Classical Composer Reacts to The Unforgiven Trilogy (Metallica) | The Daily Doug (Episode 519)
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- čas přidán 26. 01. 2023
- #metallica #theunforgiven
In this #masterpiecefriday edition of #thedailydoug, I'm diving into the Unforgiven Trilogy from Metallica. Before a few months ago, I had no idea that the 2nd and 3rd iterations of this song existed. So, I'm taking a look to see how the three songs are related and how they stand on their own both lyrically and musically. Come along for the ride!
Reference Video: • The Unforgiven I,II,III
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I DOUG THEE UNFORGIVEN
🤣🤣🤣
This has won the internet today. 😂
Number 3 is best by far
@@JamesBaxter-tu1dvTwo for me
One for me
“How can I be lost if I’ve got nowhere to go?” Has to be my favourite lyric in a song… like ever…
Unforgiven II hits me like a ton of bricks every time I listen to it.
"What I've felt, what I've known. Sick and tired, I stand alone" gets me in the feels every damn time I hear it. It hits way to close to home!
Not all those who wander are lost... does it for ME.
Where can reality run to from itself.
That lyric really describes my life as a whole. One of the most important lyrics/quotes ever to me
Yeah great line.
Thu Unforgiven III, to me, is an amazing and underrated song. Probably one of the best solos Kirk has ever done and probably the best James has ever sounded. Loved seeing the song broke down like this. One of my all time favorites!
This is probably my favorite Kirk solo, I don’t know why people don’t talk about it more!
I don't like to be that guy but the reason james sounds so good is because it has autotune. One of my fav songs tho
I actually think Death Magnetic as a whole is kind of under appreciated. It's a truly solid album.
@@tiedomi80 Completely agree.
I’ve always loved kirks solo from III. Simply amazing.
These songs are some of the best work the band has done, and I think Unforgiven III is incredibly under appreciated.
been my favorite song from DM since release.
@@zachhamilton456hell man dm has got also suicide and redemption super underrated (my favourite is still unforgiven 3)
Mine is "To live is to die" but I am from an older time, Metallica was still Metallica.. 'Thing that should not be" heaviest song ever..
Saw this a long time ago:
Unforgiven 1: I can’t forgive you
Unforgiven 2: You can’t forgive me
Unforgiven 3: I can’t forgive myself
2 is my personal favourite. The production is so good and James’ voice was at its peak for that kind of softer singing.
I'm hoping for UN4: I've forgiven us both. James has dealt with some serious shit from his childhood and everyone deserves to forgive and let it go at some point.
@@courtneyurman I hope unforgiven 4 to be in this new album
2 is my favorite too, 2 has the best guitar lines from all 3
I’m with you on that opinion unforgiven 2 and 3 are so so so good and heavily underrated
2 is my personal favorite as well especially lyrically.
This trilogy is literally James Hetfield's autobiography. Amazing.
This is about the best take I've read about the Unforgiven Trilogy. It's main theme is forgiveness, or better put, the lack of forgiveness
Each song has its own thing but looking at it closely, it's all a representation of where James was at that period, mentally speaking.
The first is angry, it's about someone else running his life, him not forgiving them. Reflects his upbringing and his anger
The second is about letting someone in, loved ones, family, etc, but still being confused and angry. Having grown but not quite being where you think you should be
The third is him post rehab. He realizes a lot of things were his fault, so he takes part of the blame too. He's matured and is where he needs to be.
I hope there will be an unforgiven IV this decade then V in like 2 decades from now
If James were to do a fourth Unforgiven it would probably revolve around his recent divorce and his relapse back into drinking in 2019. No matter how much he bettered himself; hard times come, and he thereby has to forgive himself after moments of weakness. We all have our demons and beating yourself up about it can make it worse. We learn from those and carry on stronger.
Been a fan of Metallica since 86, always loved this trilogy and listened to them a gazillion times but hadn't worked them out as well as you put it here. I've just re-listened to them again in a new light. How can I still get something new from songs 32, 25 and 15 years old respectively?
I'm so confused. "Thee" means "you", not "I". He sings "I dub you unforgiven".
