed about Metallica is my memories. Or as Metallica would say, "But the Memory Remains"
So very well said what you expressed starting at 11:50. James often conveys the same message when they play this song live. People who have these thoughts and feelings are not alone, and it really helps to talk and get it out as opposed to keeping it bottled up. Its such a beautiful message and one that I know has truly helped me get through some very dark times.
One of my favorite songs ever. My dad loved Metallica and suffered from depression. This song always reminded me of him when he was here. He just passed in April…the song hits harder than ever before. I miss you so much dad. :(
I just recently (a few weeks ago) discovered your channel. I have gone through various metal reactions to songs I know and like. I had wanted to ask for Fade to Black as it is by far my favourite song and here we are. Thank you very much for making this video!
This is the greatest band & song in the history of mankind or any other kind tbh. THE song that got me into metal & the first song I learned all the way through on guitar. When I heard that bridge & outro solo, that was it. Say what you will about Tallica, but no other band had the impact & there will never be another band like them. 40 + years & they're STILL on top
I’m exactly the same. I think the songs are as strong as any of their albums. I’m pretty sure the reason for that for me is it sounds pretty terrible. I HATE the production. It’s soooooo wet. Way too much reverb and ambience.
Honestly same, but that's only because I listened to it over and over and over again for years. It's my favourite metallica album, but I barely listen to it. Makes the songs hit even more when I do hear them after an extended period of time
They're an excellent live band, for sure. Just yesterday I read a comment to another recent "Fade To Black" reaction, claiming Metallica has always sucked live. 😠🙄 I have a feeling he's never really been to one of their concerts.
People were also freaking out about Suicide Solution by Ozzy and Number of the Beast by Maiden. Apparently none of them ever thought to read the lyrics.
One of the things that I like a lot from your videos is that (I feel) you are being completely honest, as a huge Metallica fan, that's the best (regardless if you like it or not). Cheers!!
In my opinion- what set metalllica apart was that this particular song, for example, resonates with so many people that it did. I love Megadeth, but there is no way that they could have pulled this song off in the way that Metallica played it, much less any other thrash band at the time.
The harmony before the solo is what made me pick up the guitar 15 years ago. I was 10 and just had to learn this song. I still play parts of it almost everyday when I go to play guitar. Song is a master piece!!!
I was 14 when my father committed suicide. This song spoke to me when I needed it. Often with suicide the survivors wonder why. This song, while dark, gave me a glimpse into what my dad must have been feeling at the end. It didn't give me closure but understanding and it really helped. To this day is still my favorite Metallica song.
It's very valuable that this song helped you understand your father a bit more. I can understand it felt like he abandoned you, but he didn't really had another option. Suffering from depression or another mental illness is incredibly hard to live with. I know from experience.
The instrumental is THE journey, the first part is the highs and ups of depression itself, day in and day out, battling with it struggling to keep yourself cool and collected when inside you're dying and just want it to be gone, the second part with the final guitar solo is the musical representation of the moments from the final decision, to the whole process of preparing to kill one self, with the fading away of the riff being the slow death of someone bleeding out. That's always been my interpretation and it's made me love this song since I've noticed how close it is to such a situation.
Thank you for taking your time to cover this song ☺️ dark topic, intense debates on both sides, a powerful masterpiece 😯 take care and we're looking forward to the next Metallica Monday 😎
James wrote this after their equipment was stolen at a show. It’s essentially him mourning the loss of the gear that he was attached to and used to express himself. He was also very obsessed with death at the time. Since then it’s become much much more.
It's been said many times that what actually inspired this song was James's battle with depression. The stolen gear was what gave the final push to write it im guessing
It's so nice to see you react to this song, Doug ^^ Fade to Black shaped the way I listen to music on so many levels- my brother made me listen to it when I was a 15-year-old girl who thought metal was mere stupid, repetitive loud noise, in order to prove that there were melodies in it if you only paid attention... Which then led me to listening to more types of music and paying lots and lots of attention in order to find all the layers the artists put in their songs, and also to improving my English in order to understand the lyrics... and now to your channel, 25 years later. Watching you is always a pleasure, but today is a true delight! Many, many thanks for this video ^^
When I first heard 'Fade to Black,' I knew metal was going to be my genre. This song is like a gateway drug. It's a shame that Cliff Burton was only able to contribute to 3 albums. They are the best metal albums with him.
