METALLICA'S BLACKENED | BETTER than Puppets

Why do some Metallica songs get overlooked? In my opinion, Metallica's song, "Blackened" is better than "Master Of Puppets." It's got speed picking, Black Sabbath Riffs, harmonized leads and much more. Let me know if you agree. If not, what's the most overlooked Metallica track in your opinion? Also, do you think Dave Mustaine could write a song as good as Blackened?
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[@garethjones3070]

Long story short (many years before the internet existed) I was still discovering what sort of music I liked. It was much harder to do back then but on the radio the monsters of rock festival was playing and played 'harvester of sorrow' and 'one'. That was my introduction to Metallica. I got the AJFA album and was blown away by intro to 'blackened' (I was listening to a lot of jimi hendrix). AJFA was my daily go to for something to listen to for a long time. A friend of mine got MOP, I listened to but to start with I wasn't really into it. And that's the story of I become the most hated Metallica fan the world 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@freedomfighter5845]

Thanks for this shred. One of my favorites for sure! I just saw Kirk didn't finish the 2nd solo. That is a crime. Kirk is so weak.

[@constantinoanaxagorou9907]

It's easy to hate on metallica but as a guitarist you perceive the music differently, underrated song , keep up the good work shred

[@scottbrown9008]

Well said

[@scipio8866]

I dont think Blackened is underated at all. People go nuts when that intro tape comes on.

[@cursetheserpent]

I don’t think it’s easy to hate on Metallica at all. And come to think of it… really only drummers and guitar players usually do haha 😂 idgaf though I will always say papa Het is the best front man there is.

[@RowdyAF]

I'm a drummer that's been switching to guitar and learning metallica songs has given me a much better understanding and appreciation for this band

[@finnvanderbar3935]

I think it's easy to say that the most underrated song is Disposable Heroes. That one goes so hard and not even many fans seem to care

[@joshtaylor9884]

Disposable Heroes, track 5 on MoP. The riff between the verse and chorus is just like a storm of metal that clamps down on your senses and dosen't let go.

[@finnvanderbar3935]

@@joshtaylor9884 frfr man it makes me wanna move more than any disco shit

[@Tanner_Shuck1]

That song does go hard AF

[@bertall1ca]

Thrash fans love Disposable Heroes, but it's a bit too much for the casual music listener. It's goes too hard for too long. MOP does give you some breathing room with the interlude.

[@finnvanderbar3935]

@@bertall1ca I honestly prefer disposable for that reason, it keeps up the energy and speed whereas puppets starts to drag with the interlude. Purely my taste tho

[@arvindshastry1178]

Thanks to Jason Newsted for writing the main riff of Blackened (my favorite Metallica riff)

[@fearless4666]

Jason is the best metallica bass player

[@brianwozny7835]

The live version from Seattle in 89 is amazing, as is that whole concert.

[@SSangsen]

Helsinki 1988.

[@Slenderchunk]

The verse in MoP is just something special. Blackened is my fave Hammet solo. Creative and fun to play.

[@dixienormus6941]

Shame he missed out the best part of it

[@RichVader]

@@dixienormus6941 was about to say the same thing.

[@alebarajas3045]

The solos are cut short because of either their setlist needing to fit more songs or Kirk just doesn’t enjoy playing parts of some solos anymore.

[@Slenderchunk]

@@alebarajas3045 yea. He cuts the very end of Blackened solo. I think he just thinks it's not that technically satisfying. I enjoyed it tho. I think he should play the whole deal .

[@alebarajas3045]

@@Slenderchunk I 100% agree. Same with the ending solo to fade to black, he improvises the solo every time they perform it. While I enjoy the difference and uniqueness from other shows, I’m just itching to hearing him play the original versions at least once again.

[@ramymeziane2680]

Unbelievable how great they sound live

[@ceebee491]

Master was the first album I bought but Justice for me is just Epic. Probably because I saw them on the Justice tour too..incredible gig.

[@MrPeperoni79]

The Blackened intro live is absolute goosebumps, as well as Battery intro and Struggle Within Intro. Unfortunately they play none of the intros live but only "loop it in". The goosebumps is because they only loop in the intros when they start with one of the songs (not aware of exceptions). So after "It's a long way" and "Ecstasy" there is even a further crescendo until these Gods of Metal shine upon us.

[@albetudo9313]

Blackened and Battery are probably my 2 favorite Metallica songs, and have been in the very short list for decades.

