He played his bass like a regular guitar; in fact, I think he played guitar before picking up the bass. For those that don’t know, he was killed when the band’s tour bus hit an icy patch on the road(Sweden?). He was ejected from the bus and it rolled and landed on him. Horrible.
"For whom the bell tolls" is an expression of long origin. First it apperared in "Meditation XVII" (1623) by John Donne. It refers to practice of funeral tolling, so "don't ask for whom the bells tolls, it tolls for you" means "don't ask who will die/suffer, it will be you". In modern era it was popularized by Hemingway and his famous book called simply "For Whom the Bell Tolls".
Also, the dead do not hear the bell, therefore, the bell tolls for those who are still alive, to let them know of the death of another, and as such, it is a recognition of the interconnected nature between all people, which was particularly powerful in Hemingway's works, as it was in reference to the Spanish Civil War that pre-dated WW2, in which Socialists fought against the fascists, but were inevitably beaten, since every major nation of the time wanted Socialism to disappear in favor of Capitalism.
Metallica was different because as fast and loud as they were, they were obviously musicians who respected the theory of language through art. They weren't just screaming about horror tropes, they wrote stories, and the instrumentation was so beautiful, The phrase "For whom the bell tolls" refers to the coming of death, "time marches on" as a soldier in battle, if death is coming for you, there is no hiding,
That was Cliff's influence. He was a serious music student. Imagine what they would've sounded like today if Kirk Hammet didn't win that warmer bunk on the tour bus. Cliff would be alive, and who knows what he could've accomplished.
Classic Metallica has an instrumental on their first four albums. "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth", "Call Of Ktulu", "Orion" and "To Live Is To Die". All are epic.
Its about a soldier's last moments before death on the battlefield. Looking up to sky one last time as the death bell tolls. He does, and time marches (moves) on.
The bell you heard in the beginning is not a bell but it's Lars hitting an Anvil using a Hammer. That intro also is a heavy distorted Bass from God Cliff Burton.
I have to say I just love you guys! I'm a 60 year old woman and I have so much fun watching your reactions to a lot of my favorite music. Glad I found your channel, you keep my laughing!
Amber swaying to Metallica is something I didn't know I needed until I did. Well done. This is one of the greatest tracks by Metallica, but if you want to listen to a good one, Welcome Home (Sanitarium) from the Master of Puppets album. You most definitely will not go wrong with that one.
I am a dual tambourinest and play both simultaneously with music and vocals all the way through every song I play. I've done FWTBT & WHS by Metallica. #REDNECKGRANNYJAMZ
I've always thought Metallica perfected the art of the intro. They last long enough for you to fully enjoy the instrumentals, have great buildup, and then transition into the full song before it gets too repetitive.. Masterfully timed.
The Holy Trinity of Metallica Instrumentals, in release order: "The Call of Cthulhu" (from Ride the Lightning) "Orion" (from Master of Puppets) "To Live is to Die" (from ...And Justice for All)
I took my 12 year old son to their last concert in Busch Stadium for his first concert. He absolutely loved it. I have seen them at least 6 times live. Best hard rock band of all time.
“For Whom the Bell Tolls” by John Donne (c. 1600 AD) No man is an island, Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thine own Or of thine friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee.
This song holds a special meaning for me. It came out right before I came to serve in the 82d Airborne Division in 1984 and it rapidly became our "war song" that was played before we went out to train. And we trained hard. A lot. And for a very long time every time. It was by a "new band" called Metallica. The songs recounts the futility of war (time marches on), but sings the praises of those that fight and stay together for each other. It was an anthem for us to stick together at a time when maybe we might have needed that. At that time being in the military was not nearly as revered as it is today An airborne brother of mine from those days is a music promoter in Florida now and my wife and I were in the area, so he invited us to a show. The band played this song (we didn't know) and you can imagine the knowing looks that were shared at that table #AATW Love that you both loved it
Heard Metallica for the first time in 1982. I was 13 and there was no turning back. I have spent a small fortune seeing them live.. Love you have found them
I remember holding this album in my hands a week after it was released. I already had Kill 'Em All and they were definitely the Kings of speed metal. I have matured and now understand why Slayer actually was. But 15 year old me holds them in the highest esteem.
