Metallica Disposable Heroes Reaction - War! What is it Good For?

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Check out my favourite Metallica Reactions from across KZbin! kzbin.info/aero/PLhHrgMNSTIpSpsTVMxhOJj6fnqGkpbgdv

[@conditionallyunconditional5691]

They are the masters of transitions.

[@professormetal4411]

That bass you love is done by Cliff Burton, a true legend. R.I.P.

[@professormetal4411]

@Potato Man You're forgetting Anesthesia

[@Fauss]

@Potato Man Dont forget to live is to die..

[@Fauss]

@Potato Man I agree. James made this song, but the last bits and pieces of Cliffs melodylines and ideas are incorporated in there. That means a lot..

[@Jessejezzz]

Can i slip in? into this fine conversation.

[@professormetal4411]

@@Jessejezzz This conversation in particular has been inactive for a while, but head on over to one of Tommy's newer videos and join the Discord from the link in the description. We're always talking there.

[@juanca0322]

Don't worry, you're not reading too much into it, you're actually rigth. Metallica likes to depict scenarios and feelings so the story they're trying to tell through their music is more inmersive. Things like guitar riffs representing war syrens and the hysteria sorrunding war, drums sounding like gunshots, the ending almost telling us that just when you think war is over, it just keep going, all that is intended and they do it in almost all of their songs. I actually like a lot how you constantly try to get the hidden meaning, it shows that you actually enjoy music and the craft behind it! I recommend you to listen Fade to Black, To Live is to Die and Orion, they're a lot more chill than Master of Puppets and Disposable Heroes but still tell a great story

[@ThomasJ_Music]

juanca0322 thanks, I do try my best, just sometimes think I’m trying to hard to find meanings that aren’t there! :) Fade to black is the next metallica song on my list!

[@perhapsavailable]

Spot on. Every damn word.

[@brianhalterman3360]

I agree with you and what you have written. I've been a fan of Metallica since 1988. The 3 greatest anti war songs are, this one, Mandatory Suicide (Slayer), and BYOB (SOD). But, I just heard this last year: James got this title from MNF watching the Raiders and Howard Cosell called an injured player "disposable hero". I love that. I'm a Raider fan, too.

[@alelectric2767]

@@ThomasJ_Music your bang on with this one.

[@sonusworld666]

This is one of Metallica’s Heaviest and Fastest 🤘🤘

[@sfjarhead4062]

This one always cuts deep.

[@Reblwitoutacause]

You’re mostly right about it being about war. The name “disposable heroes” came from James watching a football game and the announcer said the words ‘disposable heroes’ in reference to how banged up the players were, and then dropped from teams when they were too injured to play. Remember, this is the mid 80’s with the song being written. Back then the NFL was a veritable gauntlet of pain that NO ONE made it out of without some prolonged - if not life long - injuries. The relation to that inspiration, as well as the post-Vietnam War era, led to all the insights of the lyrics. As well as a poster from his childhood home where a 7-ish year old boy was carrying an M16 and wearing army fatigues and helmet. They wrote the song in studio, to help fill out the album. They wanted something to pick up pace and kick some ass in the middle between songs like Sanitarium and Leper Mesiah ( two more songs WELL WORTH a listen / reaction ) P.S actually, just do the whole album. It’s a literal masterpiece, recognized by the Library of Congress ( in 2015 ) and all!

[@philkaiser2313]

Nice take on the song Northern Ear. Peace

[@vinteren4734]

James at 24 , was so much more insightful and articulate than I am at 43 . Its really somethin amazing , if you understand how the music fits the lyrics emotionally . And not contrived at all . Everyone in this band was the top of their game in the 80 s . I love them after personally , but at this time was magic . I remember when I first heard this album in the 80s . I couldnt believe how heavy and harsh the music was . I was stunned . As I got older - realising how the lyrics tied to the music , the appreciation grew . Its honestly just pure magic man

[@i-ate-bread]

prolly cuz he matured too early with both parents gone

[@Danimal77]

James was 22 when he recorded Master of Puppets.

[@vinteren4734]

@@Danimal77 This guy , who gives a fk man . I guarantee you weren't there when this album came out . I was , yet here you are arguin dumbass sht

[@vinteren4734]

Also , clearly 23-24

[@kasa9691]

What's great about great bands like Metallica is that everytime you listen to a specific song you always find something new.

