Crucial Track for February 16, 2026

"Orion" by Metallica

Listen on Apple Music

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A song from a genre you didn’t think you’d like—what changed?

Back when I was a teenager, I had some friends who were into metal. They'd play Metallica records and patiently explain the quality of the musicianship. But I was having none of it. It took me about 30 years to come around to their way of thinking. Sometimes when I play Master of Puppets, I'll think about those leather-and-denim-clad Brummies and accept they did have a point.