From album
Master of Puppets
Metallica · 1986
Details
TonalidadEm
Compás4/4
Tempo100 BPM
Duración6:18
CompositorLars Ulrich / Kirk Hammett / James Hetfield
ÁlbumMaster of Puppets
Año1986
Credits
Music Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield
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The story behind
The song *The Thing That Should Not Be* delves into the depths of H.P. Lovecraft's mythology, focusing on the figure of Cthulhu and his influence over his followers. The lyrics are inspired by passages from the Necronomicon, creating an atmosphere of control and mystery that fits the overall concept of the album Master of Puppets. Musically, this track presents a notable contrast to the rest of the record; its tempo is more deliberate and its intensity feels contained, giving it a distinctive quality. The piece has a duration of 6:36.
This track was recorded in Copenhagen, Denmark, at Sweet Silence Studios. It was part of Metallica's third studio album, Master of Puppets, released on March 3, 1986, through Elektra Records. This album is particularly significant because it was the last to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who tragically passed away on September 27, 1986, following a bus accident during a tour. The music for *The Thing That Should Not Be* was arranged by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, with Flemming Rasmussen as recording engineer and co-producer alongside the band. The final mix was handled by Michael Wagener and Mark Wilczak. The album art, depicting a graveyard manipulated by unseen hands under a reddish sky, was a joint creation by Metallica and Peter Mensch, painted by Don Brautigam.
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