Metallica's "Kill 'Em All" album track found to be recited during a close-range murder in 1980s Texas, revealing the shooter's connection to the thrash metal classic.

In August 1984, a fateful journey from San Antonio to Corpus Christi, Texas, would forever change the lives of several individuals. Troy Kunkle, then a young man, was one of them. Along with his friends, he offered a ride to a stranger named Stephen Horton. However, this act of kindness would soon turn into a horrific event.

On this day, Horton was shot in the head by Kunkle after refusing to hand over his wallet. The incident occurred in Corpus Christi, and Kunkle would spend more than half of his life on death row for the murder.

As the years passed, the case gained notoriety, and the lyrics of Metallica's songs would become inextricably linked to the tragedy. Kunkle, before committing the act, was reported to have quoted the lyrics of Metallica's song No Remorse. This song is from their 1983 debut album, Kill 'Em All.

The witness who reported the shooting remembered Kunkle singing the lyric, "Another day, another death, another sorrow, another breath". This line, along with others in the song Fade To Black, would later face criticism due to a few isolated cases where it was associated with suicides.

In 2004, Kunkle was interviewed by a Texan TV station, and he described the killing as a "juvenile mistake made with juvenile peer pressure." He also stated that there's nothing about the incident to be proud of.

Seven years after the song's release in 1984, the criticism over the Fade To Black lyrics occurred. During this time, Metallica's manager, Peter Mensch, informed the band about a local TV station making a big deal about a killing spree.

However, it's important to note that the band's manager at the time of the events was not explicitly mentioned in the search results. None of the provided sources identify the band's manager.

Despite the tragic connection, Metallica received thousands of letters from people who found solace in the song Fade To Black. Lars Ulrich, a member of the band, revealed this in an interview.

In 2005, Kunkle was given a lethal injection in Texas. His final words were, "I love you and I will see all of you in heaven."

This tragic story serves as a reminder of the power of music and its potential impact on individuals, for better or for worse. It also underscores the complexities and consequences of youthful mistakes and peer pressure.