Metallica has, without a doubt, produced a number of legendary songs over the years, including hits like “Until It Sleeps,” “Enter Sandman,” “The Memory Remains,” “The Day That Never Comes,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “Cyanide,” “Hero of the Day,” “Master of Puppets,” and many more. After all, the heavy metal band — formed in Los Angeles — is one of the most commercially successful bands of all time, with a global fan base that spans generations. It’s no surprise that Metallica holds a place among the metal genre’s “Big Four” (alongside Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax); such recognition isn’t earned without undeniable influence and sustained musical excellence. Each of their tracks could easily be considered among the greatest in metal history, and, subsequently, the band’s proudest moments. But for frontman James Hetfield, one track stands out above the rest: “The Unforgiven II.”
It’s normal for a band member to have one specific track that they’re most proud of. It just so happens that Hetfield’s was “The Unforgiven II” — and understandably so. Released on the band’s 1997 seventh studio album, Reload, the track (written by Hetfield himself, along with Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett) stands as a sequel to their 1991 single “The Unforgiven.” The original track ultimately received a trilogy treatment, with another sequel in 2008 titled “The Unforgiven III.” However, it’s the second installment that holds a special place in Hetfield’s heart. When asked in an interview a few years ago which Metallica song he was most proud of, he didn’t hesitate to choose “The Unforgiven II,” even going so far as to say the track was the one that made him feel they’ve stepped into the world of Led Zeppelin, even saying it was crafted like something Jimmy Page would have made.
“Wow, we’re professional now, it sounds… it’s almost like Jimmy Page,” Hetfield said. “We were entering the realm of [Led] Zeppelin at that point … pretty proud of that too.”
Hetfield mentioned “Fixxxer,” “Bleeding Me,” and “The Outlaw Torn” as some of the band’s standout tracks that he is most proud of, but “The Unforgiven II” received a special mention — the song that finally made him feel that they were true professionals in their field. The second track of what would become a trilogy, “The Unforgiven II” proves that Metallica is more than just their aggressive sound, showing that they are also masters of storytelling. While Metallica is best known for its ferocity, the track showcases a more vulnerable side of the band. And although it is connected to the first song, the band gave it its own identity by flipping the musical structure, a masterclass in reinventing a song while honoring its already strong legacy.
Musically, the song delivers everything you would expect from them. Lyrically, the songwriters dug deeper into the themes and emotional core of the first track. The lyrics go, “Lay beside me, tell me what they’ve done / Speak the words I wanna hear, to make my demons run / The door is locked now, but it’s opened if you’re true If you can understand me, then I can understand you.” The first part is told from the perspective of a young boy, while the second shifts to a time when that boy is older, presumably a teenager. In a 1998 interview, Hetfield talked about revisiting that story. He said: “A lot of times I go back, and I’ll find new things in the old things I’ve written. Though it was about my life, sentiments are the kind of thing that stays with you. They’re pretty basic and elemental. To revisit them from a different, older perspective is very interesting. It’s like a story that keeps going.”
Although “The Unforgiven II” may not have achieved the same commercial fame as Metallica’s well-known hits like “Enter Sandman” or “Nothing Else Matters,” its importance lies in its artistry, emotional resonance, and the growth it represents. For Hetfield, this song was the moment he felt the band had truly reached a new level, comparable to legendary acts like Led Zeppelin, skilled at conveying powerful stories through music — a band with a story to tell.
