If Darkness Had A Son (almost Studi... — Metallica -

: The song ties into the album's core theme: the first 18 years (72 seasons) of life that form our true or false selves.

: Fans have noted thematic similarities to the St. Anger era, particularly the track "Sweet Amber," which also dealt with the seductive but destructive nature of addiction. Musical Composition Metallica - If Darkness Had a Son (Almost Studi...

: Hetfield has described the track as a look at the "quenchless craving" for unnamed sins—be it alcohol, ego, or other personal demons—and the ongoing battle to "bathe in holy water" to cleanse those urges. : The song ties into the album's core

"If Darkness Had a Son" stands as one of the most introspective and musically dense tracks on Metallica's 12th studio album, 72 Seasons . Released as the third single on March 1, 2023, the song serves as a mid-tempo "thrash stomper" that explores the cyclic nature of personal struggle and the heavy shadows of one’s past. The Meaning Behind the Shadows Musical Composition : Hetfield has described the track

The song is a deep dive into the concept of —a word James Hetfield chants like a mantra throughout the track.