One interesting aspect of this song, is that at the time, there was a certain part of the fanbase that absolutely despised it because to them it represented Metallica going "soft". In fact, it was the first time that the band were accused of "selling out" - an "insult" that they've since had lobbed at them throughout their career. Further, it's also quite amusing that the same people who vehemently complain about Metallica becoming more melodious and branching out into less heavy sounds, are also in many cases the ones that idolize Cliff Burton and say things like, Metallica died when Cliff did. This is funny, because it was precisely Cliff - who was the only bandmember with any real formal music education and understanding - who brought melody and more complex songwriting into the band and pushed them in that direction.
Still astonishing to think that they were only 21, 22 years old when they wrote and recorded this. Especially as they were deep in their 'Alcoholica' phase.
I think that's part of how it came to life. Especially if linked to a traumatic event, having a depressive or even s**icidal episode is pretty easy when heavily intoxicated
It’s not really astonishing to me. They didn’t have the internet cellphones social media and plastic in their food to rot their brains and make them dull sheep people. They read books, Cliff loved literature and showed it to the guys.
@@Huddle_House56It's true Cliff brought a lot to the band, but the core has always been Lars' energy/song arrangements + James' angst and riff/ melody writing. James went through hell as a teenager, Fade to Black emotionally speaking is almost 100% James.
@@ryanjacobson2508 james was always a rock inside this band, on 80s/90s or after/before St. Anger.
@@CedroLinkin yeah but it's kinda funny how such a depressing song was made because James' amp got stolen
"I was me , but now he's gone." One of my favorite lyric lines.
if it really does reflect your life experiences, I think these lines become implanted in you. personally fade to black was my favorite song before I had a good understanding of what James was saying, as non native English speaker. then it just stayed my favorite.
Its usually only near death that most people are able to let go of the ego (me). Those that can drop it before actually dying become enlightened... which is like a non-physical death itself, the death of the me and the birth of something greater, the all.
@@roryleitner1532 its crazy how close that aligns with the philosophy of christianity.....die to the flesh
@@hb6789 no idea what that's supposed to mean. Maybe transcend the body. You see the world today, narcissists taking selfies and all that. They identify as the body, and as the mind. Both which die. It's not eternal like the being.
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...
Incredible. Keep on keeping on 🤟🤟 i have felt a similar experience with this song.
There's always some light in life to enjoy.
I just absolutely lost it now during the final solo. Whole body tensing, closed eyes, silent screams. And that was just on my phone speaker, God I love this song. Gets me every time.
So many people have similar stories. This song and Ktulu quickly separated metallica from the rest of the thrash scene (thanks Cliff!). There was more than just pure aggression to James. There was a tender, inner sincerity to him as well. He was afraid. He hurt. And he told us about it. Somehow, that appealed to me. Made it ok, as a “guy,” to feel feelings and be hurt. As a 14-year old when I first heard it (1991), it was so comforting to me. And it still is. Just a couple weeks ago I attended my 8-9th shows - live from Arlington - but I saw it in the theater. When they started into it, I realized I had never heard it “live.” I just began to tear up. I couldn’t believe after all these years and after several shows - including being at S&M2 and both 40th anniversary shows, that I had never heard it “live.” Now, it still doesn’t quite count since it was in the theater. My friend Mike Mueller (aka MetFan Mike) says this is the greatest song in the history of recorded music. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. But it can’t be too far off…
This song and a song of their recent album called Inamorata are really great at helping overcome those dark feelings.
How u did it? I'm 27 today and I was 13 when I first heard this song. It also saved my life, it felt like I finally had a friend and that someone could understand what I was going though, just like u said. I'm almost giving up on life and it scares me think that I have lots of years ahead of me. Like I'm afraid I won't wing this fight.
He earned my respect when he knew not to talk over Kirk's solo. That is showing proper respect to greatness.
My favorite Metallica song of all time. Just a stunning work of art
For oh so many reasons, it's the greatest song of all time
Amen
”Missing the one inside of me”
”Emptiness is killing me”
Those words gave a frame for my depression. I was able to understand what was going on. This song saved my life.