@@jonnylumberjack6223 he is speaking in the third person, partially for lyrical coherence, partially to demonstrate the emotional dissociation that comes with this kind of internal turmoil and trauma.
I think you’re missing the nautical theme in the lyrics of the Unforgiven III. James says “this sinking life, outside it’s hell; inside, intoxicating .“ This is the end of the trilogy; he finally takes responsibility for himself. This is James, the grown man, who has had therapy, has gotten sober, and has spent enormous amounts of time on introspection - either as a part of a 12 step program or on his own, or more Likely both.
Unforgiven III is hands down of the most heartfelt, emotional, and musically mature and bold songs they've ever recorded. It's SO woefully underappreciated within the Metallica fandom.
Nah, 1 and 2 are far more heartfelt and emotional. Especially 2. There is a reason why it's not and never will be as legendary as 1 and 2.
@@AdoreYouInAshXI Okay.
@@AdoreYouInAshXI i prefer 3 to 1
3 Is my least favorite, but I can recognize it has great elements that the other 2 unforgiven's don't have, particularly the solos being much improved.
There was serious discussion within the group about leaving Unforgiven III off the Death Magnetic album and I think that is utter madness.
Well, James didn't want to include Nothing Else Matters into Metallica album...
Just Imagine Doug making video together with Elizabeth from "Charismatic Voice"... Great colaboration - music and vocals analysis :)
We've had the same thought! I love both :) .
Definitely, it would be awesome
That would be great!
1. Discovery in self
2. Recognition in another (confirmation)
3. Searching for resolution (forgiveness)
"Thee" means "you." He's naming whoever he's talking to as Unforgiven, expressing his hostility and resentment and his inability to get past it.
I can relate.
Metallica has meant an awful lot to a lot of troubled people over the years, and they should be commended for that. James' lyrics really capture the feelings and struggles he has in a way that's relatable to millions and millions of people. It's hard to say Metallica is underrated, but they, and James in particular, are really one of the major artists of the 20th century.
Very well put. I relate too. I have to wait another year and a half to see them perform for the first time.
It’s incredible when you think about writing this music, then putting meaningful lyrics to it. Then get up on stage and play it while singing it. The guy is gifted.
Hetfield writes about pain like no other.
"Metal is just therapy. For us, for the fans." - James Hetfield
Because they are mostly rated for their heavy riffs, historical musical impact on the genre and thrashy stuff they put up early in their career.... And the actual depth of Metallica artistry for sure is underrated... And we probably never got to hear their peak because of Cliff Burton's death, distingushing Jason's and Kirk's creativity in song writting during their downfall years... And still got one hell of a ride throughout their career....
Agreed on the lyrics. So many great songs even if you used only the lyrics alone let alone the incredible music accompanying them.
Now James needs to wrap it up with the 4th installment - “Forgiven.” As always, GREAT analysis!
I think it's still a bit early, but James writing a song called Forgiven would be really awesome ❤️
He could even do a little stylization and write it as "4given" or "ForgIVen"
@@addi7719 You are not the only one mentioning this possible wordplay. But 4gIVen is not on the tracklist of 72 Seasons In The Abyss. ;-)
That's saved for the final album 😅
and the lyrics should be " How can I be unforgiven for (4) all these songs I've written befour"...
James has often named The Unforgiven as his personal favourite Metallica song, so it makes sense that he'd want to elaborate on it for follow-up albums
6:30 if you want vulnerable James Hetfield, check out Bleeding Me 🙏
Doug, I love it when you play along, your ability to play along with music that you have never listened to before is beautiful.
It's so cool to see a classical composer head bob, air-drum, and provide piano accompaniment to these Metallica classics! Well done!
Love Unforgiven 3 from S&M2....man, that version just packs a wallop, and hits you right in the feels.
100% agree. It was the first thing I thought of when Unforgiven III came up.
Agree It's awesome
He needs to listen to the S&M2 version!
These songs are so good, I think load and reload get a lot of crap because it’s not Metallica full 80s style but I really think these slowed down long epic songs are something the do incredibly well.
See Bleeding Me, I think it’s the most underrated of all their songs.
