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The song is about James mother passing away since his mom was a believer of Christian science so they didn't believe in taking medicine so when she had cancer she didn't take any medicine.

As an atheist I always find your interpretations/opinions very interesting. Keep in the great videos, and greetings from the uk.

It’s insane to think how fast James had to grow up. Lost his mom and dad, and later one of his best friends. Lead him to drinking his anger and sadness away. Put his emotion into music and live shows for sure.

James' wording, "pride that you felt when you kneel" is so brilliant. Many religious people forget that pride is one sin that God hates the most. Pride blinds people. People who believe to be 'the chosen ones' or 'the true believers' are the ones who do attrocities. Instead of staying in God's path, they become the very thing that God hates.

When the pastor is more metal looking guy than kirk hammet.

A Christian pastor that thinks about the writer's perspective instead of drowning us with quotes from the Bible in attempt to convince us that real Christianity is the way and that you are wrong... The Bible is writtem to common men, by common men, meant to be understood by common men - this is the truth right here. You are supposed to be a thinking rational creature, regardless of what "real and only true faith" you are born under.

"the healing hand" part might be refering to his mother refusing treatment. The hand of a doctor held back by the "nail" (her faith).

As I recall from James’s Rolling Stone interview this song is about that case in the late 80’s where the Christian Scientist parents refused medical care for a child with a blocked intestine, and the child died in a horrifying way. The parents were prosecuted and Hetfield, having grown up in this environment, was furious that these parents allowed their child to die. It brought back all sorts of damage for him.

The clicking sound at 7:12 that he asks “is that a maraca?” Is James cocking a gun into the microphone. I think it was either a shotgun or a lever action rifle. I forget which

Try "Leper Messiah" from their third album, Master of Puppets!

The Himalaya! That's the name of the ride I was thinking of! Anyone else remember that ride?

The Four Horsemen by metallica would be nice to see you break down the lyrics

You know, I never appreciated how awesome the "deceit/deceive/decide" line is. Quality wordplay from James!

I’m not a Christian but I watch your videos it’s so awesome seeing you liking these songs and not judging them like “most Christians” keep up the great videos

As a Catholic, I can proudly say you are spot on. There is a story that relates to this: a flood was coming, and the man trapped inside his house kept praying for salvation. Eventually he died, and was angry with god. God responded with, I sent you warnings on the radio and tv. I sent you neighbors with cars. I sent you a boat, when the water rose. I sent you a helicopter, when the water got higher. What else could I have done for you? God works, and helps us in many ways. It's up to us, to take action.

Also in an interview James talks about how he felt alienated in school when it was time for health class and he had to leave the room because he wasn’t allowed to learn about human body

"...From their 1991 self titled album... The Black Album!"

I always understood the lyric "the healing hand held back by the deepened nail" like this... Faith is the deepened nail and the healing hand is the surgeon/doctor. So his mothers faith/beliefs held back the doctor's ability to heal.

As a religious person, I've always struggled with this song, I'm a Metallica fan but I couldn't listen to this song without feeling guilty.. Thank you for clearing this, it was very helpful.. God bless you

You gotta do Holy Wars by Megadeth!

The “maraca” you hear us actually James cocking a lever action rifle! They had a variety of cool sounds on the Black Album

When James's backstory is included it's pretty much on the nose... the god that failed is the concept of God the Christian Scientists are utilizing, and it destroyed his childhood. Adding my voice to the numbers requesting Leper Messiah... Metallica basically sang Jim Bakker's story, or you can point to older references like A Face In The Crowd or The Night Of The Hunter (1955 film, actually based on the true story of Harry Powers, the rest I'll leave to you and Wikipedia)

It's about his mother and Christian science in general. There's also parts of the lyrics referring to a case where the parents, Christian scientists, would not let the doctors help out a young child who was sick. They believed in praying and their faith in God will heal the child. So the lyric trust you gave, a child to save, left you cold and him in grave is in reference to that. They had the belief that their 'god' would heal, so when the child died it left them cold with the thought their god had failed while the child was in the grave. Healing hand held back by the deepened nail is a reference to the healing hand (doctors) held back by the religious beliefs (deepened nail (on the cross)) so to speak. Its a brilliant song and by far my favourite in terms of lyrical context of any metallica song.

