Month: November 2021

Ted Nugent has praised jurors who cleared Kyle Rittenhouse on the five charges against him — ranging from intentional homicide to reckless homicide to reckless endangerment — saying that “the most pure, righteous instinct and right to self-defense” was supported.

Rittenhouse fatally shot two people and wounded a third during a night of unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin last year following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse was acquitted on all five counts less than two weeks ago after a jury deliberated for 27 hours over the course of four days.

Nugent addressed the Ritenhouse verdict during his first post-Thanksgiving YouTube livestream on Monday (November 29). He said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Now is the time to optimize the thankfulness for this unique, wonderful, one-of-a-kind American dream, by taking advantage of examples of where good overcomes evil, where good overcomes bad and the ugly. And the ultimate example of that is that Kyle Rittenhouse implemented, executed perfect self-defense.

“If you’re against Kyle Rittenhouse, you’re on the side of evil,” he continued. “If you’re against Kyle Rittenhouse, you think that evil should win over good. That’s exactly what that means. If you are saying, ‘Thank you, God,’ ‘Thank you, the Kenosha jury,’ ‘Thank you, the Kenosha judge,’ ‘Thank you, Kyle Rittenhouse,’ because good people believe in good over evil, if you really believe that, a family — hallelujah — isn’t enough. You’ve gotta call your mayor, your senator, your congressman, your governor, your attorney general. Leave a message at their office that we believe in good over evil and we are thanking God and the Kenosha jury and the Kenosha court system for proving that the most pure, righteous instinct and right to self-defense is supported.

“This is a moment in time. This is a powerful moment for good people to stand up and be counted, because those against Kyle Rittenhouse are on the side of evil. They think that paroled child molestors and rapists and felons should be let out on the street to threaten our lives. And according to the left, according to CNN, according to the protestors against Kyle Rittenhouse, we should bend over and let evil kill us. That’s what the other side stands for. That’s sick. People against self-defense that are voicing against Kyle Rittenhouse, those people are sick. That is an evil sickness, to think that good people should surrender to life-threatening evil. That’s what we’re looking at here.

“Let everybody know that we support good over evil, Kyle Rittenhouse over evil, self-defense against evil, life-threatening forces,” Ted added. “Now is the time to shout that loud and proud everywhere we go.”

Earlier in the month, Nugent made headlines when he said during a podcast that he wanted to give a lifetime supply of ammunition to Rittenhouse. He told “Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen”: “I’m going to get a hold of Kyle Rittenhouse and I’m going to provide him a lifetime supply of ammunition.” The 72-year-old rocker added he would also “like to begin the Kyle Rittenhouse tactical masterclass because as a young man, boy did he do good. He knew that weapon.” Nugent went on to call Rittenhouse “a samurai” who “under those unbelievable, traumatic and physically assaultive conditions — he did his job.”

Reelz has announced December 2021 premieres with four new original specials “Frontman” exploring the real lives and success stories of infamous and immensely talented lead singers Ozzy Osbourne, Bruce Dickinson, Steven Tyler and David Lee Roth with insight from people who knew them best. As lead vocalists for game changing hard rock bands BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH and VAN HALEN, the superstars spotlighted in “Frontman” have been the voices of their generations and entertained millions of people on stage. Now in new “Frontman” specials, viewers will see the defining moments that sparked their insatiable need to perform and the destructive tendencies and addictions they grappled with while making music history.

“Revealing character profiles of music megastars have resonated with our viewers so we’re excited to show them more new original stories in ‘Frontman’,” said Steve Cheskin, SVP of programming at Reelz. “Illuminated by intimate details from first-hand accounts of experiences shared by friends and colleagues we look forward to delving into the lives of these fabled rockers.”

December 2021 premieres begin Saturday, December 4 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT with “Ozzy Osbourne: Black Sabbath Frontman” with a poignant look at the man who epitomized the unpredictable frontman renowned for his outrageous antics and exceptional performances. See how Osbourne went from being a shy and bullied child to becoming one of the most outlandish and revered frontmen in rock. Then on Sunday, December 5 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT it’s “Bruce Dickinson: Iron Maiden Frontman” detailing what drove his unquenchable desire to overachieve throughout his life. As a best-selling novelist, international fencer and airline pilot all while fronting the band Dickinson was as restless as he was successful and “Frontman” explores the roots of his remarkable story.

