The Call of Ktulu

"The Call of Ktulu" is an instrumental song by the metal band Metallica, inspired by the writings of H. P. Lovecraft, particularly The Call of Cthulhu. It appeared on the band's second album, Ride the Lightning in 1984.

Related Topics:
Metal - Band - Metallica - H. P. Lovecraft - The Call of Cthulhu - Album - Ride the Lightning

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It can be argued that this song defined the metal instrumental. Although Metallica made instrumentals later in their career, "Ktulu" set the standard for Metallica's other instrumentals such as "Orion" and "To Live is to Die".

Related Topics:
Metal instrumental - Orion - To Live is to Die

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This is one of the few Metallica songs to have been largely written by lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, who went on to form rival band Megadeth in 1983 after being fired from Metallica earlier that year. The song was originally entitled "When Hell Freezes Over." Late bassist Cliff Burton was a huge Lovecraft fan and it is likely he was responsible for changing the name of the song.

Related Topics:
Dave Mustaine - Megadeth - 1983 - Cliff Burton

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The song was re-arranged by Michael Kamen for Metallica's 1999 S&M project and won a Grammy for the best rock instrumental performance.

Related Topics:
Michael Kamen - S&M - Grammy - Best rock instrumental performance

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Dave Mustaine later used the same rising D-minor chord progression at the beginning of "The Call of Ktulu" in the Megadeth song "Hangar 18," released in 1990.

Related Topics:
D-minor - Hangar 18

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