Phantom Lord
MetallicA (Kill'em All) Lyrics
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The deafening sound of metal nears
Your bodies waiting for his whips
The taste of leather on your lips
Hear the cry of war louder than before
With his sword in hand to control the land
Crushing metal strikes on this frightening night
Victims falling under chains you hear them crying death pains
The fists of terrors breaking through now there's nothing you can do
Hear the cry of war louder than before
With his sword in hand to control the land
Crushing metal strikes on this frightening night
Fall onto your knees for the phantom lord
The leather armies have prevailed the phantom lord has never failed
Smoke is lifting from the ground the rising volume metal sound
Hear the cry of war louder than before
With his sword in hand to control the land
Crushing metal strikes on this frightening night
Fall onto your knees for the phantom lord
Fall to your knees
And bow to the phantom lord
The lyrics to Metallica's "Phantom Lord" are a depiction of a terrifying experience where the listener is subjected to a powerful onslaught of metal music so intense that it feels like a physical assault. The lyrics are essentially a narrative of a scene where the Phantom Lord, a leather-clad figure, appears with his whip in hand, ready to take control of the land. The cries of war are heard, with the sound of metal growing ever-louder as the Phantom Lord approaches. The intensity is palpable as "crushing metal strikes" are delivered upon the unsuspecting victims, who are rendered helpless to do anything but succumb to the Phantom Lord's power.
The lyrics also paint a picture of the Phantom Lord's victory, with the "leather armies" prevailing and the rising volume of metal sound signifying his triumph. Ultimately, the listeners are instructed to "fall to your knees and bow to the phantom lord," underscoring the dominance of this figure and the helplessness of those who are subjected to his power.
Line by Line Meaning
Sound is ripping through your ears
The loud, ear-splitting sound of heavy metal music is all you can hear.
The deafening sound of metal nears
The metal music is getting louder and more intense.
Your bodies waiting for his whips
The audience is excited and anticipating the heavy metal music and performance.
The taste of leather on your lips
The concert-goers are surrounded by an atmosphere of leather and other metal paraphernalia.
Hear the cry of war louder than before
The music is fierce and intense, like the sound of a battle cry.
With his sword in hand to control the land
The lead singer is pictured as a warrior, dominating the stage like a conqueror.
Crushing metal strikes on this frightening night
The heavy metal music is powerful and intimidating.
Fall onto your knees for the phantom lord
The audience is so captivated and moved by the music that they spontaneously bow down to the lead singer as if he were a deity.
Victims falling under chains you hear them crying death pains
The music evokes a picture of people suffering and dying under some kind of oppressive or violent regime.
The fists of terrors breaking through now there's nothing you can do
The lead singer is imagined as a fearsome creature, capable of inflicting pain and suffering on those who oppose him.
The leather armies have prevailed the phantom lord has never failed
The lead singer, dressed in leather, is portrayed as a general who has won many victories.
Smoke is lifting from the ground the rising volume metal sound
The concert is so intense and powerful that it creates an almost apocalyptic scene.
And bow to the phantom lord
The audience is so moved and awed by the music that they show respect and admiration for the lead singer.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE MUSTAINE, JAMES ALAN HETFIELD, LARS ULRICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind