Metallica Teaches Being in a Band Part 2 of 10 : From Riff to Song

From Riff to Song
Formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield, Metallica has become one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history, with nearly 120 million albums sold worldwide and a devout following in the more than 1-million-strong Fifth Member fan club.
With eight Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, and a 2009 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Metallica is a true testament that your commitment to your group is just as important as your craft when striving for true success.
Now, they’re teaching you what it takes to build and sustain success as a creative team while navigating egos and criticism, and celebrating each individual’s strengths and talents. Get an exclusive look into Metallica’s process for songwriting, building albums, and performing, and learn how the band took charge of their creative destiny so you can do the same.
• Metallica - Documentar...

[@AverageDaveVideos]

I am finding, the older I get, the harder it is to find musicians. We get older and our time is filled with responsibilities and priorities. I miss jamming.. been almost 20 years.

[@joeyjones9041]

Same here brother

[@ianthompson7996]

​@@joeyjones9041 Ditto, I've found as with age,myself at nearly 62, for me to want to jam with fellow guitarists, some of the youth of today who play guitar don't seem to want to branch into the older metal/progressive stuff of yester-year like which I play, blue oyster, rush, priest, saxon, hawkwind etc it's like who the f@#k are they you dinosaur

[@BenevolentBees]

never too late to start jamming again!

[@WinstonSmith911]

I was 14. It was the summer of 1988. Had MoP and ...AJfA on my headphones constantly. Chills during the solos every time. Then one day just skateboarding up a few houses on my street were other guys playing these amazing songs in their garage, along with many older Zeppelin and Sabbath riffs I'd never heard. Wasn't long before I had new friends and new calluses on my fingers.

[@madisonsmith5830]

I feel that. All of my friends either quit playing or just don’t wanna jam with me anymore 😂

[@ianclose123]

Lars : "we like to write intro's that are a little bit of a journey" James : "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Give me Zabadadazaa!!!!"

[@DarkoP9.13]

Gimi Few Gimi Fa Gimi djzabadabazaaaaa... OY!

[@YannMetalhead]

I thought this was funny only in portuguese XD

[@Job.Well.Done_01]

Lmao 🤣

[@GaryTongue-zn5di]

*Abba Zabba, a popular taffy treat!

[@Demonico-j7x]

OOOOHHH!

[@b.a.cicikus]

Kirk explaining how a riff works is the essence of Metallica.

[@Terp311]

_Correct. It was Kirk that stated this. Thanks for watching._

[@NickCADA]

Lars has done more for this band then most people even realize.

[@insertnamehere4419]

Too bad it's not good drumming.

[@theDreaming]

“The middle part” is technical compositional nomenclature at its finest

[@ButeSound]

Call it bob if you like, it doesn't matter - it's another section.

[@theDreaming]

@ I’m with you friend.. but I couldn’t escape the humor when I heard him say that

[@Irazmus]

A band is like a relationship. There's up's and down's and ego will destroy everything. These guys ultimately picked wisely

[@lexlux777]

I do respect the time process of writing a song. For 20 years I’ve been meaning to finish my song. Any year now.

[@derekedge2089]

I'm right there with you.

[@AverageDaveVideos]

@derekedge2089 Ditto. I have probably 20+ hours of riffs.. but no song "finished"

[@clintwilson6380]

Me2

[@frankreagan7030]

Me too!

[@RobertNagel-s2z]

I can write the music, I just can't write lyrics for shit

[@samclemmons5373]

If anyone listens to Mastodon there’s a famous riff in the middle of the Last Baron that is absolutely sick. When I was learning it I created a drum loop and practiced with it. I realized that the riff wasn’t that remarkable on its own over and over again, but within the context of the song it was amazing and played just enough to keep you wanting more. Valuable lesson.

[@shka-n1t]

Oh yes - *that* riff. It’s so great. And then the song collapses, it’s so dramatic.

