Metallica: Ranking Every Album’s Last Song

A classic Metallica track from a classic Metallica album, "Damage Inc." is a firm favourite to this very day and with good reason.

One of just eight songs on the entire record, "Damage Inc." takes over a minute to get going, consisting purely of eerie ambient sounds until the onslaught of guitars and drums arrives.

It's yet another minute before James Hetfield bursts in with the vocals, which decry war as an almost business-like transaction - hence the title of the song.

Then comes of one of Hammett's most insane solos ever, and that is saying something. He tears up the fretboard at the speed of light, shredding as if his life depended on it. All in all, the song is perfectly paced.

The song is like an espresso shot - smaller than you think, but punchy with a bitterness that is somehow quite pleasant. It embodies the aggression that appeals to so many metalheads on the surface, but also contains the elements of great songwriting that have kept the band around for over forty years.

"Damage Inc." is a thrill to listen to, both in the background and at great detail. It's a favourite for a reason.