Testament’s Alex Skolnick has called out James Hetfield’s songwriting for one particular song and talked about its true source.
The guitarist shared a quote responding to Donald Trump’s post about the recent elections. “‘The Light at the end of the tunnel is only the light of an oncoming train,’ Murphy’s Law,” he wrote.
In response, a user quoted a lyric from Metallica’s ‘No Leaf Clover,’ saying, “‘Yeah, then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel was just a freight train coming your way,’ James Hetfield.”
Skolnick replied, acknowledging Hetfield’s lyric and explaining, “Those quoting Hetfield: Now you know his source. It’s an old quote & great reference. There are more: ‘What does not kill me makes me stronger’ – Friedrich Nietzsche, ‘Twilight of the Idols,’ 1888. ‘What don’t kill ya make ya more strong,’ – Metallica, ‘Broken, Beat & Scarred’ 2008.”
‘No Leaf Clover’ was one of two new songs Metallica wrote for their 1999 live album ‘S&M.’ It was recorded with the San Francisco Symphony.
The song combines Metallica’s rock style with the orchestra’s grand sound. James Hetfield’s emotional vocals and Kirk Hammett’s guitar solo add intensity to the track. It became so popular that it topped Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for seven weeks.
