Nov302022

Metallica – Lux Æterna Chords on Piano & Ukulele

Updated January 8, 2026

ChordsD5 C#5 C5 B5 Am D#5 A5 G F E G5 F5 A#5 A#C

KeyKeyCapo

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[Intro]
D5  C#5  C5  B5  3x
Am  Am
Am    D5   D#5
 Am    D5   D#5
 Am    D5   D#5
Am    D5   D#5
A5   D5   D#5

 Am    D5   D#5
Am    D5   D#5  2x

[Verse 1]
Am      C5   D5    C5
 Anticipa---tion
G        C5   B5
 In domina---tion
Am        C5     D5  C5
A sea of hearts beat as
  G        C5   B5
 one, unified
Am       C5   D5    C5
 Magnifica---tion
G         C5   B5
 All genera---tions
Am             C5    D5
 Approaching thun---der
 C5  G           C5    B5
   awaiting the light

[Pre-Chorus]
F
 Full speed or nothing
E
 Full speed or nothing

[Chorus]
      Am    D5   D#5
Lux Æterna
   Am    D5   D#5
      Am    D5   D#5
Lux Æterna
   Am    D5   D#5

[Instrumental]
Am    D5   D#5
 Am    D5   D#5  | 2x

[Verse 2]
Am      C5   D5    C5
 Exhilara---tion
G             C5   B5
 Frenzied sensa---tion
Am          C5  D5
 Kindred alli---ance
 C5  G        C5   B5
con-nected inside
Am       C5   D5    C5
 Commisera---tion
G          C5   B5
 Sonic salva---tion
Am             C5  D5
 Cast out the de--mons
 C5     G           C5   B5
 that strangle your life

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[Pre-Chorus]
F
 Full speed or nothing
E
 Full speed or nothing

[Chorus]
      Am    D5   D#5
Lux Æterna
   Am    D5   D#5
      Am    D5   D#5
Lux Æterna
   Am    D5   D#5

[Instrument]
A5    D5   D#5
 A5  D5   D#5
A5    D5   D#5

[Bridge]
 A5         G5   F5
Lux Æterna

[Solo]
E    A5   A#5
 E    A5   A#5   2x

A#   C   A#   C
 A#   C   A#5   A5    G5 2x

[Instrument]
Am   Am   Am  Am   C
 Am    D5   D#5
 Am    D5   D#5
 Am    D5   D#5   C
Am   D5   D#5  Am
  D5   D#5  2x

[Verse 3]
Am      C5   D5    C5
 Emancipa---tion
G         C5   B5
 Kill isola---tion
Am      C5   D5   C5
Never alone for the
  G         C5    B5
 feelings alike
Am       C5   D5    C5
 Amplifica---tion
G               C5   B5
 Lightning the na---tion
Am       C5   D5
 Never alive more
  C5  G            C5    B5
Than right here tonight

[Pre-Chorus]
F
 Full speed or nothing
E
 Full speed or nothing

[Chorus]
      Am    D5   D#5
Lux Æterna
  Am    D5   D#5
      Am    D5   D#5
Lux Æterna
   Am    D5   D#5

[Instrumental]
A5   D5   D#5
D5   C#5   C5    B5
 D5   C#5   C5    B5
D5   C#5   C5    B5
 Am   Am
 Am    D5   D#5

[Outro]
Am   D5   D#5
    Light it

How to play Lux Æterna: key, chords and progression

These are Lux Æterna chords by Metallica on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, and Keyboard.

Lux Æterna by Metallica keeps coming home to G major (one sharp: F♯). You need 17 chords: D5, C#5, C5, B5, Am, D#5, A5, G, F, E, G5 and F5 and 5 more.

Listen for Am – D5 – D#5 – Am (ii – V – ♭VI – ii in G major): the song comes back to it again and again. Once these 4 changes are comfortable, most of the song is done.

Good to know: C#5, B5, D#5, F and F5 are played as barre or movable shapes on guitar. Practise the change into them slowly; on piano and ukulele the same chords are easier.