Metallica - Orion (Pianist reacts to metalhead friend’s suggestion) 

I love the way that Orion fades in and fades out. Its like its an eternal song and this is just the 9 minutes we were graced with getting to hear.

As a kid confused and angry I would sit in my room and listen to Orion over and over. For me it got me through tough periods in my life . The best bands find a way to take you to other worlds and distant lands. This song does that

Second part of Orion is basically a metal version of a waltz. It’s absolutely amazing.

I’ve always felt “Master of Puppets” is one of the few perfect metal albums.

Cliff loved Bach. It is never more evident than in this composition. I bought this album in 87. I didn't get how truly great this track was until I got a little deeper into music in general. Now it is my fave track on Pupoets

My buddy is a bass player and he told me you dont “hear” bass you should “feel” it, but Cliff was one of the few exceptions where it’s both.

Cliff was the soul of Metallica. They’ve made good music since his death but they never could be what they should’ve been. And the first Cliff Burton feature is that sound at the very beginning. It’s his bass making that sound.

I always loved how the middle section turns into a waltz.

As a metalhead and a studying musician, I absolutely love watching classically trained musicians react to the music I love

Burton taught Kirk and James much of what they know about guitar Harmonies. He also had the broadest musical tastes in the band at the time of his death.

Orion is, hands down, my favorite Metallica song. One of my favorite songs, period.

Note for note, this piece has been burned into my brain for 35 years. I haven't really listened to it in 25+, so this was a joy.

what do you get when a metal bassist is trained in classical music. You get this masterpiece

Cliff was the one who wrote Orion. Like I'm sure he didn't write what Lars is playing on drums, or the solos Kirk is playing, but Orion is Cliffs song. Cliff is the on who had taken music in school, so he knew music theory and basically taught the boys of Metallica how to write with melody and feel.

Orion is the first song I ever heard that carried me through multiple emotions. Excitement, fear, sadness, joy, love, hope...they're all in there. The bass interlude still hits me hard to this day...

If they don't play this at my funeral, I ain't turning up!!

Their Magnum Opus for certain, Cliff was a brilliant songwriter as well as a killer bassist, had a sound and approach like no other, dude loved triads and truly understood music theory.

This song always makes me emotional. Makes me think of how much more Cliff would have evolved as a bassist. Consider him the best bassist of all time.

My favorite metal instrumental 🔥....fading out is best for this song. I was very fortunate to see Cliff play 3 months before he did. RIP

Ive loved this (song, album, band, especially Cliff) since 86. Now that I have a 12 yr old son, he hears tonnes of music in the car and home. Orion was the first song I have seen him air drum whilst listening to it. It brings tears on from being so happy enjoying songs together.

I wonder what he’d think of Blackened, loads of time signature changes and harmonies in that one.

I never got into their post 90s stuff much but those first 5 albums were amazing.

The Call Of Ktulu next! Since I discovered Metallica decades ago, this song has always and will remain one of my favorites. A few weekends back, I finally got to see it performed live right in front of me. Dream come true 🤘

Cliff's bass on this is so good! I'm not a metalhead,but this song is genius!

Orion is one of the greatest instrumentals ever recorded- when you hear it, it’s like your on a journey traveling through the past, through the present and headed into the future….. absolutely brilliant. When I heard it for the first time in the 80s I simply could not believe what I was hearing- that something soooo beautiful could exist! Thank GOD for Metallica! 🤘

And to think that they were barely in their 20's when this masterpiece was written! Just shows that they were MEANT to do this with their lives!

If I had to select only one song to bring on an island in that musical genre, there's no doubt in my mind it will be "Orion". The genius of Cliff Burton is popping all over this masterpiece. Metallica had never been the same band after his too soon departure. I often think what Metallica could have been now as a band with Cliff still playing and creating. James and Kirk learn a lot of stuff from him, he was more mature musically than the rest of the band and also for his age. Very big lost for the world of music.

I love the way you can tell he hears every musician separately from each other.

That tune has elements of blues, classical, and perhaps even a bit of jazz.

Sometimes I look at classical musicians as reaching the highest level of ability and then this dude attempted air drums and I’m like “aww damn man, never mind”.

