Do you hear any Batman whenever you’re listening to Metallica’s “Shadows Follow” on the band’s newest, 72 Seasons? Because when the album emerged in April, a Reddit thread posed that query.
And because it seems, there is a understanding reference to the Nineteen Sixties Batman TV sequence within the album reduce, as Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett confirmed in a brand new interview. Holy Metallica, Batman!
The riff begins at 4:20 within the music — an octave guitar slide that brings to thoughts the bouncy, orchestral 1966 “Batman Theme” composed by Neal Hefti. Metallica recognized it as such when writing the music.
“That’s really funny, because we called that riff ‘The Batman Riff,’ and I know exactly what you are talking about,” Hammett advised Total Guitar when requested in regards to the part. The riff repeats 4 occasions amid a chunkier, palm-muted guitar-led part, simply earlier than the tune’s ending part.
READ MORE: Batman Fronts Death Metal Band in Hilarious Animated Video
Hammett did not write the half — his bandmates James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich co-wrote “Shadows Follow” collectively. But Hammett does have co-writing credit elsewhere on 72 Seasons.
Jeff Kravitz, Getty Images
Batman + Metallica
The ’60s TV Batman initially aired from 1966 to 1968 on ABC. It starred Adam West as Batman (Bruce Wayne) and Burt Ward as Robin (Dick Grayson). The present was identified for its campy, colourful and comedic tackle the DC Comics characters, and elements of that kitschy aesthetic nonetheless crop up at present in popular culture.
Hammett was six years previous when the present first aired, so it is sensible that the sequence serves as one thing of a touchstone to the band. Now, it is one which made it onto a Metallica file.
How many different TV exhibits get that sort of recognition? Especially from Metallica?
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Metallica, “Shadows Follow” (Music Video)
“Batman Theme” (1966)
The Most Played Song Live From Every Metallica Album
The songs you’re more than likely to hear at a Metallica present from each album.
Gallery Credit: Joe DiVita
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