[@julesbrunton1728]

Unfortunately Metallica are not good enough musicians to figure out how to actually play the intro to blackened

[@biggoathorns]

@@julesbrunton1728 it’s reversed, and probably impossible to copy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3uUp3afmaZoacU

[@PigmaStatiX156]

This is one of their best songs for me. Top 3 prolly. Scratches my evil itch as well haha. And that little gallop James plays in the main riff is really gnarly to play correctly.

[@nicholasnguyen8308]

Fun fact: the intro to blackened actually is audio played backwards. Sounds awesome played the other way around

[@adleradler1982]

On this live version after Kirk solo ends, they jump to the last chorus where James sing, while on the album after Kirk solo ends there are another 2 bars of the main riff including 1 bar of reverse drums rythem...great song 🤘🎸

[@xKisukeX96]

Blackened is the song that grew on me the most. The very first time I thought "yea thats okaayish". But after a while it became TOP 3 Metallica songs for me. This song is such a banger. LOVE the harmony section next to all those killer riffs

[@AntonioVideo]

Most Metallica fans say MOP is their favorite album, mine is Justice. I just love the riffs, the arragements, the drumming and the entire vibe of the album. Interesting because I play bass and well, we know the story about the bass in this album... still, killer. And Blackened is my favorite song from Justice.

[@CreepyAres]

It's a shame kirk doesn't play the full solo

[@josephkunath4173]

On binge in purge is the way Kirk wanted the solo. He was rushed on the justice solos. He had two weeks.

[@GordonHeaney]

I can live with it

[@nicopillay4059]

Lars fucks the timing up immediately after the solo. If you hear him in the Seattle 89 show, you hear him mess the drumming up.

[@PyroMonster94]

@@josephkunath4173 source?

[@Daniel-sx6vc]

@@nicopillay4059 that’s wrong, the timing isn’t fucked up, he just doesn’t do that third fill and then what happens at that show in particular james got reversed on the notes to palm mute for the last little bit of that riff

[@andarchy1386]

This was my introduction to Metallica my uncle gave me a cassette of this album for Christmas at the time I though gnr was heavy this song blew me away and quickly I was a full blown headbanger

[@luigizanellato2959]

Metallica sounds unbelievable these days! It's awesome having a band like them still staying relevant today. Another great 69 666 video Shred! 🤘

[@Jablan11]

Blackened has the best riffs, glad someone is covering it

[@chriscubbernuss3288]

Blackend makes a statement. Master of Puppets tells an entire story

[@sadsadasdsadasdsadas]

This solo came out before Friedman was even in Megadeth. Also you should have done the 1989 version as Metallica cuts half the solo off + the great part after it.

[@thedrogo3953]

Blackened has always been one of my favorites - Top 10 track for sure!

[@Slipperygecko390]

All of Justice was slept on for 30 years and suddenly everyone's waking up to how genius it is. It's different, very different, and I think everyone was pretty happy with how lightning and puppets went and where they were going and then Justice didn't go in that direction at all. It's by far the deepest album, every riff dredged up from somewhere way down in their souls after losing their best friend.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Blackened is one of the best song they did Epic construction, Dark, killer riffs, odd times signatures, and wicked vocals then, and the drumming is exceptionnal, i don't care about the hype. Lars was a master of arrangement and knew his rudiments . And later on, He can still, beign On, lay down the track. I think he likes the song a lot, as shortest straw

[@mahsheenman]

The AJFA album had some of their best songwriting in it. Listened to that album backwards and forwards in high school mid-2000s. A girl introduced me to the album.

[@scottwimmer2165]

Blackened is a juggernaut! My personal favorite is Damage Inc. Great channel brother! Dig your vibe

[@wallacefamily804]

Riff written by Jason! Awesome.

[@wayne6942]

Can we get a mention for Robs absolutely thumping bass line, cements the tapestry of brilliance together! Its what we should have heard on the original album! Fucking love this tune and im going to Download next year !

[@theplastikov2285]

Blackened is my personal favorite metallica because of how hard it hits, the musical writing, and the energy behind the solo at the end

[@noremak57]

no one ever talks about this song. can someone explain the part at the end on the recording where it seems like it goes out of time and then syncs back up? i always wondered if this was a mistake or a musical genius level im not at. around the 5 :30 MARK

[@tomjensen4655]

They cut out the best part of the song post-solo (and have excluded it for years live) when the timing of the drum hits completely change and then reverts back to "normal" when the verse starts back up, one of my favorite parts of the studio version for sure - and this video rules when explaining what the heck is actually happening during that part - kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4O0iYl5p8iIsJo

[@cbr9914]

where lars moves the one around

[@vinny2459]

I love blackened. It's beautiful and brilliant

[@mattwatts33]

Fight fire with fire is pretty damn epic and the guitar solo to Ride the lightning is my favorite by Kirk.

