Metallica

Lyrics

[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
Blackened is the end, winter, it will send
Throwing all you see into obscurity
Death of Mother Earth, never her rebirth
Evolution's end, never will it mend
Never

[Chorus]
Fire to begin whipping dance of the dead
Blackened is the end
To begin whipping dance of the dead
Color our world blackened

[Verse 2]
Blistering of Earth, terminate its worth
Deadly nicotine kills what might have been
Callous frigid chill, nothing left to kill
Never seen before, breathing nevermore
Never

[Chorus]
Fire to begin whipping dance of the dead
Blackened is the end
To begin whipping dance of the dead
Color our world blackened
[Post-Chorus]
Blackened!

[Bridge]
Opposition (Opposition)
Contradiction (Contradiction)
Premonition (Premonition)
Compromise
Agitation (Agitation)
Violation (Violation)
Mutilation (Mutilation)
Planet dies
Darkest color, blistered Earth
True death of life
(Termination) Termination
(Expiration) Expiration
(Cancellation) Cancellation human race
(Expectation) Expectation
(Liberation) Liberation
(Population) Population laid to waste
See our mother put to death (Death)
See our mother die

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Smoldering decay, take her breath away
Millions of our years, in minutes, disappears
Darkening in vain, decadence remains
All is said and done, never is the sun
Never
[Chorus]
Fire to begin whipping dance of the dead
Blackened is the end
To begin whipping dance of the dead
Fire is the outcome of hypocrisy
Darkest potency
In the exit of humanity
Color our world blackened
Blackened

Blackened by Metallica is a song that was featured on their fourth studio album, ...And Justice for All. The song not only features a hard-hitting and powerful sound, but also contains highly politicized lyrics that delve into the potential consequences of nuclear war. In this article, we will explore the various elements that make Blackened such a standout track.

About Blackened

At first glance, Blackened might seem like just another thrash metal song with hard-hitting riffs and intense lyrics. However, a closer look at the song's lyrics reveals that there is much more to it than just thrashing guitars and aggressive vocals. Written during the Cold War era, Blackened takes a hard look at the very real threat of nuclear war and the catastrophic consequences it could bring.

The song's opening lyrics paint a grim picture of what could become of our planet should a nuclear war ever come to fruition: "Blackened is the end / Winter it will send / Throwing all you see / Into obscurity". Here, James Hetfield (Metallica's lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist) lays the foundation for the rest of the song, which is equal parts cautionary tale and political commentary.

Throughout the song, Hetfield reflects on the global political landscape of the time, especially the widely discussed concept of Mutual Assured Destruction (M.A.D.). He argues that M.A.D. is not an effective solution to the problem of nuclear war, as it serves only to bring about the very thing it claims to be working against. Hetfield suggests that the hypocrisy of M.A.D. is what will ultimately lead to the planet's destruction in the event of a nuclear war.

One of the most striking aspects of Blackened is how relevant its lyrics remain over three decades after it was written. Despite the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the threat of nuclear war remains as real as ever, with tensions between nuclear-armed states continuing to simmer. In this sense, Blackened is not only a snapshot of a bygone era, but also a warning that we would do well to heed even today.

The Music of Blackened

Of course, as much as the lyrics of Blackened stand out, it is the song's music that has helped secure its place in the pantheon of heavy metal classics. The song opens with a series of monstrous riffs that set the tone for the rest of the track. From there, the song breaks into a more restrained half-time interlude, where lead guitarist Kirk Hammett gets a chance to show off his skills with an incredible solo. The song then switches back into double-time, with the guitars taking up the riffing duties once more.

In typical Metallica fashion, Blackened is densely layered with guitar tracks - so much so that the bass guitar is often drowned out. This is especially true of ...And Justice for All, which is infamous for its almost complete lack of bass. Nevertheless, Blackened showcases some of the best musicianship on the album, with Hetfield's riffing and Hammett's lead work truly standing out.

One interesting thing to note about Blackened is that it is the only track on ...And Justice for All to feature writing credits from bassist Jason Newsted. Newsted wrote the song's main riff, which is undoubtedly one of the most memorable parts of the track.

Blackened's Legacy

Finally, it's worth mentioning that Blackened has had a lasting impact on Metallica's career. Years after its initial release, the song would go on to lend its name to the band's own record label, Blackened Recordings. Additionally, Blackened is still a staple of Metallica's live performances, with the band often playing the song to rapturous crowds.

All in all, Blackened by Metallica is a song that manages to be both musically powerful and politically relevant. It is not just a snapshot of a bygone era, but a warning that continues to resonate in today's world. For fans of heavy metal and those interested in the socio-political dimensions of music, Blackened is a must-listen track.

• Release Date: August 25, 1988
• Artist: Metallica