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1988 promotional single by Megadeth From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"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 The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years, where it received a music video[1] as well as featuring on the films official soundtrack released under Capitol.[2] Dave Mustaine has said that the song has one of his favorite solos that he has written.[3]
"In My Darkest Hour" | ||||
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Promotional single by Megadeth | ||||
from the album So Far, So Good... So What! | ||||
Released | June 17, 1988 | |||
Recorded | 1987 | |||
Studio | Music Grinder, Los Angeles | |||
Length | 6:16 (6:26 on 2004 reissue) | |||
Composer(s) | Dave Mustaine | |||
Lyricist(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Megadeth singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"In My Darkest Hour" on YouTube |
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:[4]
I took it really personal because, I figured, "You fuckers, you know we're all brothers in a band and he dies and you have someone else call me?" So I took it very, very, very bad.
— Dave Mustaine
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.[4] The song was released as a promotional single for the film The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years, 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."[5] And that she needed something "...more substantial."[5]
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."[6] Mike Stagno of Sputnikmusic said that the song: "...could be considered a classic" and that it "...represents Dave's finest writing, lyrically and musically".[7] Holger Stratmann of Rock Hard, called it an "excellent song".[8]
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.[9][10]
In 2012, the Swedish band NonExist, covered the song, with MetalSucks reacting to it unfavorably.[11]
In 2021 the Chilean band Parasyche performed a Spanish version of the song. [citation needed]
In 2018, Billboard ranked the song 5th on their list of "The 15 Best Megadeth Songs".[12] Loudwire called the song "one of Mustaine's greatest songs"[13] and ranked it as the 7th best Megadeth song.[14] Metal Hammer called it one of the most overlooked Megadeth songs.[15] MusicRadar called it of the 5 songs guitarists need to hear by Megadeth.[16] 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".[17]
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