As lead singer for AEROSMITH, Steven Tyler has led the band to stratospheric success along with a rollercoaster ride of self destruction and unthinkable resurrections. In “Steven Tyler: Aerosmith Frontman” on Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT, see the story of a rock legend who seemed to be in a career death spiral several times yet managed to come back bigger and better each time. Wrapping December premieres on Sunday, December 12 is “David Lee Roth: Van Halen Frontman” at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT with the riveting story about the epic scale of Roth’s ambition to rule the stage and drive VAN HALEN to superstardom.

“Ozzy Osbourne: Black Sabbath Frontman” premieres on Saturday, December 4 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. Ozzy Osbourne is renowned as one of the craziest frontmen of all time. His antics include biting off a bat head and snorting ants on stage will go down in the annals of rock history. But what made Ozzy so frenetic? In this revealing look at the legendary lead vocalist of heavy metal band BLACK SABBATH, see Osbourne’s roots and the childhood trauma that forged the entertainer and made him want to “out-crazy” his peers. Sharing their experiences with Osbourne are his friends and colleagues including BLACK SABBATH’s first manager Jim Simpson and friend Geoff Lucas who help chart his life from his poverty-stricken upbringing in England through his rise to the top as frontman of BLACK SABBATH and his eventual dismissal after his drink and drug addiction overwhelmed him. Viewers will also see how his wife Sharon saved him from ruin and how she helped harness Osbourne’s wild side and turn him into one of the world’s most successful stars.

“Bruce Dickinson: Iron Maiden Frontman” premieres on Sunday, December 5 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. Nicknamed “The Air Raid Siren” for his trademark soaring high-pitched voice the frontman of IRON MAIDEN, Bruce Dickinson is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time. From humble beginnings attending an exclusive English boarding school where he defied the bullies and began his love of singing to joining IRON MAIDEN and becoming a celebrated frontman this is the real story of Dickinson. The ultimate overachiever he was also an award-winning author, radio show host and a commercial airline pilot in addition to battling cancer, performing in war torn Sarajevo and becoming an international fencer. Sharing their stories of knowing and working with one of the most dynamic frontmen of all time are childhood friend Mike Jordan and IRON MAIDEN producer Tony Platt who worked with Dickinson to shape his now unmistakable vocal style and range.

“Steven Tyler: Aerosmith Frontman” premieres on Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. As lead singer of AEROSMITH, Steven Tyler was one of the most iconic, bombastic and charismatic frontmen to ever take the stage. AEROSMITH saw major chart and commercial success with hits like “Dream On”, “Walk This Way” and “Love In An Elevator” selling more than 150 million albums making them the biggest-selling hard rock back in U.S. history. But despite phenomenal success time and time again Tyler’s career nose-dived into a negative spiral with drug and alcohol addiction almost killing him yet every time he fell Tyler came back even bigger and better than before. The story of the man with self-confessed “lead singer’s disease” is told by some of the people who know Tyler best, including former band manager Steve Leber and childhood friend and former bandmate Ray Tabano, among others.

“David Lee Roth: Van Halen Frontman” premieres on Sunday, December 12 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. One of the most famous, flamboyant and charismatic frontmen in the world, David Lee Roth is unlike most lead singers. The frontman of VAN HALEN is the same person both on and off stage and craves attention and adulation at all times. Growing up in rural Indiana, Roth showed early brilliance turning himself into a ferociously bright teenager. His determination to become a frontman led him to convince the Van Halen brothers to let him join their band and Roth’s infectious personality and memorable acrobatic stage presence helped make VAN HALEN one of the most popular rock bands in the world. His notorious rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle and fun-loving demeanor cemented Diamond Dave as, for some, the band’s only “real” frontman. Sharing their personal stories of Roth are childhood friend George Perez and former VAN HALEN band manager Marshall Berle.

