If Darkness Had a Son

2023 single by Metallica
"If Darkness Had a Son"
Single by Metallica
from the album 72 Seasons
ReleasedMarch 1, 2023
Genre
  • Alternative metal[1]
  • thrash metal[2]
Length6:36
LabelBlackened
Songwriter(s)
  • James Hetfield
  • Lars Ulrich
  • Kirk Hammett
Producer(s)
  • Greg Fidelman
  • James Hetfield
  • Lars Ulrich
Metallica singles chronology
"Screaming Suicide"
(2023) 		"If Darkness Had a Son"
(2023) 		"72 Seasons"
(2023)

"If Darkness Had a Son" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica, released as the third single in promotion of their eleventh studio album 72 Seasons. It was released on March 1, 2023, along with a music video directed by Tim Saccenti.[3]

Background

The song was teased on February 28, 2023, on Metallica's TikTok as a duet with an instrument added each day.[4][5]

Reception

The song hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Trending Songs chart dated and saw 1.1 million official U.S. streams and 1,000 downloads upon the release of the song.[6] The song also was named the Heavy Metal song of the week by Consequence.[7]

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "If Darkness Had a Son"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Canada Digital Songs (Billboard)[8] 29
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] 34
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[10] 53
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[11] 52
US Hot Trending Songs (Billboard)[12] 1
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13] 34

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "If Darkness Had a Son"
Chart (2023) Position
US Hot Hard Rock Songs (Billboard)[14] 46

References

  1. ^ "Metallica Go Alternative Metal on 'If Darkness Had a Son'". Audio Ink Radio. March 2, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "Hear Metallica's thrashy new song "If Darkness Had a Son"". Revolver. March 1, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  3. ^ Kreps, Daniel (March 1, 2023). "Metallica Drop New Seven-Minute Epic 'If Darkness Had a Son'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  4. ^ "See METALLICA tease new song "If Darkness Had a Son" with TikTok duet video". Revolver. February 28, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  5. ^ Petersen, Justice (March 2, 2023). "Metallica Release New Single "If Darkness Had A Son"". Chicago Music Guide. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  6. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (March 7, 2023). "Metallica Rules Hot Trending Songs Chart for the First Time". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  7. ^ Hadusek, Jon (March 3, 2023). "Heavy Song of the Week: Metallica's "If Darkness Had a Son" Is a Sonic Retrospective of Their Career". Consequence. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  8. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  9. ^ "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. March 13, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  10. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. March 3, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  11. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. March 3, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  12. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Hot Trending Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  13. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  14. ^ "Year-End Charts: Hot Hard Rock Songs (2023)". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
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Promotional singles
  • "Fade to Black"
  • "For Whom the Bell Tolls"
  • "...And Justice for All"
  • "Don't Tread on Me"
  • "Ain't My Bitch"
  • "Bleeding Me"
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  • "The Judas Kiss"
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