Metallica - Fade to Black (Live 1985)

"Fade To Black" is a song by heavy metal band Metallica. The song was recorded for their second album, Ride the Lightning (1984). Some people consider the lyrical theme to be about a person who has decided to commit suicide; others do not share this view. It was written after almost all of their equipment, including a very rare amplifier, given to singer/rhythm guitarist James Hetfield by his mother just before she died, was stolen in Boston, MA, following a gig at the Channel Club on 14th January 1984. This event forced Metallica to borrow equipment from fellow tour band and friends, Anthrax, for the remainder of the tour.

It was the first Ballad that Metallica released. It begins with an acoustic guitar introduction and becomes progressively heavier as the song goes on.