This songs helped so many people around the world. Metallica are immortal for this song alone.

The way i always interpreted this song is that at the point that he sings "now i will just say goodbye" - he has ended his life - ended his suffering - and the song finishes with a long instrumental - and if you listen to the instrumental - in contrast to the dark, ominous notes of the earlier song - the instrumental is quite uplifting - even happy. I take that as his suffering is over - he has crossed over to whatever awaits all of us, but he is in a better place now. The song structure to me - and i have no musical talent - is similar to Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird - where the song ends on a wild instrumental as the "bird flies free." Anyways - thanks for posting your reaction - enjoyed it.

Being in High School in the 80's there was a social status. Many kids had tough childhoods. This was our aggression. A few went the wrong direction. I'd like to think this song helped more than it hurt. It helped me.

To consider: some people listen to music to make them feel a certain way while other people listen to music to mirror how they feel.

One of the most beautiful songs ever written.

This song never fails to make me feel better. The hope in the guitar spiraling at the end is a gift. I bought this album in 86 along with Puppets and they both ask big questions, make harsh accusations and can be whatever the listener needs it to be. Been a fan since I was 12 years old. Still am.

James Hetfield was 19 or 20 years old when this was written! Just incredible musicianship and lyricism for a human of any age. This was a very cathartic song for me in my teen years when it was released.

Released in 1984, Metallica's 2nd album 'Ride the Lightning' was truly a record ahead of its time... It truly captured one of the purest musical moments of a young Metallica in their early 20's w/ nothing to lose and everything to prove. The band at the time (Vocalist/ guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and late bassist Cliff Burton) were broke and desperate after recording and releasing their debut album "Kill 'em all"... in 1983. No one would help them because Metallica were so abrasive and uncompromising live ... so, the band played every gig they could book to build their fanbase from the ground up. A European label Music For Nations funded Metallica's 2nd album in '84 because their original label Megaforce Records didn't have the fund$ at the time... and they recorded in Lars Ulrich's country of origin Denmark. James Hetfield recalled that he went to visit his then-girlfriend at her home... her sister was playing 'Fade to black' on repeat while he was there... At that point, he knew that the band had something special. It was a song Hetfield wrote about depression - his favorite guitar amp had been stolen on tour and he was bummed out... Many Metallica fans told the band that the song helped discourage them from suicide... Both Metallica albums sold significantly in 1984 (over 200K copies each w/ zero airplay or media coverage) and the band was soon signed to a bigger management company Q-Prime and a bigger label Elektra Records by 1985. Metallica did their first major US club tour that year w/ W.A.S.P. and Armored Saint... and were clearly a fave on the bill. It set the stage for Metallica to break big in 1986 w/ their 3rd album 'Master of Puppets'... which became their first album to sell gold in the US (half million copies) and then platinum (1 million) 🤘🤘🔥

The Guitar 🎸 rhythm of Metallica is always top notch. The riffs always lock you into the song. An exceptionally talented band.

Thank you for playing my request, Maddy. 🥰

As he says goodbye to the hell he feels, the solo takes him and us to heaven, or whatever image you have of any or no existence that lies beyond life. If anything, at least the relief of life's pain. All as the song fades to black.

Not only is this a good song, but its one of the greatest songs ever written. And just to think they were kids when they wrote it.

Studio version. Excellent choice. Way better than any live version for just an overall reaction. God bless.

This is one of thier BEST songs.

I love how you took notice of that magnificent lead guitar intro. Yes!! It's incredible. To answer your question: I listen to this song very often, and no matter what mood I'm in. Not to sound detached, but I know what it's about, so I just listen to the musical brilliance and performance of the song to wow me. And it wow's me every time. I was lucky enough to see them live on their ...And Justice For All tour in Jan 1989. HS! That was 35 years ago. wow ....p.s. thank you for choosing the studio version

How many great songs can a single band have?

They got a lot of letters from people who have said this song literally saved their lives.

Metallica is Thrash/Metal all the way until the Black album in which they changed their song style makeup. More mainstream Metal with a Thrash twist. Many people have credited this song with changing their life & even saving their life. But at the time the song was released society wasn't having it, and they were ridiculed for putting it out & I think banned from some venues or outright forbidden to play it. Today people always say, "when would you listen to this" but in the Thrash world back in the day we never ask that. If we like the song, we play it over & over again, we never worried about the lyrics having to fit our mood. We just played what we liked & pondered the situation within those lyrics, letting it expand our thoughts. Thrash/Metal is like that, music comps usually revolve around real world things like War, Death, Religion, Society, The Supernatural, Politics, the struggle between Good & Evil. Thrash's big identifiers are longer instrumental intros, many change up's, multiple guitar solos & a mix up of hard, light and fast tempos. Metallics is sort of the gateway drug into the Thrash/Metal world because their sound is so beautiful & technical and a great reason why they are so well known. They are simply awesome but not the only great one's in this genre. Great reaction 👍😎👍

Nice, I listen to this song when I'm alone and want to chill, because I usually like melancholic songs but not fully sad songs either. This song is kind of sad (especially the lyrics), but also very melodic and brings some energy with the electric parts and solo, so I don't feel depressed when listening to it and kind of chill (the acoustic part after the first "solo-intro" really makes the song really sound "beautiful" instead of just "dark" or "sad").

