If Darkness Had a Son

"If Darkness Had a Son"
Single by Metallica
from the album 72 Seasons
Released	March 1, 2023
Genre	Alternative metal [1] thrash metal [2]
Length	6:36
Label	Blackened
Songwriters	James Hetfield Lars Ulrich Kirk Hammett
Producers	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

• James Hetfield – vocals, rhythm guitar
• Lars Ulrich – drums
• Kirk Hammett – lead guitar
• Robert Trujillo – bass

Music video

The music video directed by Tim Saccenti and filmed in Los Angeles on 9 January 2023 and premiered on 1 March 2023. ^[8]

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "If Darkness Had a Son" Chart (2023) Peak position Canada Digital Songs ( Billboard ) [9] 29 Germany Airplay (TopHit) [10] 44 Italy Airplay (FIMI) [11] 78 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [12] 34 UK Singles Sales (OCC) [13] 53 UK Singles Downloads (OCC) [14] 52 US Hot Trending Songs ( Billboard ) [15] 1 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [16] 34

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "If Darkness Had a Son" Chart (2023) Position US Hot Hard Rock Songs ( Billboard ) [17] 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 (March 1, 2023). Metallica: If Darkness Had a Son (Official Music Video) . Retrieved September 27, 2025– via YouTube.
9. "Metallica Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs Sales)". Billboard . Retrieved April 14, 2023.
10. "If Darkness Had a Son – Metallica - TopHit - Highway To Airplay". TopHit. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
11. "If Darkness Had a Son - Metallica". EarOne (in Italian). April 20, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
12. "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. March 13, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
13. "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. March 3, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
14. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. March 3, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
15. "Metallica Chart History (Hot Trending Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved April 14, 2023.
16. "Metallica Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved April 14, 2023.
17. "Year-End Charts: Hot Hard Rock Songs (2023)". Billboard . Retrieved January 7, 2024.