Classical Composer Reacts to The Call of Ktulu (Metallica) | The Daily Doug (Episode 237)

[@Doug.Helvering]

I've gone back and listened (with the help of some alternate mixes) and have discovered all that Cliff was doing. I would have definitely mentioned it during my reaction if I could only hear it in the mix. I think it's time the boys in Metallica dust off the master recordings and get someone who knows what they're doing to re-mix and re-master their classic albums.

[@RecoWray]

we can only hope lars lets this happen. its my understanding that he is a huge reason that isnt happening. cliff was an absolute genius

[@TheDentist27]

hahaha over Lars' broken drum stick!

[@ryanjacobson2508]

A lot of 80's metal bands buried the bass. It is what it is.

[@andresalbornoz1935]

Please do, Hellion/Electric Eye of Judas Priest, a rock classic : kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZnZq4B9ed-nbZI

[@BannedPhotoshop]

@@andresalbornoz1935 based

[@sebg9681]

The guitar is the scenery. The story is told by the bass.

[@bigassdummy46]

Jesus Christ! Do you actually talk like that?

[@antoniocenteno1483]

The bass is Chtulu and the Guitar is the Call LOL. Seriously, though the bass is the most interesting thing to play in the song the mixing in the album favours much more the guitars, so the concet of the song is like you said, but at the end is always about the guitars.

[@guitarwins1896]

Very well said!

[@astro2691]

What, a few embellished bass fills is telling the story? You're a bit of an idiot aren't you?

[@illusioncity]

@@astro2691 dude, what’s wrong with you? It’s just a song that is appreciated by the op. Chill out. And yeah, there is a musical journey that is being conveyed.

[@leonidaspartsas4563]

Imagine being 19 year old and composing this. Mind blowing

[@emerealm3779]

I'm 19 now and have no skills

[@roaming740]

@@emerealm3779 not too late

[@ralphjones7531]

i was in a band and LIVE produced our album AND THE STUFF WE PLAYED I LOOK AT NOW AND IM LIKE WOW...damn caps lol

[@lamprinikatsanou5476]

❤

[@FuNoK83]

Yeah that always blows my mind too! ❤

[@sidneyvandykeii3169]

When I listen to Old School Metallica, (I do this often) it really makes me wonder what direction their music would of gone if Cliff Burton didn't suddenly and tragically die in that bus crash. I miss Cliff.

[@JirafaWood]

Or if Dave Mustaine didn’t get fired from the band.

[@sidneyvandykeii3169]

@@JirafaWood I am perfectly happy with Megadeath being Mustain band. I don't think he ever would if gotten clean without that Huge kick in the ass out of Metallica. I am from Seattle and look at the deaths of Staley, Wood, Cobain and Hendrix. Nobody kicked them in the ass. Now there is Cornell gone. Mustain needed a swift kick in the ass to SUCCEED in life.

[@TheBenjammin]

They still would have gotten gay. Now if they had Jason around and let him influence their music more they would have stayed great.

[@sidneyvandykeii3169]

@@TheBenjammin News Ted? Really? He was Hired Help that was never exerted his opinion. Maybe James intimidated him or held him back but, his stuff was average at best.

[@12309.]

If that was the case turds like “Black Album” load and reload wouldn’t exist. Nor the haircuts and fooking makeup.

[@branstark123]

The real amazing thing is that these guys were all in their very early 20s when they recorded this. The amount of talent on display is amazing.

[@jnwhrt13]

The really amazing amazing thing is they managed to blow it before they were 30

[@xastor]

"Waiting for a big solo", Cliff's been soloing for the last 2 minutes... This whole album just needs a solid remaster/remix.

[@Faethordz]

Exactly. Stop talking, listen.

[@Equimanthorn80]

Nah. I could hear Cliff ripping even through my crappy phone speaker. Doug just isn't used to finding the bass, at least in heavy metal recordings. We need to give him a "LISTEN REALLY HARD FOR THE BASS, SIR" warning before making him listen to certain songs.

[@ZorgyGirl]

One can always take a look at the 24 kt Gold Remastered version engineered by sound wizard/remastering guru Steve Hoffman at the turn of the century. Simply put, it gives you the impression that they removed all the pillows and blankets filling the distance between the mics and the instruments. The sound is insanley crystal clear. You will never experience Fade to black the same way ever again. The studio version is completely muffled, in comparison. They did the same for Master of Puppets, of course. But they may ve a bit pricey nowadays. Anyway, great reaction from Dr. Doug, as always.

[@thelonewolf9983]

Check “Ahdy Khairat”’s Channel For The Remasters, You’re Welcome!

[@lazarpetrovic1241]

@@Equimanthorn80 he don't like when bass play same as guitar. But when is different he don't listen bass xD. I understand that he have problem with electric instruments and with style of playing. I watch video when he don't hear difrence between guitar and keyboards. He maybe need to see cliff. Maybe for whom the bell tolls live. Cliff's sound is something perfect and his finger style. I hope Doug will read my commrnt xD.

[@jp1170]

The “growl” of that bass guitar in the background is iconic.

[@LichaelMewis]

Hell yeah. Too bad he didn't talk about it.

[@KhordLizardMage]

That was Cliff and his Morley Wah pedal, LEGENDARY!!!!

[@jamiewoodcock9765]

Alot of people can't enjoy the full greatness of the song because they don't listen for all Cliffs intricate bass playing that sometimes gets lost 🤘

[@ChadCarlisle]

@@KhordLizardMage A Wah pedal used on bass is a rarety. I never understood why I love the sound.