After 20 years, seven studio albums and countless celebratory live shows, VOLBEAT have become ubiquitous and much loved. The Danish crew’s inspired musical formula has always seemed to come naturally, and whether fully immersed in the world of big metal riffs, or wistfully delving into rockabilly’s ageless charms, VOLBEAT have always been a simple and unpretentious proposition. They have been consistent, too. 2016’s slightly anemic “Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie” aside, every record has delivered some enduring anthems and gently tinkered with that formula. Two years on from the excellent “Rewind, Replay, Rebound”, the eighth VOLBEAT album upholds those standards and is, as longtime fans have come to expect, another big, bombastic rock ‘n’ metal album with a tall quiff and an itchy trigger finger.

There is always time to win new converts, of course, but VOLBEAT have no reason to deviate too wildly from their chosen path. That said, “Servant Of The Mind” does feature some of the heaviest songs the band have ever recorded, alongside a smattering of moderate curveballs, all of which combine to make this feel like their most complete record yet. Even as they do exactly what you hope and expect they will, VOLBEAT sound refocused and newly pumped up here. “The Sacred Stones”, “Becoming” and “Lasse’s Birgitta” are all huge heavy metal ragers, albeit still always blessed with one of Poulsen’s soaring vocal hooks. Recent single “Shotgun Blues” is less overtly heavy but still delivers a juddering punch: the sound of classic VOLBEAT with some fresh steroidal force coursing through its veins. Opener “Temple of Ekur” is as epic and overblown as its title implies, and is going to blow the roof clean off when accompanied by excessive pyro and the roar of a crowd.

Meanwhile, “Dagen Før” (featuring Stine Bramsen of Danish pop giants ALPHABEAT) is an unapologetic AOR banger, replete with made-for-radio, ’80s production sheen. Almost indecently catchy and yet still powered by VOLBEAT’s vision of electrified rock ‘n’ roll, it would have been a giant chart smash 40 years ago and may yet achieve that fate today. In contrast, “Step Into Light” is the album’s spooked-out rockabilly rampage; with some exquisite twangy guitar and a dash of post-punk menace, it is a deft change of pace and one of the finest songs here.

Admittedly, if you were hoping that VOLBEAT would do something radical and completely overhaul their sound, “Servant Of The Mind” is not the album for you. It will be, however, the album for a vast number of other people, as Denmark’s kings of rockabilly metal continue to stand alone, pockets bulging with massive, life-affirming tunes. The shows will be wild.



METALLICA played the song “Damage, Inc.” live for the first time in years during the band’s second headlining set at the Welcome To Rockville festival on November 14 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Professionally filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

Prior to the Rockville gig, METALLICA had not played “Damage, Inc.” for at least four years.

“Damage, Inc.” is the last song on METALLICA’s third album, “Master Of Puppets”, which was the first LP METALLICA recorded after signing a major label deal with Elektra Records.

The set only reached No. 29 on the Billboard album chart but has sold over six million copies in the U.S. since.

It is the last record to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who was killed later that year in a tour bus crash.

Several songs from the album are still staples of METALLICA’s live set, including “Battery”, “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” and the title track.

Welcome To Rockville, a four-day rock festival, kicked off its 10th edition on November 11 at a new home in Daytona Beach.

METALLICA played another show at Welcome To Rockville with a different setlist on November 12.

Along with two nights of METALLICA, this year’s Welcome To Rockville featured DISTURBED, SLIPKNOT, A DAY TO REMEMBER, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, LAMB OF GOD, SOCIAL DISTORTION, MASTODON and many others. The event was also livestreamed on Danny Wimmer Presents’s Twitch channel, featuring select performances, interviews and behind-the-scenes content at twitch.tv/DWPresents.

Earlier in the month, SCORPIONS released the official music video for their new single, “Peacemaker”. The track, which features music courtesy of guitarist Rudolf Schenker and bassist Pawel Maciwoda and lyrics by singer Klaus Meine, is taken from the band’s 19th studio album, “Rock Believer”, due on February 25, 2022.

