Song Information
Title: My Friend Of Misery
Artist: Metallica
Album: Metallica
Bassist: Jason Newsted
Difficulty: Intermediate
Tuning: Standard Tuning
Key: A Minor
Tempo: 120
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Bass Diary Entry
“My Friend of Misery” has always stood out to me as one of the real gems on The Black Album. From the moment that bassline creeps in, it sets a dark, brooding atmosphere that feels unmistakably Metallica, while still giving the bass a rare moment right at the front of the mix. It’s melodic, heavy, and endlessly satisfying to play — the kind of line that sticks with you long after the song finishes.
The contrast between the spacious verses and the crushing weight of the chorus is what really sells this track for me. When that chorus hits, everything locks in and the bass becomes part of this huge, unified wall of sound. It’s a perfect example of how restraint and groove can be just as powerful as speed or complexity.
Seeing this song performed live during The Black Album celebration tour in 2012 was a genuine highlight. Hearing the album played in full gave tracks like this the spotlight they deserve, and I was lucky enough to catch it twice — once at Download Festival in the UK and again at Orion Festival in New Jersey. Both performances reinforced just how massive this song feels when that bassline is rumbling through a live PA.
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