Absolutely!!!! Load and Reload fucking rock!!! Songs like FIXXXER, low man, outlaw. Absolute masterpieces by a band that was just meant to be a thrash band. Why would people want them to do puppets every album when we can just go listen to puppets. They gave us fans something different and it was/is AWESOME!!!
Doug definitely needs to listen to the symphony and metallica versions of Bleeding Me and Outlaw. I'd love them to be in the same video so he can see which is his favorite of the two
💯💯
@@spider_carly5580 from S&M 1 please 🤘🏻
😞I’m one of those people who who lost interest in Metallicas music as they became too commercial.
Load and reload were hard rock albums instead of metal.
They were ok for what they were but not the classical masterpieces I had come to expect.
Of corse everyone has there opinions 😢
You should listen to Low Man’s Lyric! It’s one of their best softer songs imho, and it features Hurdy Gurdy which is super unusual but also fits amazingly well
He totally should! Underrated song, so are Load and ReLoad.
@@theunforgiven997 right 'bout the song...Load and Reload are properly rated
@@alexandre_am No
I wished they kept the lyrics from the demo version, though. The song was really dark originally. I mean, even more. It's still their most unique song, and masterfully produced, but it could've been even better.
@@alexandre_am Nah bruh.
Unforgiven II is so overlooked in my opinion. "Under wicked sky" is just haunting to me.
🎶 Through black of day, dark of night
We share this pair of lies🎶
Yessir the line "to make my demons run" always strikes a chord with me...🤘🤘
The solo of "THE UNFORGIVEN I" is full of feeling, power, harmony, virtuosity and full of anger and beauty, just like the crescendo, the spectacular guitar and bass riff and the forceful drum accompanying it. That particular musical section and -indeed- the entire song is mesmerizing.
I absolutely love all 3 songs. James is one of my favorite lyricists. He has a true gift for putting complicated feelings into words that really strike you right in the heart. Great video Doug!
The Black Album and Load/Re-Load are sometimes panned for being sell out records, but to me, many lyrics on those albums are as personal and heavy as Metallica has ever been. Certainly helped me get through some dark times
I agree with this whole heartedly. For me, "heavy" is just as much about the lyrical content as the musical. And Load/Re-load are heavy as hell. Especially when you get to songs like "Bleeding Me," "Outlaw Torn," "Fixxer," "Mama Said," and "Hero of the Day."
@@peterworth9403 Don't forget Thorn Within...
@@wc1994 ohhhh yeah. I did leave that one off didn't I???
a lot of people will complain when a band grows, but to me it is metallicas ability to stretch that makes them the amazing musicians they are
@@jtramelli5464 Absolutely. I love it when a band makes it a point to evolve rather than stay the same. Metallica does. Linkin Park did/possibly still does it (depending on the rest of the band's plans). It's a sign of creativity.
You articulated, very beautifully, why I love heavy rock/metal in general and Metallica in particular. The expressionism, the growth, the exploration of the human condition, these are things we all grapple with. They're heavy emotions so it's fitting that we want our artistic expression of them to be heavy metal. Thank you for bringing your perspective, expertise, and appreciation to this masterpiece of music.
Man, part III is really amazing. Hopefully more people will discover it with this reaction video.
The Unforgiven trilogy is probably one that had the most impact on me growing up. I am nearly 30, so I'm too young to have experienced Metallica as their album were released, but I discovered them during my teenage and they were a big part of my musical repertoire for a long time, and still to this day.
UI is to me the darkest sounding one and describes how, as a young person, you may experience a situation that deeply impacts you, and that creates this clash between who you want to be and who other people expects you to be. This is also the part of your life where you may start to withdraw from others and start to repress feelings. It's the hurting stage and there doesn't seem to be anything around you to help, or anywhere to go.
UII on the other hand, would be the part of your life where people try to help you, but you are not yet ready for them. It is slightly more melodic and uplifting, but still very macabre. Maybe you've found a friend that experiences the same thing, maybe you've met your first love? It softens the situation but there is nothing done here that actually resolves the situation. It's the realization stage and there seems to be a away to leave the hurting behind, but everything you try is futile and you feel like you're bringing other people down.
