Classical Composer Reacts to The Call of Ktulu (Metallica) | The Daily Doug (Episode 237)

#Metallica #TheCallofKtulu #MetalMonday

In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm reacting to The Call of Ktulu by Metallica. This song was, by far, the favorite of Metallica fans to be my next reaction to the band's music, and I was pleased to feature this tune today. It was more mellow in structure and speed than I was anticipating, but I quite enjoyed it!

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[Doug.Helvering]

I've gone back and listened (with the help of some alternate mixes) and have discovered all that Cliff was doing. I would have definitely mentioned it during my reaction if I could only hear it in the mix. I think it's time the boys in Metallica dust off the master recordings and get someone who knows what they're doing to re-mix and re-master their classic albums.

[sebg]

The guitar is the scenery. The story is told by the bass.

[leonidaspartsas]

Imagine being 19 year old and composing this. Mind blowing

[xastor]

"Waiting for a big solo", Cliff's been soloing for the last 2 minutes...

This whole album just needs a solid remaster/remix.

[lucashilderman]

“In the book, the story says that mentioning the name Cthulhu (Verbally or written) will bring him closer. That's why Metallica used the name "Ktulu" and not "Cthulhu" - for fear of the beast”

[sidneyvandykeii]

When I listen to Old School Metallica, (I do this often) it really makes me wonder what direction their music would of gone if Cliff Burton didn't suddenly and tragically die in that bus crash. I miss Cliff.

[Broccoli_Highkicks]

Doug: Where's the solos?
Cliff: Am I a joke to you?

[TheBlackQueen]

The saddest thing about this song is that despite Cliff Burton being credited as Lead Bass, his track is so tucked back in the mix and you can barely hear what he's doing unless you're intentionally listening for it. He's actually doing a lot of complex stuff including the sound effect for the roaring of Cthulhu.

[airfixx_]

"I keep expecting a shredding solo".... Cliff's been tearing it up for the first 3-4 mins!

[branstark]

The real amazing thing is that these guys were all in their very early 20s when they recorded this. The amount of talent on display is amazing.

[whatwouldhousedo]

Still blows my mind that they were only 19-20 years old when they made this record. Incredible.

[jp]

The “growl” of that bass guitar in the background is iconic.

[josephprice]

You should also do “to live is to die “ on and justice for all. It’s basically an instrumental 98 percent of it. Very good stuff.

[manbeast]

It's interesting how you say "it's almost like a trance." This song abstractly mimics a summoning ritual, hence the title "Call of Ktulu. (Cthulhu)" It's very interesting how they nailed the idea of the song progressing very soft and ominous as the "ritual" begins, and then builds to a crescendo to represent Cthulhu coming into this world. Those wild bass sounds are representative of Cthulhu

[MGLN-hlgc]

I've been listening this song for decades and still gives me goosebumps...

[highlander]

just want to say, theres these sounds that cliff makes with his bass that are supposed to resemble a monsters scream by using a wah pedal and distortion. he could really think outside the box and bring new ideas to the table.

[RonoMorph]

These guys where in their early 20s, and already masterminds.
Mr Cliff Burton, we bow to you, a true master of music.

[markushuguenin]

The next instrumental in reverse order would be "Anesthesia-pulling teeth" off of the first album Kill'em All. Then you should go back around to "To Live is to Die", the last Metallica track that Cliff Burton had a part in (posthumously).

[KuroiRenge]

This album is my favorite Metallica album by far, and this was my favorite song on it. They nailed the feeling of a summoning without a word.

[TheSeta]

That piece alone shows how talented these guys are. To come up with that stuff at their age and in that moment is just a declaration of what they will eventually become.
I was introduced to this band through the Symphony version of this song back in 2000 and I still remember that feeling, that emotion of listening such a piece of art. Then I heard this original version and I was literally moved to tears, so many emotions in this song and you can feel them all.