Youth pastor here... This channel had made me think about doing this so if thing with youth students

The part that you thought was a maraca in the beginning and near the end, is a Winchester rifle being cocked.

"The snake thing in the corner" is from the US Army Drill Instructor flag that says "Don't Tread On Me" though it originally was the flag of the Continental Marines in 1775 and is also now used by the US Navy as the emblem for the "War on Terror" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag

I'm a lifelong Christian and a lifelong metal fan. I came across your videos by chance and I love the way you analyze the songs and use the lyrics to help witness to others bout Christ. That's actually really cool.

So awesome to see you analyzing a song by one of my favorite bands. Always love seeing your views on the songs I love.

I'm so glad you reacted to this, never really knew the meaning.

I cannot overstate how helpful these videos are! Thanks guys!

Love the Channel. Prayers for your family

I’m glad you highlighted the songs focus on the Cult false god the song is referring to. As a Christian and a metal fan, this song is the hardest to explain to others. Thanks for the great videos!

Christian Science and the "fire and brimstone" style gospel of the early 20th century turned a lot of people away from Christ. My grandparents experienced these practices firsthand and essentially became atheists because of it. Modern day churches that focus on the love of God rather than on the punishment of hell are the only real way to bring people to the gospel. Trying to convert people using fear tactics is a losing effort.

Love that you did this one. I discussed this song with my religion teacher my senior yr. Stay safe, keep rockin.

I just learned something new from your post I listened to Metallica for years but this song sat wrong with me but never knew about his mother. Thanks for bringing truth and light on the context of the song!

You guys should react to Leper Messiah next, plenty of room for discussion there.

The ‘maracas’ was actually a rifle, like a Winchester rifle. It was in the Year and A Half In The Life Of Metallica documentary of when they were recording the album. They used a lot of different sounds for the songs and it’s inventive and really cool

Love you guys' input. Another great video. Keep putting the Word out there my man!

Another enjoyable video covering one of my all time favorite bands. Thanks! :D

I think you should react to some Gojira songs, they have some really, really deep lyrics like "Silvera", "Flying Whales" or "The Gift Of Guilt"

“...the healing hand held back by the deepened nail...” I always thought it was referring to the hand(s) of Christ being nailed to the cross, as if that could keep him from healing.

My fav reaction channel!! Keep up the great content fellas. God Bless

Yeah great analysis guys. Love your videos BTW. Keep em coming!

Amen, brothers. Love from Australia 🤟😎

Brings me back to 91 as a Freshman in College. The black album was the long awaited (by those year's standards) follow-up to Justice for All. I just remember that all the other Big 7 bands released at least 2 albums while I was in High School while Metallica had only released one. Megadeth with So Far, So Good and Rust in Piece. Slayer with South of Heaven and Seasons of the Abyss, Anthrax with State of Euphoria and Persistence of Time. And even OverKill with Taking Over, Under the Influence, and Years of Decay. Exodus with Fabulous Disaster and Impact is Imminent. Testament with Legacy, New World Order, Practice What you Preach, and Souls of Black.

Great channel Robert 👏 This lockdown made me start one too with my mum, I'm big fan of yours too ♥️🧡💜❤️

Loved it! “Not my God” best line lol! Thanks for the great video and spreading His word!

React to God is Dead? By Black Sabbath

Not gonna lie im not too religious, but I grew up in church. And honestly your dissection of this song makes the most sense out of anybody else's opinions on it. Good stuff. 👍

I absolutely love the way you guys dissect the lyrics with a Biblical sense of interpretation and explanation. Great work guys! God Bless

An excellent and intelligent analysis of this song. The world need more Pastors with your wisdom guiding our youth.