[@KhordLizardMage]

@@ChadCarlisle The Morley Wah is a Distortion and Wah pedal combined.

[@Broccoli_Highkicks]

Doug: Where's the solos? Cliff: Am I a joke to you?

[@corrado]

exactly, with headphones he should have noticed.

[@GuerraMatos]

Same with Orion. He didn't notice the most beautiful part of the bass.

[@hmpz36911]

Someone needs to listen to "Anaesthesia" & re-listen to these tracks- no way Cliff can be buried once you HEAR hum❣

[@geezerlabs3769]

Oh shit I met you guys on a snow covered mountain opening for Sons of Apollo

[@wagnerpullo999]

He only seeks the scales but not the true genious about this song, thats a poor analysis

[@lucashilderman9983]

“In the book, the story says that mentioning the name Cthulhu (Verbally or written) will bring him closer. That's why Metallica used the name "Ktulu" and not "Cthulhu" - for fear of the beast”

[@topilinkala1594]

But he is not he who should not be named.

[@infinitydreamzz]

You just mentioned it

[@pthibault630]

That's actually just a rumor. There was a 2016 interview with Hetfield where he said they used that spelling so that people would pronounce it correctly, but now he regrets not using the correct spelling.

[@pwincessiris]

*rapidly says cthulhu alot*

[@Ranmann86]

They had to change the spelling because of copyright

[@airfixx_8952]

"I keep expecting a shredding solo".... Cliff's been tearing it up for the first 3-4 mins!

[@beck204]

Nobody cares about bass.

[@harcos9323]

@@beck204 Bass is playing the lead here js saying

[@mulk811]

@@beck204 absolutely insane if you think like that, try listening to for whom the bell tolls without bass and your mind will be blown

[@wavifr]

@@beck204 shut up Lars

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

Still blows my mind that they were only 19-20 years old when they made this record. Incredible.

[@christopherjohnson2171]

I know, I just can't wrap my head around it. Maybe Master of Puppets is my favorite album, but I'm sure I've spent the most time listening to RTL.

[@thefuzzman]

Cliff was 24 when this album was written

[@brummms2862]

@@thefuzzman 22, still doing more than any of us did at 22

[@thefuzzman]

@@brummms2862 You are correct, I stand corrected. Guess I forgot math for a moment 😂 thanks!

[@joshuamasserant8215]

Cliff was 21, so you are both wrong. Cliff was born February 10, 1962, Ride The Lightning & Kill 'Em All were both written in 1983 actually.

[@TheBlackQueen]

The saddest thing about this song is that despite Cliff Burton being credited as Lead Bass, his track is so tucked back in the mix and you can barely hear what he's doing unless you're intentionally listening for it. He's actually doing a lot of complex stuff including the sound effect for the roaring of Cthulhu.

[@espenanka]

Then you should listen to the remastered version with some decent speakers!

[@faamecanic1970]

To a bassist….Cliffs bass track is clear. But that’s because my ear is tuned to listening for bass…and sometimes with Cliff’s playing it is hard to tell as he (like Geezer and Lemmy) frequently takes a more rhythm guitar like sound/style.

[@espenanka]

@@faamecanic1970 As a drummer I agree!!

[@MrDizzyvonclutch]

The idea is to sound like a lurking sea monster though.... not a bass guitar! lol (I know a little about Metallica and their bass shunning though)

[@syracuse6651]

Yup...... , Thanks Lars and James for that shit .

[@highlander6582]

just want to say, theres these sounds that cliff makes with his bass that are supposed to resemble a monsters scream by using a wah pedal and distortion. he could really think outside the box and bring new ideas to the table.

[@doubledano6526]

He used a vintage Morley power fuzz wah. Distortion, wah, and gain all in one pedal, truly cut through the mix. If I could add a photo, if show you mine.

[@anthonystinson5722]

WWWAAAAAOOOOOOOWWWWW

[@mangybones]

Just wrote about the same thing! Ha! I think he missed the subtle "monster bass" because he was talking through most of it. Still a cool revue, but was disappointed not to hear a comment about that.

[@alextrainor4038]

@@doubledano6526 in this album he would’ve been using CS-2 -> Morley Power Wah Boost -> ibanez tubescreamer. he used Morley Power Fuzz Wah and EH Big Muff Pi in Kill Em All

[@Beholder505]

I think that was just a happy coincidence. Cliff just liked to do crazy shit on the bass.

[@2011manbeast]

It's interesting how you say "it's almost like a trance." This song abstractly mimics a summoning ritual, hence the title "Call of Ktulu. (Cthulhu)" It's very interesting how they nailed the idea of the song progressing very soft and ominous as the "ritual" begins, and then builds to a crescendo to represent Cthulhu coming into this world. Those wild bass sounds are representative of Cthulhu

[@danielthoma2907]

First time I heard this with full attention and fell in love with it, my association was either a storm building up or a volcanic eruption. In either way, it has a primal edge to it somehow.

[@janitor6669]

Actually, the title is from a Lovecraft novel "the Call of Cthulhu". Worth reading and it's definitely not a summoning ritual thing.

[@danielthoma2907]

@@janitor6669 I have read all the works of Lovecraft. Just saying what I felt initially, almost 20 years ago now. And primal, ancient stuff is pretty Lovecraftian tbh.

[@NefariousKoel]

@@janitor6669 - Ehhh. I thought the 'Call Of Cthulhu' story was one of H.P. Lovecraft's lesser accomplishments. He has so many great classic horror stories which, in turn, inspired many later writers. Yet that has been the primary one most associated with his writings for decades. Now I'll have to go comment-bomb Sandy Petersen's YT channel about this abominable travesty.

