Which song on Metallica's The Black Album began as a Jason Newsted instrumental idea?
Answer
My Friend of Misery
“My Friend of Misery” on Metallica's The Black Album began as a Jason Newsted instrumental idea.
Newsted wrote the song's main riff, and the initial concept was intended to become an instrumental. Metallica had included an instrumental on each of its previous studio albums, so the idea fit an established pattern in the band's catalog.
The group ultimately developed the piece into a vocal song for Metallica. James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich received songwriting credit alongside Newsted, reflecting the collaborative process used for the finished arrangement and lyrics.
The track appears near the end of the standard album and is known for its prominent bass-centered opening and brooding atmosphere. It is often discussed as one of Newsted's clearest creative contributions to the record, even though his songwriting role was smaller on earlier Metallica albums.