When you asked "maracas" at 07:19... thats the sound of rifle pumping action actually :D

Another great video brother. Solus Christus Sola fida Sola scriptura Sola Gratia Soli Deo Gloria

Im so glad you did this song. I love this song.

Pastor Robert, you ROCK, wish i have a Pastor like you in my church, keep on rocking \m/

I’m so stoked to have come across this channel. I have many songs I loved before becoming a Christian. However, I’m having a hard time with which ones are still acceptable to listen. Ironically this is one. I stopped listening to it for years. I loved it. Thank you for allowing me to listen to it again. I have another one I love but don’t listen to as much or feel convicted when I do. Alice In Chains-Man in the Box. Please react to this one.

Alot is the lyrics have double meaning, which is cool. The healing hand was the doctors not necessarily God. James can be a really good lyricist

Was scrolling KZfaq and saw y’all in my feed. Was really surprised to find out y’all are in Saint Cloud. Keep up the good work in these reactions and representing our town.

Great reaction video! This was my very first CD that I bought back in 1991. It is a great album. Brought back great memories listening to it again. Funny, I never really paid much attention to the lyrics either back then. I did not know the back story to this song about James mother. Thanks for sharing!

“They wrote some good music” They still do Robert :)

By the way... this song is a litmus test. Or, rather, a persons's consideration of this song is a litmus test on how willing they are to think and perhaps change their minds when provided with new information. A religious thinker will take it on the surface and consider it heretical. Dig, and the false god concept appears. Dig even deeper to the writer's backstory, and it's obvious that it's little to do with Christianity at all, and all about the 'false prophets' that wronged them. But does the original consideration stick, or is a mind changed? That's the test.

Great reaction video. Thanks guys

Nice to see you guys

It would be cool if you guys did "Leper Messiah" on the Master Of Puppets album by Metallica. As I always felt it was talking about false preachers and false televangelists. And how it distorted actual Christianity in general. Of course I was in high school when the Black album came out and I stuck up for Metallica me being a Christian and all that. Because kids in school would criticize me for listening to Metallica and other secular bands because I claimed to be a Christian which I still am will be forever. Anyway that would be great if you guys could do that song and break it down. Also another one would be from the German Power Metal band Gamma Ray with the song "The Abyss Of The Void" Which I think it is straight out of the Bible with a beautiful guitar solo in the middle. Anyway God Bless and thank you for what you are doing. Take care!

Sympathy for the devil by rolling stones Lord of this world by black sabbath

Great analysis! Thank you sir🙏

I listened to this album religiously in High school (5 years ago) and so many memories come back.

Protest the Hero - Tilting Against Windmills would be interesting

7:19 Not a maraca. I believe James is pumping a shotgun. He can be seen doing it on the Year and a Half documentary.

Excellent analysis. Keep it going!

Love it! Keep up the good work fellas. Hopefully you wife is doing well! Thoughts and prayers headed your way

Will love to see you reaction to the song Devil Is A Loser by the band Lordi :D :)

I'm pretty sure when James says: "Trust you gave, a child to save Left you cold and him in grave" hes talking about all the children who have died over the years because of idiotic cult beliefs like how the Jehovah's Witnesses say taking a blood transfusion is a sin so they refuses life saving blood transfusions. Did you know if you're baptized as a Jehovah's Witness and you go to the hospital they will actually have a person from their "kingdom hall" who will go to the hospital and police the patient to make sure the hospital doesn't give them blood? Even if the patient/family says its okay? There are people who force kids to die because of their religious beliefs. This should not be legal in the US.

I've always wondered about this one, thanks guys.

There are a number of reaction channels that I watch, but I particularly like this one because of the perspective from Pastor Rob. The first reaction video I watched from you guys was for Creeping Death. It gave me goosebumps to see how into it you both were. Immediately after that, I watched your reaction to Judith. Incredible. And I had been wondering if you'd ever react to The God That Failed....and then it pops up lol. About to give it watch. Keep up the great content, cheers from Texas!!

