Why I Reacted To This Song
I heard this in 6th grade and was hooked right away. Nothing else sounded like it at the time.
Original by Artist
About This Song
“Enter Sandman” is the opening track on Metallica’s self-titled 1991 album, commonly known as the Black Album, produced by Bob Rock. Written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett, the song is built around one of the most instantly recognizable guitar riffs in metal, paired with lyrics that twist the comforting idea of a childhood sandman into something closer to a nightmare. It became the band’s breakout mainstream single, pulling Metallica out of the thrash underground and onto radio and MTV in a way none of their earlier records had.
First Impressions
That opening riff is unmistakable from the first few notes. It’s heavy but hooky, intense without being inaccessible, which is probably why it landed so hard on a 6th grader hearing it for the first time.
My Reaction
The Black Album was intense and once I found it I went backward through the catalog: Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, …And Justice for All. It was riveting hearing where the band came from after starting with their most polished record. “Enter Sandman” is the gateway track, the one that’s heavy enough to satisfy the thrash years but melodic enough to pull in someone who’d never heard the band before. Decades later the riff still hits the same way.
Rating
91/100