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Yeah I think you’re right about that. Relistening to these, especially the dream Theater one, I hear something new

[@colmhain]

Every time I watch one of you guys review/react an old Metallica song, I grin slyly, nod, and say, "Yup, mm-hm..."

[@macman1615]

They do it deliberately, a prime example is Four Horsemen, the drums and guitar are made to sound like horses galloping, you will understand more than you already do, the more you listen to their songs, story’s but great musicianship and story telling by the instruments, welcome to the Metallica family 😀

[@yarikyaryi]

Lol, what? The four horseman is just slowed mechanix, music had been written before they wrote the lyric about horsemen

[@yarikyaryi]

@Potato Man you're assuming too much, there was popular to sing about such thing as horsemen of apocalypse and guys just couldnt wrote something more interesting ibstead of game of words about sex in mechanix.

[@Jessejezzz]

Again... Can i slip in?

[@DokktorDeth]

The more I listen to this feller, the more I like his style and thinking.

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@DokktorDeth]

@@ThomasJ_Music My pleasure.

[@_.mp4224]

Nice reaction man! Like your insights

[@MrToband]

Put yourself in someone my age shoes, 15 years old in 1986 and hearing this during all that glam pop metal crap like Poison or Bon Jovi, still heavy now.

[@minners71]

James apparently got the idea for the song from an American sports commentator that likened football players at the end of their career to disposable heroes. But the song took on a more military style later on inspired by a poster he had of soldiers in Vietnam. Nice reaction.

[@2heavenAndHell]

I think this is one of theire best songs. And at the last concert in Zurich/Switzerland in 2019 they played it early in the concert. Amazing. I was there with my eldest son, A night to remember in my life.

[@thal1]

this and blackened are my favorite songs by Metallica for sure. Just raw emotion!

[@andu1854]

This song made me a fan of Metallica and opened my ears to more music (I was a dork who didn’t like metal at first and then I heard this song and was hooked)

[@bertberw8653]

Man, your analyses after the songs are one of the best I've seen from people reacting to Metallica.

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Thanks! I try my best! 😂

[@carpentierjohn7]

how have I never got the empty shell thing ??

[@NileR]

I really enjoy your reactions

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Thank you !

[@Mdefoy83]

I like the way that you describe your emotions while you listen to the song. I had the same feelings when I heard it for the first time when i was 13 years old. Keep on the good work bro \m/

[@yankeerepairs]

Once again, you nailed it ! The chaos of war, and the infantry CHARGE ... Taking orders, being used up, and disposal of another hero. And, oh yeah, great musicianship !

[@loud6037]

I'm keeping a close eye on your wall, for the time when a Metallica poster mysteriously appears there lol. :D Another great breakdown and analysis, thank you! You know, as much as I like Metallica, I don't think I've ever heard that song before, or listened to the entire Master of Puppets album. Seems to be a general theme to the album so far. It's about being trapped and about not being in control of your own life. In the last song, it was someone trapped by his addiction, this one is about being trapped in someone else's war, and there's definitely another song on this album running along similar lines.

[@ThomasJ_Music]

LouD glad you liked it. I think from the name of the album, you’re right, the whole album is about control, or a lack of it.

[@battoosh]

@@ThomasJ_Music that's correct, almost every Metallica album has an overall general theme and the songs interpret that theme in a different way , MOP album is about being control (being the puppet, being the master ) be it drugs, fear, politics.. Etc. ".. And justice for all' is another great album that plays with that theme concept very well.

[@battoosh]

One of their marks, one of their best qualities is their ability to weave the music to support the imagery and overall enrich the experience. The examples are way too many to list, their catalog is not small after all, but I personally think that you get this feeling the most when you listen to their instrumentals, as it takes you into a journey that is completely yours, no words to assist you! Of course, a prime example as you said you've been already told, is Orion.. one of metal's best instrumentals of all time.

[@BaldotheDon]

4:43 This. This right here is why I love reaction videos. I've been listening to Metallica since 1986. _Disposable Heroes_ is the first Metallica song I'd ever heard. The 'empty shell' wordplay _has never once occurred to me in all this time._ I love it. I haven't had an epiphany like this since I realized what kind of football team Pink Floyd were _actually_ singing about in the song _Money._

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Strange isn’t it how different people spot stuff in music! Glad you liked it!

[@BatFan1]

The theme for most of the tracks on MoP is about control and those manipulated by those who hold the power(s), be it an addiction or politicians (the masters) sending soldiers (the puppets) to war, or in the case of the track Lepper Mesiah, religion and their preachers. If you look closely the artwork for the album is mainly influenced by this track, you have a soldiers helmet hanging on one of the crosses, which are like those found on Arlington National Cemetery for the fallen heroes of wars.

