Horror of It All

Album: Among the Living (1987)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This metal monster runs 7:49 - the vocal doesn't come in until 2:55.

    The song is about the death of Metallica bass player Cliff Burton, who was killed in 1986 when their tour bus toppled over en route to their next stop in Sweden. Anthrax was with Metallica on that tour, and among the first to learn the devastating news.

    "It had a huge effect on us," drummer Charlie Benante said in a Songfacts interview. "We didn't even know how to deal with it - with death. It was a very surreal moment. You have to also remember, this is a time when there were no cell phones, no social media, so only we knew what happened. It wasn't even out there yet. It was a very strange moment."
  • This opens with a Middle Eastern-sounding guitar bit called "A.D.I.", which stands for "Arabian Douche Intro."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular Music

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular MusicSong Writing

Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.