Long before the Massive four live shows, their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and before the release of the multiplatinum Black Album, Metallica were an up-and-coming thrash metal outfit on the path to big, big things. On Sept. 27, 1986, that journey took the band to the roads of Europe, where the band was on a late-summer trek riding overnight in a tour bus from Sweden to Denmark. Tragically, the bus flipped over in unseasonably chilly weather, killing bassist Cliff Burton, the person many thought-about the heart and soul of Metallica. The other 3 members were shaken up however survived.
Cliff Burton played bass with out a pick, as he had agile fingers. Burton’s musical mind seemed telepathically linked with that of drummer Lars, creating one of the crucial legendary metal rhythm sections of all time. Burton also performed an integral part in writing the first three Metallica albums, with his soaring bass solos often leading the charge. We keep in mind Cliff Burton with our picks for the Top 10 songs from his time in Metallica:
10. Damage, Inc.
From: ‘Master of Puppets’ (1986)
This closing song from ‘Master of Puppets’ was one of many last tracks written by all 4 members of Metallica whereas Cliff Burton was still alive. “It’s just the same 4 idiots, attempting to stay in tune and stay in time,” drummer Lars mentions in the ‘Cliff ‘Em All’ clip featured here. Sadly, one of those 4 guys is no longer with us.
9. Creeping Death
From: ‘Ride the Lightning’ (1984)
‘Creeping Death’ is iconic Metallica thrash, though the tempo is slowed down from the breakneck pace of ‘Kill ‘Em All.’ It’s also one of many tracks the band have played most often live, with a mid-section chant-a-long that brings out loud cries “Die! Die! Die!” from the crowd. Cliff Burton named this tune after watching the flick ‘The Ten Commandments,’ which starred Charlton Heston as Moses.
8. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
From: ‘Master of Puppets’ (1986)
The last Metallica single to feature Burton, ‘Sanitarium’ has been covered numerous times, by everyone from fellow Big four act Anthrax to metal vets Machine Head to nu-metallers Limp Bizkit to string duo Apocalyptica. Primus, in the meantime, have been known to perform the intro to ‘Sanitarium’ in live performance. In fact, Primus bassist-singer Les Claypool tried out for Metallica after Cliff’s death; frontman James Hetfield has remarked that Claypool didn’t get the gig as a result of he was “too good.”
7. Ride the Lightning
From: ‘Ride the Lightning’ (1984)
A track that lives up to its title with breakneck rhythms and live-wire guitar jolts, ‘Ride the Lightning’ is usually noted for its lyrical content, which follows the story of an innocent man given the death penalty after being falsely convicted. As James once mentioned, “I believe in capital punishment, however it was more about the concept of being strapped within the electric chair despite the fact that you didn’t commit the crime.”
6. Seek & Destroy
From: ‘Kill ‘Em All’ (1983)
A constant on almost each Metallica encore setlist to this day, ‘Seek & Destroy’ features call-and-response vocals that by no means fail to rile up the crowd: Hetfield shouts, “Searching,” and the audience shouts back, “Seek & Destroy!” Cliff Burton didn’t have a hand in writing ‘S & D,’ however his thick rumble holds down the fort, leaving loads of room for Hetfield and fellow guitarist Hammett to shred the night away.
5. Fade to Black
From: ‘Ride the Lightning’ (1984)
‘Fade to Black’ is widely considered the band’s first ballad. “Bands like Exodus and Slayer don’t do ballads, however they’ve stuck themselves in that position we never wanted to do,” Hetfield once told Guitar Player magazine. “Limiting your self to please your audience is bulls–t.” the band were playing ‘Fade’ when James Hetfield was engulfed in pyrotechnics throughout their ’92 stadium tour with Guns N’ Roses.
4. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth
From: ‘Kill ‘Em All’ (1983)
The one Metallica song solely attributed to Burton, ‘Pulling Teeth’ is basically a 4-minute-long bass solo. Cliff Burton performed it when James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich first saw him performing with his ex-band, Trauma. “We heard this wild solo going on and thought, ‘I don’t see any guitar player up there,’” recalled James. “We were both counting the strings and I finally turned to Lars Ulrich and mentioned, ‘Dude, that’s a bass!’”
3. Master of Puppets
From: ‘Master of Puppets’ (1986)
Widely considered the band’s magnum opus and often cited as Burton’s favourite track. Hetfield advised Thrasher: “‘Master of Puppets’ deals pretty much with drugs. How things get switched round, instead of you controlling what you’re taking and doing it’s drugs controlling you.” The tune remains a staple at the band shows and is always a crowd favourite.
2. For Whom the Bell Tolls
From: ‘Ride the Lightning’ (1984)
Watching Cliff play the scorching lead that kicks off ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ is like getting an instant lesson on his virtuosic playing style. What sounds like a descending guitar lick is actually Burton tearing it up with a wah-wah pedal on the bass, his left hand halfway up the neck and right one flailing faster than a banshee. Later, he holds down the rhythmic low-end and bangs his head in excellent synchronicity. Simply wonderful!
1. Orion
From: ‘Master of Puppets’ (1986)
Performed at Cliff’s funeral, ‘Orion’ is the one instrumental song on ‘Master of Puppets’ and a track Metallica have rarely played in its entirety since his death. It opens with Burton’s atmospheric wah-wah strains, moves into some mid-tempo thrashing and features two bass solos usually confused as guitar. The bass-driven interlude within the middle is likely one of the most haunting musical passages Metallica have ever put to tape.
What’s Your Favorite Cliff Burton Metallica Song?
Metallica’s first 3 albums contain a multitude of classic songs. Let us know which one of the above songs is your favorite featuring Cliff Burton. Or, if we missed a song, tell us in the comments section below.
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