UIII is angry and sad but liberating. To me, it sounds like someone finally letting go of built up rage about a situation they had no control over and realizing that they could not have forgive anyone else for what they did before forgiving themselves for letting that situation have so much control over how they grew up, hence the How can I blame you when it's me I can't forgive. It is the resolve of the trilogy, but also an end to the story. However, the hurting does not stop, but we learn to live with it.
Those are songs that helped me understand my own feelings growing up, and I'm very happy that you did an analysis of this trilogy that is so important to me! I was glad you shared your first time listening to them, thanks Doug!
One of if not, the greatest bands of all time.
The first track is such a iconic song. Must say I've heard it like million times, but whenever I listen it, memories from my youth comes rushing.
And it's nice song to listen 2-3 times a year. Especially when trying to get sleep. To that this song is like huge pill of melatonin. Haha
Definitely not the same song, I saw it once described as "Learning to forgive others, learning to be forgiven by others, and ultimately learning to forgive myself" and I think that´s very unique
James is a huge fan of Ennio Morricone spaggetti western music. I hear his influences in all of the three songs in intros and some instrumental parts... Great analysis as always. Thank you
Great reaction. A bit of context for Unforgiven II (especially for your observations about James' voice). Load and Reload were recorded at the same time. 27 songs IIRC, split over two albums, which give the two a really similar sound. Not universally liked (I love them, but it was a big change for Metallica in style, which they barely even acknowledge these days). From Load onwards, Metallica's main key shifted from E standard to E flat standard, partly to get a more contemporary, heavy sound, but partly to accommodate James' changing voice, which he'd blown out during heavy touring in the early 90s. Prior to getting back to the studio, James did have classical voice coaching for the first time ever, which really helped him, and I think that period 95-97 was the best he's sounded as a result.
You know what Doug? I'm a metalhead (grind core to nwobhm and everything in between) I always feel the meaning of the songs, I just can't break it down as well as you do. You pin point what I love about metal. Especially the last thing you said in this video, it's about our insecurities, shortcomings etc. For me, metal and especially Metallica has been a huge part of my life and in some ways made me who I am.
Thank you for helping me understanding my feelings by understanding the structures of music!
The Unforgiven guitar solo still gives me goose bumps every single time. I've be learning to play it for the last several weeks.
Life long Metallica fan here. Doug you're content is amazing and I think if Metallica got a chance to see any of your videos they would love them as well. Thanks for the good times bud. Not only do you break down the music..but you explore lyrics very well. Along with your research. Well done sir!!!
Man at 5:03 you about turned this little 2 bar break into an Evanescence vibe on that piano. The Unforgiven is a lament. The Unforgiven II is about seeking freedom from past trauma, but also being with someone with similar closed-off trauma and how that would play itself out "sick and tired I stand alone", "behind the door... should I open it for you?", "would YOU be there, cuz I'M the one who waits for you?", "dead sure she'll be there", "Now I see the SUN", "I take this KEY and I bury it in YOU", i.e. the way out through commiseration, grace, and healing TOGETHER. That last guitar lift going from what you expect to be a somber resolution, but ends up as hopeful. BOOM. The Unforgiven III -- is a ship at storm when that small spark of the sun is lost because you self-sabotage, you can't navigate, and you're questioning everything.
I have this three songs as a trilogy on my computer for years. Loving each and everyone of them, as a trilogy it's an eargasm. And now Doug digs in. So cool, so great. Thx, I've enjoyed this video a lot, and will rewatch it again many times, for sure. thx.... Wow.
I think one of the more interesting points about how the first one was made is how it came to be; they initially wanted to write a song that was just the opposite of a traditional "Soft verse, heavy chorus" kind of song. This is heavy verses and soft chorus.
One of the best Doug's reaction ever!! Thanks a lot man!! Suggestions for other suites:
1) Fates Warning "The ivory gate of dreams"
2) Symphony X "Through the looking glass"
3) Manowar "Achilles: Agony and Ecstasy" 🙏🤟
You can hear Jame's vocal training in the later live stuff. Its definitely a different colour. one of more protecting the voice and for touring stamina than the much more expressive vocals on album takes
It was very enjoyable to listen to the trilogy together. Thank you!
Three arrows to my heart. I stay with Metallicoix because they grow as musicians and you can hear their growth. Thanks Doug.