[@kenrichards4838]

Yes on every question

[@joeposteraros]

Dude..... Well done.... You have the most insightful reaction I've ever seen..... Damn good job!

[@debradanner5030]

This song is so underrated! One of my favorites! Metal on🤘

[@metalmellie4371]

James said he was watching (American) football (lol) and the commentaters were referencing how the players were just disposable heroes so that's where he got the name of the song. You know he's always said the song is whatever it means to you. I'm sure much of it was written about soldiers in war as well, that's a given but could also reference other things if you really think about it. A great song you would also probably like is by panterA. Revolution is my Name (the video) and Yesterday don't Mean Shit if you really wanna hear a true metal song. It's so bad ass! Thanks for all your reactions.

[@ilikecheese1970]

For me Metallica songs are so transparent at this point in their career lyrically. That's not a bad thing. The beginning of each verse is from the soldier's perspective. The bridge to each chorus and the chorus are from the leaders of young men in the military.

[@allahbless2278]

Top 5 all time fav Metallica songs. Hard underrated even amongst fans but I love it

[@Mtaalas]

I love it how on point you're analyzing music, lyrics, and even choices of instrumentation etc. of music you're reacting to... it's really rare to see people understand music well, or care :)

[@stephenbalbi8291]

I never comment on KZbin videos but I stumbled across your channel this evening and it’s so great to see someone experience Metallica for the first time when they have an understanding of music. Listening to you break down the song and appreciating the music telling the story is great to hear. Metallica are the greatest band on this planet.

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Such a nice thing to say! Thank you Stephen

[@scottclark3761]

Man....you get this music so well. It's really great to see. Awesome stuff. I like Eye of the Beholder, One, Of Wolf and Man, Kill em All.....just so much good music.

[@AYLMpodcast]

Hello. My personal best ever that I would love you to check is The Outlaw Torn from Load. Imho best epic journey.

[@jesusmna]

Just WOW!!!!. I love how you Analyze these songs. This is the second video that I watch (the first one being Master of Puppets). I have been a Metallica fan for 26 years, and it took me at half of that time to get the conclusions that you got the first time that you listen to these songs. I am really amazed. Keep doing this with classic metal and Rock. For me Metallica is the top of the top but there are many great bands out there that I love to like Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead to name a few. Great Job!!!

[@MrToband]

Now you can see why James Hetfield blew his voice out, that 80s stuff he just put everything he had in on it.

[@roybaker3945]

Finally! Someone not Bopping to this. I was in the Army in Desert Storm and used to fall asleep to this. I knew the chances when I enlisted, and knew I was government property until I got out. This song just tells it like it is. Still one of my favs, it would pump me up, and the music is insane..... Just not a happy smiling song. (Just look at the album cover .... Ya, master of pupets with the strings, but in reality that is a military graveyard with soldiers being pulled by the same strings.) ;)

[@darchon5]

One of the better song breakdowns of theirs I've ever seen in a reaction. New sub, keep it up! And welcome to the Metallifam!

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Metallifam! Love it! Thank you!

[@paulhelberg5269]

Good reaction Tommy. You never disappoint. You give a fair listen to quite a variety of music. Always your quiet, level voice analyzing the music and lyrics.

[@leoluscher2207]

Great reaction, now you are a new member of The Metallica family!!!

[@eazye519]

Metallica are grand masters

[@ido3255]

Great reaction!!!! Dyers eve that the next one for you...

[@ilaybenshoshan7567]

כבד מדי הוא רק התחיל... בלאק אלבום או רייד...

[@professormetal4411]

One thing I'll note that I like about this channel already is I've seen in the replies of the "One" comment, you mentioned you've already heard it. I'm glad you won't be doing fake "reaction" videos!

[@BeatsLyrics]

i hate those fake reactors

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Yeah I’d much rather just do genuine reactions to new stuff. The only way I would do music I already know is if I went down the route of breaking a song down, but then I would feel like the annoying guy who tells you everything that about to happen when you’re trying to watch a movie! 😂

[@iamtheresurrection7221]

Awesome reaction my dude

[@sirluke9528]

Please do Creeping Death. 1991 Live in Moscow. Its took out of the book of Exodus. Its so true with what's happening now.

