Why Do Metallica Hate 'Escape' So Much?

Why do Metallica, and James Hetfield specifically, hate the Ride the Lightning track “Escape” a lot?

The track seems sixth on the metallic giants’ sophomore 1984 album, sandwiched between the deep lower/Side B opener “Trapped Under Ice” and the favored “Creeping Death.”

While it isn’t one of many band’s most panned songs, it is one Metallica simply downright detest, and there is a motive why.

Let’s get into it!

How Was “Escape” Written?

On Metallica’s debut album Kill ‘Em All, they got here into the recording classes with their materials already written. That modified on the followup although, because the group was tasked with writing within the studio for the primary time.

Regarding “Escape,” in 2017, Hetfield recollected, “[Ride the Lightning] was the first time we wrote a song in the studio. I remember we had all the songs and Lars [Ulrich] said, ‘They want us to record one more, they need one more for the album. I was like, ‘You didn’t tell me that…’ So we had to write and it was really last-minute. So ‘Escape’ was one of those songs that was written in the studio.”

It has an clearly extra industrial sound and construction than any of the band’s materials on the time and lots of have gone on to accuse Metallica of getting radio-friendly intentions with the observe. Despite these qualities, “Escape” was by no means launched as a single.

Hetfield, Ulrich and Kirk Hammett are credited with writing the track.

Metallica, “Escape”

Has “Escape” Ever Been Played Live?

Just as soon as on June 23, 2012 at Metallica’s personal Orion Music + More Festival the place they performed all the Ride the Lightning album.

Introducing the track, Hetfield informed the group, “This is groundbreaking right here. This is historical for those of you who might know what’s coming up next. The song that we never wanted to play live ever is now on the setlist. We’re not afraid, we just hope it is good. And we’ll do our best. You can sing along if you want, all right? That might help.”

READ MORE: The Most + Least Played Song Live Off Each Metallica Album (And Ones That Were Never Performed Live)

What Have the Metallica’s Other Members Said About “Escape?”

As not too long ago as spring of 2023, Metallica reaffirmed their contempt for the track, responding to a fan’s query on TikTookay which requested, “Is Metallica’s ‘Escape’ better than I remember it?”

A reply from Metallica learn, “No, it’s not.”

When we performed ‘Escape’ on the Orion Fest, we collectively agreed why we by no means play that track: It’s not likely a terrific track to play stay,” Hammett once told Rolling Stone, explaining, “It’s in the important thing of “A,” like “The Call of Ktulu” and “Metal Militia,” however the important thing of “A” doesn’t actually work nicely for us for some motive or one other. Playing that track was extra of a novelty than anything, however we beloved taking part in all the opposite songs.”

Ulrich, typically the contrarian amongst the group, informed Metal Hammer, “It’s turn out to be this folklore that I hate ‘Escape.’ It’s not true! It was the final track that was written for the Ride The Lightning classes, and it was purposely stored a bit shorter than the opposite songs. We considered it within the spirit of Iron Maiden’s ‘Run To the Hills’ or Judas Priest’s ‘Living After Midnight’ – dare I take advantage of the phrases ‘radio songs’? So as a substitute of turning it into an eight minute ‘Seek And Destroy’ kind of factor, we stored it on the quick aspect. Then it received a foul rap, and I don’t know why. I don’t have a selected drawback with it, nevertheless it by no means grew to become a stay staple like the opposite songs on the file. It simply goes to indicate that you just’re higher off not making an attempt to do issues on function.”