"If Darkness Had a Son" stands as one of the most introspective and musically dense tracks on Metallica's 12th studio album, 72 Seasons . Released as the third single on March 1, 2023, the song serves as a mid-tempo "thrash stomper" that explores the cyclic nature of personal struggle and the heavy shadows of one’s past. The Meaning Behind the Shadows

: Fans have noted thematic similarities to the St. Anger era, particularly the track "Sweet Amber," which also dealt with the seductive but destructive nature of addiction. Musical Composition

Clocking in at nearly seven minutes, the track is noted for its steady, marching build:

: The lyrics frame temptation as a "father" and the speaker as the "son," suggesting that inner darkness is an inherited or inescapable lineage.