[@CONSOLETRUTH2]

Still love how the intro to BLACKENED is actually reversed meaning originally the reverse was the original intro.

[@Sammael757]

This has been my favorite Metallica song since Christmas Eve of 1989 when my cousin received AJFA on cassette as a Christmas present. We couldn't get downstairs to a boom box fast enough and from the moment the harmonies started to fade in I was hooked. And you are correct (of course!), this song is hard to play - especially correctly. Even Metallica simplifies it live, and changed "the tail" (those of you that have learned/tried to learn this song, you know what tail I mean 😉) to be more manageable at higher speeds.

[@peterkovacslovakia]

JASON NEWSTED WROTE THE MAIN RIFF TO BLACKENED. Despite the bass volume on AJFA, he wrote the main riff to an opening song which is on the same par like Battery, Fight Fire, Lights. What an achievement!!! Here is a tape where he teaches Hetfield how to play it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4G1mauaiMeppZo&ab_channel=MariosB.

[@dekapitatorr]

AJFA is the best metal album of all time. lack of bass just made it even more awesome. that guitar tone is sharp as a freshly broken chert or obsidian.

[@cobaingrohlnovo]

Agreed a true metal album, booming kick drum

[@jonathanm.ollerjr.6486]

Agreed. My favorite album. At the same time, I felt bad for the missing bass because that also sound special.

[@shawn7090]

P L E A S E ......master of puppets is way better....no doubt

[@cobaingrohlnovo]

@@shawn7090 now.. You also make a great point

[@dekapitatorr]

@@shawn7090 nope. Hetfields peak vocals were during AJFA era and they were really hungry and pissed off . MoP, while great of course, was always RTL pt.2 for me. those 2 albums are more similar than Load and ReLoad. sanitarium and few unnecessarily repeated parts on title track and disposable heroes is keeping it from perfection.

[@BorikenAcademia]

The main riff was written by Jason Newsted. It’s actually sounds like Flotsam & Jetsam.

[@bayfalconbay7020]

I really liked the video but the moment i heard you mentioned about Marty Friedman (10:23) who is my idol,i had to give this video a like!

[@paulbaglio6295]

Blackened was always a real favorite of mine... Some seriously dark melodic genius. Kirk did a great job with the solo. You should be playing the studio original.

[@marynajacobs7538]

How do you sing and play that at the same time? I always loved this song!

[@a.azazagoth5413]

The one thing that I miss about Jason was his almost death metal like backup vocals but hearing that beast of Roberts bass thumping is very satisfying as a bassist.

[@headbangtiger7564]

Used to cover blackened and followed it up with holy wars. 2 of the hardest songs I've learned. That down picking main riff in blackened was hard as hell to get the speed right. My wrist was always fried when we were done with those 2 songs.

[@JacksonCharvelRULE]

I was at the Madison WI show madly in anger tour May 2, 2004 they opened with Blackened and Ended with Dyers Eve.

[@laratheheavy]

Ive always argued with my friends AJFA is a better album than puppets….every song on justice is a masterpiece….And the live shit B&P AJFA medley is epic

[@apexace2002]

Absolutely! So much more depth than puppets.

[@Taxable_Trophy]

There is no need for an argument lmao. Everyone has different tastes and it’s not thier fault that a particular peice of music doesn’t move them as much as the other. So it’s kinda dumb on you to argue.

[@leafyisnthere9396]

Blackened is my favorite song off of And Justice for All. IMO the most overlooked tracks are on the black album and death magnetic. Sad But True, Suicide and Redemption, Broken, Beat and Scarred and That was Just your Life in particular.

[@Taxable_Trophy]

Justice had the hardest solos. Dyers eve, some other. And then Justice for all main track, it doesn’t get much recognition but the solo is really good and some parts of it are really hard.

[@nonserviam751]

I was talking with someone once who said Master of Puppets was their last great album-I said but what about the song Blackened? To which he conceded Blackened was indeed a great song.

[@tonytonie]

Never forget that Newsted wrote the main riff ⚡

[@angelamarinkovic403]

You should have picked the live footage while they were with Jason because he was the one who made the main riff

[@juanforrester2283]

Both great,different signatures of course,a different dish if you will. Got Master in 86 from xmas at 10 yrs. old and got reborn.Time really flies by when you're havin fun. Salute!

[@deniskenn]

My favorite Metallica song. In the studio version the part right after the solo there is a shift in the phrasing of the main riff. For the whole song the drums emphasize a different beat and then for one measure the drums shift to being 1/8th note ahead on the beat. I dont know what it is about that part but its makes me feel some sort of way.

