Sonisphere 2014: 10 Really Obscure Metallica Songs You Need To Request

7. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth

Performed only twice in the last ten years (including once when they were performing under the false name of 'Dehaan' at the Orion festival) this track is probably the nearest thing to a Cliff Burton solo number you're ever likely to hear. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth is essentially a bass solo, using some distortion equipment of course, and features only the player performing a very personal piece to the audience without the support of his band mates. It was originally recorded by the band for inclusion on their 1983 debut 'Kill Em All' The problem with requesting a track like this, much the same as a song like 'Orion', is that Burton's passing means the track will only ever be performed as a tribute or salute to the man despite how great a job Robert Trujillo does. And don't get me wrong; Robert is a great musician and can perform the hell out of anything (his performances at the Master of Puppets anniversary touring in 2006 proved this beyond a shadow of a doubt) but the question still remains as to whether it would be appropriate to request this song for the sake of being requested and the fact it hasn't been played more than on two extremely special occasions in the last decade. All that taken into account this song is being featured because Metallica fans still adore Burton's work, and so they should, even those young enough that they weren't even born when Load was released - never-mind when Burton died the decade previous! This is still something that might prove extremely popular with Metallica fans and something they're likely to request.