[@James-wl5zv]

That's my #1 favorite riff of all time, and I'm a drummer not a guitarist!

[@morganneher8643]

Also a drummer, one of the most mind blowing guitar songs of all time no question. The Remaster is 🔥

[@Job.Well.Done_01]

I know that riff. 100% Brent and Bill have created some epic sh** on guitar. When I discovered Mastodon (late) it was Crack the Skye - and I was taken away forever. So damn good. Always will be.

[@adamcoe]

yeah them fellas can write some riffs i tell you what. i found out very late (Emperor of Sand) but I've gone back and listened to a bunch of the older stuff and they're unreal.

[@Jimminityjabooboo]

James is looking healthy, the band is looking healthy and working together, this era of metallica is one of their best

[@francmittelo6731]

And the new music sounds "unhealthy." lol

[@jye_24]

@@francmittelo6731 72 Seasons Fucking Rules!!!!

[@nik_b1807]

I absolutely agree. And new music is very good and high-quality art.

[@fam.hunger5244]

The best Metallica era, and thats almost the same with every Band, were the first 4-5 records. And even if Metallica is still great live today, the Steamhammer they were in the AJFA Era - no one will ever get close.

[@sammue6349]

What the Metallica guy are really saying here is BE CREATIVE!! Mad Respect

[@notanotherjamesmurphy5574]

Rob gets paid to stare at Kirk

[@johnconnor3865]

Not much else he can do, he had no input in the songs they're discussing.

[@notanotherjamesmurphy5574]

very true, I just thought it was a little funny

[@pablosarti1216]

Hired gun

[@GaryTongue-zn5di]

@johnconnor3865 James with a few exceptions has always written their songs while Lars co arranges them with him, James is also sole Lyricist except St. Anger and Garage inc. for obvious reasons.

[@Lopez-my1bo]

​@@pablosarti1216he has contributed to the newer stuff

[@TheNomadicHandpan]

James looks so damn good and I love seeing him sober, ageing like a fine wine!

[@phoenixzappa7366]

Kirk Hammett looks like an elderly woman.

[@surfboarding5058]

@@phoenixzappa7366she is

[@BingBongWasheeWashee]

i love Kirk but 😂😂😂

[@jasonrussell3252]

@@phoenixzappa7366😂😂😂so true

[@JdgIncorporated]

​@@phoenixzappa7366Hammett looks almost the same as well. His energy is godly

[@MR.EMusic84]

Love Metallica been my biggest inspiration for the last 30yrs, James hetfield taught me how to play guitar without him even knowing it, also there longevity is so inspiring seeing that they still love what they do after 40+ years is amazing, hope we can enjoy them for a few more years to come 🤘🤘

[@landonbeard254]

Kirk explaining how a riff can be overplayed is awesome 😂

[@fatimapalacios2292]

but he's right. In enter sandman the Riff is the exact time it needs to be so it doesn't get boring.

[@ademox]

It's a funny statement from the band who is notorious of creating seven or eight minute songs with four verses which are played twice in a song.

[@rockphillips]

Sounds like Wayne's world

[@nikobellic3856]

He makes songwriting sound like sex 😂

[@brownmoney27]

Metallica don't have the ability to overplay

[@jye_24]

Kirk explaining Enter Sandman is Exactly why it's one of the Best Songs Ever!

[@fuzzjohn]

Rob looks like he's Kirk's psychiatrist watching Kirk talking to someone that isn't really there.

[@manfrombritain6816]

metallica are great at getting the energy right. their setlists demonstrate this... a show takes you on a rollercoaster of high energy and low energy. in that seattle 89 show where they play to live is to die to really lower the tempo and give everyone a rest and get them calmed down... then BAM master of puppets out of nowhere. maximum hype. it's brilliant

[@djshad1885]

That baphomet worship has real physical as well as spiritual effects. Kirk has now become the woman that he always wanted to be.