[@robertblackmore703]

Great song. Would have rather heard a live version from the 80’s or very early 90’s, but hey I’m glad they’re still doing it.

[@cotopaximusic]

I think one of the biggest reasons Metallica ends up being my favorite band is because to me they feel like a culmination of a lot of bands I like. Like, you pointed out the Sabbath and Maiden, but other stuff like a lot of Hendrix and Page in Kirk's solos (also why I love the wah overuse), tons of punk influence in sound + attitude, Load and Reload have that real southern groove that I love, the dirty rawness of St. Anger, I enjoy Lou Reed so adding Metallica was the icing for me. I mean they just scratch so many itches and I love each album for their own reasons. Will always love and have massive respect for Metallica despite the stigma around being a fan

[@louclarkson6098]

It took me many years to figure out how to play the tail end part of the main riff.

[@loloasb3731]

id say sweet amber is the best “under the rug” song Metallica has imo

[@briangrande6014]

Jason’s first credited song. His main riff. Bad ass song

[@McMrs]

Weird I’m seeing this now, legit 2 days ago I started to appreciate blackened more and I think it’s my favourite song as of now lol

[@alfred0o_dev715]

Same, and justice for all is a masterpiece album

[@mcathawk1490]

When I’m playing metal, I want “And Justice for all” tone

[@neogenmatrix6162]

Fun Fact: The Blackend riff was Jason Newsteds riff. In the deluxe remaster, they were learning Jasons riff per the riff tapes.

[@electricworkshop4462]

Excellent live version. Good stuff

[@paradigmshiftz7]

Blackened is my favourite Metallica song ever, definitely one of their best, every member shines on that song. I wish you watched the performance of this song from 1989 because since 2000 or so, they’ve been cutting out a part of Kirks second solo and the pretty proggy section after it, which you’ve missed in this live video.

[@mikeellis3240]

They did a COVID version in. I believe in 2020 via Zoom where each member was in their own homes. It’s basically acoustic but it was incredible

[@RussBMCSGT]

He wore that shirt last year in Louisville, KY.

[@The_Last_Ninja]

I feel the reason that some songs resonate with people more than other songs is simple, they just connect with more people on whatever level that person chooses. Of course coming from a guitarist point of view he/she might find the more intricate or musically complex songs a better song but to others maybe the more simpler songs, if you can say that about Metallica or thrash metal more broadly, a better song. It’s just different strokes for different folks, that’s it in a nutshell!

[@sesimie]

So back in the 90's i was going through a parent's death, and two songs came to the fore. Fade to Black and MoP. Since i've never done drugs, Fade hit me at an emotional level. Now MoP I consider the most re-listend song for me of all time. I get chills every time. Now MoP vs Blackened. MoP is all about the highs...the Chill ...then the Hell. Blackened is up there but is not as attention grabbing because throughout history first listeners to MoP had to try and guess the subject matter. It's obviously a more personal song. Even today people still don't believe in Global destruction.

[@AsIfHeKnew]

I totally agree and Justice is still my favorite album of Metallica \m/ Great video!!

[@kevinrodriguez2067]

Blackened was always one of my favorite Metallica songs and I would say Justice is my favorite album from them. Definitely doesn't get enough props

[@philipibaugh2925]

It took me a long time to warm up to and justice album but once I started listening to more complex music and wanting to learn to play I ate it up. Still can't play but freaking love Blackend and is superior to mop in complexities and speed and 666 evilness. Both are great tracks I like all early Metallica.

[@jamesstuart3313]

Agreed, blackened sounds like standing on a mountain while fighting a dragon. Awesome

[@dannylynch7741]

Haha James cut off Kirk's solo! 🤣 You can tell James came in way too early with the vocals. But the band being such pro's recovered so perfectly

[@cbr9914]

they do an edit of this one now...they dropped the part before the last verse where lars moves the one around ages ago.

[@Daniel-sx6vc]

They don’t do that post solo part anymore, they haven’t done that since like ‘91.

[@WhiskeyWars]

This is in fact my favorite Metallica song . Just a masterpiece ! Cheers Shred 🥃

[@foxedrey622]

Shred, this album showcase a their more progressive writing and performing skills. Though considered thrash metal still, this album took that style and magnified it many times greater. Thanks for reviewing this composition!

