Released: 1984
Album: 'Ride the Lightning'
Did you know? The song's inspiration comes from the scene in the movie 'The Ten Commandments' in which plagues in the Bible were bestowed on the ancient Egyptians. While watching the movie, bassist Cliff Burton mentioned, "It's like a creeping death," giving the song its name.
In the media: On Slipknot's DVD 'Voliminal: Inside the Nine,' Slipknot's Joey Jordison plays the drums on 'Creeping Death' for Metallica because Lars Ulrich was too sick to play.
9) 'Wherever I May Roam'
Realesed: 1991
Album: 'Metallica'
Did you know? The opening of the song uses an electric sitar, which is a guitar that mimics the sound of the traditional Indian instrument.
In the media: In the game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, a unit quotes the song by saying, "Roamer, wanderer, nomad, vagabond, call me what you will" with a response by the Beastmaster of "Where I lay my head is home."
Download 'Wherever I May Roam'
8) 'Enter Sandman'
Released: 1991
Album: 'Metallica'
Did you know? This was the first song written for the 'Metallica' album but the last one to have lyrics. In fact, the words we know and love aren't the originals. The first set of lyrics, written by James Hetfield, were about destroying the perfect family, in order to counter the commercial appeal of the song. However, Lars Ulrich and producer Bob Rock told him that he could write something better.
In the media: In 2003, 'Enter Sandman' was in the news because of its use by American interrogators during the Iraq War. Interrogators exposed prisoners to the song for hours at a time, the hope being that under the pressure of listening to music that was "culturally offensive," the prisoners would break their resistance.
7) 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'
Released: 1984
Album: 'Ride the Lightning'
Did you know? The intro, written by Cliff Burton before joining Metallica, is often mistaken for an electric guitar but is actually a bass guitar affected by distortion and "wah-wah" sound.
In the media: The song is sampled by the Bloodhound Gang for their song 'Mope.' The opening riff appears in the chorus.
Download 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'
6) 'Fade to Black'
Released: 1984
Album: 'Ride the Lightning'
Did you know? The lyrics depict a man contemplating life who eventually commits suicide. In 2003, Lars Ulrich said that he and James Hetfield were obsessed with death at the time of the recording, and it obviously came out in their lyrics.
In the media: Guitar World magazine ranked the song as having the No. 24 best guitar solo ever.
5) 'Battery'
Released: 1986
Album: 'Master of Puppets'
Did you know? The song is a tribute to the Old Waldorf Club in San Francisco. However, the lyrics directly address assault and the control that anger can have over a person's actions.
In the media: In the documentary 'Some Kind Of Monster,' Robert Trujillo's audition to be Metallica's new bass player started with a request to play 'Battery.'
4) 'Seek and Destroy'
Released: 1983
Album: 'Kill 'Em All'
Did you know? Since its debut in 1982, 'Seek and Destroy' has been the song that Metallica closes most shows with. It also appears in 'Some Kind of Monster' over images depicting the progression of the band.
In the media: The wrestler Sting uses a 1999 concert recording of 'Seek and Destroy' as his theme song.
3) 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)'
Released: 1986
Album: 'Master of Puppets'
Did you know? On tour in the late '90s, Metallica began combining 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)' and 'Master of Puppets,' renaming the medley 'Mastertarium.' The song also borrows from the Rush song 'Tom Sawyer,' who are thanked in the liner notes of the album.
In the media: Limp Bizkit covered the song in 2003 for a Metallica tribute concert.
Download 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)'
2) 'One'
Released: 1988
Album: '...And Justice For All'
Did you know? This song draws its inspiration from the 1939 novel 'Johnny Got His Gun,' by Dalton Trumbo, in which a World War I soldier is injured by German artillery and is left deaf, blind, mute and limbless; the man becomes a prisoner of his own body.
In the media: The movie clips from the 'One' video are taken from the film version of 'Johnny Got His Gun.' You can view the trailer of the film here and buy the DVD here.
1) 'Master of Puppets'
Released: 1986
Album: 'Master of Puppets'
Did you know? The song is about cocaine and how powerless drugs can make a person feel. Powerlessness is a theme throughout Metallica's music but most noticeably on the album 'Master of Puppets.' The title song is considered the band's signature tune, known for its lengthy instrumental sections and downpicking.
In the media: Triumph the Insult Comic Dog did a sketch for 'Late Night With Conan O'Brien' where he trashed John Mayer's hotel room to 'Master of Puppets.'
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