Cliff had the heart of a classical composer. It breaks my heart to think of all the music he didn't get to make

Anyone: you can’t make bass the main instrument of a band Cliff: *hold my weed*

Cliff stated “Bach is a god!” He was really into classical music structures.

Cliff goes absolutely crazy in The Call of Ktulu. You missed it when you reacted to that song because it's buried in the mix, but he's soloing all over the place. You just have to pay a lot of attention and know where his bass lines are in the mix. Once your ears learn where they are, you'll hear them every time you hear the song.

Also consider that he wrote this at about 20 yrs old and is performing it here at 21 yrs old. He was just phenomenal

I met all of Metallica before their opening for Ozzy Osbourne in 1986 in Memphis Tennessee. Cliff was so cool and kind as well as the rest of his band mates. They asked me and my friend where we were from and were so surprised that we drove 100 miles to see them play. Feels like yesterday.

Cliff was the Jaco Pastorius of Metal, Metallica would never have become what they are without him, he took them to the next level musically, a true legend, R.I.P

In my opinion Cliff was the best bassist of all time. He is truly missed

On S & M 2 there is, for me, a fantastic tribute to both Cliff and this tune. That guy from the orchestra just gives it his all. Amazing performance. 😍

That is why metallica fans are so hardcore and will protect metallica's legacy at all costs. 3 words says it all. Cliff Fucking Burton

Cliff was heavily influenced by Classical music, particularly Bach. Check out the acoustic intro to Fight Fire With Fire, and the intro to Damage, Inc. (which is all bass with heavy distortion and reverb/delay).

Cliff Burton .Rest in Peace ..Sept. 1986..Bass guitar Innovator/Metal God 🎸 🎸 🙏 🎶 🎵 24 years old))

One of my favorite stories is when Lars and James were chilling in a bar and Cliff was up on stage soloing, then I think it was Lars who said "dude, is that a bass?!" And then the rest is history. He was a one of a kind who left a major impact not just on the band but metal in general

I saw Cliff play in Cardiff 16 days before the accident. As I'm very much the same age as the band. So it hit me very hard. That said it also inspired me as a musician, and I've learnt Anesthesia and many other 'tallica songs. I'm sure Cliff would of been pleased at that.

Cliff Burton was truly great. You can't really hear him on the earlier albums cause the mixing, but there are videos on youtube where people solo the bass or boost it way up, and he's playing like Getty Lee. Truly a talent too soon.

He wrote this when he was 20/21 years old. Can only imagine what he could’ve accomplished if he lived longer. Along the same tragic path as Randy Rhoades who was another amazing musician who was lost too young. Such unlimited potential there that leaves you wondering what could’ve been.

The studio version of this bass solo changed my life - made me pick up the instrument. I still play to this day over thirty years (!) later. Cliff really was a unique guy who knew how to be himself in every aspect and that is what I respect about him. I would also suggest seeking out videos of Cliff’s recently deceased father Ray Burton on youtube, you’ll see how Cliff became the wonderful man he was.

The most astounding part of this, for me, was always how he managed to pull this badass sound bass from a Rickenbacker, which is typically not the weapon of choice for a metal bass player, aside from Lemmy, but Lemmy was on a league of his own. Killer, historial, epic performance.

the best version was on Roskilde Denmark May 1986. This was the version the lead bassist did in S&M 2

Burton , in 82 was above mine & your pay grade!! HE was ahead of his time!! In retrospect we can critique his playing, but only after we hear the simplicity of his riffs. While we sit in our chairs, we forget his true influence!!

Cliff was a classically trained musician with a lot of love for classic symphonic artists, Handel and Wagner and Beethoven etc. He brought the harmonies and a lot of lead licks played by Hammett to Metallica. In fact that cool arpeggio in the intro solo of Fade to Black was something Cliff either recommended or showed to Kirk (depending on the source)

This dude nailed it on calling out on Cliffs music taste. Glad i came across this reaction

Such a shame, we can only imagine what might have been if he had lived.

Ahh Yes Doug! Cliff was the man! You should listen to the version they did on the second S&M, it made this old metal head get misty eyed! :)

Jolly good show. I remember think I was like 9 or 10, my dad bought me all four Metallica cassettes that were out at the time, and Cliff's bass playing just constantly blew me away.

