Lux Æterna (Metallica song)

"Lux Æterna" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on November 28, 2022, as the lead single from their eleventh studio album, 72 Seasons (2023).[4] The song was first played live on December 16, 2022, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.[5][6] James Hetfield has described the song as "an upbeat, kind of fast and joyous song" furthermore, describing it as a NWOBHM song.[4] The song reached number 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart for 11 consecutive weeks, tied with their cover of Bob Seger's "Turn the Page".[7] "Lux Æterna" is Latin for "eternal light".

"Lux Æterna"
Single by Metallica
from the album 72 Seasons
ReleasedNovember 28, 2022
Genre
Length3:25
LabelBlackened
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Metallica singles chronology
"Spit Out the Bone"
(2017)		 "Lux Æterna"
(2022)		 "Screaming Suicide"
(2023)

Music video

The music video, directed by Tim Saccenti was first filmed on November 3rd, 2022, and features the band playing live on a stage. Throughout the entire video, lasers flash on screen in sync with the band playing. Kirk Hammett described the music video as if the band was playing inside a volcano, as well as pointing out that James Hetfield got too close to the lasers and that he has had LASIK surgery and should "steer clear".[8][9]

The video was nominated for best rock at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, being Metallica's first nomination in 20 years.

Reception

Writing for Musictalkers, Nicholas Gaudet described the vocals during the chorus as "astonishing" as well as praising the outro and guitar solo. Gaudet also interpreted the song as a retrospective look back on their career, calling it the best thing they have done in two decades.[10] Jon Hadusek of Consequence, also praised the song, also stating that the song picks up where Hardwired... to Self-Destruct left off. He states that the song takes influence from pop-punk as well as the typical thrash metal.[2]

Personnel

Charts
Chart performance for "Lux Æterna"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[11] 18
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] 76
Canada Rock (Billboard)[13] 3
Czech Republic Rock (IFPI)[14] 2
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[15] 56
Hungary (Single Top 40)[16] 35
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[17] 7
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[18] 22
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[19] 28
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[20] 10
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[21] 13
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[22] 8
US Hot Trending Songs (Billboard)[23] 6
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[24] 15
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[25] 2

References
  1. Monkhouse, Paul (November 28, 2022). "Single Review: Metallica 'Lux Æterna'". Metal Planet Music. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  2. Hadusek, Jon (November 28, 2022). "Metallica release "Lux Æterna," first new song in six years: Review and Lyrics". Consequence. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  3. "Metallica Shares a Behind-The-Scenes Video for "Screaming Suicide"". Ghost Cult Mag. February 21, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  4. "See Official Pro Video of Metallica Playing "Lux Æterna" Live for First Time". Revolver. December 23, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  5. "Watch Pro-Shot Video Of METALLICA Performing 'Lux Æterna' Live For First Time". Blabbermouth.net. December 12, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  6. "Metallica Song Catalog: Lux Æterna". Metallica.com. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  7. "Metallica Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  8. Carter, Emily (December 12, 2022). "Go behind the scenes on Metallica's Lux Æterna video". Kerrang!. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  9. Metallica (December 12, 2022). "Metallica: Lux Æterna (Behind the Video)". YouTube. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  10. Gaudet, Nicholas (December 11, 2022). "Review: Lux Aeterna – Metallica". Music Talkers. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  11. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 5 December 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1709. Australian Recording Industry Association. December 5, 2022. p. 9.
  12. "Metallica Chart History: (Billboard Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  13. "Metallica Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  14. "CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock" (select "Top 20 Modern Rock" into the search box, then select "202304"). hitparada.ifpicr.cz. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  15. "Metallica: Lux Æterna" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  16. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  17. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 5, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  18. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. December 2, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  19. "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. December 2, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  20. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. December 2, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  21. "Metallica Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  22. "Metallica Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  23. "Metalllica Chart History (Hot Trending Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  24. "Metallica Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  25. "Metallica Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
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