The Memory Remains

This is a true headbanger, pure and simple. From one of my all time favorite bands comes The Memory Remains. Off of Metallica's 1997 offering Re-Load, The Memory Remains is my favorite song off of that incredible album. Re-Load came at a time when the group was at their creative zenith, Re-Load being the follow-up to their 1996 release Load. The band recorded so many songs that they had enough quality material for two full length LP's. Some questioned the bands approach and wondered why they didn't release a double record instead. The band met that question with a raised eyebrow and raised middle finger.

The Memory Remains features Marianne Faithful, a British singer, songwriter and actress who has had her share of hard times with drugs in her career. A career that has spanned five decades. It's her performance of the melody that gives this song a sort of creepy feel to it, but it also adds one hell of a musical dimension. Seeing footage of Metallica performing this song in concert, they let the crowd sing that melody back to them and they always seem to stand in amazement at the moment.

I have been a fan of this band for years and I will always be. They craft some great songs like The Memory Remains, and their guitar riffs are second to none. That's probably why lead singer James Hetfield has the words "riff life" tattooed on the proximal phalanges of his fingers. Keep giving them the middle finger fella's and keep rocking!