: Hetfield has described the track as a look at the "quenchless craving" for unnamed sins—be it alcohol, ego, or other personal demons—and the ongoing battle to "bathe in holy water" to cleanse those urges.

"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

: The song ties into the album's core theme: the first 18 years (72 seasons) of life that form our true or false selves.

: 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

The song is a deep dive into the concept of —a word James Hetfield chants like a mantra throughout the track.

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.