[@janvirtanen6199]

6:00 Rob is totally right. Today in my area of Germany no one has time or doesn't want to jam or to form a consistent band. I hope this comes back like vinyl.

[@Backinthedase]

So many people are in "adult" mode and are disconnected with their kid self.. the one that had the dreams, like you on this video, like me.. that part of us that wants to create something and be something for the sake of how fucking fun and awesome it would feel do so. So many people have completely given up on their dreams, because someone told them it was "time" to be an "adult".. OR LIFE really hit them with unfortunate unavoidable things and they had to "grow up".. Regardless, that part of us never fully goes away. Which is why so many of us regardless of our age or skill level, are here watching this video today rn. That little part of us no matter how small or quiet it may seam, is still searching, still looking, to actually live dream and explore. For this to "come back" people have to connect with their innocence on a deeper level. Otherwise we're all prone to growing old, lost in misery and stuckness, and loosing connection with that spark of life that brought us here.

[@caughtinamashup7208]

The bit where Kirk says you don't want to overplay a riff is really illustrated in Spit Out The Bone. That entire 'Stop breathing and dedicate to me...' and it's lead in riff is the best part of the song for me but it's not long enough.

[@jmaynez2332]

Dude!!!! Man, i couldnt agree more with this.

[@caughtinamashup7208]

@jmaynez2332 And you have to wait several minutes for it. I recall first hearing it thinking it's one of the best bits of music they've done - certainly in recent times.

[@jmaynez2332]

@ absolutely man. That part gave me chills.

[@caughtinamashup7208]

@jmaynez2332 I think I was driving and went... 'Holy Shit!' and kept having to rewind that bit.

[@zipper-j]

@@caughtinamashup7208 You got it. When you have to rewind and hear it again. There it is.

[@EdwardTeach-k6d]

This instruction is awesome for new bands as when Metalica is gone this could be a lost art. I will never forget the contrast in 1992 concert in Indianapolis with GNR and Metalica. GNR played so bad they were almost unrecognizable and Metalica team played so extremely professional on stage immediately it blew me away.

[@Mark-db1ok]

Oh wow so you saw that tour, cool! I know Metallica must have been awesome. Did gnr make you wait forever? Sounds like it was hit or miss when (or if) they actually made it onstage for that tour

[@Typical.Anomaly]

3:27 *_Kirk explains edging with eager joy._*

[@Firefly6694]

Bro 😭

[@giorgioguitar]

Riff Off Of the Riff is my new fav expression.

[@juansalas2882]

Get yourself a woman that looks at you the way Lars looks at James

[@ThePragmatologist]

@juansalas2882 Haha, saw that. I thought I was the only one. Lol

[@phoenixzappa7366]

Get yourself a woman that looks like Kirk Hammett

[@johnconnor3865]

Danish too, so probably into some kinky shit and Lego.

[@matteocoda6368]

You've won everything

[@jrobbin24]

This is something I didn't know I was looking for. But I am glad it found me

[@SBL_Berlin]

Great different insights: riff as a basis for the intro, chorus, vers, bridge... playing the riff in different variations (double tempo, half tempo, simplified, in variations, as a fragment etc.)... creating drama by guiding the audience to the main riff, pulling it back, playing again, but not too often (Metallica has a good feeling for not playing good riffs too often)... time as part of the creative process, just accept when nothing happens - I want to say: Thank you for sharing these insights and this video.

[@ganjjabarsmedium2347]

It’s nice to see Lars and James having a better relationship in this video 🤘

[@NecroMoz]

Say what you like about Metallica but Rob and Kirk are such chill dudes

[@NolanBes-id9ze]

I'm a 15 yearold guy and recently, I joined a band. I play guitar for 8 years now. My bandmates fight a lot with each other, some of them barely even practice... We wanted to break up so many times but somehow we keep working it out. Being in a band is odd man... But dang it's so worth it all. I've never experienced anything more thrilling. I'm really glad Metallica is making these video's because it gives me more hope for the future and all the advice i've heard is very useful

[@virgil5650]

Respectfully...you really need not waste your time with people that dont practice, and cant get along. Especially at your age. It will do more harm, and they will drag you into the abyss with them

[@RandysRides]

Take it from me, man. I'm 56 and have wasted a lot of years being in bands with people that have bad attitudes. Start your own band, hire like minded musicians. You can always replace someone who doesn't fit.

