James Hetfield walks into a library…
For years Metal bands have been the greatest promoters of local libraries and advocates of reading, and Metallica has always been on the forefront of it.
As long before the internet made book lore accessible in two clicks, metalheads were checking out dusty copies of Stephen King, Ken Kesey, and Lovecraft just to decode the the stories behind their favorite riffs, and understand the meaning of some of the greatest Metallica songs inspired by literary works.
And so today let’s take a look at… all of them!
00:00 – Intro
00:32 – First steps
03:23 – Dark Mastering
06:55 – …And Justice for Books
08:40 – Modern era
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Links to products posted here are usually affiliate, meaning that I may earn commission from them.
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Background music: “Uberpunch” Alexander Nakarada (serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

@MetalPilgrim
October 8, 2026 at 6:25 am
Should I do Iron Maiden songs inspired by books next?
@Chris-u6s1m
October 8, 2026 at 6:25 am
… and sees a bearded middle aged man starting stoically and intensely at a chess position on an unusually ornate wooden chessboard. Made with flamed maple and ebony…
@br.m
October 8, 2026 at 6:25 am
Its too much for me. Metallica is over rated… They try real hard though and are half decent. In contrast, Megadeth is awesome, we are all so lucky they kicked Dave out. It seems like Dave doesn't write songs after books but after things my grandpa would say, like talking about the skin of his teeth, or heads I win tails you lose sayings
@marena3511
October 8, 2026 at 6:25 am
Creeping Death, inspired by a movie based on a book. In my opinion, that counts as inspired by a book.
@marena3511
October 8, 2026 at 6:25 am
2:40 C'mon what's the harm in summoning Cthulhu ? I mean, what's the worst that could happen ? 🤘❤️🔥🤘🖤🤘
@Danny-oi8yl
October 8, 2026 at 6:25 am
You didn't mention the one song on Ride the Lightning that is from the most published, best selling and most read book ever.
Creeping Death.
Why?
@JSurname-o7o
October 8, 2026 at 6:25 am
7:06 one what?
@Tirpitz721
October 8, 2026 at 6:25 am
2:06 Never heard this as a reason. I've heard two others; one they were afraid of copyright issues, as well as the proper spelling being to hard to pronounce for people (BS imo). Legit think it was due to potential copyright issues. Saw a video a long time ago where James mentioned they should have just spelt it correctly.
@emilholmgrenmusic
October 8, 2026 at 6:25 am
You mean Ktulu was RENAMED after the book? It came into the world as "When Hell Freezes Over" years before the album ever came out.
@RickKing06
October 8, 2026 at 6:25 am
Ok expanding on the learning i have made from the book or literature inspired Metallica songs. This was fun.
@DC-is5rc
October 8, 2026 at 6:25 am
First