Asked in a new interview with Chile’s Radio Futuro what fans can expect to hear on “Rock Believer”, Meine said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Well, you can expect an album that is dedicated to all the rock believers in the world. And we’re very excited after all these years. We thought, when you think about all the touring we did the last 10 years, after the release of ‘Return To Forever’ in 2015, the time was right to go back into the studio, to write new material, to write new songs and check out if the creativity is still working. The big aim was, the goal was to make a rock album — to make an album with lots of attitude, power and focus on the good old times and really enjoy the music and have some fun with the music. And that feels really good.”

Speaking about the “Rock Believer” album title, SCORPIONS guitarist Rudolf Schenker said: “Look, we are around the world since 50 years or more. And when somebody can say he’s a rock believer, then this is us. And of course, we meet our rock believers in front of us, our audience.

“So many people said rock is dead. It’s not dead,” he continued. “It’s always coming back — sometimes, okay, more stronger [or] less strong — but in the end, it’s great to play around the world in over 80 countries we’ve played so far, and all rock believers. It was always great to share the music with them together and be in connection with them. I mean, that’s so amazing and so fantastic, that we are very happy to come out with a new album. And yeah, let’s see what’s happening.”

Asked if “Peacemaker” is representative of “Rock Believer” as a whole, Klaus said: “It is an uptempo rock song, and this album really rocks. There are some heavy songs on the album, like when you think about ‘China White’ and ‘Animal Magnetism’, there’s a track on the record that is really in the best way of those songs. There are many uptempo songs and, believe it or not, there are even faster songs than ‘Peacemaker’. [Laughs] There’s also a very beautiful ballad on the album, and I’m sure there are fans out there especially love the SCORPIONS ballads, and they will enjoy this record as well very much. ‘Peacemaker’ is the appetizer for what the album is all about. It rocks.”

“Rock Believer” was recorded primarily at Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, Germany and was mixed at the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin, Germany with engineer Michael Ilbert, who has earned multiple Grammy nominations for his mix work with producer Max Martin on albums by Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.

“The album was written and recorded in the SCORPIONS DNA with core Schenker/Meine compositions,” said Klaus. “We recorded the album as a band live in one room, like we did in the ’80s.”

SCORPIONS’ new album will mark their first release since 2017’s “Born To Touch Your Feelings – Best Of Rock Ballads”, which was an anthology of new and classic material.

SCORPIONS originally intended to record the new album in Los Angeles with producer Greg Fidelman, whose previous credits include SLIPKNOT and METALLICA. However, because of the pandemic, some of the initial work was done with Greg remotely, after which SCORPIONS opted to helm the recordings themselves with the help of their engineer Hans-Martin Buff.

Meine previously told Talking Metal that the goal with using Fidelman to produce “Rock Believer” was to bring “the old vibe from albums like ‘Blackout’, ‘Love At First Sting’ or even ‘Lovedrive’. We try to focus on those albums and this attitude,” he said. “If we get there, who knows — it’s so many years later. But it’s the spirit and it’s the whole vibe around this album. This time, the focus is on the harder songs.”

According to Meine, SCORPIONS’ new LP features “no outside writers at all,” unlike 2015’s “Return To Forever”, which was largely co-written by the album’s producers, Mikael Nord Andersson and Martin Hansen.

SCORPIONS will kick off their “Rock Believer” world tour in March 2022 in Las Vegas where the band will play nine shows as part of their residency at Planet Hollywood Hotel. Afterwards they will cross the Atlantic to Europe where they will play six concerts in France and six shows In Germany supported by Wolfgang Van Halen’s new band MAMMOTH WVH.

SCORPIONS’ last full-length collection of new recordings was the aforementioned “Return To Forever”, partially comprising songs the band had in the vault from the ’80s. It was the final recorded appearance of SCORPIONS’ longtime drummer James Kottak, who was dismissed from the band in September 2016. He has since been replaced by Mikkey Dee, formerly of MOTÖRHEAD.

DISTURBED frontman David Draiman lit a candle at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel earlier today (Tuesday, November 30) at the Old City site of the terror attack that killed South African immigrant Eli Kay.

Draiman, who is Jewish, took to his Instagram to share a few photos of his appearance, and included the following message: “A truly wonderful experience. Thanks so much to everyone who came out!”