Hi sir, I'm a new viewer and a new subscriber. I was impressed at how you're able to understand or have the ability to empathize the singer. Your explanation of each words sang is also impressive and in depth. Appreciate your effort in explaining to us what this song meant rather than us just plainly enjoying the solos and/or vocals.
Thanks for reviewing these songs 😊 Great songs and great reaction. My friend and me are watching your videos since quite some time and we really enjoy it. Many greetings from Germany ☺
Kirk's solo in Unforgiven III is one of his best ever. Top 5.
Each to their own, but nah man! He’s written some quality solos, especially on the first 5 albums. I find this a bit iffy
The first one is HEAD AND SHOULDERS above that. The tone is atrocious and then he just leans on the wah far too much. It doesnt even fit the song.
Great video/analysis, love how you had great musical insights but also were able to grapple with the ideas in the music too, really awesome 👍.
Growing up as a kid I never listened to rock or metal until I heard The Memory Remains. But it wasn't until their next release Unforgiven II that I went out and bought Metallica's Reload album.
My first heavy metal album ever.
Never looked back since. To this day I still rate Metallica as the greatest band of all time.
Really enjoyed this short journey. Great understanding and appreciation of the songs alone, as a trilogy and metal in general.
Your videous are so cozy and nice. Just like to watch them, listen to you, watch your face in some epic moments of the song, you're the best man who do reactions!
the guitar solo in the first one has sooo much PUNCH to it. It really says a lot that the character is going through in the song, anger, frustration, pain.
Taken a bit of a break from Metallica lately (mainly due to burnout) but hearing The Unforgiven 1 again took me right back to when I listened to them religiously. Say what you want about Metallica, but they are incredible song writers and are a big reason metal ever got as big as it did.
I been there before
The best part of this video is Doug’s admission about metal music around min 35 , I wish more people would give it a chance 🤘🏻
Superb breakdown of the songs, those added improv keyboard moments are a gem on your reactions. The themes pop out so much when compared one after the other like this, which I have not seen on CZcams before. Great work and glad for you Doug for digging the dubbing of these unforgivens!
"A gift", very wonderfully put and a gift within itself. Thank you
James giving us a peak into his own struggles which many of us can relate in our own life’s struggles. All 3 are beautifully written pieces both musically and lyrically. I’m partial to the third one.
That solo in III hits just as hard as the Nothing Else Matters one. Great crescendo.
I love listening to these videos. Your way of breaking down the songs is something that I've always wanted to be able to do. Music is a passion if mine though I ve never been trained. I feel everything you say but the depth of meaning musicality wise, your depth is in a way I've never been able to understand. There is something I seem to always miss and it is disheartening for me because I'm simply not on this level and I dont know how to get there. Thank you for being a window for me to see a way to try and understand your depth/the depth of the musicality that goes into the songs I truly enjoy.
fantastic verbal analysis, also loved the chord explation/breakdown-> would like to see more of that
I can't believe how much people hated on Death Magnetic when it came out. Thankfully, its started to gain some traction over the past few years and people are really looking into this album seriously. I think most, if not all, the songs on the album are actually very well composed. And aside from the overuse of distortion in some parts the mixing is crunchy and raw.
I just found your channel. This is great, learning about the songs. The great songwriters write about there situations. Thats what makes truly memorable songs.
How can I be lost if I got nowhere to go.. - Best lyrics ever! 👍
34:07 I LOVE, that you "open you're mind up", to songs, that weren't you're style, in you're early days!
The thing you do that is most helpful for me is diving into the lyrics and really dissecting them. I’m not a lyrical person, so I get the meaning a lot more after hearing you explain them. Can you do Outlaw Torn next…..please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One fun fact is James sang Unforgiven 1 that way because he got inspired by listening to "Wicked Game", by Chris Isaak.
Big thanks Doug for your analysis of these great songs 👍 it makes me feel even more connected to them! To know how much James' lyrics and voice reflect his own life and philosophy on it 🖤
I absolutely love your analysis of metal. I'm probably one of the biggest Metallica fans on the planet, and hearing you break down their songs in classical terms brings me great joy. I never got to properly study classical music theory, and this feels like an education while I get to listen to my favorite band! Thanks so much and keep up the great work.