I read somewhere that when Cliff was arranging the harmonies for this song Lars or James said “It sounds like Thin Lizzy” and Cliff grinned and said “isn’t it great?”

No matter what music you listen to, it's impossible not to like any Metallica song. For those of us who are fans, Orion it's perfect, it always makes me feel things

This song is like an ethereal metal music passing through.

As a massive admirer of this gem of a band, it took me a few years to decide which is my favorite song of theirs. I still have around 10, but maybe three years ago I decided that "Orion" is my favorite among my favorites. It's so moving. I cannot quite put my finger on it, but it's strikes me right into my aortic pump and gives me chills. Every time.

Thank you so much for doing my request 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘 you guyd rock I appreciate you

My favorite instrumental of all time….really bummed they didn’t play it at the S&M 2 show I was lucky enough to attend both live performances

I've seen Metallica live twice, and both times I hoped they would play it, and unfortunately they never have. My favorite Metallica song, and he hit the nail on the head for me with his favorite part. The base and harmony in the middle is just like nothing else you hear ever then or now!

I miss the days when Metallica did instrumentals. “The Call Of Kutulu”, “Orion” and “To Live Is To Die” were all SO amazing.

Cliff Burton was the reason why I picked up the bass guitar. He was a musical genius

I heard this song when I was maybe 10ish. That middle bass line stuck with me. This is the song that will be played at my funeral. 🤘🤘

I remember feeling like I sort of wanted to cry when I first heard this at 12, and not knowing why. It's been my favorite song forever.

Orion was epic. Cliff was a genius. Even with the voice overs.

I absolutely LOVE Mr. Pianist's "tism" movements how he experiences music, and when it goes over to more groove, the tism becomes quite soulful. Can't get enough of it.

Such a beautiful piece. Favorite Metallica song. Never gets old; it’s eternal.

Mustaine helped give Metallica their speed & aggressive sound but Cliff brought it soul, gave it melody, something that their sound has been missing since his untimely death. In every song cliff played on there is some riff, melody that stands out & helps bring it to another level. Not to take anything away from Jason or Rob but the feeling, soul that cliff injected to the songs just isn't there anymore

I'm a guy who's been watching countless of review channels on RU-vid through the years and subbed to a daily dose of them, watching them regularely. It took me 10 seconds into "To live is to die" before i was subbed to you guys, and directly went through basically all of your uploads in the span of a few hours - ending up with this masterpiece, which is also my personal favorite Metallica song. Cliff Burton was a bassist that made me start music myself, and i have the upmost & deepest respect for this guys work. He's a genuis. Keep it up guys, I'd love to hear more about the "researched background of songs" as you go through / before start! Perhaps something thats not so much general knowledge to the public that you've found from researching. If we have to take another Instrumental there is "Suicide & Redemption" from Metallica's Death Magnetic - then we have a full circle of all their bassists and the instrumental feelings they've been through. However, in terms of classical & emotions "Call of Ktulu" from Ride the lightning with Cliff Burton, would fit right in this. Best regards, Jesper.

I love this guys reaction. Its like he has an emote for evey note/chord being played 😂

I love the passion emanating in this both from this timeless song and the video

Orion is great,.....but out of all there instrumentals To Live Is To Die is the most iconic to me. Orion is the most fun to play on guitar for sure. But TLITD is simply incredible.

every once in a while, youtube blesses you with a random gem. and this, this is one of them. can't wait to see more, be it metallica or dire straits or led zeppelin or or or ... you'll find plenty of material :) edit: so awesome that you caught/mentioned Lars' signature play of not hitting the 1-count but 2-count on the crash, combined with the snare. as a drummer, I always loved it - a bit off-expectation, but a great "gotcha!" move hahah

Super excited to hear your thoughts and analysis on this masterpiece. The harmonies of the guitars, the waltzing baseline, the amazing bass and guitar solos, the way the intensity builds strips back and builds again (like a dance between the instruments and the song itself), and you can feel Cliff’s passion and love in every note plucked. Truly like a classical piece just transposed to have rock instruments. Such a shame Cliff passed away so young. Would have loved to see what else he would have come up with.

