A Guide to Metallica: Songs You Should Know Before May 7th, 2025 (Not Named Enter Sandman)

Well, it is finally happening. After countless rumors over the last two decades, Metallica are finally making the trek to Blacksburg on May 7th, 2025 to play in Lane Stadium. Tickets start going on pre-sale Sept. 23rd at 10AM ET for 'Metallica Legacy Members' first. Students get access Sept. 25th at 10AM ET and then Hokie Club members get access Sept. 26th at 10AM ET. Tickets will be available to the general public Sept. 27th at 10AM ET. 

I will admit that I was a major skeptic that this was ever possible as a Metallica fan for decades myself, but bravo to the university and the athletics departments pulling this off. It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I charge you not to miss it. That being said, Sam and I are here to educate you on songs outside of Enter Sandman you need to hear before Lane gets rocked like it never has before.

The first time Metallica "appeared" in Lane Stadium was in 2015 for legendary coach Frank Beamer's last game.

Track number five on “Ride the Lightning”, Trapped Under Ice is one of Metallica’s most relentless tracks they have ever put out. This track is chock full of parts reminding you of Metallica’s biggest punk influences, The Misfits and The Ramones (they have cover songs from both). Starts off with a blistering power chord riff alongside a classic punk downbeat, but then comes in what sets Metallica apart: a Kirk Hammett solo. The midsection is my favorite part of the track, with nods to Iron Maiden and Judas Priest in the guitar parts. The placement of this track is also perfect on the record, showing where Metallica’s roots are after the power ballad “Fade to Black”.

Side note: Trapped Under Ice (band) is also worth a listen

The opening track on arguably their magnum opus “…And Justice For All”, Blackened reminded Metallica fans that they, in fact, solidified the greatest three album run in metal/rock history. The song begins with a galloping riff that may remind you of songs you hear today (check out Nothing Left by As I Lay Dying, you’ll see what I mean). Well, that is because this riff in itself is that ICONIC people tried their own takes on it countless times, but nothing will stand the test of time like it. To me, this is also one of Metallica’s best composed songs. The chorus riff and lyrics will have you chanting along “BLACKENED! IS THE END!” then leading into an awesome two-step drum beat with a great riff that will give you a bangover the next day. After another iconic Kirk solo, they bring back the opening riff then close with the chorus. A true 10/10 track.

Moth Into Flame is track four in their 2016 release “Hardwired…to-Self Destruct”. While many Metallica die-hards prefer to not listen to much of the newer stuff, this track is a return to form of why people fell in love with them. It opens with a harmonic lead that will take you back to the mid-80s followed by a classic James Hetfield written riff. The pre-chorus creates great suspense with Lars bringing the heat on the drums and Kirk’s lead guitar work. The chorus is well done with James bringing a little melody in his voice to start then sewing it shut with a great call out “A MOTH INTO A FLAME” and a matching riff to go along with it. I think this a great track for a newer listener to start your journey with Metallica on. 

Metallica are really good at opening, tracks, aren’t they? Battery is the lead track on 1986 release, “Master of Puppets” and the band had some serious expectations to live up to after the success of “Ride the Lightning”. The song starts off with a 12-string acoustic soliloquy that almost has a Spanish-style feel to it, especially when the lead acoustic guitar comes in. Just as they almost lull you to sleep, the distortion slaps you right in the face and it is game on. They mimic the opening acoustic riff in an opener that prepares you to go into battle. After an epic intro, James comes in with a classic galloping riff that will blow your socks off. Again, the composition of this song is absolutely top tier. With another chantable chorus, where you can imagine the whole crowd yelling “BATT-ER-Y!” then leading into a unique groove from Kirk before his solo. The song closes out with a shorter verse, a final chorus, and a new unrelenting riff closing out leaving you wanting more.  

Holier Than Thou comes off of the notorious 1991 release of Metallica’s self-titled record, or better known as “The Black Album”. This album had a serious divide amongst Metallica fans, as they went more to a groove and traditional rock sound than thrash metal which they built themselves on. Holier Than Thou is the third track on this record, following Enter Sandman and Sad But True, both more radio-accessible tracks. However, this track reminded fans that Metallica still are THE kings. Yet again, James leads in with a harsh galloping riff with Lars behind him which is followed by a riff that is a sweet combo of rock and thrash.  This is also one of my favorite Kirk solos, it is not overly complicated but absolutely lets you know he was on top of the world at the time. The coolest part of this song is right after his solo, a bass solo! Jason Newsted leads in the final riff with just him and Lars, followed by James and Kirk to put a cap on it.

Metallica’s ability to write emotional ballads as a metal band is what has separated them for so many decades, and Fade to Black is the quintessential heart wrenching melody. The song is a somber one, detailing the internal strife of a person contemplating suicide. Mental health is a recurring theme in Metallica’s discography and has stretched beyond just their music into the band’s non-profit work with suicide prevention organizations. During a show in August of 2022 in Buffalo, James Hetfield prefaced the song with a message to the crowd:

”This song ‘Fade to Black’ is about suicide. It’s not a fun subject. We’re not supposed to talk about it, right? But we are. We’ve all felt it. We’ve all known someone who’s been touched by that. It’s a permanent solution to a temporary problem. If you struggle, talk to somebody, please. Because you are loved, and you are part of the family. You are not alone!”

The song also has one of the more critically acclaimed guitar solos of all time, which seems to crescendo during whole second half of the song.

One of the all-time fan favorites, the band opens many shows with their characteristic thrash metal sound. Creeping Death is an awesome combination of head-banging power chords and a chorus that shockingly easy to sing along to. Oh yeah, and it’s about the plagues of Egypt from the Biblical book of Exodus. Bet you didn’t think you’d get a Sunday school lesson at a metal concert! 

Written and recorded over the course of 17 years, The Unforgiven trilogy perfectly exemplifies the band’s commitment to storytelling in their discography. Each song deals with a different stage of the same person’s (Hetfield’s) life as they feel helplessly controlled by authority figures and societal norms, particularly in regards to extreme religious beliefs. The songs deal, respectively, with the three themes of the subject’s helplessness: at first loneliness, then accompaniment from others who have been through similar situations, and finally reflection. Each song has a slightly different sound to reflect the time it was written (the first in ‘91 has a very classic metal sound accompanied by acoustic guitar, the second, from ‘97, has more of a grunge sound, and the third from ‘08 returns to Metallica’s thrash metal roots but is also accompanied by a piano intro). Personally, I find the guitar riffs in all three to be very melodic and easy to listen to, some of my favorites of all time. 

Many out there say One is Metallica’s best song, and it’s hard to blame them. The 1988 hit is based on the 1939 book “Johnny Got His Gun” by Dalton Trumbo. It details the story of an American WW1 soldier, Joe Bonham, who after being drafted was struck by a landmine and nightmarishly lost all 5 of his senses. It is one of Metallica’s many songs about the horrors of war, specifically from the viewpoint of young, drafted soldiers. It’s a horrifying story, but it brings to life some of the very real tragedies of modern warfare.

Ride the Lightning (1984)

For Whom the Bell Tolls (1984)

Welcome Home (Sanitarium) (1986)

Orion (1986)

The Day That Never Comes (2008)

…and so many more. This article could literally go on for thousands of words.