Ray Burton. Cliffs father, is an Amazing gentle man in the Metallica camp, metal community. Ray Burton accented the RockNRoll Hall of Fane Awatd in honor of Cliff. Touching Moment 4 Metallica(Cliff 'Em All)**

I play any instrument with strings on it, I work professionally as a bass player though. This man is far & away the most under rated to have ever picked up the bass. He could have done so much more if we hadn't lost him so soon. R.IP. Cliff. 🤘

I loved all the baroque influence in Metallica, before I knew what baroque was. Thanks Cliff. You were my first and greatest bass teacher.

The original bass player for Metallica is Ron McGovney. Ron left, and Cliff joined the band, in 1982.

Cliff knew and loved Bach and considered him to be the best musician of all time!

The song still rattles my windows in my car every time. And on the S&M two album, they have the cellist play it and it is mine blowing.

I also love the way "bass solo. Take one." Was left for Kill Em All because it was recorded in one take.

Technically, he wasn't the original bassist.. that was Ron McGovney, but... certainly their best... and his influence spanned from their first album to well beyond his passing. Even Justice featured some of his artistry.

Personally, I love the whole Anesthesia/Whiplash combination from Kill 'em All (including the "Bass Solo - Take One" bit.) I've seen MetallicA live many times, but it wasn't until 2017 that I ever saw them allow any of their other bassists to play Anesthesia. Jason was never allowed to play it that I saw or am aware of. Robert Trujillo did him justice. It was awesome to experience it live, even if I never got to see Cliff perform in person. The giant LED screens surrounding the stage featured Cliff in his classic stance headbanging. I think they went from Anesthesia into Seek and Destroy at that show, but awesome none the less.

Wow, I remember this from a long ago. I have probably heard it a few dozen times, but better late than never.

The Hendrix of Bass.

Love the Metallica reactions!! (You should check out one of their live performances from the ‘91 Moscow show just to see the crowd!!!)

Its Cliffs world we're just graced to live in it.

So glad you got to do this Doug. I actually got to see the same bass Cliff is using here in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He had all sorts of modifications done to it so he could get whatever tones he could.

I am so glad i got to see Cliff do his thing live, i was one of the lucky people to see him before he died!! He absolutely blew me away on the Puppets tour!!

Should be interesting. There’s an “Infernal Dance of King Kastchei” reference lurking in this one. Would also be interested in seeing a reaction to the San Francisco Orchestra bassist performance as well. Will definitely check back…

My favorite bass line in any metal song is Cliff on Jump In The Fire. Listen to how he drops the root to the 7th and bops along to what the guitars are doing, it's absolute perfection and drives the song in a way most metal bands don't make room for. RIP

Please do Orion. Cliff was the trained musician in the band, totally unique player, with a unique voice and style. A little of me died with Cliff.

The today's Trujillo is technically very prepared BUT, Burton, moreover considering he was about 22, here, was a GENIUOS ❤🙏

Im in tears...........miss you a lot Cliff!!!

I play bass. I learned parts of this song in my youth since Metallica was/is my favorite band. One of the things that hit me when I was learning this at age 20 (I'm much older now) was, not just how much dexterity Cliff had, but how much FINGER STRENGTH he must have had to play the way he did. \m/

I read an interview excerpt with Lars (don't recall where) amd he said that Cliff actually did about 6 different takes of Anesthesia, so they could choose 1 for the album. So somewhere are these other solos that they absolutely should release.....

I've been a fan for years and have never seen that clip. Thank you!

love the channel. always something to learn or to appreciate. all the best! :)

It would have been interesting what direction Metallica might have gone if they hadn't lost Cliff. My guess is that they would have been quite different and better today.

I’m currently deep in the Ren rabbit hole. Could anything pull me out for a minute? Yes, Cliff Burton has the power 😊.

Thanks Doug. I love Cliff, and I love your videos so this was the ultimate culmination.

when james and lars was told,there cut tjek out this bassist in a clup playing with trauma and when they enter the clup,they hear a what there think is a heavyli destored guitar,but it was cliff and both knew we need this bassplayer...

amazing, been waiting for this.

You like this you should watch it when the Symphony version that was recently played

I saw Cliff live. He was mesmerizing as a bass player. RIP Cliff. 😢❤❤❤❤

Definitely recommend you listening to the studio version to see just how free he was on stage and see just how much flair and extra notes he added to it live. Every time he played it it would be different but equally amazing. Thanks for another great vid

Hi, Thank you for this reaction, I really appreciate that as a huge fan of Cliff. However, I am also a big fan of Jason Newsted, and I would like to recommend you Jason Newsted solo from Gothenburg 1987, I think it is awesome as well but it´s actualy a little bit forgotten solo, but still awesome. Keep going in your work, you´re great and I really enjoy your videos a lot :).