As many may have stated already, it's the story of some soldiers holding a hill and then dying in a battle during the Spanish Civil War. Gnarly stuff. An interesting point to me is how a dude so young wrote these lyrics. James Hetfield is a true poet. I don't know what y'all were doing when you were 20. For me, it certainly was not writing haunting lyrics based on an iconic Hemingway novel. I don't know that I had the capacity to think deeply enough to send such a message in so few words. But the picture is painted to perfection, and once you hear it in that context, you'll get goosebumps every time you hear the song. Makes my eyes well up as I listen sometimes. I love the request for the instrumentals. Metallica has a killer sound and a few killer instrumentals. But don't sleep on their lyrics. Hetfield has a brilliant mind.
I have got to tell you how happy my heart was when you said, “I have become a huge hard rock fan!”!! My mind goes back to the day I saw you on James’ channel, Rome Life Reacts, and how you said you had never liked rock music and never would (not your exact words) and then I saw you start up your own reaction channel, so I subscribed immediately, because I KNEW we’d get you turned around! I feel like a proud momma right now! Lol! Keep the adventure going!! Love you two!!❤️🎶
The Bell Tolls for thee it's about dying specifically soldiers dying in the Spanish Civil War Metallica not only rocks hard as all get-out their songs are extremely deep
Orion is the instrumental you seek, the bell tolls for the soldier about to die in battle. "One" is their 1st video that won multiple awards. Very deep song and video. Lastly, Enter Sandman Live from Moscow 1991 is an excellent song on its own but there were reportedly 1.6 Million in attendance which is amazing to see.
Hey guys. To explain the lyrics, what he's basically saying is that at some point, death comes for us all. "Take a look at the sky/just before you die/its the last time you will" points to this. In a roundabout way, he's saying, value your life, and live it, because once the bell tolls for you, your life is over. This is why he also says that time marches on -- because it does, even after you die, though you never know it. It also reinforces the idea of living your life, because no matter what you do, time is the one adversary no man can defeat. I'm reminded of a movie quote from _Lethal Weapon:_ "You cant outrun the clock, Riggs." I hope this explains things a bit. I also have a reaction request for you! It is for you to react to Unleash the Archers, a power metal/speed metal band from Canada. They are female-fronted, and have some amazing music to choose from. While most reactors who hear them listen to Awakening first, I'm actually going to recommend a track called Apex first, because you like For Whom The Bell Tolls as much as you do. Here's the official audio video -- Apex by Unleash the Archers: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NTWbVUUkWm4.html
Well done you two. It's time to see them live. They've been my metal heroes since 1982. I'm 57 years old and have seen Metallica live 29 times and counting. No metal band other than possibly Iron Maiden puts on a better live show. Keep bringing the noise. I enjoy your reviews.
The instrumentals you MUST react to are “Orion” and “Call of Kthulu”. The only time I’ve seen Metallica play live, they only played 3 songs and this was one of them, at the Chris Cornell Tribute Concert.
Metallica is one of the main bands that puled me thru the hard times and depression I have gone thru during my teen years. Metal is a very powerful music,along with punk and rock music.
Disposable Hero's is a must, but one of the best of theirs that nobody reacts to is Creeping Death. You'd dig either. (I like that the brick wall is back!)
@@tallycahamuhlhetru26 I saw them open for Ozzy, saw the Damage Justice Tour, 3 times on the Black Album tour, Death Magnetic tour, and will see them 2 times in November at Welcome to Rockville. They always deliver.
In a recent reaction Amber said that the media has people separated and music brings us together. Great music transcends everything. I'm glad to see so many young people enjoying our old music hahaha! And I won't even bring race into it haha again!
Fun trivia about this song: the iconic riff at the beginning is being played on the high end of a bass guitar. A lot of people learned this when they played Guitar Hero: Metallica, and the first song was this, and if you chose to play guitar the opening was just hitting the rhythm stabs and letting them sustain while that riff happened. First time it happened to me I started over and played bass instead, ended up liking it better anyway.