[@The_philosophical_musician72]

Opening song on ...and justice for all. That is my pick for the best Metallica album

[@TheHungoverMoth]

I'll do you one better; there was a lot of hype surrounding Master Of Puppets in Stranger Things, but let's not forget that The Four Horsemen made an appearance way before Puppets did. I definitely consider this song better than Master Of Puppets. And I like how instead of using a clean melodic interlude for the middle section like they usually do, they went for a heavier almost break down type riff. And after listening to it again, I think it's my new favorite off of Justice For All.

[@timshady7099]

First track on Justice and its absolutely epic. Dont think its lost on even the casual Metallica fan like me.

[@steveledoux7842]

Yo do a review on HALO from the mighty machine head.....curious your thoughts on the solo

[@Reckoning2943]

Blackened, creeping Death, disposable heroes, dyer’s eve and master of puppets (if played like they did from late 86 to 89) are my favorite Metallica songs

[@joningram4187]

Blackened was the first metallica song I ever heard, just a few days after it came out! I've been hooked ever since

[@Refused56]

I'm still waiting for a proper re-mix version of this album. Name? ...AND JUSTICE FOR JASON 🤘 Come on, Lars!!

[@joeychicago6322]

Finally someone fully understands the greatness of Blackened!!! This is a serious headbanger for sure and it's so freakn heavy at the same time!! Definitely my favorite Tallica song that and Harvester off my favorite album from these guy's..

[@SSangsen]

Blackened may be my favourite Metallica song, but Master of Puppets is better composition-wise. About Blackened - best intro and main riff for sure (thanks Mr. Newsted for that) but something fells off after the breakdown imo. Master of Puppets is sick sh*t from start to finish. Breakdown is epic. Those 8,5 minutes flies by, I don't even know when.

[@bread6085]

Agree. Master of puppets is like a whole classical piece in metal form while blackened is just an amazing thrash song.

[@danielelia2256]

First time i heard Blackened i was blown away with the energy power fast riffs this song was.

[@tb48bt]

Their best song imo. The fading reversed intro is itself a building up to the mayhem to come. The rhythm guitar part behind the solo (album version of course) is absolute madness.

[@lovemetal2467]

Lars started using a click-track in his left in ear monitor a little over a year, because he has terrible tinnitus, which is actually one of the reasons why he played not good for over a decade. As musicians, we never wanna think we need help because we know our instruments, but at some point you just have realize, you do need help. I was born with tinnitus, so i understand that struggle all too much, at the same time being born with it made it easier for me to learn to cope with it while I was growing up. Kick Ass Man!🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@bygraceiamsaved5088]

It's 1 of my favorite songs from them. And my favorite album.

[@beatmet2355]

It’s missing the section between the last solo and last verse. They’ve been leaving it out since at least 2009. Why?

[@haloridge807]

Wish they played the full length version...

[@bennossturmos3924]

It's even more complicated in the original Studio version, lately theyve been leaving out a part, idk whose fault this is, lars or kirk.

[@drewskiee9254]

Hey the 2nd solo was cut short lol.

[@joeychicago6322]

When I was younger we always adored Fight fire with fire and to this day I still jam it but Blackened? Fa getta bout it!!!

[@leethomas2423]

The greatest band of all time. There is no discussion...

[@rippedtidegaming1349]

AJFA is still from start to finish my favorite Metallica album.

[@t.c.parsonsnolongerfallen6488]

Yea,thank u man,,it's the song I always start warming my hands up,puppets is a great song,but and justice to me,is the greatest album ever made,great song pick dude,thank u for getting the word out🤘

[@jeremy7383]

I was an average Metallica fan until I heard Between the Buried and Me cover Blackend. I then went and checked out the And Justice For All album and had my mind blown.

[@AlvxMSM]

slaying 200 bpm creeping death : 😎 playing blackened main riff : 😧😵🤯

[@flamethegame1]

I think, when comparing the two songs, you need to remember to look at the tracks as whole compositions, rather than a comparison between how hard or technically advanced the track is. And I think when looking at it that way, MoP beats Blackened any day.

[@440Nichole]

Justice has always been my favorite album of theirs . love the crunchy tone , definitely chugs ( Ola :)

[@hedbngr18]

I go back and forth between the two as my favorite song by them. MOP is most often my choice, but I absolutely LOVE Blackened.

[@CodyJamez707]

Going w a live cut dude? They haven’t played it through its entirety since before 2000? I mean the solo section, the reverse “drum beat” after the solo… shoulda played the Album cut after hearing your set up , imo

[@darthgrogu7554]

You should have done a version with the full solo it is much better.

[@rofyle]

Certain songs get play in movies because most often the music directors don't even listen to the genre of music they select, much less specific artists within that genre. They instead find some popularity list somewhere and they pick based on that.