The Cliffest of Burtons! 🤘🧙‍♂️🤘 On display here is one of Cliff's coolest techniques. By placing the distortion/gain effect pedal BEFORE the Wah pedal, it allows the Wah to scream like a demon being raped by a bigger, meaner demon. Works with guitar too, but be careful! 😂 🤘🧙‍♂️🤘 Rich the Ancient Metal Beast

"Bass solo, take one" Such an iconic song, but a huge driving force in the early Metallica albums. Check out Rob Scallon's cover of this on a standup bass or the S&M2 cover. Both are awesome

Cliff is the only thing about Metallica that I can still enjoy. I can only imagine what other music he would have done if he was still with us.

Bassist Jason Newsted said he went to see Metallica play Phoenix, Arizona in 1985 and specifically went to the front of the stage to see Cliff Burton play live... The tour featured W.A.S.P. and Armored Saint, and Metallica was the main attraction for Newsted, who was hooked on 'Ride the Lightning' and "Kill 'em all" (at the time)... Newsted was in awe of the young bassist. In 1986, Jason Newsted's band Flotsam & Jetsam had released their first album 'Doomsday for the Deceiver' when he first read the news that Cliff Burton had died... and it was tough on him to lose someone who was a hero to him. Soon after, Metal Blade Records' (who had signed Flotsam) CEO Brian Slagel contacted Newsted and told him that Metallica were holding auditions for a new bassist... Slagel (who had recommended Cliff Burton to Metallica from the band Trauma) wanted to know if Newsted would try out. Despite his reluctance to leave Flotsam & Jetsam, Newsted wanted the gig... He spent days listening to every Metallica track and practicing the songs on bass before going for the audition. Newsted said that when he arrived, the members of Metallica were messed up on booze and bass players (about 40 in total) were being dismissed in succession after barely playing... When it was his turn, Jason Newsted shredded on his bass (he had to plug into Cliff Burton's old bass rig) and Metallica took notice of his enthusiasm and energy. 'OK, u made the cut.' Newsted was one of 2 bassists (?) that made it out... He stayed in San Francisco and jammed w/ the band and after a few days, James & Lars decided to go w/ Newsted. The difference between Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted was big... Burton played w/ his fingers and used a distortion pedal that allowed him to play 'lead bass' on Metallica tracks... Newsted played w/ a pick and was more focused on rhythm and feel; he also did not have Burton's classical music training... so, 'Pulling teeth' was out of Metallica's setlist... and Newsted did his own bass solo that was more subtle. On the 'And justice for all' album in 1988, Jason Newsted's bass tracks were faded out of the mix because Lars wanted his drums to be more audible and James wanted his guitars to be up front... Newsted was eventually heard on the 1991 'black' album and his parts were tight and heavy... but his contributions to Metallica were almost non-existent in songwriting... which led to him leaving the band in 2001. Who knows what Cliff Burton could have done w/ Metallica if he had lived... and not utilizing Jason Newsted's talents were such a waste... but we can appreciate the music.

Been listening to this stuff since the 1980s. It never gets old \m/

Always loved Orion from Master of Puppets. Always made me think of a melodic Space Opera as I listened to it.

Never seen this before. Thanks!

Absolutely amazing musicianship from Cliff... I'm surprised there are so few virtuoso bass-players, because this works so well. Something hit me... In the first part he was actually using a pick and not just the fingers.. You can tell when he throws the pick away in the middle of the song. Cliff Burton was classically school, and he LOVED bringing classical and egyptian scale elements into the music.

I was funny to see your reaction,this song and cliff were the motivation for me to switch to bass after I got nerve damage in my legs and couldn't play my drum kit,double kickers take a lot of focus to do polyrhythms,just isn't there in my feet.i could see the analyst dissecting then all right brain go out the window,the same 'how did he freaking do that's?reaction I had when listening and later retro engineering it.yeah,cliff was a master class in bad ass and dedication.👍

While not one of my favorite Metallica tracks, cliff was an absolute master and legend.. if only :/ thanks Doug for another great review!

Yes! 🤘 RIP Cliff Burton, this and Orion are a couple of my favorite bass-forward Metallica songs 🔥

Happy Birthday Cliff. R.I.P

Cliff actually studied music and had a degree in it. Orion is really his magnum opus. It's been said he wrote all the parts even though the rest of the band had parts. His dad setup a scholarship for all of his royalties to go to.

