Creeping Death (6:36)

“Creeping Death” is the seventh song off of Metallica’s 1984 album “Ride the Lightning”. Written from the perspective of the Angel of Death, it describes the Plague of the Firstborn (Exodus 12:29).

It stands as a classic example of the band’s thrash style, albeit slower than the material on their first album, Kill ‘Em All. The song’s middle section, based around ominous chants of “Die!” set to a phrygian-mode chord progression, is a fan participation staple during Metallica shows.

It was released as a single in 1984 on the Music for Nations label in the UK and France. The song was inspired by bassist Cliff Burton while the band was watching The Ten Commandments film.