Metallica is one of the most popular and eminent heavy metal bands within the music industry. Started back in 1981, their songs convey a multitude of messages including ones about mental health. 

The song “Fade to Black” from the album titled “Ride the Lightning” was inspired by a heart-breaking tragedy. The lead singer of the band, James Hetfield, explained that his mother had a hand in helping him pay for an amplifier. Before this album was released his mother passed away and shortly after that amplifier was stolen. “Fade to Black” focuses on a person who has decided the life they are living is not worth the fight. The individual in the song explains the hollow or empty feeling that has taken over their mind and explains that this feeling is similar to a living hell. The song concludes with a message letting whoever is listening know that it was too late for them, and this is goodbye. 

Although this song receives much praise from fans, it was a target for many parents whose children were committing suicide at that time. However, in an interview with Rolling Stones Hetfield mentions, “we got tons and tons of letters – we still do – that say, “Fade to Black saved my life.”” 

“Things not what they used to be
Missing one inside of me
Deathly lost, this can’t be real
Cannot stand this hell I feel
Emptiness is filling me
To the point of agony
Growing darkness is taking me
I was me, but now he’s gone”

Listen to the full song here:

Image Credits:
Feature Image: Žygimantas Dukauskas, On Unsplash, Creative commons