Metallica – The Judas Kiss

@SrgSprnkls Master of Puppets is about cocaine, not alcohol. The song that probably speaks the most loudly about James' alcohol addiction is the first track on Death Magnetic, That Was Just Your Life. Judas Kiss is about the devil promising you fame, riches, pleasure, but instead delivering total destruction of your life. And as you pointed out addiction is one of the many tools the devil can use to accomplish this.

i think you're spot on. Its all about how the devil comes to people at that precise moment when they have nowhere else to turn, corrupting their minds and promising them what they think they need.

I'd like to add to this though.

In my opinion, what makes this song so great is not just the awesomely expressive lyrics but the way in which the music contributes to the emotion and environment in which such a soul destroying moment must occur. Throughout, the riffs are aggressive and potent like Satan himself and they have this evil aura about them. In particular, its emphasised by that sharp twisting of that note in the intro and after each chorus. Awesome

I also see the song in different phases. In the first two verses and choruses, its all about how the devil approaches this unfortunate person with an offer that is seemingly irrefusable at this desperate time. Then the solo comes in (and what a solo it is...), I see this as the moment where Satan is actually weaving his evil and this person is accepting his fate, carrying out whatever evil deed he must in order to be 'relieved' of his troubles. And in this act he seals his fate and at that moment Satan shouts, almost in a mocking tone, "Judas lives, recite this vow, I've become your new God now!"... and Kirk continues the solo in its awesomeness, as if it's Satan himself shredding it in celebration of his victory.

Satan then goes on to brag about all his victories and how he's deceived and conjured up man's demise so many times throughout history. The song then ends with another chorus, kind of shouting at everyone who is listening, that he'll get us one way or another, so just Bow the F**K Down!

Anyway, this is just my perception of the whole thing, it plays out like a movie in my head everytime I hear it. For me, Metallica is one of the few bands that can express the emotions that accompany such themes as Death, Redemption, Glory and the undying battle between Good and Evil. Pretty awe-inspiring to me.

@mankvill This could be even MORE Elaborated! Directing to your last statement of Betrayal. Seeing as this is a biblical topic and it perhaps being referenced in the title. Judas, One of the twelve original disciples of Christ had betrayed Jesus, he is known for the "Kiss" or betrayal of Christ. So the title itself outright states this.