Creeping Death

"Creeping Death"
Single by Metallica
from the album Ride the Lightning
B-side	"Am I Evil?" "Blitzkrieg"
Released	1984
Format	EP
Recorded	September 1983 - July 1984 at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark
Genre	Thrash metal
Length	6:36
Label	Megaforce, Elektra
Writer(s)	James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
Producer	Metallica, Flemming Rasmussen
Metallica singles chronology

"Creeping Death" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica and is the seventh track on their 1984 album Ride the Lightning and is the only song tuned 1/4th step up on the album. Written from the perspective of the angel of death, it describes the Plague of the Firstborn (Exodus 12:29). It has occasionally been used as an opening song to the band's setlist, on various tours.[1] It stands as a classic example of the band's thrash style, albeit slower than the material on their first album, Kill 'Em All. The song's middle section, based around ominous chants of "Die!" set to a phrygian-mode chord progression, is a fan participation staple during Metallica shows.

It was released as a single in 1984 on the Music for Nations label in the UK and France. The B-sides were the cover songs "Am I Evil?" (originally by Diamond Head) and "Blitzkrieg" (originally by Blitzkrieg). Together these covers were known as Garage Days Revisited, which set the stage for Metallica's next cover record, the Garage Days Re-Revisited EP.

The art work (shown to the right) was done by Alvin Petty. This was the first time Metallica's logo was shown in a 3D style. The logo and the EP's title were added with a plastic layover to the existing artwork. Kirk had spotted the picture hanging up at Alvin's house and remarked that it would be perfect for the single and picturedisk that were about to be finished.

Inspiration

The band was inspired for the song by the second half of the film The Ten Commandments, which is based upon the Bible tale of the plagues which were bestowed upon the Egyptians. While watching a scene in which one of the plagues kills every Egyptian first-born child, bassist Cliff Burton remarked "Whoa - it's like creeping death." The band liked the sound of "creeping death" and decided to write a song about the plagues, with the phrase as its title.[2]

Biblical References

The song is being told from the point of view of Moses, the leader of the Hebrews in Egypt and also mentioned dialogs he has with God. Throughout the song, some of the ten plagues are mentioned, all from the story of the "Hagada", The Passover exodus. Moses repeatedly demanded from Pharaoh to set the Hebrew slaves free from Egypt, famously known as "Let my people go" and insisted he was sent by God. To prove his point and persuade Pharaoh as Pharaoh refused to do, Moses, guided by God, layed ten strikes on the Egyptians. The ten strikes:

• Blood, Running red and strong, down the Nile

The first of the ten, water of the Nile turned to blood

• Plague

This line refers to any of the ten plagues

• Darkness three days long,

The ninth of the ten, the sun was blocked for three days

• Hail to fire

The seventh of the ten, burning hail fell from the sky

• To kill the first born Pharaoh's son

The ten and most severe strike - The God of Israel killed every first born Egyptian that was a boy (In reference to the Pharaoh's order to throw every Hebrew first born into the Nile). One such child was the Pharaoh's

Blood, lamb's blood painted door; I shall pass

Passover; the night God slayed the first borns of Egyptian families. The Hebrews were warned earlier by Moses to paint the doorpost with lamb blood so God will pass over their houses and not kill their sons (this is actually why the holiday is called Passover).

Live versions

There are a great deal of group-assisted vocals in "Creeping Death"; the song often requires more than one vocalist performing at a time. On live recordings before his death, bassist Cliff Burton can be heard "roaring" the backing vocals during the third chorus, as well as during the bridge. When Jason Newsted joined the band, he often sang the third chorus alone in live performances, as well as the first word of every line. He also occasionally chanted "Motherfucker Die!" or simply "Die!" in the song. During the song's breakdown audience members are encouraged to chant "Die!" to the rhythm of the song while lead vocalist James Hetfield sings the verse.

Previous Iterations

The middle section of the song was originally written by lead guitarist Kirk Hammett while he was in the band Exodus. The song was called "Die By His Hand" and had been part of the Exodus setlist for live shows, but was never used on any Exodus albums.[2]

Side A

1. "Creeping Death" (06:36)

Side B (Garage Days Revisited)

1. "Am I Evil?" (07:45)
2. "Blitzkrieg" (03:36)

Covers

• Plays Metallica by Four Cellos by Apocalyptica.
• During Ozzfest 2002 by Drowning Pool.
• Higher Voltage!: Another Brief History of Rock by Bullet for My Valentine. Bullet For My Valentine have also covered this song numerous times during their live shows, as well as recording a cover for their Scream Aim Fire album.
• During Ozzfest 2007 by The Showdown.
• Screamo band Hiretsukan.
• Tigertailz on their Banzai album.
• Dubai Desert Rock 2005 by Machine Head and Sepultura.
• By Dark Angel on the Metallica tribute album Metallic Attack: Metallica - The Ultimate Tribute.
• By Edge of Spirit on the heavy metal tribute album "Stand Proud! III".
• On the Slipknot DVD Voliminal: Inside the Nine, Joey Jordison can be seen playing the song with Metallica at Download 2004 where Lars was too ill to play.
• Stormlord covers this song live in their EP The Curse of Medussa.

Appearances in popular culture

"Creeping Death" was featured in an episode of the MTV show Wildboyz.[citation needed]

"Creeping Death" is also a playable song in the game "Guitar Hero: Metallica".

Notes

1. ^ Metlists, Inc
2. ^ a b METALLICA - Encyclopedia Metallica - Song Info - Creeping Death