It bored me on the first couple of listens.

Then my vinyl came in and I listened to it the old way, cranking the stereo with the lyric sheet in front of me.

And I kept thinking.

Stryper would like to have their yellow and black colors back. The colors of caution. If you grew up in the 80’s you would know that Stryper had the “Yellow And Black”. And as much as those colors are associated with Stryper, as part of the Stryper reunion in the early 2000’s, one of the stipulations from Michael Sweet was that he wouldn’t wear the Yellow and Black anymore.

So Metallica took it 20 years later.

In the “So What” interviews conducted by Stefan Chirazi and available on the Metallica website, Chirazi asked James Hetfield what the colour yellow means. James, responded with the following;

“Yellow, for me, is light. It’s a source of goodness. So against the black, it really pops.

My vision was I wanted this album [to be] called “Lux Aeterna” because that summed up all the songs for me, kind of an eternal light that was always inside of us that maybe is just now coming out.

And I was out-voted, which is great. “72 Seasons” is definitely more chewable. But that colour came out of “Lux Aeterna.”

“72 Seasons” is released on their own “Blackened Records”.

They are free to do what they want, and it all happened because they control their masters and the highly lucrative back catalogue. Not another label or some investment fund. It is them.

They print so much vinyl they purchased their own vinyl press. Because they can.

As part of the press releases, Hetfield stated “the first 18 years of our lives, that form our true or false selves. Much of our adult experience is re-enactment or reaction to those childhood experiences”.

So here we go.

72 Seasons

As told to Stefan Chirazi, in the “So What” interview, this is what James had to say about it; “It was the “72 seasons of sorrow,” and I dropped the “sorrow” part because the first 18 years of life aren’t all sorrow”.

One thing about the songwriting team of Hetfield and Ulrich is that they sure know how to start off a song.

When that fast riff comes in at 50 seconds it’s mosh pit time. And at 65 seconds it’s the same riff but played with a hard rock feel.

“Shot down, traumatic, time haunted by the past”

What an opening line.

It’s easy to read the situation as someone who has experienced significant emotional trauma, and this trauma continues to affect them in the present.

The opening phrase “shot down” is interesting to me. It generally implies a sudden, unexpected loss or defeat. This could be a reference to a specific event that caused the trauma, such as the loss of a loved one or a significant failure.

And with the phrase “time haunted by the past”, it suggests that it is difficult to focus on the present, as the events of the past are a constant reminder.

Shadows Follow

I gotta say, I like the way this song starts. Actually all of the riffs in this song are headbanging.

I also like the whole “Seething, breathing, nightmares grow”. It’s a different vocal style for Hetfield. It’s simple and very melodic.

“Facing my demons, now I run, still my shadows follow”

It’s menacing and it goes to show the mind state of Hetfield as he tries to confront his inner demons or personal issues, but despite his efforts to escape or avoid them, the problems continue to affect him.

And then there is the word “shadows”.

It could be interpreted as a metaphor for the negative aspects of Hetfield’s personality or past experiences that continue to linger and affect him.

Screaming Suicide

This track is classic Metallica.

Rob Trujilo thinks this song would be a killer in the live arena because there is a groove element to it.

Via the “So What” interviews, Trujilo has stated that; “the verse in that song is different from anything Metallica’s ever done, and it’s surrounded by this groove that is just so infectious, it captures you, kicks you in the ass, and, well, you’ve got to move.”

Lyrically it’s dark.

In the first verse, Hetfield is telling us about a voice inside and how it is questioning if he’s good enough and how he should just give up.

In the second verse, the lyrics state;

“Then a voice appears, whisper in your ears, “you are good enough”, throwing down a rope, a lifeline of hope, never give you up”.

Does it suggests a moment of encouragement and support as the rope is pulling Hetfield out of the dark hole or is the rope a noose.

The phrase “you are good enough” could be a powerful statement of validation and acceptance.

How can it be that the Metal God known as Hetfield is struggling with feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt?

But is the voice offering a message of self-worth and confidence as a way to trick the person into listening to it.

How good is the section from 3.50?

Sleepwalk My Life Away

The Intro.

It builds perfectly. The bass is dominant while the guitars decorate like “Enter Sandman”.

And the bluesy riffing is back.

Maybe it’s back too much but i don’t care.

“Stagger on through the fog in the midnight sun”.

Its metaphorical.

It could represent a challenging and confusing situation that the person is facing, where they must navigate through unclear circumstances (the fog) while enduring a continuous period of brightness and clarity (the midnight sun).

Additionally, the word “stagger”, a lack of balance, due to alcohol or some other addiction, shows that the person is unable to maintain their composure in the face of difficulty.

