9 Great Closing Tracks On Albums

9. The Call Of Ktulu - Ride The Lightning [Metallica]

Metallica had the reputation as being a pretty gnarly metal band by the time they got to Ride the Lightning, but the end of this record proved that there was something much more complex underneath the head-banging riffs.

The last song is an instrumental which is centered around the theme of the monster Ktulu, inspired by the writing of H.P Lovecraft. James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett paint the picture of a barren wasteland before the song explodes, revealing the horrifying Ktulu in the listener's mind.

But anyone who's heard this song knows the star of the show: Cliff Burton's bass guitar. The whole song seems to be a showcase for Burton's talent to play the bass guitar almost like a lead instrument. When the band reaches the ending, Burton uses his effects to mimic the sound of a monster coming toward you about to tear you apart limb by limb.

And just like that, the album's over and you're waiting with baited breath for whatever Metallica had up their sleeve next. Exactly how a closing track should.