In 1984, Metallica did something that must have sounded completely wrong to some of their fans.
They wrote a ballad.
“Fade to Black” became the first promotional single from “Ride the Lightning” and Metallica first power ballad. It began quietly with acoustic guitar, then gradually built into the heavier, more emotional sound that would become part of the band identity.
For a band known for speed and aggression, it was a huge gamble.
And it worked.
Born From Stolen Gear
The song was directly inspired by one of the worst moments surrounding the recording of “Ride the Lightning”.
In January 1984, thieves stole roughly $40,000 worth of Metallica equipment from a U-Haul truck in Boston, including James Hetfield favorite Marshall amplifier.
Hetfield was devastated.
While staying at a friend house in New Jersey, he picked up a guitar and began writing.
That acoustic opening became the foundation of “Fade to Black”.
The song lyrics deal with suicidal feelings and despair, but Hetfield later explained that the emotional state behind the song came from the anger, depression and frustration surrounding the stolen equipment and the band chaotic situation at the time.
Metallica Freaked Out the Thrash Purists
The acoustic guitars were enough to make some early fans nervous.
Some thrash purists accused Metallica of selling out, while fans at early live shows even waved tissues at the band mockingly.
But Metallica weren’t interested in staying inside one box.
“Fade to Black” starts fragile and gradually becomes heavier, leading into its famous guitar work and one of the band most emotional performances.
The song was ranked 24th-best guitar solo ever in a Guitar World readers’ poll and eventually became a blueprint for later Metallica epics such as “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”, “One” and “The Day That Never Comes”.
A Song That Meant Something to Fans
The darkness surrounding the song also created controversy.
Hetfield later said he received criticism from people who believed the song could encourage young listeners toward suicide.
But he also received hundreds of letters from fans who said they connected with the song and that it actually made them feel better.
That’s the strange power of music.
Sometimes the song you write during your darkest moment becomes the song someone else uses to get through theirs.
The Beginning of Something Bigger
“Fade to Black” wasn’t just Metallica slowing things down.
It was Metallica proving they could build tension, emotion and atmosphere without sacrificing their metal identity.
The song was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton and Kirk Hammett, with Hetfield on rhythm and acoustic guitar and vocals, Ulrich on drums, Hammett on lead guitar and Burton on bass.
Released on “Ride the Lightning” it became one of the defining moments of the album and a major step toward the more expansive songwriting Metallica would explore later.
The song that once made thrash fans wave Kleenex eventually became a Metallica classic.
Not bad for a “ballad”. 🤘
What do you think Metallica greatest ballad or do you prefer “One”?
By
By