Ask not for whom the bell tolls it tolls for thee. Metallica was a group that was on my bucket list. I had a chance to see them in 93 when they were touring with GNR. I had to lie to my folks and say I was working at my job at the amusement park since the arena was on the fairgrounds. Then two hours before the show Axl Rose decided he wasn’t going to play that night so the concert was cancelled. Now at this time Metallica became this worldwide phenomenon and they did t play small venues anymore. I’m from Tulsa Oklahoma and until about 10 years ago we didn’t have a venue big enough and in 2017 I finally got to check off the box on my bucket list.
Missed this one. Amber’s first Metallica! 2years later and the progress y’all have made on the channel and personally is so awesome to see! Y’all are awesome and I’m so happy for you both!
This song is talking about man on the battlefield that are getting ready to die. As the lyrics says look at the sky it is the last time you will. For whom the Bell tolls equals death. And the context of the death or soldiers on the battlefield it’s from the book.
@@wesdog8975 no, I mean the socialist/anarchists that fought against fascist capitalists, backed by Nazis and American oil companies. Feel free to read the book, and some history.
@Dave Shaw if you do mean the book For Whom the Bell Tolls, that book was a reading assignment in High School. Hemingway was with the International Brigades that supported the Spanish Government. The book is his autobiography on participating in that war.
It's from an Ernest Hemingway book about a solider blowing up a bridge in the Spanish War falling in love then knowing the meaning of life and death. U are awesome keep up the good work I love it
Great content guys. With Metallica; dive into the lyrics or have them up during. Their songs have deep meanings and it makes you appreciate what they've put out even more.
You need to watch the video of them performing "Creeping Death" at the Moscow peace festival. It was in the late 80's, and there are literally over 2 MILLION people at the concert. It set the world record!!!
Please react to: Metallica: -Enter Sandman -Nothing Else Matters -Wherever I May Roam -Fuel -Sad But True -Master of Puppets -King Nothing -The Unforgiven -Thanks!!!
There is a book called "For Whom the..." By Ernest Hemingway about a war in Spain. Hetfield loved it. I do too. This song is about a battle or battling in general. The lyrics of this song are absolutely incredible. Especially coming from a 23? year old.
Their cover art is a prime example of how people used to use actual artists, as opposed to minimalistic, digital clipart, for their music/book/movie covers.
“Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.” It’s a literary quote. They’re saying, in modern parlance, “Don’t wonder why the funeral bells are ringing. You’re about to die.” But the book has a much deeper meaning.
I have a group that was in the 60&70 s ! And these 3 songs will give you chill bumps they are just for love part one and two and fresh air all 3 songs are short in length but so great ! The lead singers voice is amazing!! Please give them a listen!!!
Y'all are playing all my faves lately.. Just watched your video on Sir Elton John's classic, "Tiny Dancer", (my fave of his) and now you're checking out my all time favorite Metallica song... What a great week! :D
I saw some people explaining "For whom the bell tolls," but they did a play on words. It usually means who dies. Here they're saying it's not who dies, it's really for whom time marches on, is still alive in the hell of war.
You guys are a delight to watch. Thank you for taking me back down memory lane when I first discovered those songs... a lifetime ago. Can't wait to see you react to Orion or Call of Ktulu. Any chance you would give Queensryche a listen? I remember hearing Take Hold of the Flame for the first time... pure joy.
Orion is the instrumental that you are looking for. Metallica definitely has instrumental only songs! Orion is not the only one, but most people would say start with that.
For whom the bells toll is a lot “for those about to rock” (AC/DC) which was a play on Roman gladiators “for those about to die, we salute you”. History of the world and history of rock growing together.
So just some music facts about this song: The "bell" at the beginning is actually the drummer (Lars Ulrich) striking a metal anvil with a sledge hammer. It gave it that heavy church bell ring. The heavy guitar intro you hear is the late Cliff Burton (Bassist) playing through a heavily distorted signal chain. For instrumentals by the band Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth) Call of Ktulu Orion To Live Is To Die As good as all of them are, "to live is to die" is my favorite.
