Metal Guitarist reacts to Metallica: Lux Æterna 

Lars has been triggering drums since the Black Album, it's nothing new but that's him playing. Problem with Kirk's playing these days isn't " he lost it " it's that he doesn't compose solos anymore he just goes in the studio and " Jams " , 80s Kirk would take home the song and compose to it. I wish he would go back to that.

I will say, this song is kinda what I needed now. The past year hasn't been that good for me, and hearing a new Metallica song cheered me up a good bit.

I think it's great, the theme of the album is first 18 years of life and this song is about discovering heavy metal and how life changing it is so the nods to NWOBHM are awesome

Hit the lights... Light = Lux this song is a Tribute to their early days.

Nobody hates the Black album. They either love it openly, or love it privately. The Loads are a different story.

Lars got way better . They’ve been in album mode for a while and actually have reasons to get better at their instruments

People find any excuse to hate on lars. He killed it in this song

As the song is called "Eternal Light" I see no problem with it sounding like Hit The Lights

4:11 I’m not exactly sure if this knowledge you have comes from more recent performances, but have you heard some of their recent live shows? Lars REALLY tightened up! I personally believe he spent most of 2020 actually practicing his instrument. That said, you still have some good points on this in general. Certain parts of it feel too good.

Death Magnetic continues to be under appreciated. DM rips, I’ve always loved that album.

Spot on with the Hit the Lights vibe. It's the first thing that came to my mind. Here is the funny thing...Lux Aeterna is Latin for Eternal Light. Coincidence?? I think they gave us a Hit the Lights remix without really saying it.

I loved the song when it first dropped, I really liked the thrashy/Kill 'Em All-esque vibe to it and I'm definitely looking forward to hearing more about the new album

As a Kill em All enjoyer, this new song made me very happy.

I honestly think some of the sloppiness of the guitar solo is sorta what made a lot of the Kill Em All solos so memorable. Many of Kirks performances on Kill Em All are sloppy, not focused, and sort of random, shreddy solos and that’s why i actually enjoyed this solo quite a bit. It felt like the goal of writing the “perfect solo” wasn’t in anyones head, and it was just kirk plugging in and playing as fast as his hands could move. I really enjoyed it, and found it fitting for the tune.

After listening to Kirk's recent solo release I had decent hopes for the next Metallica album. But after listening to his solo, I am a bit disappointed because it sounds like he came up with it on the spot unlike the Fade to black solo where he had to sit down and work on it. I think there are some good ideas in it, especially the tap section (phrasing-wise) but it seems like Kirk has not been putting much effort into Metallica solos post-DM (The day that never comes, Unforgiven III)/ Load.

i cant seem to get over the timbre of the kick drum. sounds like someone is slapping a ham over and over again but that might just be me being a douche. in totality the drums absolutely sound better than they previously have. and honestly if the album ends up being a modern interpretation of the feel we get from kill ‘em all, i’m here for it. not super stoked about this song but i think it’s a step in the right direction. good work as always mike🤘

Ah, yes. Metallica. My favorite underground band. I'm glad they are finally starting to get some attention. I hope they break into the mainstream soon.

I think they chose a short punchy song to tease us in to the new album like they did last time. It may also have been written in conjunction of the nostalgia trip of the Jon and Marsha Zazula tributes and the trip down memory lane for them and where they started. Its very Hit the lights

I enjoyed it. It’s a simple tune that gets your head moving.

I'd like to play devil's advocate on Kirk. Having listened to and thoroughly enjoyed Kirk's solo project he released, it would not surprise me in the slightest is Kirk is just creatively spent on thrash Solos. He seems to be wanting to express himself more but in Metallica it's a very tight ship and James and Lars control pretty much everything. I remember watching the BTS videos for hardwired and it was incredibly telling that whenever Kirk records a Solo it's LARS of all people that's sat there given him notes and directions on what he should play for the solos. As a guitarist, if a mediocre drummer was telling what I should be playing, I'd probably half ass a solo too.

