Contrasting Diction

Metal is often thought of as all very fast and very heavy. However there are many different forms of metal and many different songs that are considered metal. Metallica is a perfect example of how metal can have contrasting diction, or varying word choice. Metallica's "One" is an excellent demonstration of how heavy metal solos can be combined with slow melodic lyrics and a strong storyline. Metallica's "Seek and Destroy" is a great example of the opposite of "One", very angry lyrics and extremelly fast paced heavy music. Each song is metal, but are very different in their own way.
"One" is a song based on the novel, Johnny Got His Gun, by Dalton Trumbo. It's about a man that lost all his limbs and senses in the war. He cannot speak, all he can do is hear. This song is sung in a slow, melodic, storytelling way. They detail the man's thoughts, "Hold my breath as I wish for death oh please god, wake me." Obviously the man is in pain and he is suffering, yet he cannot tell anyone. This is the tempo of the entire song, a slow, melodious story of one man's suffering. It does pick up towards the end with the raging triplets, "darkness imprisoning me" and ends with a ripping solo. However this is more to keep the song metal at heart, for "One" is a true rock ballad.
"Seek and Destroy" is a completely different song than "One." This song is the definition of speed metal, hard, fast, and loud. Unlike the slow, melodious singing of Hetfield in "One", this song is a mixture of intense screaming and growling. Also instead of sympathy for pain this song wants it, "We're looking for you/to start up a fight." No sympathy here, Metallica encourages fighting and violence. Metallica is also getting in on the fighting, "Running,/On our way/Hiding,/You will be/Dying,/A thousand deaths." A threat being passed on to the listener and more ideas of violence. Unlike "One", "Seek and Destroy" is a loud, vulgar display of violence.
"One" and "Seek and Destroy", both great songs by the great band of Metallica. However they're two completely different songs. One is a slow, melodic rock ballad about pain, suffering, and sympathy. The other a raging, fast-paced, screaming speed metal song. Using contrasting diction is what allows bands to stay fresh and stay around. As long as Metallica sticks to that I have a feeling they won't be going anywhere.