Last week, Draiman told The Jerusalem Post that he wanted to make a statement by coming to Israel after seeing the coverage of the attack in which a Hamas gunman opened fire on pedestrians in the Old City.

“The coverage was reprehensible in the vast majority of American and European media,” Draiman said. “It’s scandalous how they presented it. Headlines like ‘Palestinian shot dead.’ Well, why was the Palestinian shot dead? Because he was perpetrating a terrorist attack. I love how the context is always flipped around.”

Although David — who has some 200 relatives living in Israel — had visited the country many times before, DISTURBED’s July 2019 show in Tel Aviv was the band’s first performance in the Jewish state. Draiman addressed the crowd in Hebrew at many points during the show at Live Park Rishon LeZion and sang the Israeli national anthem “Hatikvah”.

Draiman wore an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) T-shirt during the concert and at one point declared: “This is for all the IDF soldiers.”

DISTURBED’s song “Never Again”, from 2010’s “Asylum” album, was written about the Holocaust and calls out people who deny it.

The Tel Aviv show marked the first time DISTURBED performed “Never Again” since 2011.

Both of Draiman’s maternal grandparents were survivors of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, while many others on his mother’s side were wiped out by the Nazis.

The United States Holocaust Museum has featured Draiman in its “Voices On Anti-Semitism” podcasts.

In recent years, Draiman spoke out against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, which calls for economic pressure on Israel to end the occupation of Palestinian land, grant Arab citizens equal rights and recognize the right of return to Palestinian refugees.

Nearly two and a half years ago, Draiman spoke to KAN radio, where he called BDS advocates “idiots” and “Nazis in suits.”

Draiman has in the past battled with Twitter trolls who have harassed him about his sometimes-controversial views regarding Israel and its ongoing conflict with the Palestinians. Draiman has had frequent heated exchanges with followers on Twitter, some of whom believe that Israel is not blameless in the ongoing conflict with Palestinians.

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Karl Sanders, the driving force behind South Carolina’s Egyptian-themed death metal titans NILE, has signed with Napalm Records for the release of the new album from his solo project.

Following the first two “Saurian” project albums — “Saurian Meditation” (2004) and “Saurian Exorcisms” (2009) — Karl is ready to unleash more musical musings from inside his eclectically influenced mind. To date, each “Saurian” release has explored unique, original compositions of haunting, primarily Middle Eastern inspired music in a cinematic, ambient and mostly instrumental format — similar to the quiet, exotic interludes found on NILE albums. Providing a diverse escape for both fans of NILE and those otherwise intrigued by its world music aura, “Saurian” proves that Sanders’s universe is anything but one-dimensional.

In addition to releasing new “Saurian” music, Napalm will reissue both “Saurian Meditation” and “Saurian Exorcisms”, with more details to come.

Sanders says about the signing: “I am just thrilled to death that we have signed up with Napalm Records for the new Karl Sanders ‘Saurian’ album. I am really happy that we have found such a good home for both NILE and my ‘Saurian’ side project, as they are a great company with some sincere people. I am looking forward in earnest to working together with everyone at Napalm to bring fans the new ‘Saurian’ music, as well as re-releasing the first two ‘Saurian’ records.”

Besides Sanders, the only other musician appearing on “Saurian Exorcisms” was Mike Breazeale, who contributed chants and some vocals.

At the time of “Saurian Exorcisms”‘s release, Sanders said that his influences were more varied and far-reaching than NILE fans may suspect. “What I’ve been trying to do is move away from strict Egyptian kind of influences and incorporate a broader range of inspiration,” he said. “The music I’m making is not strictly traditional Egyptian music. I borrow and steal from the traditional music of many different cultures. There’s some Tibetan stuff, some Indian stuff, some Arabic stuff, and so forth.”

NILE’s ninth studio album, “Vile Nilotic Rites”, was released in November 2019 via Nuclear Blast.

Newly inducted Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers FOO FIGHTERS will embark on a North American tour next spring and summer. The band has just confirmed 17 more marathon evenings of life-affirming rock communion, to take place at amphitheaters, stadiums and festivals during May, July and August of 2022.

