Metallica Discusses Leaving Layne Staley Tribute Song Off "Death Magnetic"
Band Photo: Metallica (?)
Metallica frontman James Hetfield penned a touching musical tribute to tragic Alice in Chains star Layne Staley - but decided it wasn't good enough for the band's new album Death Magnetic.
The frontman admits he didn't really know the late star, who died from a drug overdose in 2002, but his tragic demise inspired him to write many of the dark tracks on Metallica's new album.
And one track, "Shine," was written all about Staley.
Hetfield tells Rolling Stone magazine, "I know (Alice In Chains star) Jerry Cantrell quite well and learned about Layne through him... I could see some of the things Jerry went through to keep that band together.
"I started writing a song around a Layne Staley type - a rock 'n' roll martyr magnetised by death. Why did he choose that path, someone with such talent?"
Metallica recorded Death Magnetic with a photograph of Staley taped to the wall of their studio control room.
Hetfield admits the central message of the record is that people should come to terms with the inevitable prospect of death. And he reveals that the main inspiration behind many of the lyrics was Alice In Chains singer Layne Staley, who died of a drug overdose in 2002.
Hetfield told Guitar World magazine, "The theme of our new album is that we're all gonna die sometime. Just like the poles of a magnet, some people are drawn to death and others are repulsed by it, but we all have to deal with it.
"Lyrically, it started as a bit of a tribute to Layne Staley and all those who've martyred themselves in the name of rock and roll. But it grew and evolved from there."
Source: IHeartMusic.com
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21 Comments on "Metallica Discusses Leaving Staley Song Off Album"
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If so... where's the f***ing song?
To talk about such a legend (for me the greatest singer of all time), when you know nothing better...
It really piss's me off
And in fact I liked ''Death Magnetic", not like it's my favorite record, but it can pass...
But when I read this IT FEELS KIND OF f***IN' DUMB!!!
So I'm of to roll a fat one for LAYNE as always, and hope to see him somewhere beyond
And yeah, BIG f*** YOU TO JAMES HETFIELD!!!!!!!!!!!
Member
Well, whether to call this a problem or not kinda depends. I don't know a whole lot about legendary figures who have passed on, but I respect them because I know they left their hearts behind and gave unforgettable music to the eras in which they walked. I have the right to care even though I don't know them, but that's just my opinion.
As for James' case, I don't think it all depends on whether HE feels comfortable about releasing the track. He admitted that he didn't really know Staley that well, so he might feel guilty if he released a song about someone he barely knew. See what I mean? Because I see where he's coming from.
Member
I am a AIC fan but come on Layne has been gone how many years now,it's a lil late to be dedicating a album to him,with that being said Metallica's new album sounds like the larget metal jam sessions ever in every song,I think people need to face it Metallica is never gonna be circa Master of Puppets again.
Don't ever put this album in the same shelf as load and reload both those albums belong in the don't buy list. I would have been totally stoked if this album death magnetic was the one that came after justice. In saying that saint anger was good but I'm with kirk on that one bring back the solos.bag metallica all you want fokers but without them the metal world wouldn't be what it is today.Really who gives a sh1t about what songs are on the album and what aren't alice in chains were an awesome band but lets face it the way you choose to live can sometimes be your death.
Member
i was over at blabbermouth and metallica's lawyers have slapped fernades guitars with a cease and desist order for using robs image and metallicas logo in an advertisement. wtf is metallica have to prove with this new ploy to be the control fuknuts they are?! i mean it was free advertisement.
they say it created a conflict of interest because the other members dont use fernades guitars. i could see if it had james or kirk in the ad saying that, but it was rob, who by the way, uses fernades basses. JUST FUKING DIE ALREADY YOU WORTHLESS PILES OS DOGSH1T!!!!
Member
I remember that AIC Singer(There Vids are some of the best from a grunge band-Nirvana,Mudhoney,Pearl jam,Soul Asylum were the best 5 groups to come out of the Seattle scene)Layne died alone,in a little apt.,and apparently had no friends left;no one realized he'd died for days-neighbors finally called police 'cause an awful smell was coming from his apt.-by the time the cops kicked in the door,he had been dead almost a week.Why do people use smack?I only tried it once;I just got sweaty&nauseous-The first time was the last time,never again!"R&R martyer magnetised by death.Why did he choose that path,someone with such talent?"Are You Naive?Because He was a Friggin' Junkie-and it's not unusual to O.D.;sometimes you get a batch that's been uncut(intentionally or unintentionally)It's not worth the risk.Drugs Suck!(Includes Nicotine)
Hi there,It's fear what I see between all you,also feels very good to read all these,I understand why all of you guys feel like you do,is simple,it's call (FANS),and I really valuate it.But there is something else you need to understand, the (MEDIA) lies a lot,and sometimes like in these ((no one no if the death is somewere cases)), they just want to write a good paraph on the news paper".But,like "I" said ,life is a mistery,you all never know,maybe some of these days you see a living death "AGAIN".... PS:LS
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dude, dont use Layne Staley as an attention getter. was the song about Layne Staley better than any other song on the cd? is that why you decided not to put it on there?!