[@Cobra-ky9bt]

You're already wasting your time. If the infighting and egos can't be left behind, you're going to be really disappointed. Get with musicians who are dedicated to the song, not to the self-glorification and make real music. (It took me YEARS to figure this out, and it might be too late already.) And when I say musicians, I mean people that understand music and know their instruments.

[@Cobra-ky9bt]

​@@RandysRides55 years, and same.

[@LeeWhalan-bi8kc]

Nice to see the boxing roo in the background, big thumbs up from Australia 😁 This is Gold

[@michaelodria1986]

This series is a GREAT idea!!

[@Arturo-p1g4y]

Ive listened to the puppets and justice riff tapes countless times.

[@G-NutZ]

Papa Hetfeild is the master of puppets, such an epic explanation

[@tobias7517]

This was so fun to watch

[@catalyzed8457]

James says ‘it’s not a math problem’ Enter Meshuggah 😂

[@joeytorres5442]

Okay first of all this is a musician that loves his fans each and every one of you not all of you.... Each and every one of you is a person

[@Emulator_Crossing]

in top 10 bands ever...great musicians, love kirk.

[@vinniebrightman9746]

Wow, I always wondered about this stuff. Told by the masters.

[@exclusivevpg]

😂James..”” weather they’re from our own minds or from Dave Mustaine’s mind.. riffs are collected…”””

[@tinytim71301]

Dude this was cool!!!!

[@MrBass233]

I like to start with a really capturing chorus and then build my verse riffs, intros, solos etc around it

[@Thrasher5251]

Time to write a cool riff tomorrow after a long time.

[@atthecabin4995]

This is an awesome series

[@scottmartin6479]

Is it just me or did Lars (Elmer Fudd) Ulrich say at 1:01 "when we were going to make a weckard......" 😂 That waskly wabbit!

[@scrimpmster]

He left the focking band!!!! 😂

[@aoutii]

0:42 Metallica's modern tone is soooo underrated. like bruh wtf that tone is insane??

[@MetalDad88]

I don't like the modern tone that much.

[@stormedbyhippiesc3966]

Legends forever!

[@SimoNahhal-g6m]

great work

[@David-ix1uv]

On the Enter Sandman intro, Kirk explains it: "we're setting the stage for what's coming". I never knew this. This is deep.

[@Mexxx65]

Led Zeppelin approach. Jimmy Page approach to song writing.

[@papasonar4224]

I know, can you imagine? Writing an intro to a song and having the breakthrough that the intro, is in fact, the beginning of something that is coming later... mere moments after the intro has concluded.

[@Fleig.]

graduated top of his fucking satriani class

[@zachboumeester8330]

Why are you here?

[@David-ix1uv]

@@zachboumeester8330 to learn something new

[@shawnspencer8389]

The riff is sacred!

[@phoenixzappa7366]

These riffs are all banned

[@JayWhite-n8h]

I write alot of music. And I have so many little short videos or quick recordings of riffs that will someday become full songs. I get it. Just wish I had a band

[@harrycallahan9143]

Justice for all is the album for me that really shows off Metallica's song writing skills, they are not songs...more like a journey, a long one at that.

[@BenevolentBees]

Really solid advice for song writing, thanks! Keep it simple!