Tickets for the newly announced headline shows will be on sale to the public Friday, December 3 at 10 a.m. local time.

The 2022 dates will mark FOO FIGHTERS’ most extensive North American run since the February release of the band’s 10th album, “Medicine At Midnight” (Roswell/RCA) — hailed as “brighter and more optimistic than anything they’ve ever done” (Rolling Stone)” and “one of FOO FIGHTERS’ best albums of this century” (The Wall Street Journal).

Citi is the official presale credit card of the FOO FIGHTERS’ “Live In North America 2022” tour. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets beginning Tuesday, November 30 at 12 p.m. ET until Thursday, December 2 at 10 p.m. local time through Citi Entertainment.

FOO FIGHTERS’ 2022 North American tour dates:

May 14 – The Pavilion at Star Lake – Burgettstown, PA
May 20 – Coastal Credit Union Music Park – Raleigh, NC
May 24 – PNC Music Pavilion – Charlotte, NC
Jul. 17- Citi Field – New York, NY
Jul. 19 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY
Jul. 22 – Rogers Centre – Toronto, ON
Jul. 24 – Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, PA
Jul. 27 – Maine Savings Amphitheater – Bangor, ME
Jul. 29 – Osheaga Festival – Montreal, QC
Aug. 01 – Ruoff Music Center – Noblesville, IN
Aug. 03 – Huntington Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, MN
Aug. 06 – Empower Field at Mile High – Denver, CO
Aug. 08 – USANA Amphitheater – Salt Lake City, UT
Aug. 10 – Big Sky Events Arena – Big Sky, MT
Aug. 13 – T-Mobile Park – Seattle, WA
Aug. 18 – Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
Aug. 20 – Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA

“Medicine At Midnight” landed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart with first-week sales of 64,000 copies in the U.S.

FOO FIGHTERS previously topped the chart with 2017’s “Concrete And Gold” and 2011’s “Wasting Light”.

23,000 of “Medicine At Midnight”‘s first-week sales came from vinyl LP sales, with CDs and digital albums registering 20,000 each.

“Medicine At Midnight” is a nine-song, 37-minute effort which was produced by the FOO FIGHTERS and Greg Kurstin.

Acclaimed guitar virtuosos RODRIGO Y GABRIELA have received a Grammy Award nomination for “Best Arrangement, Instrumental Or A Cappella” for their version of METALLICA’s “The Struggle Within”, featured on the recently released tribute album “The Metallica Blacklist”. The nod marks the duo’s second-ever Grammy nomination, following their previous “Best Contemporary Instrumental Album” win for 2019’s “Mettavolution”.

The 64th annual Grammy Awards will be presented on January 31, 2022, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA’s dexterous rendition of “The Struggle Within” is available now at all DSPs and is joined by an official visualizer, streaming via YouTube. In addition, an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of “The Struggle Within” is streaming now. All profits from the song benefit METALLICA’s All Within My Hands foundation and the community-driven conservation non-profit Whales Of Guerrero.

Hailed by Variety as “a fleet-fingered, clattering tango,” “The Struggle Within” was met by rave reviews from media outlets everywhere, with Guitar World declaring it “awe-inspiring… RODRIGO Y GABRIELA stay remarkably true to the original, trading its military-style intro snare rolls for expertly delivered percussive slaps and James Hetfield’s vocals for smooth, oft-slide-driven unplugged leads. (Rodrigo) even replicates Kirk Hammett’s guitar solo note-for-note on acoustic guitar.”

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA have long celebrated the inspiration of METALLICA on their own distinctive music, including classic reimaginings of “Orion” and “Battery”, the latter featured on 2019’s “Mettal” EP. The duo recently discussed their shared passion for METALLICA, their approach to translating “The Struggle Within” to an acoustic, instrumental track, and much more in an exclusive two-part Metallica.com So What! interview streaming now.

This fall saw the release of “The Jazz Mettal” EP, a special CD release pairing the three thrash metal covers of the “Mettal” EP with this year’s three-track “Jazz” EP, collecting distinctive renditions of songs by Snarky Puppy, Kamasi Washington and Argentinian tango master Astor Piazzolla.

Photo credit: Joby Sessions