Metallica turn the US national anthem into the ultimate guitar shred—watch
This week, fans were treated to another Metallica performance of the U.S. national anthem. Ahead of the Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers NBA game March 15, Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield gave a powerful metal performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Together, the musical duo transformed the classic national anthem into the ultimate guitar shred […]
Because Metallica reside in San Francisco, it’s no surprise that Hammett and Hetfield were part of the Golden State Warriors‘ NBA game this week. Although the Warriors went on to lose to the Lakers 128 to 97, Hammett and Hetfield gave the iconic performance just before tip-off.
Alongside two black monitors with “Strength in Numbers,” the Warriors logo and Metallica’s symbol across the front, Hammett and Hetfield’s guitar playing controlled the entire performance. Similar to their previous national anthem performances, Hammett took over the lead, playing the main melodies of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
Meanwhile, Hetfield overlaid numerous rhythmic notes, giving the patriotic song a powerful metal-inspired sound. Eventually, Hetfield ended the performance with a salute before Stephen Curry and LeBron James went head-to-head for the Lakers vs. Warriors game.
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Of course, this recent NBA appearance isn’t the first time Hammett and Hetfield have performed the U.S. national anthem. Back in 2013, Metallica held their first-everMetallica Night at AT&T Park which is now called Oracle Park. Since then, the event has become an annual occurrence for San Francisco Giants fans.
Along with Hammett and Hetfield’s national anthem performances, Lars Ulrichthrows the ceremonial first pitch during the events. The band also sign autographs for MLB fans, give interviews and release special merchandise for Metallica Night.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed things last year. Although the annual Metallica Night couldn’t happen, the band still supported the Giants. In September, Hammett and Hetfield played their iconic rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” while Robert Trujillo virtually threw the first pitch of the Giants vs. Colorado Rockies game.
Hammett and Hetfield’s latest U.S. national anthem performance arrives shortly after Metallica celebrated the 35th anniversary of Master Of Puppets. For the milestone, the band played the album’s explosive opener “Battery” on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
“There’s a bunch of people involved,” Watt told Guitar World. “I can’t say for sure until the end. But I started doing a bunch of basic tracks with Chad and Robert Trujillo, who used to play in Ozzy’s band. And Taylor Hawkins also came in and played a bunch on the record as well, which adds a different flair. It kind of harkened back to Ozzy’s ’80s era, in a great way. And I think it’s so cool for a rock fan to be able to listen to half an album with Chad Smith on drums, and then you flip it over and you get to hear Taylor Hawkins.”