| In My Darkest Hour | |
| Border: | yes |
| Type: | promo |
| Artist: | Megadeth |
| Album: | So Far, So Good... So What! |
| Recorded: | 1987 |
| Studio: | Music Grinder, Los Angeles |
| Length: | 6:16 (6:26 on 2004 reissue) |
| Composer: | Dave Mustaine |
| Prev Title: | Mary Jane |
| Prev Year: | 1988 |
| Next Title: | No More Mr. Nice Guy |
| Next Year: | 1989 |
"In My Darkest Hour" is a song by the American thrash metal band Megadeth. It is the sixth track from their third studio album So Far, So Good... So What! It was released as a promotional single in 1988. The song is frequently performed live by the band. The song was featured in the documentary , where it received a music video[1] as well as featuring on the films official soundtrack released under Capitol. Dave Mustaine has said that the song has one of his favorite solos that he has written.[2]
The music of the song was written by band frontman Dave Mustaine in a single sitting after a friend had contacted Mustaine to inform him of Metallica bassist Cliff Burton's passing. Mustaine was frustrated with the members of Metallica for not contacting him personally, stating in an interview:[3] The "darkest hour" mentioned in the song refer to general loneliness and isolation, however the lyrics and song subject refer to an ex-girlfriend of Mustaine's. The song was released as a promotional single for the film , in which the song features as part of the film's official soundtrack. Penelope Spheeris stated she had the song close the film "... because everything had been a little light and fluffy before that."[4] And that she needed something "...more substantial."[4]
Adrien Begrand of MSN Music, said the song is one of Dave Mustaine's "...greatest achievements as a songwriter" and that it is "an all-time metal classic."[5] Mike Stagno of Sputnikmusic said that the song: "...could be considered a classic" and that it "...represents Dave's finest writing, lyrically and musically".[6] Holger Stratmann of Rock Hard, called it an "excellent song".[7]
The music video accompanying the song was directed by Penelope Spheeris and featured a trimmed version of the song (from 6:16 to 5:12), intercut with interview footage of the band as well as a live performance of the song. The music video was banned from airing on MTV following accusations the lyrics promoted suicide.[8] [9]
In 2012, the Swedish band NonExist, covered the song, with MetalSucks reacting to it unfavorably.[10]
In 2021 the Chilean band Parasyche performed a Spanish version of the song.
In 2018, Billboard ranked the song 5th on their list of "The 15 Best Megadeth Songs".[11] Loudwire called the song "one of Mustaine's greatest songs"[12] and ranked it as the 7th best Megadeth song.[13] Metal Hammer called it one of the most overlooked Megadeth songs.[14] MusicRadar called it of the 5 songs guitarists need to hear by Megadeth.[15] Penelope Spheeris stated "It's a very, very heavy song and a really kind of classic piece of Megadeth that really displays their philosophy in a beautiful way".[16]
| Year | Publication | Country | Accolade | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Louder Sound | United States | The Top 20 Best Megadeth Songs Ranked[17] | 6 |
| 2018 | Billboard | United Kingdom | The 15 Best Megadeth Songs: Critic’s Picks[18] | 5 |