[@thal1]

Empty shell, also could be a reference to being shell shocked

[@thescourgeofathousan]

Yeah that ending to me reads as saying that there is always another battle. It never ends. So they battle finishes in some stereotypical finale crescendo but then another one starts immediately afterwards and the bang the curtain comes down and we leave the new battle starting up.

[@MrToband]

Ain't heard shit yet when it comes to 80s Metallica, Damage Inc., The Thing that should not Be, No Remorse, bunch bunch more.

[@RafaelMartins-wq4bt]

So many turns and bends. That's what I use to like in metal. I once read somewhere that this album was about manipulation and control. All songs in the album seem to follow that concept. Hope it helps you understand it better.

[@sketchtherapy1218]

Watch their first music video it's the story of One soldier stuck in a nightmare that is worthy of a twilight Show episode. It used to happen to my kind often.

[@ilaybenshoshan7567]

Really like how you dissect the song. Next u should do Fade to black/ Enter sandman/ Unforgiven/ Creeping Death/ One and much more...

[@tillman40]

This song is the bookend with War Pigs from Black Sabbath

[@christiantumacder1814]

Could also that the "empty shell" is a reference of a dead body, his soul has departed his body so now his an "emtpy shell" . "Soldier boy made of clay now an empty shell, 21 only son but he served as well"

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Christian Tumacder ah yes of course, it’s probably that actually! 👍

[@MrB4RT92]

"empty shell" could also mean that men who survive war come back as humans but their feelings of love and caring are gone because of horrors of war it changes people rest of their lives

[@eazye519]

I would highly recommend finding video's with lyric's as you watch and avoid live versions until you hear album versions. Also no official music videos. Sometimes those songs are cut short due to radio edits and the video can distract you

[@mfree80286]

WWI, third battle of Ypres. Wiki that and consider the aspect of the disposable hero...

[@macman1615]

Yes it is battle, the sound of repeating gunfire

[@thundastruk7138]

No, you got it.

[@APWPaint]

I think you should go back to Kill em all and do the Metallica journey. Listen to them when they were pups and hear them evolve like we did back in the day. I like that you actually LISTEN and analyze the song instead of just ending with "yeah I like it, see you next time".

[@douglasmintonjr4986]

Cliff burton bass solo

[@halftag15]

I'm going to comment because I appreciate that you're actually feeling the music, not just listening to it. Here's a suggestion for you. Listen to Creeping death, live in Moscow, 1991. There are 1.6 million people in attendance!

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Hey Peter! Don’t know if you’ve seen it yet, but I recently did Creeping Death in Seattle 89! Would love to know what you think!

[@halftag15]

@@ThomasJ_Music I haven't seen your Seattle reaction, but I have seen it. Moscow 91 is a sight to be seen though. 1.6 million people. Hitler sent an army to conquer Russia and he failed! The U.S. sent Metallica!

[@MichaelBrown-dc4zz]

the song itself is about war but the song is inspired by james hetfields view of his favorite football players from back in the day.

[@RakuPL]

@NorthernEar try something live from Seattle 1989.

[@KenaiTobin]

You need to listen to leeper messiah next

[@leoluscher2207]

Come on dude!!! One official video!!!!

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Leo Luscher I’ve already heard One, otherwise it would have been the first one I would have done! I may start a second stream of videos where I don’t react to songs for the first time, but break songs that I’ve heard before down in detail. What do you think??? 😀

[@leoluscher2207]

Then "welcome home (sanitarium)", "Fade to black", "Creeping death", "Dyers Eve" it's a long way!!!!

[@leoluscher2207]

Saludos desde Argentina!!!

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Noted! Thanks! I know I do have fade to black on my list to do

[@professormetal4411]

@@ThomasJ_Music When you do Creeping Death you gotta do the '89 Seattle performance though!

[@stefanwikander1336]

Please react to the live version of this, from Mexico 2009!

[@samidoyi]

Yeah like this, my first song from my uncle

[@samidoyi]

Let's try holy wars' by Megadeth

[@AbalJ]

I like your interpretation, and I see this song / lyrics as a general criticism of war mechanics. You're a "soldier boy, 'made of clay', 21, only son" and suddenly you're in a war fighting and possibly dying you don't know why. Great reaction though!

[@adrianlimon7974]

No es Southern, es Soldier

[@hunterartistry785]

It's also about American football

[@BeatsLyrics]

starting soon premiere

[@benweaver8086]

You should listen to hallowed be thy name by iron maiden it's amazing

[@minners71]

@King Nothing He's also a business man,author,radio broadcaster and Olympic level fencer. Makes me tired just thinking about how much he does.

