My Friend of Misery

When you dive into *My Friend of Misery*, you encounter a piece that starts with a very particular atmosphere. The foundation, a bass pattern composed by Jason Newsted, envelops you from the start, sounding almost as if played with a pick. This is joined by the guitar and drum accompaniment, building a smooth intro that contrasts with the power the band usually unleashes. Originally, the idea was for this song to be another instrumental piece in Metallica's repertoire, joining others like *Anesthesia - Pulling Teeth* or *Orion*. However, producer Bob Rock suggested adding lyrics, aiming to capture the attention of new fans. The total duration of the song is 6:50.

This song is part of Metallica's fifth studio album, released in 1991. The recording of this album, also known as *The Black Album*, spanned eight months at One on One studios in Los Angeles. During this process, the band had differences with Bob Rock, their new producer. The album's sound marked a shift, moving away from the thrash metal of their previous works towards a heavier, slower, and more polished style. *My Friend of Misery* was performed entirely live for the first time on May 7, 2012, in Prague, as part of the album's anniversary tour. The initial riff of this song was also used by the band Nocturnal Depression in their track *Nostalgia*, and it has been covered by groups such as Apocalyptica, Borknagar, and Dark Tranquillity.