Hey Doug, glad your back on the keyboard! I like it when start to improvise.
Amazing. After all these years and hundreds of listens, I've never thought to listen to these one after the other. By the first chorus of The Unforgiven III I was openly weeping. Thanks for the enlightenment.
I love how much you were getting into these songs! Great to see from another perspective
Thank you, for putting my 3, all time favorite songs, in one episode😁.
Really enjoyed listening to you, thnks
My favorite parts are when Doug plays along.
As a long time Metallica fan myself, I think you'll enjoy this then. I hope so anyway. czcams.com/video/he_o9LmXYwg/video.html
Thank you for this amazing analysis Doug.
really cool that you all the 3 songs in one take to experience and point out the similarities
I will never understand the people who say they hate Kirk Hammett's lead guitar work. In a world where every other lead guitar player is in a race to imitate a computer he is the master of playing with feel, his solos always make you feel something. I have no clue how he does it but I'm always in awe of his work.
Yeah, the only problem he doesn't get them bends right...overpitched and out of tune
@@94Gennadiy ..so?
@@parlamedia so that's why people tend to hate his lead guitar work, savvy? Music is about the notes, you gotta pitch them tight.
@@94Gennadiy really don't "gotta". Depends what you tryna to do.
@@parlamedia if you wanna sound crappy than yeah, u don't have to
Metallica is such a legendary band, amazing
Great review, and breakdown again Doug. 👌🤘
Unforgiven 2 tone with those epic sad riffs by Kirk is my favourite one
Thanks for the video. I’ve heard these songs over and over and this was the first I realized how powerful the solo is on the 3rd. Kirk really shined there.
They all have a totally different feel to them and different emotions. When you've listened 100 times to each one, the Unforgiven 2 is the most satisfying by far. Love it!
Glad you were able to experience this. Love that people are listening to all three songs as a trilogy now!
This was fantastic analysis. More episodes like this!
The reason Unforgiven II is a half step down is that it was written on the A-string and so would perhaps be in A like Unforgiven I in its "natural" state, but Reload (and Load) was recorded in Eb standard guitar tuning instead of the usual E standard. Thus everything is a half step lower.
I love your analyses 😍 great job! 👍
Excellent! I loved your reactions, especially to #3!
as always, excellent doug.. just excellent 👌🎶
Great review! Keep up the good work.
Thanks for connecting those three songs on a more music theory level, I'm really glad I could learn this. And especially thank you for your words from 34:06 onwards, really appreciate this. 😍
“Forgive yourselves “ James Hetfield
Musically, The Day That Never Comes is closer to the other two songs in the trilogy. Same chord progression and structure. Check it out.
Thank you for your great analysis of the songs.
This is why I love Metallica so much, the chords progression, the songs arrangements and constructions, the lyrics. Theirs songs feels like watching a movie, intro, intro verse, verse, chorus, verse, before solo or bridge, chorus, verse, before ending and ending. Such a beautiful arrangements
Having just being dumpted a month ago, and not listening to unforgiven III for a while, I just started to think of her, because I’ve been bad to her, but I also gave her everything I had. So I had to let my self crying while watching.
Life’s hard right now but, damn music can show you that you are not the first person who had to go trough tough time.
Great video as usual Doug! You’re an amazing analyst!
Love these songs, 2 and 3 are so good.
I love the Unforgiven III, such an amazing Solo from Kirk. Your reviews always make me so happy to see, its all about the music no matter the Genre
amazing analogy friend..! i think you are spot on..👍🏼. thnx. 🤘🏼
2 and 3 are great and underrated songs and I've noticed the crowds at their live shows love it when they play them.
Absolutely love this trilogy. Glad to hear you talk about it. Also enjoyed your little additoins lmao
i love your channel .. and your analysis .. its very musical and super musically intelligent
Not sure if you've missed it or not. But at the very end of second, there is this really cool bend from minor third to major one. Also clean part is played on b bender which gives it really cool sound (and is the reason that you practically cannot play this song for yourself, because b bender is not really popular and costs a lot). Really like the song.