Disposable Heroes
Encyclopedia
This article is about the Metallica song. For the Hip Hop group, see The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
.
"Disposable Heroes" is a song by the American heavy metal
band Metallica
. It is the fifth track on their 1986 album Master of Puppets
.
and "For Whom the Bell Tolls
" on Ride the Lightning
. This "tradition" would carry itself over in the band's next album, ...And Justice for All
as well, with the song "One
".
The lyrics deal with a soldier's thoughts, actions and experiences at the war front and are sung in the first person, except for the chorus, which reflects the words of the soldier's commanding officers, and is in the second person. The soldier briefly describes the dehumanizing conditions of war, the death of those around him and the helplessness that comes with the realization of his life's lack of meaning, but he also questions the madness of which he is part. During the chorus, we hear the domineering and abusive words of the person at the top of the military command, the perceived "puppet master": "You will do what I say / when I say 'Back to the front!'" At the end, the soldier has given up, emotionlessly accepting his fate and soon-to-come death.
The lyrics fit well with the album's general theme of feeling helpless and imprisoned, and lack of control over one's own actions. In fact, the album cover, depicting a seemingly endless war cemetery, with each gravestone attached to the hands of the puppet master via a string (reference to title track
), relates more closely to this song than to any other song from the album.
and Kirk Hammett
abruptly switching between several complicated fast guitar riffs, complemented by simpler, yet fittingly gloomy chords by Cliff Burton
and matching drumming by Lars Ulrich
. Following this introduction, Hetfield begins to sing, going into the verses and choruses, the riffs behind which are just variations of the aforementioned machine-gun riffs.
The song soon enters a mid-section which features a less speedy, yet a heavy and punctuated riff. This short reprieve from the brutality of the fighting allows for an introspective look by the soldier, who asks himself "Why am I dying?" Hammett then begins a lengthy solo, chaotic in its figures, to fit with the battle and the soldier's feelings, with Hetfield joining in a couple of times to harmonize. After the solo, the soldier reaches the realization "I was born for dying", but it is much too late now and the song mercilessly returns to the fast riffs and the battlefield again. After the last verse and a few more repetitions of those riffs, the song seems to have come to an end, but after a short pause, the fast riff is played one final time, reminding of the perenniality of war.
The Swedish extreme metal band Ceremonial Oath
recorded a cover for the song on the tribute album Metal Militia: A Tribute to Metallica.
, before the actual release of the album. Present day, it is still played occasionally, though not as often as the band's best-known songs. It is believed that the song was played live with Cliff Burton
only two times: 09/14/85 and 12/31/85. The song was played acoustically two times for the Bridge School Benefit
at the Shoreline Amphitheatre
, the lyrics are the same, but the structure was changed (October 27 and 28, 2007). The song features on live album Orgullo, Pasión y Gloria: Tres Noches en la Ciudad de México
, recorded in June 2009.
The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy was an American industrial hip-hop band, active during the early 1990s.The band was formed in 1990 by Michael Franti and Rono Tse, who had been in the Beatnigs, and introduced the work of guitarist Charlie Hunter...
.
"Disposable Heroes" is a song by the American heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
. It is the fifth track on their 1986 album Master of Puppets
Master of Puppets
-Personnel:Metallica* James Hetfield – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar on track 1, first solo on tracks 2 and 7* Cliff Burton – bass, backing vocals* Lars Ulrich – drums* Kirk Hammett – lead guitarProduction...
.
Lyrics and theme
With "Disposable Heroes", Metallica continued their tradition of having a war-themed song on every album. Previously such songs were "No Remorse" on Kill 'Em AllKill 'Em All
Kill 'Em All is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on July 25, 1983. Since its release, it has been certified 3x platinum by the RIAA, having sold over 3 million copies in the United States alone.-Music:...
and "For Whom the Bell Tolls
For Whom the Bell Tolls (Metallica song)
"For Whom the Bell Tolls" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the third and final single from their second album, Ride the Lightning....
" on Ride the Lightning
Ride the Lightning
Ride the Lightning is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on July 27, 1984 through the independent record label Megaforce Records. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on November 5, 1987 and was most recently certified 5x platinum on June 9, 2003...
. This "tradition" would carry itself over in the band's next album, ...And Justice for All
...And Justice for All (album)
...And Justice for All is the fourth studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on August 25, 1988 through Elektra Records. It is the first full-length Metallica album to feature bassist Jason Newsted following the death of Cliff Burton in 1986...
as well, with the song "One
One (Metallica song)
"One" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the third and final single from their fourth album ...And Justice for All. "One" was also the band's first Top 40 hit single, reaching number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100...
".