Love it. Oh to be at that show in the tiny Metro in Chicago.

I'm a old bass player and apart from cliff my other inspections were the same as his geddy lee, Phil lynot. Cliff is a real musician

God, I love this album. It's so raw and honest. It's goes from this into Whiplash and it hooked me on thrash.

I remember having my mind blown when I listened to the isolated bass track from Orion for the first time. So many hidden marvels throughout their whole discography with him.

The best bassist this world had 😢 rip the legend

I saw him do that song live a few times, so f'n amazing.

Cliff went to school for music so it makes sense

I saw an interview with Cliff's father,Ray Burton, an he said that Cliff asked for a bass guitar after hearing the intro on the them to the TV show, Barney Miller. And as others have said, Cliff enjoyed classical music, as well as mant other styles of music. Truly great and talented musicians , by far, listen to and enjoy multiple genres of music snd Cliff Burton was no exception.

Cliff was the hendrix of bass.

what was most impressive to me was that he let it ring out at the right time every time feed back' fullstring let it ring the finger speed is nothing i can do

Cliff is the badass of BASS

Cliff has to be the greatest Bass Player ever to live, although I'm bias, I wanted to let you know Doug that Cliff's inspiration came a lot from Johann Sebastian Bach in his writing. It kills me that when he died they didn't give enough credit for ...And Justice for All as he actually did, he did most of the writing for Kill em' all, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets and I would wager to say he did most of the writing even if incomplete for And Justice for all. A dream band for me would have Dimebag Darrell and Cliff Burton in it... The both will live forever in their legacy! Thank you for doing this Doug, it was a real treat seeing and hearing your reaction!

🌠Good one Doug..Cliff was One of a Kind..A True Master..Sad about what happened 2 him...if u dont know look it up...heavy stuff...

Hell he plays it like a freaking lead guitar. Best song they have ever done. I would give my right testicle to have him or steve Harris in a band

Great video and review, I still have a part that questions how you have never heard this before lmao

Good to see Doug headbanging. :-)

Cliff was one of the guys that influenced me at 13 to pick the bass up, and over 30 years later I still love the instrument. His bass was very unique in that it contained a lead guitar pickup under the bridge which he added. He used light string gauges which allowed maddening bends. No one played or head banged like Cliff, and though the band had two different bass players since his passing they've never been the same. Everyone has wondered how the band would have sounded like if he hadn't tragically died. Would And Justice For All actually had bass in the mix? Would their self titled album be as full sounding? Would he have bailed out during Load and ReLoad? What about solo work? Cliff was a musician first and foremost, and so to the speculation, Cliff most likely would have enjoyed creating the music on those albums. Though probably would never have gotten the "Friends" hair cut the other guys did. He was a very gifted composer and very down to earth. A humble guy who disliked being likened to a god ("I'm not a god, I'm just a man"), and 37 years later he is still missed.

Thanks Doug for another great video and most of all for a reaction to a Metallica song. Cliff was one of the all time greats, RIP Mr Burton! I think I would love to see you interview Metallica.

I got to see him twice in 86🎸🤘🏴‍☠️

I love this version, especially at the end when they're just jamming. Kirk kinda looks like he was having trouble staying with it, wanting it to end.

What I love about this tune isn't necessarily its composition, but its Hendrixesque controlled chaos.

This video of Cliff is truly spectacular. Having said that, if you haven't listened to the studio cut, by all means do so. I think you'll enjoy it.

Cliff was something else. Not only was he the driving musical force of the band, a great bass player but was in a way the poster boy for the band with his double denim. Much missed.

For your next Metallica Monday, try sampling the next Metallica bassist Jason Newstead with My Friend if Misery, which is oozing with feeling.

Actually Cliff Burton is the second bassist in metallica the original is Ronald J. McGovney from October 1981 to December 1982. This song rocks to this day.

4:03 "Sounds like a guitar. " this is what James and Lars said when they first heard him

Cliff lives!

Cliff was revolutionary, he was the mozart of Bass, or rather Dr. Frankenstein, and the Bass is the monster.. I'd like to thank whatever or whoever for giving me life at a moment when he and many others like him, Rhoades, Hendrix, Morrison, S.R.V., were around. Thanks.

Ron mcgovney was the original bassist from 1981 to 1982