[@glumsulk]

@@NefariousKoel youre just being a contrarian. Its definitely a trendy thing for people to hype Cthulhu even if theyve never read any of his works, but just hate the poseurs, not the work itself. Im not saying its his magnum opus or that you have to, but it definitely isnt one of the worst things he produced.

[@KuroiRenge]

This album is my favorite Metallica album by far, and this was my favorite song on it. They nailed the feeling of a summoning without a word.

[@josephprice6107]

You should also do “to live is to die “ on and justice for all. It’s basically an instrumental 98 percent of it. Very good stuff.

[@voodoocustompickups2547]

The only lyrics were written by Cliff

[@adameves5970]

@@voodoocustompickups2547 Half of them were. Half of it is a quote, and the other half is Cliff's.

[@daltro010101]

I think he could check out Hangar 18. There is the same chord progression in the intro, but really different ways come after.

[@LichaelMewis]

💯

[@costafinkel]

Orion and call of ktulu are excelent, but to live is to die is the best..

[@RonoMorph]

These guys where in their early 20s, and already masterminds. Mr Cliff Burton, we bow to you, a true master of music.

[@Parka_Niel]

Cliff, James, Lars and Dave

[@bigassdummy46]

@@Parka_Niel Dave was the most Important part. Next to Cliff.

[@2009XboxLiveKid]

@@bigassdummy46 oh please, dave was shred and drunken rage (still cool) but cliff topped him by a long shot

[@bigassdummy46]

@@2009XboxLiveKid yet dave wrote the main theme???? And yes at this time Cliff was a better composer.

[@antoniocenteno1483]

@@2009XboxLiveKid Not in this song though, Dave compose the main thing, like cliff composed the main thing in Orion, but here the credit should go to Dave. Just to clarify, no, i´m not a Dave fanboy, but credits where they belong.

[@markushuguenin3500]

The next instrumental in reverse order would be "Anesthesia-pulling teeth" off of the first album Kill'em All. Then you should go back around to "To Live is to Die", the last Metallica track that Cliff Burton had a part in (posthumously).

[@agent2face512]

There's a good chance that Cliff didn't have impact on the writing of To live is to die, at least not in form of musical ideas

[@miguelanxomuradolo2638]

@@agent2face512 I've read several times somewhere, here and there, that in fact «To live is to die» was essentially made assembling some ideas Cliff had wrote.

[@agent2face512]

@@miguelanxomuradolo2638 it's popular belief, however I've seen a video by Andriy Vasylenko which essentially says that there is no actual proof for it. You can look it up, search to live is to die andriy and you should be good

[@brandonproctor3639]

"To Live is to Die" is an absolute masterpiece

[@miguelanxomuradolo2638]

@@agent2face512 Thanx! I'm gonna do it now. However, in some video documentary Kirk says that Cliff usually composed writing in notebooks -the only one in Metallica that did it- and that he left some exercises and ideas over some of them. Sorry, I have not the reference for it.

[@MGLN-hl8gc]

I've been listening this song for decades and still gives me goosebumps...

[@atypocrat1779]

Agree

[@vmackey11]

Metallicas instrumentals are awesome pieces of music. Melodic, tells a story.

[@jimmyggs91]

"Fade to Black" is a great song from this album. Or, if you're going with true thrash metal experience, "Creeping Death" is the one to go. Lyrically it's quite interesting too.

[@adamparisi745]

Fade to Black is always my recommendation for Ride the Lightning. And Metallica in general.

[@Sile]

Yep Fade to Black is my all time fav Metallica song. Play it at my funeral. Creeping Death is good as well! :)

[@spicy_cheerio5819]

Creeping Death is about Moses "bringing" God's plagues to the Egyptians because the Pharaoh was keeping the Israelites as slaves and refused to release them.

[@Tonightsthenight99]

Trapped under ice sir. The sound jumps ever even though they’re in the same tone

[@CimarronXL]

Yes!! Fade to black!!

[@rubwpalma1551]

It would be really cool to hear your take on the band Death, try starting with the track "Voice of the Soul", and them move over their actual metal stuff, like the tracks "Symbolic", "Scavenger of Human Sorrow", or "Trapped in a Corner". Loving your Metal Mondays, it's so awesome to hear some metal takes by skilled non-metal musicians.

[@MetalGeek464]

100%. So much awesome music.

[@luuanlive]

Spirit Crusher, The Philosopher and maybe Cosmic Sea would be cool to see here too

[@kylelewis4685]

Crystal Mountain and Sacred Serenity have always been my favorites.

[@ThrashFantasy]

ABSOLUTELY

[@KillroyLP]

Without judgement , Sacred serenity and of course Flash and the power it.... holds!

[@metalmark1214]

Doug the next Metallica I'd recommend is Welcome Home (Sanitarium)

[@zacharyhusk4649]

Anesthia pulling teeth

[@rickmcclain1037]

It still amazes me the transition they made from Kill 'em All to Ride the Lightning. And it also is pretty damn amazing how much their sound grew between the two albums. I've recently been listening to all of cliff's isolated tracks from this album. He was just genius

[@jackohcheesiong9687]

All 4 tracks of Metallica's instrumental songs, this one is truly masterpiece of all masterpieces.

[@nigelgregory7090]

Well I guess while your doing Metallica instrumentals you need to take a look at “To Live is To Die” of the justice album , featuring a poem by Cliff Burton

[@LikeAnEverflowingStream]

Paul Gerhardt is the writer of the poem, not Cliff.