The lyrics deal with a soldier's thoughts, actions and experiences at the war front and are sung in the first person, except for the chorus, which reflects the words of the soldier's commanding officers, and is in the second person. The soldier briefly describes the dehumanizing conditions of war, the death of those around him and the helplessness that comes with the realization of his life's lack of meaning, but he also questions the madness of which he is part. During the chorus, we hear the domineering and abusive words of the person at the top of the military command, the perceived "puppet master": "You will do what I say / when I say 'Back to the front!'" At the end, the soldier has given up, emotionlessly accepting his fate and soon-to-come death.
The lyrics fit well with the album's general theme of feeling helpless and imprisoned, and lack of control over one's own actions. In fact, the album cover, depicting a seemingly endless war cemetery, with each gravestone attached to the hands of the puppet master via a string (reference to title track
Master of Puppets (song)
"Master of Puppets" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It is the title track and was released as the first single from their album of the same name....
), relates more closely to this song than to any other song from the album.
Composition
The song is noted for its extremely fast tempo and aggressive, sixteenth-note machinegun-like riffs, and a length of more than 8 minutes, which serves to illustrate the lasting duration of war. The song opens aggressively, with an extensive instrumental section, featuring James HetfieldJames Hetfield
James Alan Hetfield is the rhythm guitarist, co-founder, main songwriter, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering a classified advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler,...
and Kirk Hammett
Kirk Hammett
Kirk Lee Hammett is the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003, Hammett was ranked 11th on Rolling Stones list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
abruptly switching between several complicated fast guitar riffs, complemented by simpler, yet fittingly gloomy chords by Cliff Burton
Cliff Burton
Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton was an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American heavy metal band Metallica....
and matching drumming by Lars Ulrich
Lars Ulrich
Lars Ulrich is a Danish drummer, and one of the founding members of the American thrash metal band Metallica. He was born in Gentofte, Denmark to an upper-middle class family. A tennis player in his youth, Ulrich moved to Los Angeles, California at age sixteen to pursue his training; though rather...
. Following this introduction, Hetfield begins to sing, going into the verses and choruses, the riffs behind which are just variations of the aforementioned machine-gun riffs.
The song soon enters a mid-section which features a less speedy, yet a heavy and punctuated riff. This short reprieve from the brutality of the fighting allows for an introspective look by the soldier, who asks himself "Why am I dying?" Hammett then begins a lengthy solo, chaotic in its figures, to fit with the battle and the soldier's feelings, with Hetfield joining in a couple of times to harmonize. After the solo, the soldier reaches the realization "I was born for dying", but it is much too late now and the song mercilessly returns to the fast riffs and the battlefield again. After the last verse and a few more repetitions of those riffs, the song seems to have come to an end, but after a short pause, the fast riff is played one final time, reminding of the perenniality of war.
Recording
"Disposable Heroes" was first demoed in mid 1985, months before the recording and subsequent release of the album. In this early rendition, the song doesn't differ much from its final version, the only notable difference being the extra minute of length, due to the presence of another fast riff, which would later be omitted from "Disposable Heroes", to become part of "Damage, Inc.", the final song on the album.The Swedish extreme metal band Ceremonial Oath
Ceremonial Oath
Ceremonial Oath was a Swedish extreme metal band who formed in 1988 under the name "Desecrator", changed their name to Ceremonial Oath in 1990 and disbanded in 1995. During their short career they released three demos, one EP and two full-length albums...
recorded a cover for the song on the tribute album Metal Militia: A Tribute to Metallica.
Live performance
The song premiered live on 9/14/1985 in St. Goarshausen, GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, before the actual release of the album. Present day, it is still played occasionally, though not as often as the band's best-known songs. It is believed that the song was played live with Cliff Burton
Cliff Burton
Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton was an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American heavy metal band Metallica....
only two times: 09/14/85 and 12/31/85. The song was played acoustically two times for the Bridge School Benefit
Bridge School Benefit
The Bridge School Benefit is an annual non-profit charity concert held in Mountain View, California, every October at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. The concerts are all organized by musician Neil Young and his wife, Pegi....
at the Shoreline Amphitheatre
Shoreline Amphitheatre
Shoreline Amphitheatre is an outdoor amphitheater, in Mountain View, California, USA, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Inside the venue it has a capacity of 22,500, with 6,500 reserved seats and 16,000 general admission on the lawn...
, the lyrics are the same, but the structure was changed (October 27 and 28, 2007). The song features on live album Orgullo, Pasión y Gloria: Tres Noches en la Ciudad de México
Orgullo, Pasión y Gloria: Tres Noches en la Ciudad de México
-Personnel:*James Hetfield - vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar on "The Unforgiven", lead guitar on "Nothing Else Matters" and "Master Of Puppets"*Kirk Hammett - lead guitar, backing vocals.*Robert Trujillo - bass, backing vocals....
, recorded in June 2009.