What does the title of the new song “Lux Aeterna” mean?

Metallica approaching eternal light. At least that’s what their new song “Lux Aeterna” (or more precisely and in Latin: “Lux Æterna”) suggests, because that’s exactly what the term means translated into German.

On Monday (November 28th) the band around singer James Hetfield released their new single as a harbinger of an upcoming album “72 Seasons”. And it cannot be denied that the metal veterans are entering an artistic phase in which it is no longer just about the present, but posthumous fame should also be taken care of.

In any case, Metallica take on a symbolically charged term that has assumed great importance in music and art history over the centuries and probably originated as part of a liturgical chant in the Catholic Requiem Mass in honor of the dead. Communion is sung. In requiem compositions, the chant follows the Agnus Dei.

Film geeks may have come across a Lux Aeterna chorus in both Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem For A Dream.

“Lux Aeterna”: honoring the dead

But what does that mean for Metallica now? Turning to Catholicism? Probably less. Rather, the band probably emphasizes the tradition of honoring the dead, which is already present in their work. Many pieces bearing the meaningful title were dedicated to deceased people, mostly for very personal reasons. Brahms did the same thing when he addressed his “German Requiem” to his deceased mother.

Perhaps with “Lux Aeterna” Hetfield also remembers his mother Cynthia, who died in 1980 as a result of cancer. At that time, the singer was only 16 years old and Metallica was still a little way off.

In the coming year, Metallica will also be touring with the songs from their new album. There are two concerts in each of two German cities.

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