"Eye of the Beholder" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released in October 30, 1988, as the second single from their fourth studio album, ...And Justice for All, where it also features as track 3. The song has not been performed live in its entirety since 1989, and drummer Lars Ulrich has stated that it is his least favourite Metallica song, in part due to the alternating time signatures. "It sounds like you put a square peg in a round hole".

Background

"Eye of the Beholder" features political lyrics about the nature of civil liberties. The chorus is in time while the rest of the track stays in basic .

The song has not been performed live in its entirety since 1989, however it did feature as part of a medley of songs from …And Justice for All often played by the band in concert during the 1990s. One of these medleys was featured on the band's 1993 live album Live Shit: Binge & Purge. Due to Ulrich's disdain for the song, it is unlikely to be played in full again.

Track listing

Cover versions In Flames recorded a cover of "Eye of the Beholder" for Metal Militia: A Tribute to Metallica, a tribute album recorded by various artists. This version of the song also appears on the remastered edition of In Flames' first EP, Subterranean. A cover of the song by Life After Death appears on Metallic Attack: The Ultimate Tribute.

Personnel

Credits adapted from ...And Justice for All liner notes.

Metallica

James Hetfield – vocals, rhythm guitar, production Kirk Hammett – lead guitar Jason Newsted – bass Lars Ulrich – drums, production

Production

Flemming Rasmussen – production, engineering Toby "Rage" Wright – assistant and additional engineering Steve Thompson, Michael Barbiero – mixing George Cowan – assistant mixing engineer Bob Ludwig – mastering George Marino – 1995 remastering Reuben Cohen – 2018 remastering

Artwork

James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich – cover concept Stephen Gorman – cover illustration Ross "Tobacco Road" Halfin – photography Pushead – hammer illustration Reiner Design Consultants, Inc. – design, layout

References