Emptiness is filling me*
Best and less boomerish and edgy one is "I was me but now he's gone". It might sound edgy, but to anyone that has had even a close call to depression alone, it resonates perfectly with what we were all feeling
a guy said once Behold I make all things new (kainos), but some people mock of him and kill him.
Fade To Black is nothing short of a masterpiece
After nearly 40 years, this song still has one of the best acoustic sections to learn, the best rhythm sections to learn, and the best solos to learn. It's an absolute gem, and they were only a few years out of being teenagers.
This is my favorite song. I think the instrumentation is beautiful and the lyrics are so impactful. Glad to see you listening to it!
One of my favourite songs of all time too. The whole thing just comes together so well and just works on kind of a natural level - hard to put into words really!
It’s my favourite Metallica song from my favourite Metallica album (Fade to Black).
Yeah my favorite of all time since I heard it. I'm 37 and it's still my favorite. Followed by Spiders by System of a Down.
Probably their best song!
Yeah the verse instrumental is beautiful. I personally couldn't say I felt the same about the other parts but absolutely understand why many would and do really like it. It's just not my cup of tea is all
By it I mean the other parts of the music, not the song. I like the song as contradictory as that may sound lol
I downloaded this song on lime wire 20 years ago not ever having heard it but liking the title. It took 8 hours to download using our new DSL line. I remember coming home that night excited to hear my new song. To say it changed my life is an understatement. I young man with depression was yearning for some understanding. I have listened to and played Fade to Black over 1000 times in the past 20 years.
Stay Metal !
U rock, mate !
Gotta chuckle, we must be within a couple years of age. This was also one of my first downloads, on Limewire, on DSL. I certainly didn’t experience the same impact, but this was the song that sold me on Metallica; it wasn’t just heavy and speed, and I always have enjoyed a band that has range. The true meaning didn’t hit me until much later, I’ve always been about the instruments and how the vocals play in(I don’t need to hear the lyrics word for word, I want to hear the emotions in vocals, just as if it’s another instrument). This song struck me, and still does.
Expect Lars at your door soon.
@@LouderGrawlix 😂😂😂
Worst miscalculation of their career. I mean, I get what they were going for, but they made a mountain out of a molehill, and it damaged them.
I downloaded the whole Metallica catalog on Napster. Took over 24 hours…
I mean a friend did! 😜
From a personal standpoint this song was able to give voice and express what I couldn’t do myself and at the same time helped me feel not so alone when I was in a dark place in my life.
This song has been credited for saving a lot of lives. Sometimes just knowing someone else gets what you feel is enough. Appropriate for Suicide Prevention Month.
The solo still gives me chills and makes my hair stand up EVERY SINGLE TIME. Just incredibly intense. And when Lars’s double bass pedals start it always makes me feel that it’s the blood pumping from the body. No doubt intentionally.
Creeping Death should definitely be your next song from this album. Such a great song about the plagues inflicted upon the Egyptians
Probably the first power ballad for the thrash era, love how it ends!!
Thanks for finally getting into Fade to Black, dear Doug. This is a beautiful dark song that had made me cry so many times in different stages of my life. Thanks for appreciating it as it deserves and getting what it means
This song has always been a masterpiece since day 1. It was my favorite song in my teenage era, and not because I wanted to commit suicide or be on depression, whatsoever, it was simply just because instrumentally is so beautiful, and those acoustic notes are majestic.
The solo section is a masterpiece.
Excellent analysis of the lyrics. Had the privilege of seeing this song live last year. James got really emotional. It's one of the songs they picked for the offical videos of that show, must've watched it over 20 times by now, lol. Had to hold back the tears when I saw the roadie bring the accoustic to the stage.
Great show. Thank you for doing some more of mighty Metallica. I saw this tour in 85’ in Chicago. I was 19. And 86’on the Master of puppets tour and finally after 37 years I took my son and we saw them just last week in Phoenix. Rock on Doug🤘🏼🤘🏼
That's crazy man! I saw them first time in 2010 and then in 2014. Now I have a 4 year old who loves to listen Metallica with daddy. I'm picturing both of us going together on a concert in the future as you did with your son. It must be something special. Cheers from Brazil!
You know, us metalheads were looked down upon back then. It’s wild to see you, a classical composer, reacting and enjoying this music that we have loved for years. I love hearing you explain it, the notes, how it’s arranged, and the keys different sections are in.
