Lux Æterna (Metallica song) explained

Lux Æterna
Cover:Lux Æterna.jpeg
Type:single
Artist:Metallica
Album:72 Seasons
Released:November 28, 2022
Genre:
Length:3:25
Label:Blackened
Prev Title:Spit Out the Bone
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:Screaming Suicide
Next Year:2023

"Lux Æterna" (Latin for "eternal light") 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).[3] It was first played live on December 16, 2022, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.[4] [5] James Hetfield described the song as "an upbeat, kind of fast and joyous song" furthermore, describing it as being in the style of the new wave of British heavy metal.[3]

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".[6] At the 66th Grammy Awards, it received a nomination for Best Rock Performance.[7]

Music video

The music video, directed by Tim Saccenti, was first filmed on November 3, 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.[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]

Legacy

Ukrainian metal band Surface Tension, who are mainly known for their war songs regarding the Russo-Ukrainian War, among with Mari Bu, have written a cover version for this song. The song was featured in Fortnite Festival.[11]

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Lux Æterna"
Chart (2022–24)Peak
position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[12] 18
Belarus Airplay (TopHit)[13] 104
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 76
Canada Rock (Billboard)[15] 3
Czech Republic Rock (IFPI)[16] 2
Germany Airplay (TopHit)[17] 38
Italy Airplay (FIMI)[18] 71
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[19] 7
Poland Airplay (TopHit)[20] 200
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[21] 22
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[22] 28
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[23] 10
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[24] 13
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[25] 8
US Hot Trending Songs (Billboard)[26] 6
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[27] 15
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[28] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[29] 97
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[30] 7

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Single Review: Metallica 'Lux Æterna' . Metal Planet Music. Monkhouse. Paul. November 28, 2022. April 13, 2023.
  2. Web site: Metallica release "Lux Æterna," first new song in six years: Review and Lyrics. Consequence. Hadusek. Jon. November 28, 2022. April 13, 2023.
  3. Web site: See Official Pro Video of Metallica Playing "Lux Æterna" Live for First Time. Revolver. December 23, 2022. April 13, 2023.
  4. Web site: Watch Pro-Shot Video Of METALLICA Performing 'Lux Æterna' Live For First Time. Blabbermouth.net. December 12, 2022. April 13, 2023.
  5. Web site: Metallica Song Catalog: Lux Æterna. Metallica.com. April 13, 2023.
  6. Metallica Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay). Billboard. February 14, 2023.
  7. https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list
  8. Web site: Go behind the scenes on Metallica's Lux Æterna video. Kerrang!. Carter. Emily. December 12, 2022. April 13, 2023.
  9. Web site: Metallica: Lux Æterna (Behind the Video). YouTube. Metallica. December 12, 2022. April 13, 2023.
  10. Web site: Review: Lux Aeterna – Metallica. Music Talkers. Gaudet. Nicholas. December 11, 2022. April 13, 2023.
  11. Web site: Every Fortnite Festival Song, Sorted By Difficulty . 2024-10-28 . GameSpot . en-US.
  12. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 5 December 2022. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1709. 9. December 5, 2022.
  13. Web site: Top Radio Hits Belarus Weekly Chart: April 26, 2023. TopHit. April 24, 2024.
  14. Metallica Chart History: (Billboard Canadian Hot 100). Billboard. January 30, 2023.
  15. Metallica Chart History (Canada Rock). Billboard. January 30, 2023.
  16. Web site: CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock. hitparada.ifpicr.cz. January 31, 2023. select "Top 20 Modern Rock" into the search box, then select "202304".
  17. Web site: Top Radio Hits Germany Weekly Chart: March 7, 2024. TopHit. April 24, 2024.
  18. Web site: December 22, 2022 . Lux Aeterna - Metallica. October 5, 2024 . EarOne . it-IT.
  19. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. December 5, 2022. January 30, 2022.
  20. Web site: Top Radio Hits Poland Weekly Chart: Jan 18, 2023. TopHit. April 24, 2024.
  21. Web site: Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. December 2, 2022. January 30, 2023.
  22. Web site: Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. December 2, 2022. January 30, 2023.
  23. Web site: Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40. Official Charts Company. December 2, 2022. January 30, 2023.
  24. Metallica Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100). Billboard. January 30, 2023.
  25. Metallica Chart History (Digital Song Sales). Billboard. January 30, 2023.
  26. Metalllica Chart History (Hot Trending Songs). Billboard. April 14, 2023.
  27. Metallica Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs). Billboard. January 30, 2023.
  28. Metallica Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay). Billboard. January 30, 2023.
  29. YEAR-END CHARTS: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (2023). Billboard. November 25, 2023.
  30. YEAR-END CHARTS: Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs(2023). Billboard. November 25, 2023.

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