[@fadetounforgiven]

I have already suggested this one before which, to be honest, I like better than Ktulu. Let''s wait and see if he does it.

[@DropDMurphy]

Can't listen to that without getting emotional about Cliff.

[@startrekiborg]

Absolutely!!! Metallica only has three instrumentals (despite the poem, it’s still an instrumental) and “To Live is to Die” is my favorite by far. ***FINISH THE TRILOGY!!!***

[@fadetounforgiven]

@@startrekiborg someone might have forgotten "Suicide & Redemption".

[@metalmark1214]

Info on "Ktulu" - ***"The Call of Ktulu" was first performed on August 28, 1983, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, being the first song off of Ride to be played live. ***From its live debut in 1983 to just before Ride the Lightning came out, Ktulu was known under its demo name "When Hell Freezes Over". It was changed to its current title after a conscious effort by the band to not sing about demons and hell as many other metal bands did at the time. ***The Call of Cthulhu" first appeared in 1928 for the magazine "Weird Tales". ***Despite the song title, the creature's name is actually spelled "Cthulhu", which is pronounced "Ktulu". Various reasons have been suggested for this; one being that according to the story, mentioning "Chthulu" by name (or writing his name) will summon him; another is that the title is to help people pronounce the word correctly. ***The edited beginning of the song was later used on Megadeth's last song on the album The World Needs A Hero called "When", in 2001.

[@SnaKeEXx]

Funny how you didn’t mention Dave Mustaine is the main composer of the song

[@freddiekirschman4933]

@@SnaKeEXx wow seriously?

[@SnaKeEXx]

@@freddiekirschman4933 yeah bro. Very seriously.

[@davideleardi3894]

Yes, the D progression in the beginning after the initial arpeggio was written by him and is exacly the same he used for the beginning of Hangar 18...

[@beirch]

Lovecraft himself said Cthulu can't be properly pronounced by human tongues, so whether or not it's spelled a certain way to help pronunciation is sort of a moot point.

[@danieltoy1247]

"A little double kick but I don't mind." It begins...

[@joelbabin4365]

The Call of Ktulu performance with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra is amazing and enhances the beauty of this song... incredible opening song for the Symphony and Metallica (S&M) performance... you owe it to yourself to listen.

[@GiulioAnichini1982]

Unpopular opinion: I would love to see Doug react to the S&M version of it. I think this is one of the few songs of that live where the orchestra has actually improved the overall sound.

[@EvandroPJchannel]

Agreed, although One was also nice, the rest I personally didn’t like…

[@foxdogsourdough]

Yes, I would certainly enjoy that greatly.

[@moose2577]

@@EvandroPJchannel I really liked the s&m version of Outlaw Torn best.

[@briantwining86]

Of Wolf & Man was pretty sick too

[@MnyFrNthng]

Totally agreed. On that album Ktulu and No Leaf Clover was perfect with the orchestra.

[@who_is_john_galt]

I think you shold listen to "To live is to die" next. It's lyrics are written in Cliff's grave, I believe. It forms sorta like a trio with The Call of Ktulu and Orion, I think, as the three best instrumental songs of metallica (even though "To live is to die" does have a little bit of a lyric, but it doesn't really count)

[@adambee2224]

Reminds me of older rush songs where parts were spread over several albums

[@wojtekg9315]

The funny is that Doug was expecting shredding solo and he was focused on description of the main riffs but he missed Cliff's shredding. The first half of this song is a huge Cliff's solo on distorian bass in the background. :)

[@LichaelMewis]

Correct. And Doug missed Cliff's shredding in his Orion review video too.

[@joaogarcia6170]

It's quite comical how doug always misses something with thrash metal hahaha

[@michaelinnj7439]

Ride the Lightning is my favorite Metallica album. Still heavy but much more experimental and a bit proggy (in a good way).

[@a.t.3192]

More proggy than Justice?

[@fabienaudinet7945]

@@a.t.3192 Justice's production is a shame

[@generoberts9151]

Ride is my favorite album by them

[@DavidJones-tp7td]

If you haven't already, please do yourself the favor and listen to Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth). It's a bass solo played by Cliff and demonstrates his true mastery of his chosen instrument. Pure genius work. Oh and you should listen to this one and Orion back to back. The moods of the two songs just feel like they could be to parts of the same story.

[@chrismeadows4216]

The bass swells are the most important part, as far as I'm concerned. They convey the idea of the dark beings lurking down beneath some veil, crying out in warning to the mortals above. It's very colorful.

[@Aquila81]

Next mandatory instrumental tracks: 1) TO LIVE IS TO DIE (Metallica 1988 studio version) 2) TRANSYLVANIA (Iron Maiden 1980, even better if a live track)

[@jabedoben]

Cliff does some amazing stuff in the background during the song. I have a friend in a Metallica cover band that does this song and nails the parts.

[@gregmainer5416]

It would be interesting if they did something like what the Beach Boys did for Pet Sounds where they released the acapella tracks with the instruments turned way down in the mix. It would nice if Metallica released the bass tracks with minimal volume of the rest of the instruments as a "guide". Or just release Cliff's bass tracks because they were truly out-of-this-world.

[@Krysztau]

The whole chords progression from the first part of this track was entirely written by Mustaine. He used it once again in Megadeth's "Hangar 18"

[@Spicymeatball6969]

It works better in this song, I think.

[@raz0rcarich99]

Mustaine is a genius

[@RedLP5000S]

So glad that Mustaine left the confines of Metallica to be free and really shine on his own.

