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Lux Æterna (Metallica song)

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"Lux Æterna"
Single by Metallica
from the album 72 Seasons
ReleasedNovember 28, 2022
Genre
Length3:25
LabelBlackened
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Metallica singles chronology
"Spit Out the Bone"
(2017) 		"Lux Æterna"
(2022) 		"Screaming Suicide"
(2023)

"Lux Æterna" (Latin for "eternal light") is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on November 28, 2022, as the lead single from their eleventh studio album, 72 Seasons (2023).[3] It was first played live on December 16, 2022, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.[4][5] James Hetfield described the song as "an upbeat, kind of fast and joyous song" furthermore, describing it as being in the style of the new wave of British heavy metal.[3]

The song reached number 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart for 11 consecutive weeks, tied with their cover of Bob Seger's "Turn the Page".[6] At the 66th Grammy Awards, it received a nomination for Best Rock Performance.[7]

Music video

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The music video, directed by Tim Saccenti, was first filmed on November 3, 2022, and features the band playing live on a stage. Throughout the entire video, lasers flash on screen in sync with the band playing. Kirk Hammett described the music video as if the band was playing inside a volcano.[8][9]

The video was nominated for best rock at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, being Metallica's first nomination in 20 years.

Reception

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Writing for Musictalkers, Nicholas Gaudet described the vocals during the chorus as "astonishing" as well as praising the outro and guitar solo. Gaudet also interpreted the song as a retrospective look back on their career, calling it the best thing they have done in two decades.[10] Jon Hadusek of Consequence, also praised the song, also stating that the song picks up where Hardwired... to Self-Destruct left off. He states that the song takes influence from pop-punk as well as the typical thrash metal.[2]

Legacy

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Ukrainian metal band Surface Tension, who are mainly known for their war songs regarding the Russo-Ukrainian War, among with Mari Bu, have written a cover version for this song.[11][12] The song was featured in Fortnite Festival.[13]

Personnel

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Charts

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References

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  1. ^ Monkhouse, Paul (November 28, 2022). "Single Review: Metallica 'Lux Æterna'". Metal Planet Music. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Hadusek, Jon (November 28, 2022). "Metallica release "Lux Æterna," first new song in six years: Review and Lyrics". Consequence. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "See Official Pro Video of Metallica Playing "Lux Æterna" Live for First Time". Revolver. December 23, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  4. ^ "Watch Pro-Shot Video Of METALLICA Performing 'Lux Æterna' Live For First Time". Blabbermouth.net. December 12, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  5. ^ "Metallica Song Catalog: Lux Æterna". Metallica.com. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  6. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  7. ^ https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list
  8. ^ Carter, Emily (December 12, 2022). "Go behind the scenes on Metallica's Lux Æterna video". Kerrang!. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  9. ^ Metallica (December 12, 2022). "Metallica: Lux Æterna (Behind the Video)". YouTube. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  10. ^ Gaudet, Nicholas (December 11, 2022). "Review: Lux Aeterna – Metallica". Music Talkers. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  11. ^ Metallica — Lux Æterna Українською Cover Mari Bu & Surface Tension – Radio ROKS (in Ukrainian)
  12. ^ Surface Tension & Mari Bu - Lux Aeterna (Metallica cover) (in Ukrainian), October 7, 2023
  13. ^ "Every Fortnite Festival Song, Sorted By Difficulty". GameSpot. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  14. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 5 December 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1709. Australian Recording Industry Association. December 5, 2022. p. 9.
  15. ^ "Metallica Chart History: (Billboard Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  16. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  17. ^ "CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock" (select "Top 20 Modern Rock" into the search box, then select "202304"). hitparada.ifpicr.cz. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  18. ^ "Metallica: Lux Æterna" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  19. ^ "Top All Media Hits Germany Weekly Chart: Jan 11, 2023". TopHit. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  20. ^ "Lux Aeterna - Metallica". EarOne (in Italian). December 22, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  21. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  22. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 5, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  23. ^ "Top All Media Hits Poland Weekly Chart: Jan 11, 2023". TopHit. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  24. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. December 2, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  25. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. December 2, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  26. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. December 2, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  27. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  28. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  29. ^ "Metalllica Chart History (Hot Trending Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  30. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  31. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  32. ^ "YEAR-END CHARTS: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (2023)". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  33. ^ "YEAR-END CHARTS: Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs(2023)". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
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