From album
…And Justice for All
Metallica · 2018 · Track 3
Details
TonalidadG
Compás4/4
Tempo123 BPM
Duración6:25
CompositorJames Hetfield / Kirk Hammett / Lars Ulrich
Álbum…And Justice for All
Año2018
ISRCQMKHM1700137
Credits
Music James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich
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The story behind
When you dive into *Eye of the Beholder*, you encounter a piece that defies conventional rhythm. The chorus section, in particular, unfolds in a 12/8 time signature, but not in a straightforward manner; it does so with a syncopated rhythmic pattern that gives it a distinctive feel. The rest of the song settles into a more familiar 4/4, albeit with a cadence that feels more deliberate compared to the band's earlier material. Lyrically, the song tackles the issue of a lack of free speech, a theme that resonates strongly.
This track, which is part of the 1988 album *…And Justice for All*, was released as a single. Despite its release, it failed to chart. The band has performed the song live, but not since 1989. However, fragments of *Eye of the Beholder* were often integrated into the album's song "medleys" they used to perform at concerts, as a way to tackle the more complex pieces that required multiple guitar parts. One such mix, a "Justice Medley," was recorded on their 1993 live album, *Live Shit: Binge & Purge*. Over time, other artists have reinterpreted this song; for instance, the band In Flames included a cover on a tribute album to Metallica in 1994, and more recently, Havok released their own version on a 2024 EP.
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