Disposable Heroes - Composition

Composition

The song is noted for its extremely fast tempo and aggressive, sixteenth-note machinegun-like riffs, and a length of more than 8 minutes. The song opens aggressively, with an extensive instrumental section, featuring James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett abruptly switching between several complicated fast guitar riffs, complemented by simpler gloomy chords by Cliff Burton and matching drumming by Lars Ulrich. Following this introduction, Hetfield begins to sing, going into the verses and choruses, the riffs behind which are just variations of the aforementioned machine-gun riffs.

The song soon enters a midsection which features a less speedy, yet a heavy and punctuated riff. This short reprieve from the brutality of the fighting allows for an introspective look by the soldier, who asks himself "Why am I dying?". Hammett then begins a lengthy solo with Hetfield joining in a couple of times to harmonize. After the solo, the soldier reaches the realization "I was born for dying", but it is much too late now and the song mercilessly returns to the fast riffs and the battlefield again. After the last verse and a few more repetitions of those riffs, the song seems to have come to an end, but after a short pause, the fast riff is played one final time.