Metallica Go Alternative Metal on ‘If Darkness Had a Son’

2023-03-02

Metallica performing in Detroit, Michigan.

Metallica – Story by Cat Badra, photo by Ken Settle

Audio Ink Radio reviews the new Metallica song, “If Darkness Had a Son”

Metallica have released a new song, “If Darkness Had a Son,” which marks the third single from their upcoming studio album “72 Seasons,” dropping April 14. The longstanding metal band teased the new song on TikTok earlier this week, asking followers to duet with the music as each member of Metallica added their parts.

“If Darkness Had a Son” is a rager, clocking in at seven minutes of guitar and drum mayhem. The song starts with heavy drums from Lars Ulrich, which soon adds a choppy guitar riff. Listeners wait a minute and a half before James Hetfield’s powerful vocals kick in, as he sings, “temptation, temptation!”

While Metallica’s previous singles off “72 Seasons” – “Lux Æterna” and “Screaming Suicide” – were straight-ahead thrash, the band shows off a different side on “If Darkness Had a Son,” offering an alternative metal track. It’s not quite melodic metal, but certainly not as thrash-y as the rest of the album’s teasers. One highlight is a cool wah-wah solo from guitarist Kirk Hammett in the middle of the track. In total, Audio Ink Radio gives the new song a rating of 9/10, calling it our favorite track off the album so far.

Metallica will take “If Darkness Had a Son” and more songs off “72 Seasons” on their upcoming 2023-2024 “M72 World Tour.” The trek will feature the band performing for two nights in many markets, with different openers each evening: Mammoth WVH and Panera one night, and Five Finger Death Punch and Ice Nice Kills the other.

In other news, Metallica and Trafalgar Releasing have teamed up for a worldwide listening party for “72 Seasons.”. For one night only on Thursday, April 13, “72 Seasons” will play exclusively for cinema audiences around the world, with each of the new songs featuring its own music video and exclusive commentary from the band. for ticket information, go here. Watch a trailer for the listening party below.

Cat Badra
Posted by Cat Badra | Metal, Music, Rock News

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