Scott's Metal Tack of the Day - For Whom the Bell Tolls by Metallica

For a hill men would kill, why? They do not know
Stiffened wounds test their pride

Today's Metal Track is one of Metallica's most famous songs next to the likes of Enter Sandman and Master of Puppets. You hear on third downs in football stadiums across the nation and even hockey arenas. It's been so popular that I've grown tired of it over the years. Seems like every TV spot they've had over the past 20 years has included this track. But that doesn't make it any less awesome. Today I played it for Jack for the first time and he dug it.

What makes this song is Cliff Burton's outstanding bass. Most people probably don't realize that the main riff in the song is actually the bass. I mean the bass isn't suppose to sound like that right? That's exactly the reason James and Lars went after Cliff when they heard him in the club that night.

That's why I chose this version for Today's Metal Track. It comes from their performance at Day On The Green in 1985. When I think of Cliff I think of this performance with him wailing on the bass and his head banging with that glorious hair flowing in the wind. A true legend. RIP Cliff!

This if For Whom the Bell Tolls off of their 1984 album Ride The Lightning.