| Words. They have the power to hurt and to heal. People live, fight and die by them. Empires have risen and fallen over them. Words can build up and they can tear down (look it up, it's biblical). It's a pretty bold but true statement to say that words have a power unlike any weapon that man could ever build, and as chief lyricist of Metallica, James Hetfield wields a sword like no other. The lyrics he composes express his innermost thoughts and feelings with bleeding raw emotion; the words he uses tell a vivid and sometimes R-rated story of confusion, loss, joy, and angst inspired by a troubled past and the day-to-day struggle to sieze each moment for all that it's worth. Through his lyrics, we see the world according to Het: sometimes colorful, sometimes dark and devious, but always bold and honest. Metallica's music is nothing less than poetry, be it beautiful and heart-wrenching, or playful and laden with raw energy and testosterone. It's hard to take James Hetfield's lyrics " just for what they are," especially when there's so much depth, beauty, and intimacy written between every line... |
