Metallica's 'Blackened': The Album with the Most Time Signature Changes

The album that challenges the boundaries of conventional metal with its intricate time signature changes is undoubtedly …And Justice for All. Renowned for tracks like Blackened, the album has a reputation for being one of Metallica's most technically complex. This analysis delves deep into the time signature patterns and structures employed in Blackened.

Time Signature Complexity in 'Blackened'

The track Blackened is a prime example of Metallica's progressive metal prowess. It features a plethora of time signature changes, making it a standout in the band's discography. As described by Zachary, Blackened stands out not just for its innovative use of time signatures, but also for the technical skill demonstrated in these changes.

Key Feature: The song showcases how time signatures can be used as a compositional tool to create dynamic and unique pieces. This technique reflects Metallica's progressive and experimental nature, setting them apart from other metal bands. Creative Innovation: Instead of relying on straightforward time signatures, Blackened incorporates a variety of complex signatures, adding depth and challenge to the music.

Detailed Analysis of Time Signatures in 'Blackened'

The Blackened song structure is intricate, and a comprehensive breakdown of its time signatures reveals the sheer complexity of its composition. The track proceeds through a series of time signature shifts, each adding to its technical and musical richness.

Time Signature Breakdown

The time signatures change throughout the song in the following order:

3/4 4/4 4/4 5/4 7/4 6/4 7/4 2/4 4/4 7/4 6/4 7/4 2/4 4/4 7/4 4/4 2/4 4/4 3/4 4/4 2/4 4/4 3/4 4/4 2/4 4/4 5/8 4/4 7/4 6/4 7/4 2/4 4/4 5/4 4/4 7/4

Considering the above, Blackened has 37 total time signature changes, which includes the entire dual midsection. This is an extraordinary number of shifts, solidifying its status as one of the albums with the most time signature complexity in Metallica's catalog.

Revisiting the Dual Midsection

The dual midsection of the song is particularly technical, with this sequence of time signatures: 4/4, 2/4, 4/4, 3/4, 4/4, 2/4, and so on. Each measure is carefully crafted to challenge the musicians and maintain the track's progressive flow.

Why 'Blackened' Stands Out

While the song 'Justice for All' also features time signature changes, they are slightly more subdued than those in 'Blackened'. Zachary noted that 'Blackened' has an 'incredible riffing' that is his favorite on the album. However, Blackened maintains its progressive and technical edge throughout, making it a standout piece.

Conclusion

Metallica's Blackened stands out as a remarkable example of progressive and technical metal. Its complex time signature changes, dynamic shifts, and intricate riffs showcase the band's evolution and innovation over the years. For all metalheads and fans of technical music, Blackened is an essential piece of music to explore.

What's your favorite track from '…And Justice for All' and do you enjoy the technical complexity of these songs? Let us know in the comments!