The renowned drummer of Dark Angel, Gene Hoglan, has openly discussed a long-standing debate regarding the claim that Metallica might have “borrowed” the drum beat from Dark Angel’s iconic track “Darkness Descends,” which was released two years prior to Metallica’s classic “One.” This intriguing topic was brought to light during a recent guest appearance by Hoglan on the podcast The Metal Interview, where the conversation shifted towards how Dark Angel may have influenced the legendary band Metallica. Hoglan reminisced about the time when “One” gained immense popularity on the metal radio station KNAC in Los Angeles, coinciding with his friends reaching out to him to discuss the striking similarities between the two tracks.

Upon hearing “One,” Hoglan said, “I understood what everybody was talking about,” acknowledging the shared elements that sparked this debate among fans and musicians alike.

Hoglan expressed his keen interest in being “the O.G. riff police,” revealing his passion for exploring how such similarities could arise in the world of music. In this particular instance, he recalled a significant moment when he had a conversation with Jason Newsted, who was then a member of Flotsam and Jetsam, during the release of “Darkness Descends.” They were backstage at the Country Club [in Reseda, California] when they discussed their mutual love for metal music. Newsted, a devoted fan of Dark Angel, made Hoglan ponder whether the similarities were mere coincidences. The pivotal moment came when he noted that the opening lyric of “One” is “Darkness imprisoning me,” which intensified his curiosity about the connections between the two songs.

Dark Angel’s “Darkness Descends” serves as the opening track of the band’s second album, which shares the same title, though it was never released as a single. In contrast, “One” emerged as the third single from Metallica’s groundbreaking 1988 album …. And Justice for All. This track marked a significant milestone, as it became Metallica’s second song to enter the U.S. charts, also serving as their first music video. The song achieved impressive rankings, peaking at No. 46 on the Mainstream Rock chart and reaching No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Gene Hoglan’s Perspective on the Musical Parallels

Unlike many artists who may clash over perceived similarities in their work, Hoglan expressed a different sentiment regarding his feelings toward Metallica and their connections to Dark Angel’s music. He stated that he was “never offended” by the similarities, instead expressing gratitude. “I was grateful; thank you. You made this riff, this thing that I wrote, we wrote, whatever, you just made it become legendary,” Hoglan remarked, showing his respect for Lars Ulrich and acknowledging his influential role in the music industry. He humorously added, “Please, if I’ve got anything you wanna borrow, you are welcome to it. Absolutely.”

Hoglan further emphasized his admiration for Metallica, referring to them as “the fathers” of the genre, with Ulrich being the “godfather” of their craft, while also paying homage to Bill Ward as a pioneering figure in the music scene. He noted, “So, Lars will always get much respect from me, and we appreciate you doing that,” highlighting the camaraderie and mutual respect that exists among musicians in the metal community.

READ MORE: Metallica Members Debate the All-Time Greatest Song

Hoglan didn’t stop at just “Darkness Descends,” as he pointed out that it wasn’t the only song from Dark Angel that bore similarities to Metallica’s work. He mentioned that upon hearing “Battery” for the first time, he noticed a resemblance to Dark Angel’s “Welcome to the Slaughterhouse.” This further illustrates the interconnectedness of metal music and how influential bands can inspire each other’s work in subtle yet profound ways.

While Lars Ulrich is credited with the distinctive drumbeat in “One,” Hoglan humorously remarked, “You know who plays that [‘One’] drum beat better than just about anybody, even myself? James Hetfield.” He praised Hetfield’s drumming skills during their live performances, noting, “You never heard him when they do their little drum thing on stage? James Hetfield gets on the drums and he plays it, and he plays that beat, and it is so rock solid. I’m, like, ‘God, he plays that better than me. And I wrote that darn thing.'” This playful acknowledgment showcases Hoglan’s humility and appreciation for his peers in the industry.

Are you able to catch the similarities between these two iconic tracks? Both songs can be heard below, and don’t forget to check out the complete episode of The Metal Interview featuring Gene Hoglan below the songs.

Listen to Dark Angel’s Iconic Track, “Darkness Descends”

Experience Metallica’s Classic, “One”

Discover Gene Hoglan’s Insight on The Metal Interview