Metallica

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Gibson Flying V

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett’s signature Gibson Flying V is available with $6000 off at Sweetwater... and frankly, Nothing Else Matters any more

By Matt Mills published

Buy the Metallica lead guitarist’s signature model for $8,999 in Sweetwater's Black Friday sale (wah-wah pedal not included)

Black Sabbath in 2014 and Metallica in 1992

“What Metallica did with the metal sound, turning it into thrash, was fantastic!” Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi says what was “brilliant” about thrash metal

By Matt Mills published

Metal’s OG guitarist pays tribute to the generation that followed his

Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Metallica and James Hetfield breathing from a helium balloon

Watch Metallica's James Hetfield playfully do his best Rob Halford impression with the help of a helium balloon during the making of St. Anger

By Liz Scarlett published

Papa Het can't quite reach the Judas Priest frontman's high notes without a little assistance, but nevertheless he gives it his best shot in this behind the scenes clip from Metallica's 2003 St. Anger sessions

Charlie Benante of Anthrax performs during Mx Metal Festo 2024 at velodromo on April 13, 2024 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante says Metallica were right about Napster and that Spotify is where "music goes to die"

By Stef Lach published

Anthrax and revived Pantera drummer says industry 'fucked us so bad. you'd make more money selling lemonade.'

Megadeth and Metallica performing live in 2024

“That’s a gutless thing to say!” Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine once walked out of spinal surgery because Metallica’s manager insulted him

By Matt Mills published

There’s “determined”, then there’s whatever the hell “climbing off of a surgery table to prove someone wrong” is

Some grammy nominated metal bands

2025 Grammy nominations revealed: Metallica, Judas Priest, Spiritbox, Knocked Loose, Gojira, Pearl Jam and St. Vincent amongst metal and rock names nominated

By Merlin Alderslade published

Thrash legends, metalcore heavyweights and rising hardcore ragers are included in next year's Grammy nominations!

Metallica posing for a photograph in 2003

“There was a very real chance that James wouldn’t be coming back. And all that time we spent waiting was horrible”: The tumultuous inside story of Metallica’s St Anger album

By Chris Ingham published

In 2003, Metal Hammer flew to New York to interview Metallica ahead of St Anger. We found a band who were bruised, battered but defiant

Metallica in 2022

"This will be the Metallica Family reunion we've been waiting for!" Metallica announce M72 tour dates in Australia and New Zealand

By Fraser Lewry published

18 months after Metallica's M72 tour began, the band have finally announced shows down under

Robert Trujillo and Steven Wilson

“I came down absolutely not knowing what to expect – and I came out a different person”: Robert Trujillo took profound inspiration from Steven Wilson, and believes Metallica would feel the same

By Jo Kendall published

The infectiously groovy Metallica bass player RobTrujillo was floored when he discovered Steven Wilson

James Hetfield and Emily Armstrong

Metallica and Linkin Park to headline Sick New World 2025, with Evanescence, Queens Of The Stone Age, Gojira, AFI, Mastodon, Sisters of Mercy, Kittie, Arch Enemy, Testament and more on insanely stacked bill

By Paul Brannigan published

The line-up for Sick New World 2025 has been revealed, and it's ridiculously great, tbh

Metallica in 2022

James Hetfield vows Metallica will never be "a legacy band"

By Stef Lach published

New music is a vital part of the package that thrash metal icons Metallica want to keep giving their fans

Metallica posing for a photograph in 2013

“I am absolutely proud of it. It was a big risk for us. Everything good usually is”: How Metallica tried to reinvent the rock movie with Through The Never

By Dom Lawson published

2013 was a banner year for Metallica – a brand new record label, their first gigs in China and the ambitious but divisive 3D movie Through The Never

Lars Ulrich of Metallica

"I remember him throwing his guitar up into the lighting rig, rubbing it against the speaker cabinets and playing it with his ass": Lars Ulrich on the first band to truly blow his mind

By Liz Scarlett published

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich recalls being nine years old and getting to watch the band that were "loudest and coolest thing" he'd ever seen

Eric Avery onstage with jane's Addiction in 2024, and Metallica in 2002

“I was just looking at it as a chance to go play Master Of Puppets for an afternoon”: Jane’s Addiction bassist Eric Avery reveals what shocked him about 2003 Metallica audition

By Matt Mills published

Avery auditioned to replace Jason Newsted in Metallica, but the role ultimately went to Robert Trujillo

Metallica's Robert Trujillo and James's Tim Booth

"His kid goes to our kid’s school, he's a lovely guy": how Metallica's Robert Trujillo and James singer Tim Booth became unexpected lunch buddies

By Niall Doherty published

The James frontman has been hanging out with the Metallica man in LA

Cliff Burton and James Hetfield

“Cliff still lives in all of us. I ask for his help still.” James Hetfield says that Cliff Burton still influences Metallica's songwriting, almost four decades on from the bassist's tragic death in 1986, aged 24

By Paul Brannigan published

James Hetfield acknowledges that Cliff Burton's influence on Metallica will never die

David Ellefson in 2010 and Metallica in 2002

“Lars called me, and you’re on a shortlist”: Former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson was in the running to replace Jason Newsted in Metallica

By Matt Mills published

Megadeth’s David Ellefson was shortlisted to join Metallica in 2003 – and he found out because Dave Mustaine told him

Metallica in 2024

The four horsemen ride! Metallica announce 2025 North American tour, including Sick New World and Sonic Temple festivals

By Matt Mills published

Metallica will continue their M72 world tour as they trek across North America next year

Robert Trujillo in 2024

“I didn’t want James Hetfield to smell the alcohol on me”: Robert Trujillo stayed up drinking until 5am before his Metallica audition

By Matt Mills published

The day before auditioning for the biggest band in metal, Trujillo was up partying all night with Lars Ulrich

James Hetfield

Metallica’s James Hetfield, actor in new western film, doesn’t seem to like acting: “Next time I’m asked to do something like this, remind me to say no”

By Matt Mills published

Hetfield has a role in western thriller The Thicket, currently in cinemas, alongside Game Of Thrones star Peter Dinklage