[@joelmacdonald6994]

Shit! I don’t have a musical ear, so I’ve totally missed it. You’re so right! That is Hanger 18, but obviously at a different tempo. I can’t be the only one that hears The Four Horsemen in The Mechanix? Am I?

[@belastian1974]

@@joelmacdonald6994 that one was actually written in basically the version it is on Kill 'Em All by Dave Mustaine, who then, after being thrown out, took it, slightly changed it and used it as his own. The early/working title for The Four Horseman even was "Mechanix" when it was first played live/written so you could argue that these two are two different, yet similar versions of the same song.

[@patricklennox9572]

Focus on the bass. It is Cliff's classic fuzz/wah pedal tone. The song is beneath the surface. Cliff's bass is Ktulu underneath. The guitars are the theme telling the story, as Ktulu lurks beneath the surface. The call is heard at 10:22ff in your video. Cliff's wah bass issues the call.

[@aditsu]

Wait, there's bass in this?

[@patricklennox9572]

@@aditsu Serious question, are you kidding? Put the headphones on and listen to the bass solo during the entire song underneath the repetitive guitar parts. Enjoy.

[@aditsu]

@@patricklennox9572 only a little bit. I know they had a bassist, and I know it's almost impossible to hear in some of their old albums (mostly due to James's fault, he interfered with the mixing). But seriously, I didn't notice any bass in this song (I'm also not really familiar with it in order to know exactly what to listen for). I went to the original song now (not the reaction) and paid attention and I can hear it a little bit. It seems to have some distortion and it's hard to distinguish it from the loud guitars that have distortion too.

[@unknown8881]

@@aditsu dude you have shit headphones

[@Karl_vulture]

All that whah noise in the background is bass. It’s extremely audible. I think people just mistake it for guitar. It’s kinda Cliff’s signature sound.

[@Dude_im_Frying]

Interestingly enough Dave Mustain used this progression for Hangar 18 but in cord form. This is a really great song because it has that daunting ambiance to it, it really paints a picture with no words said

[@DrNewcenstein2]

Actually, Dave wrote this progression, which he asked them not to use when he was booted. That's why it was used for Hangar 18. He also wrote the main riff for Four Horsemen, which appears as The Mechanix on Killing Is My Business (or was it So Far So good?)

[@richfamousstyle6945]

Absolutely, can’t help but think it’s a lift -let’s say influence, from cashmere by led zep

[@oyc7946]

He also used it in Dystopia but to be fair he was the one who came up with it

[@MrCroky123]

Interestingly enough Mustaine is credited as writer of this song !

[@wickedPrints3256]

It never fails! Folks miss Cliff's bass solo's thinking they're leads! He was just that awesome. Long live the Cliff! I suggest the bass boosted on this track. Mind blowing.

[@richpeltier9519]

The shredding is there, is just in a lower frequency range than you're used to. I would LOVE to hear your take on Kamen's arrangement, especially on Cliffs songs that were used on the first S&M. I'm a huge Pink Floyd fan, so I've been listening to Kamen my whole life and was very excited when he was selected to work with Metallica on that first show. Rich the Ancient Metal Beast

[@jantzenallen3077]

Let’s go this song is amazing mr Cliff Burton on bass

[@johncassani6780]

The way they segued directly into Master of Puppets in the orchestral version was amazing. When I here the end of this song, I’m always lokking for it.

[@peachmelba1000]

This album particularly Metallica never eclipsed. The thickness of the guitar sounds and the general broadness of the sound really complements the material and themes.

[@caspern6559]

Hey Doug, This is one of my favourite tracks of all time. I've been trying to introduce my 94 yo grandma to metal. She is a classically trained piano teacher. But she just can't stand the sound of distortion or actually anything beyond classical music. However your notations to the music gives me and my grandmother something to talk about with the music. And she is even beginning to appreciate the writing of artists like Zappa and Metallica. Keep on doing the good work!!!

[@bangermccrusher]

Your Granma is awesome

[@wildae.]

wow thats something really cool

[@kevinmaillet4712]

Thats awesome, Casper!

[@theanalogkid7]

I really feel like this tune in particular benefited so much from the orchestra on S&M. But, this OG version is great too!

[@Howitchewstofeel5gum]

Yeah that's the version that plays in my head when somebody mentions this song. And the transition into Master is soooooo good 🤘🤘🤘

[@shmick6079]

@540マンモス agree 💯

[@gilliganallmighty3]

@540マンモス it was awesome that they opened with the orchestra, went into a metal instrumental, then brought in the vocals. Break in the unprepared.

[@jonkehoe7542]

Yeah I think Doug is missing the flourishes by Cliff, whether where it is so low in the mix or he’s focused on the guitar? Similar thing happened n Orion, I’m not sure he realized that Cliff did that solo either. He is also talking and analyzing throughout, so there is chance to miss some of the things we all wish he would pick up on.

[@brickedupgranny]

goddamn this solo is so beautiful gives me chills every time. ride the lighting is metallica’s best album and one of the best albums ever written in music.

[@katatonikone6232]

one of the reasons to see them live. The bass is more prevalent, especially after Trujillo joined the band.

[@anthonydebot45]

It is not a transe... It is... a summoning! Great video, wish Cliff's bass was a little louder in the mix, he plays some incredible lines in this piece and I get the feeling that Doug didn't quite catch them. Cliff had a very unique tone and feel, and is very sorely missed.