One of those songs that the older one gets. The more and more understandable this song becomes. Angry melancholy of just existing

This album was released on July 27, 1984 . A day before my 21st birthday ❤

This was a favorite of mine for many years, because of my depression. Now? Not so much. I no longer feel the darkness that once shadowed my heart

Great song by Metallica.Always love the voice of James,and the guitar work from him and Kirk.Thank you Maddie!

When I feel down and listen to this song, the verses can tell more or less how I feel and that's empathy. When the solos come afterwards, I also feel a lot of push back. And in the final solo I feel like I'm free from my pain. Like a great sense of release. So, in my opinion, I think depressed people should listen to this song as it is emotional, empathetic and gread guitar story telling and encouragement for not giving up on life despite the lyrics. What is great about metallica is that the instrumental parts are better than words.

I listen whenever it comes up during a full album play. Also anytime I’m in the mood for it, which could be anytime.

This song is an autobiography to many...especially from the 80's.😞😢😭

If you like the acoustic guitar attributes of this song, check out Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne. Randy Rhoads was a Genius.

Metallica's considered Thrash Metal for the most part, although on the lighter side of it. This song in particular is one of their ballads, along with Sanitarium, One, and a couple others.

The song takes me back to a really rough time in my life. It was 1992. I was in love (ha!) Depressed, in mourning, not getting along with my family (ive apologized) and ready to check tf out. Then I thought "Girl if you leave this world right now, you'll never get to hear whats in that vault (Prince, im a huge fanatic but i can barely listen to him anymore) I put the razor blade down and kept on trying. Also that guy i was obsessed over ended up in prison 🤷🏿‍♀️ We're Metallica fans..of course we remember the 92 montreal debacle where James Hetfield was literally torched when he walked into a 2000° pyrotechnic. Axl Rose was no help. People are still pissed about it.

In the dark moments of my life I listen to this song and many others to help pull me out of my darkness. My poetry writing helps me too.

Best song ever written, performed by the greatest band that ever was, playing through my ‘04 F-150 8200 GVW with an Alpine stereo, 10,000 watts, 13 Alpine amplifiers, 16 vocal speakers, 6 10” subwoofers in a custom, two section sub box, dual alternators, dual charging systems, Alpine alarm, self built alarm for the amplifiers enclosure and so much More. Doesn’t get any better than that.

yes i feel less alone when i hear this i've been there many many times

Yeah back in the day, when we were teens, we didn't have anyone to talk to this stuff about. Imagine the awkwardness of a teen, with no real outlet for teenager angst. This song brought tears to myself and I later learned, most of my friends. We were all somewhat suicidal back then. Some of my friends didn't make it, so now it has a new meaning for me.

Been a minute since I've caught a Maddy reaction..I been slackin. Nice as always! Hope all is well..

You would definitely appreciate the live version of this song.

Coming back strong with Metallica 🤘🔥🔥

The Lincoln, Nebraska live version is really good. It’s on their KZfaq channel.

Yes I love your ramblings , you are one of the most honest reactors , some reactors act as if every song is the greatest thing ever ,we can be honest there are some songs I love , some not so much , have a great night beautiful lady

40 years and its still kicks in my face 💔

And Justice For All!

For me I won't go out of my way to listen to this song, but if I hear it I'm compelled to listen to it. Thus I watched this reaction lol.

its a ballad, metall ica is considered metal because it's a ballad it's not their strongest, that would probably be "master of puppets". their best ballad would be "one" the most romantic ballad is "nothing else matters".

One of their best

That heavy guitar your hearing is Cliff Burton playing the Bass like it's a lead guitar.

I listen to this song when I want to hear some nice Melodies! The lead guitar is amazing in and out of solos. And although the lyrics are sad it still bangs enough at the end to listen whenever

i never tend to listen to this song on it's own no. when i listen to it is when i listen to the whole album, and in that context it works really well because it's a great album and each song contrasts and compliments the ones before it and after it so well, it seems to fit into its place on the album really well if that makes any sense.

