Metallica: Ranking Every Album's First Song
3. Fuel - Reload
Metallica waste absolutely no time on their seventh album Reload, kicking it off with a bang.
"Fuel" is, quite appropriately, like someone pouring gasoline onto a flame. From the moment Hetfield first sings the song's memorable chorus, the album explodes into life, consuming everything in its path with furious destruction.
Coming it at 4 minutes and 30 seconds (which is actually pretty short for a Metallica song), "Fuel" is all killer and no filler.
Everything on this song absolute deserves to be here, from the way it kicks in with the opening lines, to introduction of the instruments, to the awesome breakdown in the middle of the song that gives listeners a slight reprive from its lightning fast pace.
It is a masterful example of how to write a song that has mass appeal, but is also heavy enough to not disappoint more seasoned rock fans.
The song just edges out "The Memory Remains" in the running order of the album, which would have made for a strong opener too. However, due to its punchiness, its inspired riff, and that sweet chorus, "Fuel" proves that the band made the right call.