[@dickslickerson486]

Like the song in lord's of Salem.....it is taking over your mind unknowingly

[@Sineater35]

AAAAMEN brotha! Well said. After all these years i think most will NOW agree that Cliff was Metallica. His attitude, creativity, and just plain talent came along exactly when they needed it. He showed them the path and kept them honest.....no frills, no bullshit just me, you and the music type feel. After he passed, you can tell that Justice was written with Cliff but not totally fleshed out. When the black album came out you could now see what a album with no cliff, at all, is gonna be like and man, it was not good,imo. Im pretty sure Bob Rock wouldnt have been touching any of there music, using that eye for glam metal he likes so much.

[@MrTJones15]

I know I’m late to the party but I’d love to hear what he thought of Cliff’s work on (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth. Sounds you can’t believe are coming out of a bass.

[@onemansopinion8135]

"I'm waiting for that shredding solo." Meanwhile Cliff has been doing it for the past two minutes on bass.

[@UltromanTheTacoman]

The beginning of this track always reminds me of the Tristram theme from Diablo 1. If you want to listen to some very interesting, beautiful and haunting compositions, take a look at Diablo's soundtrack (it's a game). It doesn't have many tracks, but they're all fantastic, really making you feel the terror surrounding you in an almost uncanny way.

[@stormykeep9213]

They won a grammy for the orchestral version.

[@satortenet]

As I understand from The Call of Cthulhu tale, written by Lovecraft, is that "no man is able to truly pronounce Cthulhu". Maybe that's why they changed it for the song, so people can pronounce it.

[@Rendclaw]

More like they didn't want to be sued by Lovecraft's estate in 1984. Maiden had to deal with that a little bit in 1983, when Frank Herbert didn't want them to use the title Dune, that's why they changed the name of the song to "To Tame A Land", and again in 1982 for "The Prisoner", where they had to get Patrick McGoohan's permission to use the name.

[@gsresener]

@@Rendclaw your version is more plausible, but i prefer @roverson's lol

[@Vitericus1]

Lovecraft himself said it's pronounced more like "Klulu" or"Tlhulu" but the Old One's language is not pronounceable by humans anyway😉

[@johnmcminn9455]

So that would explain Global warming and Covid right there, bro. I knew it was Metallica

[@efisarantopoulou7768]

its not hard...unless you are greek

[@cat_tee_vee]

I never thought about the trance-like nature of the song before! It makes sense considering in Lovercraftian Mythology, Cthulu is meant to drive anyone who looks at him insane; he represents the things humans simply aren't able to understand about the universe despite our best efforts and the existential dread that comes with it. This is a central theme of Lovecraft's work and the cosmic horror genre that he helped to establish. The Call of Ktulu is probably my favourite Metallica song and I'm glad that you seemed to have enjoyed it as much as I do! Prefect timing to cover this one seeing as Halloween is coming up.

[@joemaurone7923]

Re: the orchestral version: Kamen's good, for sure; but the only one who could do this ultimate justice was Ennio Morricone (of whom Metallica are big fans; you can hear his influence in their.) Morricone's style is just more fitting for this, gritty and raw.

[@troydioso3149]

I’ve listened to this song for over 25 years and I’ve always envisioned it as a war between 2 separate people. Orion and this are my absolute favorite 2 instrumentals.

[@DavidJones-tp7td]

Interesting, I've always felt the same way and Orion sounds like the soundtrack that would play as the hero journeys to turn the tide of the battle, witnessing the destruction left in the wake of the move battle.

[@troydioso3149]

@@DavidJones-tp7td absolutely!!! Very well put!🤘

[@KesslerMickschGeorgeII]

The bass is shredding all over the song. Listen for the filter sweep sound and hook onto it, that’s the bass. He’s playing brass-sounding parts everywhere.

[@uoabigaillevey]

Sidenote.. this is the first of, I believe, 4 songs Metallica has done based upon the Cthulhu mythos. In order, the songs (and albums they are from) are: The Call of Ktulu (Ride the Lightning) The Thing That Should Not Be (Master of Puppets) All Nightmare Long (Death Magnetic) Dream No More (Hardwired.. To Self Destruct) Other bands have done songs based upon Cthulhu as well.. one of my favorite bands, Mercyful Fate, which did at least 2 songs... 1) The Mad Arab, and 2) Kutulu (The Mad Arab, Part II) There is also a role-playing game called 'Call of Cthulhu' which is quite fun to play if you are into roleplaying games. So much lore to Cthulhu over the years.. including new stuff added by authors other than H.P. Lovecraft. If you really want to understand the culture behind this I would offer to suggest that you dig into some of the books and references from the wikipedia on Cthulhu and the various otherworldy/cosmic beings that are included in the genre/mythos. Understanding that will definitely aid your understanding of the mindsets of the various artists which have made music based upon it.

[@TSotP]

The Cthulhu mythos also has one of the most powerful entities in all of fiction. Azothoth. The Daemon Sultan. We all exist in his dream. Everything we know and understand, the entire omniverse. Up, down, right, wrong, Good, evil, existence, nothingness. All his dream. And should he wake, it would all whiff away, like breath on a mirror. And there would be nothing anyone or anything could do about it. Not Yogsothoth, not Nyarlathotep, no elder God or great old one. That's why they keep him mindless and dreaming at the heart of chaos.

[@coax2010]

Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets were both recorded in Denmark with engineer Fleming Rasmussen so they have a similar sound. After Cliff’s death on the Master of puppets tour Fleming Rasmussen and metallica made the and justice for all album in Los Angeles. This album had a lot more of a tinny hollow sounding production which I guess is what the band was looking for at the time. This was also the first album with bassist Jason Newstead and I feel this album is covered in anger from the loss of Cliff Burton. Due to Cliff Burton‘s influence metallica‘s first four Albums had instrumentals. Anesthesia, Call of the Ktulu, Orion and To Live Is to Die which was a tribute to cliff on and justice for all . If your a Cliff Fan check out Anesthesia pulling teeth from the kill ‘‘em all album. It’s all Cliff on his Rickenbacher bass.