This song has a direct relationship to James Hetfield. His mom died and someone stole his guitar speaker that she had given him. He was so depressed he thought of killing himself. Lickily he had a strong family and support from friends to pull him back. This song is a "what if" he had no one to help him.

I was 19 years old, in Desert Storm, came home my Fiancé left me, I wrote these lyrics on paper and sent them.out to all my friends and tried to take my life. Got 72 hour Psych Eval, in military 🪖 psych ward, sent back out on duty. 😂

The cool part modulated from B minor to a minor by using an F diminished seventh chord

Hey Maddy! Hope you are doing well. Excellent choice, Metallica has an extensive volume of work from which to choose. Interesting fact, Dire Straits has a song of the same name that is more of a slow bluesy groove, I think you might enjoy and should have a listen. Have a fantastic weekend! ✌️ ☮️ ❤️🎼🎶🎤🎵

the most dangerous metal song in the history

It's nuts to think the band was 20/21 years old when this was written.

1:20 It's a modulation. Basically changing the key of the song.👍

Great album. I mean one of the best. Their best, imho.

Metallica is Metal, yes.

Metallica is Metal its in the name!

This girl clearly has too much Finnadookie in her blood to understand that Fade to Black is actually EASILY one of Metallica's strongest songs, if not their best.

You should check them out live in Moscow to the biggest crowd in his-story 1.6 million people.. during fall of the USSR the people never seen a live metal band. also they did a amazing collaboration with San Francisco orchestra a few years back..a must see they have a wide range of styles. I seen them in the early 80s after my band finished our set a "Hot Groupie" Ask if I want to go see this new band called Metallica i though that was a cool name and she was real hot😂 man I was blown away. we all set and had a few beers except for there guitar player he had several dozen and was acting stupid. a little while latter we seen James the singer Selling homemade records out of his band Selling homemade records out of his van even the covers was hand made out of brown paper bag's with art drawn on them but really cool drawings. I bought one for I think 5 dollars and still have it in my collection and no its now for sell it never been played not because I thought it would be worth anything but because I was busy doing the same they was doing hustling but they was much better than my drug infestated band that are all dead now.😢

Funny thing - when this first came out, it was railed against (by the powers that be) as a pro-suicide song... but over the years Metallica has gotten tens of thousands of letters from people saying how this song was cathartic for them when they were in a very dark place and helped them out of their hole. That said, yes.. this is definitely metal.

1:27 I might be wrong but I guess it's an ascending scale on the electric guitar, accompanied by the classical guitar it gives a really good sound

I'd listen to this song whenever. Like just now.

HEAVY METAL BABY!!!!!

Hey maddy, bring more metallica songs.

Like James says at their concerts "Are you alive" during this song

Metal is in their name.

This is a good song!!

Listen to it whenever I feel like it or just want to

should watch a live version too, specifically maybe the one from Bonnaroo some years back.

Great reaction. You should check out The Warning's two versions of Metallica's Enter Sandman. One was a cover they made in 2014 when they were kids that went viral and has millions of views. It caught the attention of Metallica and led to an appearance on the Ellen show where they were provided the funds to go to the Berkley School of music. The other version came about when Metallica asked them to be part of the 30th anniversary of the Black List album and they asked the band to make their own version of Enter Sandman. They asked The Warning to do something different with it and the band didn't disappoint.

1 of my favorite songs of all time right here, Nice

I don't know what you'd call it, but we call it art.

100% I listen to this when I'm sad. Makes me feel like I'm not along feeling like a pile of shit

Heavy CLASSICAL over tones And a hint of Medieval acoustical. Then the hard rock/metal crunch-punches.

She made it all the way through.

Such a piece of music

They may have equaled this song, but they never bettered it. Classic.

You Officially Rock Now. 😊

This song helped me a bunch during my teenage years. Just knowing there was others that had similar feelings was encouraging, and gave me strength to keep going.

Awesome reaction.

They are definitely metal

FEEL THE POWER!!!

It's probably in their top 5 best.

and at the end it fades to black......

🤘

Their best imo

GOAT

🔥 🔥 🔥

💯💯

Definitely depressing, but excellent song

That bass tho! Cliffem All!

I love Metallica

The always beautiful Maddy. She's the prettiest reactor on KZfaq ❤️

Hey Maddie, Steve Goldy here, i made a request for Goo Dolls - Iris (Official video) which will be coming up soon if you're able to swap it out for the live version (Live in Buffalo) 39m views then that would be great! otherwise the original is fine, great to see you back!

It would be called an intro guitar solo.

From what ive heard this song was inspired after someone stole the singers amplifier that his late mother got him.

Harmony!

Metalicas- nothing else matters

This beautiful lady is Carly Simon’s daughter.

Good song. Sad lyrics. Riveting review.

Try nothing else matters. Great song