You Must Burn

Hearing this, I can hear those groove metal tracks like “Harvester Of Sorrow” and “Sad But True”. And I like it.

Via “So What”, this is what Trujilo had to say about the twisting middle section;

With this particular middle section that came to be, that was really centered around a jam and was very moody, and there’s a danger to it; I like how the bass is walking. It’s got a feel to it where it’s “walking through a forest,” like a scene from a Tim Burton movie or something. That’s the feel I get. And James and I just started kind of grooving on it. It was just the two of us.”

How good is the riff at 4.26?

“Smile as it burns to the ground, the perfect don’t want you around, question yourself you may learn who’s the next witch you must burn”

Smile people as you watch that something you disliked or have been rejected from burn to the ground.

The latter part of the line, “question yourself you may learn who’s the next witch you must burn,” is more metaphorical. Its asking is to reflect on our own actions and judgments, perhaps in relation to the exclusion we also might have experienced.

Overall, this line seems to be expressing a somewhat dark and cynical perspective on social dynamics and human behavior otherwise known as social media.

Lux Aeterna

I had to look up what “Lux Aeterna” meant. I knew that “Lux” meant “Light” but wanted to know more. Well “Eternal Light” is the answer.

While acts like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Def Leppard became commcercially successful, the biggest Metal band in the world right now, wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Diamond Head.

A tribute to “Diamond Head”, their “Kill Em All” album and their fans.

“Amplification, lighting the nation” Hetfield sings.

Crank it.

Crown Of Barbed Wire

“So tight this crown of barbed wire”

The Metaphorical Crown of Thorns.

The “crown of thorns” is often used to refer to the painful burden that someone is forced to bear.

The “crown of barbed wire” suggests the heavy burden Hetfield is carrying, that is causing him pain and distress.

Barbed wire is also used to create boundaries or to keep people in or out of certain areas. The “crown” of barbed wire could represent the sense of being hemmed in or limited in some way.

I like the “Harvester Of Sorrow“ feel in the Interlude and Solo Section.

Chasing Light

“Harvester Of Sorrow” is back again. I love the groove from the original song and I like it here.

Then it morphs into a speed Metal track.

How good is that Chorus?

I’m screaming at the top of my lungs, “chase the light, lean on me”.

If Darkness Had A Son

The military style drumming hooks me in. And the way Hetfield builds the guitars reminds me of “Now That We’re Dead” which is my favorite song from the “Hardwired” album.

Let’s go back to 2019.

I remember it well. Metallica were about to arrive in Australia to play a lot of sold out shows, but the tour was cancelled a week before the shows as Hetfield entered rehab again.

Are we surprised when Hetfield chants “temptation”?

“If darkness had a son, here I am”

What an iconic and powerful line.

It suggests a willingness to confront the darkness and embrace one’s own inner struggles, but it also carries a sense of danger and potential for evil.

Too Far Gone

It’s classic Metallica.

And I’m a big fan of the fast punk vibe in the Chorus.

Finally Kirk Hammett breaks out some decent licks. Especially the fast picking bit between the Chorus and Verse. Very “Master Of Puppets” like.

And that “all away” section is perfect.

The song ends with “make it through the day, just for today”.

Room Of Mirrors

It’s a punk song.

“In a mirrored room, all alone I stand, strip away the phantom fame”.

It shows a desire for self-reflection, authenticity, and honesty. Hetfield wants to show us who he truly is, without the illusions of fame and celebrity getting in the way.

And I like that Thin Lizzy like harmony after the solo, which they use a few more times throughout the song.

Inamorata

I had to look up what it meant.

“Inamorata” means “the woman that a man loves”.

The woman here is called Misery and when Hetfield sings “She’s not why I’m living” and “She’s not what I’m living for”, you feel every word.

Via “So What”, this is how Hetfield sums it up; “Misery as my mistress, and I’m trying to hide her. I enjoy her at certain times, but I don’t want the world to know about her.

I don’t want to introduce her to the world because it’s not okay. So misery as a mistress, it does serve a purpose in my life, but I don’t want it to be my life, and I’m tired of it running my life.”

Via the “So What” interviews, Trujilo stated they “hit a grand slam with “Inamorata”. It’s a cross between a beautiful old film with a really cool painting or something… it resonates “California.”

5.11.

It’s the breakdown. The hi-hat shimmering in the background. The bass playing a groove. Swing like. The guitars decorate.

It’s got a Bill Ward Sabbath groove and swing.

And Hetfield, The anguish.

Then the harmonies begin, like “My Friend Of Misery” and a section from “Orion”.

Its why I press play.

Press play and band that head. \::/