I love how Justin is both proper stoned to the bone and high as a kite when reacting to Orion. Hilarious!

The song means everything to me. My all time fav metallica song 🤟

Love the reaction. The acoustic classical piece at the intro of Fight Fire with Fire and Battery is Cliff's way of letting his listeners' know that he loves and knows classical music.

I love this song sooo much I adore the way the bass fades with the guitars :)

One of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE Metallica songs, HANDS DOWN! And MOP is their best album in my opinion. Cliff was the GOAT.

As a teen learning this song on bass in the early 90s, I did not know that the first distorted "forshadowing" riff was Cliff on bass. I always loved the slow bass "solo" in the middle of the song. I was so proud when I could play that. I still struggle with the last solo. Again, I did not know that was a bass solo for many years until I took the time to count the solos and pair them with the liner notes. Even then, it took some time to reconcile. LOL.

Always love professionals reviewing metallica and love it!!!!!

These are so interesting to watch. Please keep them coming

I LOVE watching people realize the brilliance of this hahahaha

Great reaction!! I just saw them live in Arlington TX this past Aug 18th & 20th (it was a 2 night show) they were ABSOLUTELY AWESOME as usual!! They performed for at least 2 hours each night, different songs both nights and this is one of the songs they played!! It was EPIC!!! Man, I screamed, shouted and sang so much and so loud that I blew my voice out and I wasn't able to talk much above a loud hoarse whisper 3 days later! Absolutely worth it!!!!!! Consider this, all the guys are either 60 or pushing 60 y/o and they ROCK just as HARD now as they did 24 years ago when I saw them for the first time in 1999. 🤘Rock On!🤘 Kelly

This is a great song to sing along to. I know all the words

Two of my favorite types of musc mixed into one beautiful piece of kickass song

This has to be the most beautiful piece of music EVER!!! Incredible song!!

10:19 Gosh I love the "warning" you gave him. What a wonderful homage to the late Cliff Burton and his incredible work. I had a friend who argued with me for what seemed like years that this bass solo was Hetfields guitar. I face palmed so many times. He was a guitarist so he didn't understand. Haha!

What a great friggin’ song right!!? Imagine being in the room during the writing/recording of this!! 🤘🔥

From my little classical teachings from college, the structure of the song reminded me of the Rondo A-B-A-C-A form similar to Beethovens Pathetique 2nd movement. I heard Cliff knew classical a little just loved this song when I first heard it while getting in Beethoven simutaneously. Cliff also told his parents he would do something that his parents could dance to. Hence the swing like pattern in the middle section. Remarkable work.

I've got literal goose bumps listening to this song.

Sucide and redemtation by metallica next plz its also an instrumental

In my head orion is the soundtrack to the Odyssey. A man on a journey though hell and back.

Chills every time. And I've heard Orion probably thousands of times. Long live Metallica!

The middle part has always reminded me of classical music that's what majes the song so beautiful, and thats also why i so was so glad to see this video 😂

4 clearly distinct movements (although the last 2 are pretty short). My fav metallica song. The last movement revisits the 2nd riff of the first movement but without the extra beat.

My hairs stand up long before that perfect down bend Cliff drops, knowing how badass his solo is,it never gets old....RIP Cliff

The highest level of metal music is when they can make music without lyrics that are very pleasing to the ear..

Love watching metallica reactions! Especially their older stuff, would be awesome if you could react to Anesthesia(Pulling Teeth) live 1983 🙏 Cliff Burton was a bass god

I agree orion is absolutely their best song

You guys giving your opinions about my old favourite instrumentals. Thanks guys. Glad I stumbled across this channel.

If only you could go back to your 1986 self and listen to this again for the first time....

Remember the old music clubs where u would check a certain among of cassettes per month they would send you? I checked this one based on album cover. Even then after listening the first time not knowing who Metallica is or was I knew it was a special album.

It is a struggle. I named my son after this song can't tell you how many times I've had to spell it. Repeat myself or say like the constellation and people just glaze over.