Drums are definitely enhanced by samples (kick probably replaced outright) and maybe quantised to a degree, but I can still see Lars pulling this off if he’s been practising for a while

I will always maintain that Kirk phones it in because on Some Kind of Monster, Kirk said that he wanted to push his leads into another direction, and they pretty much cut him off the record. I get why he just does what makes them happy instead of himself.

from a casual music nerd stand point, i think the riff is killer and has me really hyped for the album. i mean i listen to mostly thrash and most songs are like this, in a way lol

"An old man Hit The Lights" was hilarious and spot on 😂

Love or hate kirk, he has what all guitarists strive for, a signature sound. We all know its him when you hear him. And its sloppy, odd, and lacking technique, but its also quite bombastic and unique. It's like he's really good at playing the guitar bad.

"Everyone hates Load and Reload" Me, who unironically puts "King Nothing" and "The Memory Remains" in his 10 favourite Metallica songs: Oh

I’m so happy you reacted to it!! 😨💙🖤💙

I love this song. Heard it only about 30 times. I said it before it’s Motörhead/ Diamondhead and kill em all in one.

I kinda appreciate this track, it was really fun to listen to. It's the first time in YEARS I listen to Metallica and it doesn't feel like a tryhard metal song where they didn't know where else to take it

They just released a live version of this done on MTV. Lars is playing this shit for real son 👍🏽🤘😎

"I guess you technically can't sue yourself" Lars: "Challenge accepted"

Dude you are spitting 100% facts.. I really like your analysis.. i am no musician but i felt exactly the same. Been really big Metallica fan since 2007.

BEEN WAITING FOR THIS OK NOW LET ME WATCH THE VIDEO.

Personally I think this is a very well crafted tribute to their old "mentors", like Judas Priest and Motorhead: it's easy to detect some similarities with songs like "Ace of spades" and "Rapid fire", but they were able to elaborate these former ingredients and mix them with their own style.. In addition to this I would like to underline the high quality of both mixing and production, the sound is astounding..

like you were saying about it being a modern version of Hit The Lights, the title of the song translated into english is actually Eternal Light!

Definitely makes me want to hear some more from this album and see what it has to offer.

In my opinion, like you said, it's one of their best performances in a while. S&M 2 was super underwhelming to me and this is definitely a refresher.

“This to me screams Hit The Lights” What’s cool is the line “full speed or nothing” is actually from Motorbreath so it seems like they’re paying homage to the entire first album

Tbh i find kirk a good guitarist. hes just the guy who should be in a good local cover band or smth but ended up in the most iconic metal band ever.

definitely a love letter to NWOBHM...Priest drums with Diamondhead guitars/vocals over the top

Lars has definitely improved since probably Mid-2021, since they really got into album mode

The video is incredible. James sounds great, especially for his age. Lars, if it is him playing all the way through, sounds good. Kirk laid down a track consistent with his work the last decade or so, for better or worse. I like this track, and ill probably always get excited for new music, new Metallica specifically. However, I cant say its there best work, but ill buy the record and try to see them live.

Of course that part as a wink to Hit The Light, since the song is called Eternal Light.

Freewheel Burning! Freewheel Burning! Trujilo is a mean bass player. Been a fan of his since old Suicidal Tendencies. Great vid man. You always have good takes.

Surprised you didn’t comment on the fact that James reused a lyric from Motorbreath lol. “Full speed or nothing” is in both of the songs.

It's the whole point for the song to have hit the lights with nwobhm vibes, the solo is perfect in that way. Awesome throwback.

Loved your analysis. Was curious to hear what you thought.

I have never seen anyone so pumped up for a new metallica song as you! I envy, ney! - I bow to you sir! haha.

I do believe Lars played it. I don't believe he played it all in one take. I believe he recorded it in parts, which every damn drummer does, especially modern blast beat drummers. Hell, those guys even use drum machines! No one gives them shit! Dave Lombardo just said all of that in an interview I recently watched him in. No way in hell Lars had someone come in and play and record the drums for him, or use studio trickery. Lars wrote, played, and recorded those drums! Period!

