James Hetfield Reveals His Favorite Metallica Song

Metallica has always been one of the biggest metal bands that have actually appealed to the taste buds of everyone including the ones who even don’t listen to the genre, at all. And among all those great songs, here is the one which the band’s regarded and talented vocalist and rhythm guitarist, James Hetfield, loves the best.

We may have mentioned our best Metallica songs earlier, but what is more charming to find out is of course the favorites of the regarded members of the band. Considering all the sweat and blood Metallica grafted away over the years to provide its audience a musical feast that never ends, the regarded band has sure managed even more with the great songs they released so far.

Best known for its aggressive and loud sound, what made Metallica’s songs this good is often attributed to the members’ talents and the great chemistry they have between them that hardens throughout the years. While Kirk Hammett blows everyone’s mind with his unique solo riffs that have shaped like his own signature, James Hetfield’s skills on vocal and rhythm guitar have also carried the band’s songs higher along with the rare talent all the members have. So, their perfection for interweaving lead and rhythm sections has sure become one of the many reasons why this band’s songs have always been so acclaimed.

After all, Metallica was also keen disciples of Led Zeppelin, while never shying away from their roots that leans on the regarded band as their forebears that also helped them reach out where they are today. And throughout all those years with releasing one hit after another and gaining everyone’s heart and acclaim all over the world, there would surely be one song among all that always shines much more than others. And during one of his old interviews, James Hetfield revealed his one, as well.

A few years ago, James Hetfield was asked which Metallica song made him proud the most. And while he was answering, the talented musician named his favorite song ‘The Unforgiven II’ from the band’s 1997 album Reload. Hetfield explained that he has a particular fondness for the third verse where the song breaks down into a wah-heavy guitar excursion, along with continuing reflecting on how he felt at that moment, saying “Wow we’re professional now, it sounds… it’s almost like Jimmy Page. We were entering the realm of [Led] Zeppelin at that point … pretty proud of that too”.

We are pretty sure that it must have been a really tough question to answer, while we are even not able to choose one song as fans so easily among all the great songs Metallica has produced, so far. But still, it is also great to see we have common favs with James Hetfield, as we have also mentioned The Unforgiven II as one of our favorite Metallica songs, peaking at number 7 among 13 best Metallica songs we have listed.

As for Reload, the seventh album of Metallica was released on November 18, 1997, as a follow-up to their previous album, Load, that also featured the …And Justice for All-era lineup for the last time before bassist Jason Newsted left the band in January 2001. Debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, Reload sold 436,000 copies in its first week along with being certified 3× platinum later for shipping three million copies in the United States.

And in the meantime, The Unforgiven II has become one of the most regarded and beloved songs of Metallica, not only for James Hetfield but also for everyone, as well as becoming one of the signature and acclaimed songs in the all-metal music industry. ‘The Unforgiven II’ was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett. Lars Ulrich also explained how The Unforgiven II came to alive and was written during one of his previous interviews, as the band wanted to try something new with the idea of a ballad and ended up with a song that deals with the theme of the struggle of the individual against the efforts of those who would subjugate him.

Ultimately, you may also be interested to take a look at our another Metallica list revealing all their albums and details along with their sales and more, as well. And please meet us down below in the comments to share which Metallica song you love the most, too!