Metallica: 10 Best Songs You Haven't Heard
2. Hero Of The Day (S&M Version)
Throughout much of the 90s, Metallica rode the wave of wanting to do things their way. Opting for a new visual look and incorporating more rock and country influences than ever before, the decade saw the band embrace the concept of 'this is our band and we'll do what we want' which is still being seen today.
As part of this, Metallica collaborated with Michael Kamen and the famed San Francisco Symphony for two performances of Metallica's music paired with an orchestral backing. The subsequent live album has since gone down as one of the best live albums ever released.
Many songs from The Met's back-catalogue were reworked for the collaboration with only Kill 'Em All omitted. In between all the previous live staples and now-established surprise hits from the performances ("One", "Master of Puppets", "The Outlaw Torn", "Of Wolf and Man") lies "Hero of the Day" from 96's Load.
Barely considered in the higher end of its studio release, "Hero..."'s rhythm and rock ballad nature would lend itself beautifully to a classical overhaul. The band would largely take a back seat for the first half of the song, until the turn of "...so please excuse me while I tend to how I feel..." brings the thunderous side of the band abck in.