[@kollateralschadensbegrenzu4929]

I think what they don't talk about is (first) the force and drive of young musicians who found the perfect comrades to "kill them all". They always had that throughout. Other people like me only had such bonds occasionally. And second: when you are young and start out, usually - at least in Rock and Metal - as musicians you have a system of concentrated music process and - relieve of it. And that is making party. And partying and drinking then is fun etc, but it also helps to kind of get away from the bothering part of making music/being creative and feeding that "kill em all" ego. I don't say it is healthy, I just say it helps not bothering too much. Because bothering is what usually evolves writers block and shying away from publishing your art. Now, they are old and experienced and have other ways to achieve that "serenity". But back in the day ... cheers & slancher! I mean what Kostolany (or was it Greenspan?) said about buying stock and then taking sleeping pills ... bother when you are actively doing it, but then - forget, don't think about it anymore, get calm and distracted.

[@BradleyLord-e3i]

I like the fact that Lars is like a brother telling James what the fuck to do all the time.thats how it should be!😅brother love.🙌🏻

[@JohnSmith-g3i]

Lars makes riffs and writes songs with his mouth, hence he gets a credit for all metallica songs, which part of that dont you comprehend?

[@GaryTongue-zn5di]

Actually it's for arrangements.

[@iconaastratta8202]

Master music craftsmen

[@gregorykapanowski9540]

They are making a wecord!!!

[@MercuryinLeolady555]

I Metallica, they are great guys!!! Love James, Lars, Kirk, and Rob. Also Cliff and Jason. James is a love bug!!! Sending them Love and Light!!! ❤💕✨️😇🙂😃🌞😀

[@charleywilkey9529]

This is awesome!

[@Terp311]

_Correct. Thanks for watching!_

[@thehappysack2362]

Thanks for the upload🎉🎉🎉

[@mustaineboots]

Boy am i happy that this series isn't being done by megadeth

[@joeblackwolf17]

Thank you for these amazing vids!!! Brilliant ❤

[@AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69]

This is so cool. Thanks!

[@steverichards1482]

Kirk slowly morphing into Jeff Goldblum was inevitable

[@mkura893]

😂I thought Kamala Harris

[@BurnsLtdEC10]

What is the song played in the background at 0:51

[@Firefly6694]

Unforgiven III bridge

[@jeffdawson2786]

Love this! Thanks.

[@Robert-ij9ih]

No Metallica KZbin video without ”Jason Newsted” comment,,, would be cool if they plays together again

[@ChristianGhamaliel]

Have I to pay for been watched this? It's too valuable for a free content!😅

[@harleykwin4680]

Thankyou love you Metallica 💜🦋🎼🎵🎶😎

[@joelkliebe]

My inner voice sounds like Lars.

[@OGSaber]

The beginning riff is "Kirks demo tape" of Master of puppets

[@mcathawk1490]

Great video.

[@tucko11]

Guitar hero brought me here 😂 🤘

[@jeffroach3722]

Awesome

[@mikedunker7354]

😁 COOL AND AMAZING

[@rickdawkins5025]

Kirk: Unforgiven 4-5-6 will be on our next album 😅

[@longlivefreedom9853]

Man dont James Hetfield look like the lion from the original " Wizard of OZ " film............ " put em upppp .... puttt emmmmm uppppp ".....

[@jrobbin24]

Us Leos all kind of look like lions

[@enragedstead]

A qoute from "a year and a half in the life of metallica" James even does the "aww put em up!"

[@Gibson1976uk]

I remember when I use to play with a group of musicians! we were on the verge of recording stuff!! and guess what happened! we got interfered with! to put it short, outside interferences just put band members off and we went separate ways!! and when they say its like a marriage! it really is!! you must defend and fight off losers that try to stick noses in!!!! final straw was when the recordings we made ended up being erased!!! someone decided to transfer the stuff to their laptop! and wiped the stuff on the main desk!!??????? then the laptop died weeks later! it caused arguments because the person with the music was not in the band!!!!! they thought they could do something with what we had? refused to give it back as well???? it was such a mess! everything was lost, too open! too loose!!! everyone needed to disable the share button :)

[@RobertNagel-s2z]

@@Gibson1976uk Been through that. Shouldn't have let the only copy of the music in unknown hands. And you are right, being in a band is like being married to 3 or more people. Don't need anybody working against the grain, don't need no superstars or unrealistic dreams. And if it isn't fun, it ain't worth involving your time

[@magicspiral]

It’s insightful to hear how they approach a song by crafting it around a “main riff.” I would like to know how they discover these riffs.