"Creeping Death" is my favorite Metallica song, and is my nomination for the greatest heavy metal song ever recorded. It is completely badass.
Right up there on my list 🤘🏻
I do like the song, but my recommendation for the greatest heavy metal song is The Ivory Gate of Dreams by Fates Warning. If you haven't heard it you can find the live version from the album Still Life on TH-cam.
It's really up there. It's Metallica at their most raw thrash, in my opinion.
Mine too it’s the song that got me into Metallica👍
This whole album, is insane
i grew up in a rough house, metal saved my life so many times. Feeling the pain, and feeling that im not alone, someone else was talented enough to make music that struck a cord with my inner self tapped into a massive healing gap.
Not just my favorite Metallica song, but my favorite song ever. Just beautiful
This is their best song for me.
Absolute masterpiece
56 year old man crying while listening, and singing along to this, dredging up emotions that this song helped me get through. This song saves lives. Thanks Doug!
45 year old here bawling my eyes out, this song definitely saved my life and has continued to do so.
Fade to black is one of my favorite songs of all times. One of the reason is that the lyrics talk about the mental process which afflicts people contemplating suicide. I perfectly know this feelings and these thoughts. James makes a perfect photograph of this state of mind that certainly he has experimented. When I heard this song for the first time and when i read the lyrics i I had the awareness that I was not the only one to live this situation. Metallica always made me feel less alone. That’s why i love them so much and feel them so close to me. I think that this song has saved so many lives helping people to making their lives more beareable. Always grateful for this. Thank you Doug for choosing to analyze this eternal masterpiece. Please may you dedicate a video to Dyers Eve? Thanks a lot
Cliff’s bass is so good in this song. Both his playing and the mix.
I can't believe it's almost forty years since this album came out,and it still kicks ass!🤘🤘🤘
Thank you. I consider Fade to Black to be Metallica's Magnum Opus. Every second off it is a masterpiece and to this day it still sends chills down my spine every time I hear it. The music encompasses everything that has always made Metallica great, and the lyrics touch even the deepest darkness in the soul. It's one of the top 2 Metallica songs I request people react to. The other is not just the song, but the music video for The Day that Never Comes.
I love The Day that Never Comes, but I felt a bit cheated on the Death Magnetic tour because I knew I missed the chance to hear Fade to Black live again because there was really no way to do both of those in the same concert.
Fade to black, One, The unforgiven series, The Day that never comes and Nothing else matters are their best song
This is definitely one of the best songs ever written.
Gives me chills every time.
Not only one of the best, but probably also the most influential song for me. If I had to choose one song that kickstarted my interest in music as a kid, it's this one. It's still great to occasionally put it on after all these years and just sit in awe.
Top analysis Doug as ever. Music can be a powerful weapon at times. 👌👍🤘
You can really hear Cliff Burton’s influence throughout this entire album. This is the first album where he received writing credits, and the difference between this album and their first effort is stark.
As someone who has been writing poetry and song lyrics for decades I can tell you that doing this has been an amazing therapy for me the entire time. It has helped me process and understand my feelings at such a deep level and I believe has kept me grounded in reality my entire life.
actually I'm with the second team, I used to listen it as a therapy. Exactly, the song is the safe and healthy way to process those emotions
This song is simply a beautiful composition. The subject matter expressed through James' lyrics are cathartic and are truly moving. One of my favorite songs of all time.
My all-time favorite Metallica song.... No contest. Thanks for analyzing this piece of art!
A great song for a great album and a great react ! Merci🤘💓
Thank you for your support, I appreciate it! So happy that you enjoyed the video.
This song helped me through some really dark times, offering a release to a lot of my dark thoughts and to help me structure my dark feelings and get them out of my system for a short while. I can still get emotional when hearing it, because it brings back many of those feelings I had through so many years.
It's amazing that you hadn't done this song until now. It's generally as highly regarded as One. First heard this in 1988. I was going through the worst time in my life and this song really helped me get through all that. Sometimes it is hard to listen to now because of the memories it brings back, but it is absolutely one of their masterpieces.
Y'all I don't know how they did this. It's such a masterpiece, there's just never been anything like 1980s metal again. The harmonies and melodies, the classical influences, it's impossible to find now. They were either on drugs or in a religious praying trance, it's just unbelievably masterful.
