This song, which came out on May 20th 1996, as the first single from “Load” showed a very different side of Metallica. More personal, darker and slower.
James Hetfield wrote the song about the pain of losing someone, which he got from watching his mother fight cancer. The words go beyond that experience and talk about trauma. Inner demons and the kind of pain that stays with you long after the moment has passed. Metallica hadn’t really explored this kind of raw, reflective and emotionally heavy music before.
The song changes from aggressive thrash to a more moody, melodic style. With its low-tuned, distorted riffs and slow-burning rhythm, it sets a haunting mood that fits the theme perfectly. Hetfield singing is both restrained and powerful, which adds to the song’s intensity without relying on speed or aggression.
Even though it split fans at the time “Until It Sleeps” became a huge hit around the world and showed that Metallica could change without losing their power. The strange music video which was directed by Samuel Bayer and based on Hieronymus Bosch, only added to its mystery and won a lot of awards, including an MTV award.
Today, it is one of the most emotionally powerful songs in Metallica collection.
Did “Until It Sleeps” change how you see Metallica’s evolution?
James Hetfield – guitars, vocals
Lars Ulrich – drums
Kirk Hammett – guitars
Jason Newsted – bass
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