These guys are literally 60 and in my opinion, still got it. Literally picking up where they left off from Hardwired! However, I honestly think this song alone, is better than half, maybe 2/3s, of Hardwired! And I agree! Hit The Lights with a Motorhead vibe! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

Hit the Lights, Eternal Light. Could be accidental, but if it's on purpose it's cool. Decent song. I'll say the same thing I always say when a band or artist that was once godlike puts out a new album. They already did their masterpieces. Look at it like bonus stuff. If you look at it that way, you can appreciate it in a different way. I look at Dream Theater, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, etc. and any other bands that have already made 10/10 albums when I say that. It's probably very, very difficult to make another album that can rival Metropolis Pt. 2, Siamese Dream, or Dirt respectively. The three bands I listed put out some great stuff after their masterpiece, and some came close to it again. Kill Em' All through The Black Album are of course my favorite. I wish them well on their tour and new album, take care everyone out there.

I think Justin Hawkins said it best "after being in the business for so many years, you become a parody of yourself". Love the track, can't wait for the new album.

Dude, exactly what I thought when forst time hearing it, expecially with the Garage Inc.production and Sabbra Cadabra stuff what you said. And I didn't hear nobody say that in review until now. You're real deal!!

This song gives me major Fuel vibes! I'm here for it all the way man!

I am kind of hoping the new album will have a few "ballads" on it as well, because Hardwired didn't really. Don't get me wrong I love Metallica's heavy and fast stuff, but I also love songs like Fade to Black, Nothing Else Matters, The Unforgiven trilogy, Hero of the Day (especially the S&M version) and Low Man's Lyric.

I have nothing else to add, you pretty much said everything I thought while I listened to this song Its has good moments but mostly I was like "im sure theyve done this exact part already" But overall its a nice tune

I love Hardwired personally, and I actually really loved this new song and I’m excited for the new album

10:00 I want to cite you from your worst Metallica songs videos:"He wrote the fucking One solo!"

100% agree with you on this whole breakdown, I think its the first time our opinions are completely level but that also why I love this channel, you always have a great perspective and are well informed, touché my friend.

The video was incredible visually. It reminds me of Stranger Things in the Upside Down and maybe they are playing off the hype that Master of Puppets got from that show. When Kirk did his solo and it all went red, that was like yep. Stranger Things. lol. Love the song. Very excellent groove. Unreal drums which I agree that it was highly edited in post. Metallica is my favorite band ever for the last almost 20 years so I am typically bias but I can see where Mike was coming from with a lot of his points. Basically Hit The Lights II. Lux Æterna literally means "Eternal Light". If we are getting songs on 72 Seasons that are heavily influenced by KEA, maybe we will get a few that is influenced by RTL or even Master of Puppets.

Its one song but like you said if this is a sign of things to come we could be getting the best thrash metallica album in a long long time

It's rehashing hit the lights basically but after 40 years I don't expect much innovation from any band, dream theater hasn't had much innovation in their new music but it's still good and Mike I've been following your band crusade and I'm patiently waiting for new material to give me an eargasm like pendulum did and you guys deserve more recognition for your craft

It's an album about early years the years you start taking shape so I wouldn't be surprised if other tracks follow a pattern of "hit the lights" new version, "ride the lightning" new version etc.

It reminds me a lot of Lords of Summer, in a good way

Name of the song and the fact that in the end of the song James says "light it" makes me think this is a kind of homage to Hit the lights and maybe also the whole NWOBHM-scene. I got really strong "the prince" vibe. I think the song wasn't in the EP that came out in 1987 but it was in the Garage inc. One of my favorite covers by them.

iT dOeSnT sOuNd LiKe BBbBbbBBblaaackened, PoP bAaAaaAanD

That hotdog to the face gif killed me 🤣

It only took Lars playing his old Justice-Black Album era kit again to start sounding reinvigorated. If only they tried this earlier.

This new album sounds a mix of old and new, Im in love with it/.