Outstanding response.. thank you for breaking it down in such identifiable terms.. You ROCK! xo
Amazing analysis, I just love your channel. Thank you Doug.
Man... I just tried singing along and kept choking up. Hits me every time.
The chord progression from the intro to the verse is as gorgeous and smooth as it gets
One of the best feelings in the world is seeing that someone else understands how you are hurting and expresses it in a way that helps you understand it better yourself.
Your channel intro sounds amazing! Fantastic vocals and a very interesting harmonic arrangement.
This album is my favorite Metallica record. Love Trapped Under Ice.
I was a teenager when I discovered Metallica in the late '80s. This song helped me through many dark moments back then. I find it to be very cathartic.
After the first chorus the transition back to the verse is just spectacular 👌
This song has always been a mood booster. I was 17 when it came out and ever since then if I'm feeling down, this song would lift me up.
My favourite song from Ride the Lightning, just barely ahead of Creeping Death and Call of Ktulu. The outro solo still gives me goosebumps.
I've seen them a half dozen times and they always played this song and I got goosebumps every time.
Everything about this piece is simply brilliant. Very well composed, executed and produced.
Well played, Doug. Your analyses are always enlightening and on point, you never fail to deliver.
Love your work Doug!
So glad you find metal and all types of music empowering also.
Kirk Hammett used to be my god, Metallica my religion and this album my Bible. But the only thing that hasn't decayed about Metallica is my memories. Or as Metallica would say, "But the Memory Remains"
Man Kirk's solos on their latest were...underwhelming to put it lightly
So very well said what you expressed starting at 11:50. James often conveys the same message when they play this song live. People who have these thoughts and feelings are not alone, and it really helps to talk and get it out as opposed to keeping it bottled up. Its such a beautiful message and one that I know has truly helped me get through some very dark times.
Very happy that you went with the studio version for this
Lovely. You really put words on what the song means both lyrically and intrumentally. Great review and thank you.
One of my favorite songs ever. My dad loved Metallica and suffered from depression. This song always reminded me of him when he was here. He just passed in April…the song hits harder than ever before.
I miss you so much dad. :(
This Song, this album… the whole Genre, saved my life more then once.
I have listened to this song easily over 1000 times... love
You have made a very special personal perspective and frankly a very special evaluation for such a song like this. Thanks.
I just recently (a few weeks ago) discovered your channel. I have gone through various metal reactions to songs I know and like. I had wanted to ask for Fade to Black as it is by far my favourite song and here we are. Thank you very much for making this video!
This is the greatest band & song in the history of mankind or any other kind tbh. THE song that got me into metal & the first song I learned all the way through on guitar. When I heard that bridge & outro solo, that was it. Say what you will about Tallica, but no other band had the impact & there will never be another band like them. 40 + years & they're STILL on top
My favorite song, ever. Masterpiece.
I don't give RTL enough space in my Metallica albums list, but anytime I listen to it, I remember what a fantastic album it is.
I’m exactly the same. I think the songs are as strong as any of their albums. I’m pretty sure the reason for that for me is it sounds pretty terrible. I HATE the production. It’s soooooo wet. Way too much reverb and ambience.
Imo Escape is a little weak, although it's still not a bad song. However, every other song on the album as an absolute banger.
Honestly same, but that's only because I listened to it over and over and over again for years. It's my favourite metallica album, but I barely listen to it. Makes the songs hit even more when I do hear them after an extended period of time
Metal is therapy. 🤘🤘
awesome,thank you,i saw them 56 Times Live,and they always bring the energy Live on stage ,lg from austria
They're an excellent live band, for sure.
Just yesterday I read a comment to another recent "Fade To Black" reaction, claiming Metallica has always sucked live. 😠🙄
I have a feeling he's never really been to one of their concerts.
You gotta do the rest of this album now. Fight fire with fire, the title track and creeping death especially
This song and Album got me through high school. saved me from some very dark times. It was my constant companion.
Kirk Hammett so many iconic solos and licks on just this song. Only 21 years old!
Ride the Lightning is my favorite Metallica album. Great stuff, Doug!🐻
There's a few songs on this album I love. Incredible that it came so early in their careers.
People were also freaking out about Suicide Solution by Ozzy and Number of the Beast by Maiden. Apparently none of them ever thought to read the lyrics.
happy you reacted to this Doug. Cheers! makes a metal head cry
One of the things that I like a lot from your videos is that (I feel) you are being completely honest, as a huge Metallica fan, that's the best (regardless if you like it or not).
