Metallica recently celebrated it’s been 45 years since their formation on October 28th, 1981. Being an 80s baby, I grew up during their rise in the 80s and huge commercial success in the 90s. To this day Metallica is one of the most epic bands out there, still performing and creating new music. Of course I had to celebrate too by sharing one of my favorite performances of their Life Burns Faster residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas!
I personally got the chance to see them live in Amsterdam during their WorldWired Tour in 2017. I also watched the livestreams of their two concerts in Arlington, Texas during their M72 World Tour at my local cinema in 2023. I really enjoyed seeing them live and genuinely can’t get enough of their live performances. Their residency in The Sphere truly takes it to another level. I’m very jealous of all the fans who were able to watch Metallica perform at The Sphere. It truly seems a life changing experience. I’m so happy they are sharing footage of the show. Most songs have incredible visuals, but Fade to Black just hit me straight in the feels.
Fade to Black is Metallica’s first power ballad, released as the first promotional single from their second studio album, Ride the Lightning (1984). Even though the lyrics are dark and heavy, addressing suicidal feelings, I think it’s a great song. I love that ever since that show in Brazil in 2022, James has added “You are not alone !!!” or “I’m not alone !!!” during the song, reminding us that there is someone who will listen.
Lyrics
Life, it seems, will fade away
Drifting further every day
Getting lost within myself
Nothing matters, no one else
I have lost the will to live
Simply nothing more to give
There is nothing more for me
Need the end to set me free
Things not what they used to be
Missing one inside of me
Deathly lost, this can’t be real
Cannot stand this hell I feel
Emptiness is filling me
To the point of agony
Growing darkness taking dawn
I was me, but now he’s gone
No one but me can save myself, but it’s too late
Now I can’t think, think why I should even try
Yesterday seems as though it never existed
Death greets me warm, now I will just say goodbye
If there is anything I’ve learned from having to deal with medical challenges and a change of plans, is that it’s ok to just sit with that feeling and let time go by. If you’re going through a hard time, it’s normal to feel utterly lost and grieve the life you had and will never have. By sitting with it, the feeling will pass. When you feel you’re reduced, stripped down to your core.. you will realize your spark is still there and that you can live. So never give up!
If you or anyone you know are in distress or undergoing a crisis, don’t hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 113 (NL) or check for international numbers.