React to Behemoth please

Thanks for clearing that up. As a Christian I felt guilty liking this song.

Very interesting analysis of this song. I was missing the part of "Christian Science" and was wondering about the missing pieces. Now it is clear. Thank you! And yes, I was wondering about the "healing hand held back by the deepened nail" - can be interpreted in different ways. Very strong lyrics.

Another wonderful and interesting analysis.

Please react to a Fit For A King or Memphis May Fire song!

"My God is real, your Gods are fake". Faith is a funny thing.

This song is PERFECTLY described in this video

The Black Album came out my senior year of high school, what a soundtrack for a milestone year, boy do I do feel old. 😂😂

I’ve always felt the line “The healing hand held back by the deepened nail” as pretty straight forward, the healing hand is doctors, and the deepened nail is referring to her strong faith that Jesus/God will heal her

I read the lines "I hear faith in your cries, never you hear the discouraging lies" as in indictment of faith based belief systems, to me the story of this song demonstrates exactly why using faith as a path to truth is a bad thing. If faith can be used to justify horrible beliefs like faith healing how can we expect it to be reliable in any other context? It's this sort of system where legitimate doubts are taught as "discouraging lies" that often produces people who will never be able to question their beliefs or their actions that are tied to those beliefs. Your definition of cult is a little too christian centric. Is Judaism a cult? Islam? Buddhism? I prefer the BITE model, for determining what is or isn't a cult.

Job well done on this one!

I really love what you guys do. Take care.

Behemoth the saintnist, batezbel or god = dog Love what you guys do 🤘

"A child you save" being James. "Left you cold" James Mom dying of cancer after she refused treatments. "Left him in grave" what all this did to James. Pretty self explanatory. Thanks Pastor. Another great reaction

Great video paster Rob

Hey, I am back. Because I am on to another one of your reactions. I had this same thought at the beginning of the last reaction and I really just want to say that I love your approach at the beginning. Just trying to disarm some people that might over react. Keep it up. I love the fact that you and your sons are connecting in this way.

Do Cirice by Ghost.

Another good Metallica song to listen to is Leper Messiah. You mentioned the prosperity gospel, Leper Messiah to me sounds a lot like he's talking about the televangelists of the 70s and 80s and the false faith healers I think some of that plays into much of people's hatred for God. Before I realized the truth I was a huge Metallica fan they were my first favorite band. Slayer was another big influence on my thinking of who and what God is, partnered with the traumatic events of my existence. I was abused in many ways as a child I'm only 42 years old now. I grew up very fast. Jehovah's witnesses played a big role in much of my hatred for God in the past. I believed so many lies and medicated with drugs and alcohol. You're doing an amazing job God bless you and keep doing what you do.

The black album gave me a positive direction after my mother passed of an O.D. when I was 16. I have always loved the way music and lyrics are perceived differently from each listener given their personal situation at that time. I also appreciate the way that James keeps his lyrics open to interpretation. I took this song at the time as “god” being a drug. And “deepened nail” as a needle. I do appreciate both of your views on this song. I have known this was about his mother’s death, so I related it to mine. Thanks guys! Keep it up!

All very interesting comments and interpretations. I can love God and love Metallica’s music at the same time!

React to Metallica - Leper messiah

Thank you for this reaction. I didn't know James' mother was a christian scientist and that is what the song was about. Always thought he was singing about Jesus which always kind of made me sad when I listened to it. Also, I think that James probably didn't understand the nature of christian science at the time of writing and so he possibly was aiming his grief at Jesus (incorrectly). Wonder if he knows the difference now.

I really liked the reaction. I’m a huge Metallica fan and this entire album is amazing. I love the fact that this was a turning point for James as a musician and emotionally open up.

Excellent video, good sir! 🕆