Phantom Lord (song)

Song

Tour Dates

Phantom Lord is the seventh track on Metallica's debut album, Kill 'Em All.

About

The song was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Dave Mustaine. It is named after one of James Hetfield's older bands before the formation of Metallica.

Live

• "Phantom Lord" has been performed live 171 times as of January, 2025.
• "Phantom Lord" was first performed live on June 26th, 1982, in Costa Mesa, California.
• It was last performed live on November 6th, 2022, in Hollywood, Florida, at the Hard Rock Live Concert.

Lyrics

    Sound is ripping through your ears
    The deafening sound of metal nears
    Your body's waiting for his whips
    The taste of leather on your lips
    
         Hear the cry of war
         Louder than before
         With his sword in hand
         To control the land
         Crushing metal strikes
         On this frightening night
         Fall onto your knees
         For the Phantom Lord
    
    Victims falling under chains
    You hear them crying dying pains
    Fist of terror's breaking through
    Now there's nothing you can do
    
         Hear the cry of war
         Louder than before
         With his sword in hand
         To control the land
         Crushing metal strikes
         On this frightening night
         Fall onto your knees
         For the Phantom Lord
    
    The leather armies have prevailed
    The Phantom Lord has never failed
    Smoke is lifting from the ground
    The rising volume metal sound
    
         Hear the cry of war
         Louder than before
         With his sword in hand
         To control the land
         Crushing metal strikes
         On this frightening night
         Fall onto your knees
         For the Phantom Lord
       
         Fall to your knees
         And bow to the Phantom Lord