"Now That We're Dead" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica and the fourth single from their tenth studio album, Hardwired... to Self-Destruct. The song was released as a single five months after the album's release, on April 18, 2017.[1] The song made its live debut at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on January 11, 2017, and was later played during The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on May 15, 2017.[2]

"Now That We're Dead"
Single by Metallica
from the album Hardwired... to Self-Destruct
ReleasedApril 18, 2017
GenreHeavy metal
Length6:59 (album version)
4:53 (radio edit)
LabelBlackened
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)James Hetfield
Producer(s)Greg Fidelman
Metallica singles chronology
"Atlas, Rise!"
(2016)
"Now That We're Dead"
(2017)
"Spit Out the Bone"
(2017)

Music videos edit

The first music video of the song was released on November 16, 2016, and was directed by Herring & Herring and edited by Jeremiah Bruckart.[3] The second music video was released on May 31, 2017, and was filmed in Mexico City by Brett Murray.[4]

In other media edit

The song was used as the entrance theme for WWE wrestler The Undertaker during the first night of WrestleMania 36 prior to his Boneyard Match against AJ Styles.[5] The match was also The Undertaker’s final match of his career, as he would then announce his retirement from in-ring competition at Survivor Series later in the year, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of his debut with the company. The song was also used in a video package celebrating his career which aired during the event.[6]

In July 2020, WWE chairwoman Stephanie McMahon revealed that Metallica was originally scheduled to perform the song live at WrestleMania 36, which was to be held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, had the COVID-19 pandemic not forced WWE to hold the show behind closed doors.[7] Raymond James Stadium hosted WrestleMania 37 the following year instead. Metallica did not make an appearance at WrestleMania 37.

Personnel edit

Charts edit

Chart performance for "Now That We're Dead"
Chart (2016–17) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[8] 48
Canada Rock (Billboard)[9] 23
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[10] 69
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[11] 10
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[12] 28
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[13] 2
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[14] 16

References edit

  1. ^ "Future Releases on Rock Radio Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 13, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  2. ^ "Metallica Rock 'Now That We're Dead' on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'". Loudwire. May 16, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  3. ^ "Metallica Deliver Dark Performance for 'Now That We're Dead' Video". Loudwire. November 16, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  4. ^ "METALLICA Releases New Performance Video For 'Now That We're Dead'". May 31, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  5. ^ FULL MATCH - Undertaker vs. AJ Styles – Boneyard Match: WrestleMania 36 Part 1, retrieved July 11, 2022
  6. ^ WWE pays tribute to The Undertaker with Final Farewell, retrieved July 11, 2022
  7. ^ "Stephanie McMahon Reveals Metallica Was Supposed To Do Undertaker's Entrance At WrestleMania 36 | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  8. ^ "Metallica – Now That We're Dead" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  9. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  10. ^ "Metallica – Now That We're Dead". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  11. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  12. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  13. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  14. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2017.