Who'd a thunk it? James Hetfield, the oft-bearded but never equalled leader of arguably the most recognisable heavy metal band has turned 51 years of age today. So, to celebrate, here's Metallica's five best songs.
5. TURN THE PAGE (from Garage Inc.)
It's not their song, admittedly, but their rendition of Bob Seger's Turn The Page is one of their darkest, most existential songs. Hetfield's rasping tone fits neatly over a strong lead from Hammett. Also, the music video is particularly dark and wraps around the lyrics' tar-black content.
4. SEEK AND DESTROY (from Kill 'Em All)
Their first effort, back in 1983, Kill 'Em All worked off a template of play it fast, play it loud and play it (reasonably) well. Seek And Destroy's become a concert favourite since then and pretty much everyone knows the lyrics.
3. OF WOLF AND MAN (from S&M / Black Album)
Although The Black Album spawned some of Metallica's most recognisable hits, such as Enter Sandman and Nothing Else Matters, album tracks such as Of Wolf And Man and The Struggle Within are worthy of note. Metallica's efforts to expand beyond their original form have been maligned by die-hard fans, however the sheer ambition to fit their songs around a full symphony has to be applauded.
2. FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS (from Ride The Lightning)
Even at their second album, it was clear that Metallica was trying to leave behind the initial template that Kill 'Em All had set up. For Whom The Bell Tolls, a violent portrait of the madness of war, was very much the product of bassist Cliff Burton's education and James Hetfield's strict military upbringing.
1. MASTER OF PUPPETS (from Master of Puppets / Through The Never Soundtrack)
MASTAH! MASTAH! MASTAAAHHHUURRRRRRrrr...