[@tumpe6500]

You really should do the S&M(2) version(s) too. Michael Kamen really nailed the orchesteral parts of the song. On the second S&M it's pretty much the same as the first, but with different bass player and different sound.

[@joelmacdonald6994]

I love the depth that the orchestra adds to the music. It’s simply beautiful.

[@monsieurmitosis]

Your knowledge and understanding of this track is amazing and fantastic, from both researched and unresearched perspectives. I have also often pondered over the same questions, when it comes to possible reasons why the band might've decided to change the title...one of them suggested it and everyone else agreed, that's probably the simple explanation. And you (perhaps wisely) avoided the mystery about how those words should be pronounced or enounced. None of us dare touch that one. I loved how you shed light on the emotional essence inherent in the chords chosen to create the main progressions. The E to Eb in the A minor section is, as you said, what defines it. The flat 5 effect. I'd also be interested in your chord definitions of the chords that happen over the Dm section...I don't think I heard you address that. One detail you might not be aware of is that Dave Mustaine wrote most of the first half of this one. I don't think I'd be alone in declaring that Mustaine and Cliff Burton shared a similar classical influence in their songwriting, hence so much magic in Metallica's early catalogue. It was an incredible combination musically, although I can absolutely understand why Mustaine had to be kicked out of the band. In terms of production, this was Flemming Rusmussen's first record with this band. Apparently (but of course not surprisingly) they worked on a tight budget in a freezing cold warehouse in Denmark, but I love the result. In terms of song quality it's not perfect but Ride The Lightning remains an essential part of Metallica's catalogue.

[@egj1975]

I am so grateful for what you and Rick Beato are doing. You are taking out favorite songs and making us se them in a new light and making us learn about music and teori at the same time. Love you channel and your love and respect for all music

[@mister_syre]

I never understood why they kept the bass so low in the mix, on ALL their albums prior to the Black one. Cliff's parts were very creative, especially on this track. His soloing sadly gets lost under those uneventful guitars pushing the main riff.

[@joelmacdonald6994]

That was the sound at the time. Was it intentional, or was the recording and playback equipment just not capable? I love thrash metal, but one thing I dislike is the lack of bass. That’s one thing I love about metal from the late 90’s-early 2000’s(including nu-metal). The bass became so pronounced. Not enough to drown out the guitars, but enough that they sound great together.

[@JOEMAMMADRINK40Z]

I never understood why they kept the bass so low in the mix.......................its called roll off.

[@robertboydston3787]

Because Lars is, still to this day, a self important dick. He wanted everything they did to be about Him and Hetfield. Jason Newstead said in an interview, that the first time he heard the finished product of his recording with the band, you could barely tell he even played with them...

[@masediggity]

They spelled it with a "K" because they didn't wanna completely confuse their fans with the pronunciation. How thoughtful of them lol.

[@ivangorban5456]

We have to close this epic circle of classic Metallica unstrumentals with “To Live is To Die” from "...And Justice For All" album (1989) RIP Cliff Burton. This song is dedicated to Cliff

[@sb859]

And they were 21 years old, creating Classical Heavy Metal. I've heard it said that if "Orion" was the expedition launching into Space, then "Ktulu" was what they found, or what found them... Thank you for doing this Doug.

[@aaronamado6885]

Cliff's bass, the growl, the shred throughout, pitch drop in the middle, ominous licks, tone is the call and audio embodiment of Cthulhu/ktulu.

[@kylelewis4685]

Basically every track from Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets kicks ass. If only Cliff had lived..... As far as H.P. Lovecraft goes.... I cannot recommend checking out his writing strongly enough. He was a genius in his time.

[@ecfml]

я ему завидую , открыть для себя металлику и впервые услышать эти замечательные композиции

[@keegansmith3623]

The one thing about Monday’s I actually look forward to, thanks for the great content Doug!

[@madguitarist63]

Cliff Burton is the reason I fell in love with the Bass. I always loved funk, but he opened my mind to a whole different world of the bass

[@jeffreymcrae3853]

I have been a fan of Metallica since the mid 80's... nice work 😊 I'm looking forward to more reactions to Metallica 😎

[@brandoncrow3741]

Great choice, Doug! Metallica doesn't have any fast, "shredding" instrumental tracks. All of their instrumentals are slower and moody, especially the 80s ones. They have one in their debut album, "Anesthesia" that's basically a bass solo (and an incredible one at that), and "To Live is to Die" from ...And Justice for All, that's amazing as well. Love the channel, and I look forward to your new videos! Cheers. 🤘

[@giovybez8061]

"I might worship it out of self preservation." I literally laughed out loud.

[@koridee4492]

Doug, you mention Dave Mustaine having a writing credit. Have a listen to Megadeth's Hangar 18, and you will notice many similar elements. Two songs that could not sound MORE different, yet have guitar parts that are identical, albeit strummed/picked differently! 😁

[@8569jimboslice]

Basically the Hangar 18 intro is pretty much the same chord sped up.

[@howaccurate7610]

I loved Doug’s in depth analysis of the lyrics

[@nidodeaguila2319]

I've listened to this song for 30 years and always made me feel like a "trance".. perfect reaction word! Its like agony trance in fear and waiting for death. Magical masterpiece

[@metalmark1214]

For an instrumental l liked Orion better. It had more change ups and a great melodic section, this instrumental was good but a little too repetitive. Thanks for doing this one Doug.