[@GaryTongue-zn5di]

By attempting to cover a diamond head riff and getting it completely wrong

[@259559ful]

Robs a unit!

[@christopher-xi2ey]

Kirk explains ir perfectly

[@WhyteLis21]

After watching this video, one thing for sure as AI stuff is taking over some of our creativity minds process as human being, I think one day we are going to truly miss and really appreciated the creative artist process that's explain by such artist like Metallica and many others. Hopefully, that doesn't become a rare ability that becomes lost in time for us as human being. Lol.

[@duckfootguitars76]

Rob should get Joe Holmes out of the house and have Farmikos open next tour. More people should know about that album

[@Thegingerwolff]

1:10 why hasn't this been released? It sounds beautiful

[@calvert9568]

That is a part in the original song! It's one guitar track you hear out of many. It plays right before James starts singing the first verse.

[@Thegingerwolff]

@calvert9568 yeah but alone and unmixed. Sounds like it's straight from an old tascam. Tape warble and all. Love it

[@ssgtsully]

You can get the entire cut on the Justice box set disc 3 track 7

[@Thegingerwolff]

@ssgtsully amazing thanks

[@mr.boombastic7509]

​@@ThegingerwolffIts from a riff tape actually, i believe the riff tapes from and justice for all are released

[@robrobuck932]

As someone who makes up music and plays all the parts. I also start with a riff too, but I'm not saying I'm on that level lol.

[@DeStroy109]

A WECORD!?!? 😂 1:01

[@ricklittle1987]

Hey kirk explain edging

[@robertchase1722]

I have to give it up to Kirk. Build up to the riff before its introduction and don't over play it. There are so many amazing guitar players nowadays that it's almost just a competition of who played faster, cleaner and what scale shape looks and sounds best. Now that can be cool if you're a guitar player but It kinda hurts the process of enjoying simple but awesome riffs. It can be hard to not over play a song when you have so many ideas, but I can only imagine how it feels to let the music breathe, let the song flow and have that feeling of accomplishment afterwards. I see why Kirk Hammett fits so well with Metallica.

[@thatscottishdude2058]

1:00 when we make a wecord

[@jugularmusic]

It took us 5 whole years to complete our album, Hymns for Our Deathbed. I understand now why it takes Metallica a lot longer!

[@epasternak4206]

I love Metallica, om wondering when they will finally retire?

[@GaryTongue-zn5di]

We'll never quite, We'll never stop 'Cuz we're Metallica. -James Hetfield

[@duncandistortion]

1:01 Weckerd😮

[@aJ-4T7]

Rehab for Kirk, Rob’s falling asleep

[@GaryTongue-zn5di]

Until it sleeps

[@thespiritworldband]

ok, forget all that... I just want that couch.

[@kingvkelly2313]

only person i enjoyed listening to watching this was rob

[@GeoPro24]

5:48 MΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ (come and get them). What King Leonidas told to Persians who asked for the weapons of his troops

[@FeFeronkaMetallica]

Where is this from

[@DasTarD]

What is the song at 4:05 ?

[@RestrictedAirspacePodcast]

Might’ve been some early load stuff that didn’t make it.

[@paulmcmathey4116]

Its look like a riff présent on the preisidio stuff in 2001 in the demo "surfing the zeitguest " or the riff in all within my hands (acoustic) on the lyrics "love is control, "

[@DasTarD]

@paulmcmathey4116 it sounds like the mainriff

[@davidbarrada3]

I wonder what would be the equivalent of starting with a riff in film ? Anyone ?

[@louprevost1467]

metallica been clocking in since black album 😂