[@johnp.smithasimpleman7281]

@@minners71 I feel like a failure in life just knowing he exists

[@arthurferrandez1423]

If you love that relentless drumming try the band Gojira, their song Silvera will have you hooked

[@greaper1976]

I'll tell you what war is good for ... Sabaton songs! You really need to check them out too .. Swedish powermetal and all their songs are about actual historical events.

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Hey! Yes! Sabaton were great! There is only one video of them on here, but I plan on doing more!

[@daliblaze]

Fade to black

[@ThomasJ_Music]

It’s in the list somewhere. Probably did it about three weeks ago 👍

[@daliblaze]

Jump on Orion then eargasm

[@97warlock]

Maaaaan, Metallica were on Fire for the first 5 years, but I do understand, or have learned to accept...… They couldn't keep going at that pace for very long, I do think they should've stayed hard another 5 years instead of going more commercial.

[@stevenwheat3621]

"Crazy strong lyrics, they have..", says Yoda.. Not sure about the "subtle" bit. The transitions are quite brutal, but masterfully put together. Consider "Fade to Black". STRONG suicidal lyrics! SHAME ON YOU for not even giving Metallica a try!

[@Danimal77]

Back when Metallica were setting the trend. Cliff Burton was the genius behind the songwriting and James came up with the lyrics. They were also hungry and pissed off back then, before they became corporate billionaires.

[@jura6609]

Can you react to fight fire with fire?

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Is that by Metallica too?

[@jura6609]

Yes, it's first track from 2nd album

[@andu1854]

Ride the Lightning has a ton of good song on it & their least favorite song

[@gabewell]

You should react to Tool man!

[@brianmcandrew719]

Lyrics online

[@matttyree1002]

You gotta check out some Megadeth to counter balance the Metallica. Highly recommend Holy Wars the Punishment Due, Hangar 18, Go To Hell...

[@magnemodi1599]

Tommy, I apologize in advance for the hatred and malice I'm about to bring upon myself regarding Metallica. I am a Blasphemer you see. I am a fan of the album LOAD with singles like "Until it Sleeps", and King Nothing. To true fans of the band this album is considered a sellout. In my defense, I'm an old guy who's tastes for metal were born in the 70s and 80s. I appreciate their poetic lyrics, but the early music of the band is hard for me. Alright Haters flay me alive!

[@thoronthol1175]

Magne Modi Nope, old school Metallica fan here, and I’ve got no problem with the albums/songs you like. Music and art are subjective; you’re allowed your opinions of course. For me the separation between 80’s Metallica (Kill ‘Em All through Garage Days) and everything thereafter is that the earlier albums were incredible from front to back. From the Black album to the present (in my opinion) there are fantastic songs, as good as anything they’ve ever done (Bleeding Me for example), but the albums don’t stand up for me as fully digestible, singular works. Whereas Master of Puppets or Ride the Lightning don’t ever have a song to be skipped over. Just my take. Of course, losing the soul of the band in Cliff Burton didn’t help... they were never the same and never could have been.

[@magnemodi1599]

@@thoronthol1175 Thank you for your kind words. I have been assaulted many times in the old days for liking LOAD. But, I agree that music is art, and art must always be subjective.

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Im not sure why i'm not seeing your comments coming thorugh Magne! i know theres definitely some ive responded to,, but this is the first time im seeing a few of your comments here

[@minners71]

I actually went off Metallica when they released the black album hated in then still hate it now. Never listened to a new album until st anger which I loved and then went back and listened to load and reload which I enjoyed. I do agree with the poster above though the first 4 metallica albums are classics with no fillers.

[@dduval59]

No hate, man. All music is subjective, and your favorites are your favorites!

[@ork_oz]

React to Metallica - Bleeding me

[@rickj895]

you british are way better with words and describing things then US. great metalica videos

[@Ameen559]

Very Good Reaction. But my advise to you is to listen to a lyric version. And not to react to live performance, always a studio version is better..

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Ameen559 I was considering watching the lyric video instead, but thought that would be cheating! Haha

[@Ameen559]

Nooo... thats not cheating 😆.. It will make you spend less effort to the lyrics, and to music too. Again, Very good job.

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Ameen559 thanks!

[@brianmcandrew719]

Dude get the lyrics

[@cooltravis6945]

You should listen to damage inc