Eye of the Beholder (song)

"Eye of the Beholder" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on October 30, 1988, as the second single from their fourth studio album, ...And Justice for All.[3]

"Eye of the Beholder"
Single by Metallica
from the album ...And Justice for All
B-side"Breadfan"
ReleasedOctober 30, 1988
Recorded
GenreThrash metal
Length6:25 (album version)
5:58 (radio edit)[1]
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Metallica singles chronology
"Harvester of Sorrow"
(1988)		 "Eye of the Beholder"
(1988)		 "One"
(1989)

Lyrically, the song concerns imposed limitations on freedom of speech and freedom of expression in general. "Eye of the Beholder" is notable for its chorus section containing 12
8 time played, not as an ordinary compound quadruple time, but as a syncopated rhythm. The rest of the song is a more conventional 4
4 rhythm at a slower tempo than that seen on Metallica's previous three albums.

The song has not been performed live in its entirety since 1989. It has, however, always formed part of the medleys of songs from …And Justice for All often played by the band in concert during the 1990s as an alternative to playing full songs, many of which were seen as too difficult because of the numerous guitar parts. One such "Justice Medley" was featured on its 1993 live album Live Shit: Binge & Purge.[4]

In a September 2020 interview with Vulture, Lars Ulrich stated that he is "not a fan of that song" and that he would not want to hear it again.[5]

Track listing
US 7" single
No.TitleLength
1."Eye of the Beholder"6:25
2."Breadfan"5:44

Cover versions

In Flames recorded a cover of "Eye of the Beholder" on Metal Militia: A Tribute to Metallica, a tribute album recorded by various artists. This version of the song also appears on the remastered edition of In Flames' first EP, Subterranean. A cover of the song also appeared on the Metallic Attack: The Ultimate Tribute tribute album, performed by Life After Death, a band formed by Phil Sandoval after the break-up of Armored Saint.

References
  1. "…And Justice for All (Remastered Deluxe Box Set)". spotify.com.
  2. "Photographic image of single slleve" (JPG). Ci-cdn.23bits.com. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  3. "Eye of the Beholder release date". Metallica.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  4. "Eye of the Beholder". Metallica.com. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  5. Gerber, Brady (September 24, 2020). "Lars Ulrich on Metallica's Most Underrated and What Makes a Great Drummer". Vulture. Retrieved December 5, 2020.

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