Without doubt one of the greatest instrumentals to come out of metal. Outstanding piece of music. 🤘🤘

Orion is definitely one of the best song/instrumental ever composed. also, there’s a couple of times that LARS drumming is mentioned or noticed, in a good way! good stuff guys!

I loved watching the way the music moves this man. He feels music the way I feel music. It's different than the way a lot of people seem to "feel the beat" of the track. Those people are dancers often times. They seem to move differently than the way the music makes me want to move. I feel like moving the way this man does. It's like a taking the first sip of a nice refreshing Old Rasputin Imperial Stout. It isn't just generic beer flavor, it's an entire experience of all the flavors coming together and dancing on your taste buds. It's all there, all the ingredients. Not just the rhythm of the track. Not just the drums and bass. You feel it all. The whole thing as one. So it moves you in this different way. Is it not that deep and i took it too far? Idk.. but I get this man. I understand his movements and I like it. Liked and subbed.

One of my favorite songs!!!

Beautiful on the piano my man! I'm a drummer who came up in the 90's, and was HEAVILY influenced by Lars. I was 13 when I heard Harvester of sorrow, my first ever Metallica experience, provided to me by my brother. I remember it exactly. We were in the hall we at school just out off detention. I wasn't even into music, well not other then the typical 'pop' stuff, and some classic rock. I had never heard metal at that point. That shit moved me in a way i can't explain. That is where my love for the drums came from. I HARD listened to that ...And Justice album over and over. Then, ride the lightning. I was fascinated with Lars' drumming. I find it feels so archaic at times, and somewhat unpredictable. But that is just part of their mastery of the art. Lots of drummers talk shit about Lars, and even Hetfield has been on record saying "Lars isn't even the best drummer in Metallica" lol. If I am not mistaken, and if they haven't deviated from their pattern, you'll find likely at least 1 long instrumental per album. I classify To live is to Die ( I think I seen you have a vid on that, i'ma check it out) in this category, even though there is a small spoken word in there. Anyway, I appreciate your take on it. I rather enjoy seeing people who are musically gifted like yourself listen to something like this and actually get it, and appreciate it. That piano at the end had me rewinding it lol. Cheers!

You should next listen to "Voice of the soul" by Death. It features a classical guitar with strange chords and a beautiful and melodic two lead electric guitars. The song is an instrumental that is despite it's short runtime it is simultaneously beautiful and haunting. Think this would be an excellent pick! Keep up the stellar work

My favorite new channel 🤘👏

Cliff's art is eternal. What a song

I have always thought of this song as having the perfect narration, much like a great book with the build ups and changes. I always keep this instrumental somewhere in the back of mind as I create my own, and try to put subtle nods in when I can. This song totally changed my approach to writing music. Its a pefect story encased in a song.

This will always be my favorite instrumental by Metallica but I also like “suicide redemption” off of death magnetic album. I grew up playing classical on the piano. I have always felt that heavy metal and classical have a lot in common musically which is probably why I turned out to be a metal head.

I grew up on thrash, talking about when Mustaine was still in Metallica. The days of bullet belts, band patch jean jackets and parents calling an exorcist if they found your collection of metal cassettes. What a lot of these young Lars haters dont get is he was pretty revolutionary and a big inlfuence in early thrash. A drummer I used to jam with even had Ulrich on his fake ID. Lars did get lazy later on, but he's still an important figure and one if the godfathers of thrash music, and its great seeing a classical composer validate him.

It’s hard not to fall in love with Cliff’s musical genius. You guys should do Call of Ktulu next!!

I got to see em play this live in Arlington, Texas last week! I miss you Cliff! 🤘

That whole album has a weird energy. It's so good. The best metal album ever.

Something from S&M. I believe he would love the strings. No leaf clover or bleeding me

You know how long I been waiting for thiS!

This song started my musical journey as a child.

Try "no leaf clover" from s&m 2. As a classically trained musician he would probably appreciate Metallica playing a song specifically written to play with an orchestra.

Such an amazing song. I think Orion’s ending is a little bit anticlimactic, though. After Cliffs bass solo, it just seems like the band didn’t know exactly how to finish it off. Not that I know what it needs, but it leaves me wanting more