[@a.t.3192]

The main reason it seems repetitive is that Cliff's lead bass part is buried extremely low in the original mix. Listen to a bass boosted version, or Andriy Vaslyenko's cover and you'll probably appreciate it more. That being said, I agree that Orion is the better song.

[@thegreatga13y]

Hi Doug, I just came across your channel and I'm loving all the content! I'm a classically trained flutist so I really appreciate your input, particularly when it comes to metal music. I've always found that metal and classical music have many many similarities and I love both! Would you react to Fade to Black (remastered) from this same album? It's one of my favorites and I think you'd really like it :)

[@bryanb.386]

I remember hearing Fade to Black and thinking it was about depression and/or suicide. Then I found out it was about one of Hetfield's guitars being stolen.

[@thegreatga13y]

@@bryanb.386 Oh wow! What a cool nugget of information. I'm gonna have to go back and re-listen with that in mind :)

[@red149]

@@bryanb.386 haha same here . His gear got stolen right before the record of their first album and he thought the life was over and everything faded to black . Oh the teenage years 😞😞

[@nicoconcepcion1027]

Also give the S and M version a shot. It's a completely different feel that I personally really enjoy.

[@TheSeta012]

That piece alone shows how talented these guys are. To come up with that stuff at their age and in that moment is just a declaration of what they will eventually become. I was introduced to this band through the Symphony version of this song back in 2000 and I still remember that feeling, that emotion of listening such a piece of art. Then I heard this original version and I was literally moved to tears, so many emotions in this song and you can feel them all.

[@GentleDemon999]

Pure hypnotic bliss. Rhythms mastership extraordinaries. All album is over the top goody good. Title track is also very very very good. Thank you for this.

[@alexandermays]

If I'm not mistaken, I think I read in an interview that they changed the spelling of Cthulhu in an attempt to make easier for fans to understand/pronounce? (It doesn't make sense to me, but I may be wrong anyways)

[@miguel13gz22]

You are not wrong, I remember that too

[@N75911_]

I thought that too, but after reading a bit, I like the idea that it's an attempt not to mention him by name.

[@VodkaSelekta]

I heard that Lars Ulrich just couldn't spell it properly

[@jorgeconj]

And that weird distortion in the back is the clasic Clif’s distortion.

[@mattikunnas1962]

Do one for Suicide & redemption from Death Magnetic. It's propably more of the thing you thought this would turn out to be. More relaxed and diverse than ambitious. It's just talented musicians having a blast and I think it's fairly underrated.

[@christopherlaney4694]

Yeah love that one it reminds me of the Frankenstein instrumental Edgar Winter s band I believe I named the band right.

[@Anacronian]

They called it Ktulu to avoid copyright infringement, This was before Lovecraft works entered the public domain. Also, the album was mixed by Flemming Rasmussen from Sweet Silence studios, Who were really some of the best mixers at the time.

[@Jacob-jg6cd]

These videos are actually very insightful.

[@englemanart]

This entire song is a shredding solo. It's just done on 4 strings with a somewhat subdued volume.

[@markbennett6623]

The bass is just so quiet on everything sept the guitar like the bass drum and the bass can barely hear it

[@ReptileRescue]

You can tell Dave had a hand in writing this because that lead guitar has that Megadeth sound all over it.

[@tomm5559]

It also has the same chord progression in the beginning as in the hangar 18 intro. Dave also has writing credits on this song

[@jnwhrt13]

Totally

[@scorpionking4012]

Most definitely need to hear “bleeding me” and “no leaf clover “ from S&M1!!!!!!

[@vickijoy100]

Yes! Bleeding Me is so underrated!! One of my favorites.

[@Xtinktor]

You also have to remember that Cliff used to bring classical records to rehearsals and recording sessions. He was inspired by so many types of music, and you could tell by his composition & playing. Rest in Power Cliff!

[@kaygeehimself9027]

I would say, this is the best musical expression of the feeling i imagine to have if i see something impossible, like a gigantic transdimensional being stepping out from an ancient door in the middle of the pacific. Perfect

[@russellsingleton9341]

Was anyone else trying not to have an aneurism as Doug was talking over Cliff's solo sections?

[@conservatron]

Don’t blame you on this, but I’ve noticed that Doug’s more about overall song structure/composition than individual instrument mastery and talent display. I realized this during his Dance of Eternity reaction

[@lucasbello117]

I don't mean to sound rude at all but... if you want to just listen to the music, don't watch a reaction video 'cause things like that are bound to happen.

[@CassandrashadowcassMorrison]

Nope. Have the album. And so, I imagine, does Doug.

[@jezerpacheco2013]

Dumb comment haha

[@leogandar8916]

He has a trained ear but still didn't recognize what Cliff was doing with that bass.

[@metal_heart_]

GREAT! Next step is to analize the S&M version, by far the best music of the album. One of the few moments that the symphonic adds something really interesting to Metallica songs. The other is No Leaf Clover, amazing track (previously unreleased).

[@shmick6079]

Don’t forget Outlaw Torn and Bleeding Me.

[@ElRuinero]

He did ask in the live video and the response was to react to the studio version. The s&m Call of Ktulu is quite a ride though

[@alcarnor2506]

Awesome. I think To Live Is To Die should be next. 👍🏻

[@danika6540]

I love that Metallica's instrumentals are actually written to make a coherent whole instead of just a showcase of their talents.

[@raelik777]

This song has always been one of my favorite songs, period.