Cheers!!
In my opinion- what set metalllica apart was that this particular song, for example, resonates with so many people that it did. I love Megadeth, but there is no way that they could have pulled this song off in the way that Metallica played it, much less any other thrash band at the time.
I love this song and it has always been one of my favorites! Superb analysis! Keep up the great work. I love watching your videos.
The harmony before the solo is what made me pick up the guitar 15 years ago. I was 10 and just had to learn this song. I still play parts of it almost everyday when I go to play guitar. Song is a master piece!!!
This song makes me tear up every time I hear it😪
Much love my man. Great take on the song
Great analysis. Truly a masterful piece of work by a group of young men (at the time)
After hearing them when they first came out, I got this album as my first Metallica album. Unforgettable.
Yes I agree...... it helps me alot and that I am not alone......
You can hear echoes of Michael Shenker's influence in Kirk's playing. Those outro guitar lines are so awesome...
I was 14 when my father committed suicide. This song spoke to me when I needed it. Often with suicide the survivors wonder why. This song, while dark, gave me a glimpse into what my dad must have been feeling at the end. It didn't give me closure but understanding and it really helped. To this day is still my favorite Metallica song.
💔
It's very valuable that this song helped you understand your father a bit more. I can understand it felt like he abandoned you, but he didn't really had another option. Suffering from depression or another mental illness is incredibly hard to live with. I know from experience.
The instrumental is THE journey, the first part is the highs and ups of depression itself, day in and day out, battling with it struggling to keep yourself cool and collected when inside you're dying and just want it to be gone, the second part with the final guitar solo is the musical representation of the moments from the final decision, to the whole process of preparing to kill one self, with the fading away of the riff being the slow death of someone bleeding out. That's always been my interpretation and it's made me love this song since I've noticed how close it is to such a situation.
Thank you for taking your time to cover this song ☺️ dark topic, intense debates on both sides, a powerful masterpiece 😯 take care and we're looking forward to the next Metallica Monday 😎
James wrote this after their equipment was stolen at a show. It’s essentially him mourning the loss of the gear that he was attached to and used to express himself. He was also very obsessed with death at the time. Since then it’s become much much more.
It's been said many times that what actually inspired this song was James's battle with depression. The stolen gear was what gave the final push to write it im guessing
It's so nice to see you react to this song, Doug ^^
Fade to Black shaped the way I listen to music on so many levels- my brother made me listen to it when I was a 15-year-old girl who thought metal was mere stupid, repetitive loud noise, in order to prove that there were melodies in it if you only paid attention...
Which then led me to listening to more types of music and paying lots and lots of attention in order to find all the layers the artists put in their songs, and also to improving my English in order to understand the lyrics... and now to your channel, 25 years later.
Watching you is always a pleasure, but today is a true delight! Many, many thanks for this video ^^
had such a good time watching this. you make me want to learn the language of music and its so fun to experience it through you in the video
Beautiful words you said! Thanks Doug
I always liked how his voice rolls in with that phaser or whatever they used.
When I first heard 'Fade to Black,' I knew metal was going to be my genre. This song is like a gateway drug. It's a shame that Cliff Burton was only able to contribute to 3 albums. They are the best metal albums with him.
Thanks a lot man for your deep thoughts and concepts. It means so much for a Metallicas fan. Thanks a lot!! 🤘🏼🎶
One interesting aspect of this song, is that at the time, there was a certain part of the fanbase that absolutely despised it because to them it represented Metallica going "soft". In fact, it was the first time that the band were accused of "selling out" - an "insult" that they've since had lobbed at them throughout their career.
Further, it's also quite amusing that the same people who vehemently complain about Metallica becoming more melodious and branching out into less heavy sounds, are also in many cases the ones that idolize Cliff Burton and say things like, Metallica died when Cliff did. This is funny, because it was precisely Cliff - who was the only bandmember with any real formal music education and understanding - who brought melody and more complex songwriting into the band and pushed them in that direction.
Love how you let the track play and dont pause for commentary off the bat. How can you tell the chords just by heating it - insane...and subscribed!
Doug has perfect pitch, that’s how he can tell the pitches with no outside help!