I agree with what you pointed out clearly in the musical aspect of the song ....but at the same time I gotta give James credit he really stepped up to the plate on vocals at his age .......that's probably the best track vocally ive heard from him in what's seems like eons of time

Did anyone else notice that he didn't wait for the actual end of the song? He stopped like 15 seconds before it was over.

Garage Inc was recorded in a few days and edited very quickly. So for it to sound as good as it did and be done so quickly. It's crazy.

lmao not everyone hates the black album my dude

Metallica "Fans": "MaN, mEtAlLiCa SoLd OuT wItH tHe BlAcK aLbUm. WiSh ThEy WoUlD gO bAcK tO tHeIr RoOtS..." Lux AEterna drops: Metallica "Fans": "MaN, sOuNdS tOo MuCh LiKe 'HiT tHe LiGhTs'; MEtAlLiCa SuX bRo..."

That solo sounds like Kirk accidentally did the wrong solo and everybody got confused and didn't notice so they just continued with the song

With every passing album I wish they would go back to the AJFA guitar tone. This just sounds like fast rock and roll.

My question is when will Kirk start writing actual music and stop spamming legit THE SAME licks he used in all of hardwired, it sounds soooo damn uninspired, it makes the song worse and I can't really see what he brings to the band now if things don't change when the album is released and we hear all the goodies.. I love Kirk, I really do, a lot of my favorite solos are from him and that is exactly why I want to see him reach deeper inside and create a masterpiece instead of half-assing a solo with random licks and notes.. Also to be fair..Lars has improved A TON recently..even during concerts he sounds really great, not always but improvement wise, totally!

I wish that Kirk was more involved in the recording process. It's clear that his spirit was broken during St Anger, and I fully understand why. But I doubt he's been to Metallica HQ to actually play guitar for more than 90 minutes over the last 16 years.

The Song has a lot of Motorhead all over it.

I had pretty much the same reaction. Sounds like a new Hit the Lights. I didn't think it sounded angry enough though. I wonder what amps they use this album. James does not sound like a Diezel and Kirk's solo sounded flat in the tone.

the drum sound is great yeah. but how do you know he didn't get back in the lab and practice during the pandemic? the performances on this song are way more top notch than anything off of the last two records.

I fucking loved the new Metallica song. I have been itching for new Metallica and I can't wait for the new album on April 14th, 2023.

...And Justice for all had some of the best drumming, in my opinion. Also I can't listen to St. Anger without that snare drum.

If Dave Mustaine reviewed a METALLICA song muhahaha

It's a solid 7 out of ten for me. Nothing new fun chrous. It's basically a kill em all song with way better production,performances and better singing

I think sometimes it’s best for Metallica to just do what they do best and to tighten up their basics, a problem with Death Magnetic is that it seemed they were trying too hard to put in effort to make each song a masterpiece (looking at you end of the line) and on Hardwired it was weirdly experimental, this is just crisp pure speed metal

Cmonnnnn man lol I highly doubt Lars didn’t play that. I think he’s on a mission to prove people wrong

I was waiting for you to say "who's the new drummer".😄

It felt REAL 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Tap The Lights

This was better than everything on hardwired EXCEPT spit out the bone 😈

Ahh I hear it now, this song/album is like inspired you know? It's like "*Garage Inc revisited*" but with original songs, if that makes sense

"Better than anything off of Hardwired" would be true if you ignored Spit Out The Bone

Got a new Disturbed album and a new Metallica song. Good November for me.

The song's name means Eternal Light in Latin, maybe they did it on purpose?

The guys have been together for over 40 years, of course you can find similarities with their older songs, it's their identity and their sound. It's the same thing you did with DT's The Alien. Anyway it's your opinion, with all respect.

The solo feels almost like an alternate take from broken, beat,& scarred

i recently bought this album it sounds good and the production with this record

Let's see how good Lars sounds when they play this song live. I'm hoping he sounds just as good, but it's very possible he won't.

that hit the lights self-ref goes with the title Lux (means light in latin), they made a musical latin pun