Latest news with #JamesHetfield
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘80s Metal Band Icon Shocks Crowd with Powerful Closing Statement at Concert
'80s Metal Band Icon Shocks Crowd with Powerful Closing Statement at Concert originally appeared on Parade. Arguably the biggest metal band of the past forty years is Metallica. The band came to prominence in the mid-80s for their album "Master of Puppets," whose title track has become one of the most iconic metal songs ever written. The band exploded into the mainstream in the next decade with their black album, which made them a household name. The band has seen consistent touring throughout the career, selling out stadiums and playing massive shows to millions of fans around the world. Songs like "Enter Sandman," "For Whom The Bell Tolls," and "One" have cemented the band as one of the most successful representatives of the metal genre. At a recent concert, lead singer of the band James Hetfield got on the mic to give a message out to all the fans at the end of the show, and people are pretty moved by his words. Take a look. Fans left their reactions to the kind words in the comments, showing how affected they were by the care shown by the singer. "He's so sweet. ❤️" "METAL GODS!" "He truly is Papa Het to us all. ♥️" It's always nice to see the humanity in the musicians we idolize, especially when they're giving back to an audience that has given them so much.🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 '80s Metal Band Icon Shocks Crowd with Powerful Closing Statement at Concert first appeared on Parade on May 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iconic Metal Guitarist, 62, Makes Bold Statement About His Career
Iconic Metal Guitarist, 62, Makes Bold Statement About His Career originally appeared on Parade. For over forty years, Kirk Hammett has delivered one scorching solo after another as the lead guitarist for Metallica. Hammet joined the band in 1983, replacing original lead guitarist Dave Mustaine. Along with guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, and then-bassist Cliff Burton, Hammet ushered in a new wave of heavy metal and helped make Metallica one of the biggest bands in the world. The band's first four albums are considered thrash metal classics. Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets and …And Justice For All helped Metallica cultivate a loyal following of headbangers. They would achieve massive mainstream success with their fifth album, the self-titled LP commonly known as The Black Album. And Hammett thinks The Black Album is his finest moment. "It's weird, because my opinion of that changes all the time," he told Metal Hammerin a new interview. "I don't sit around listening to Metallica…I don't look in the rear-view mirror too often. The whole band is like that – we just move on." "But I will say, there was a period where I thought my playing was [explicative] spot on, and that was The Black Album. Those solos wrote themselves! Almost all of them worked out instantly," he added. "There were only a few things I wasn't prepared for, and that was 'The Unforgiven' solo, which is pretty well documented," he says, referring to his well-documented clashes with producer Bob Rock. "And the solo for 'My Friend Of Misery.' But because the solo of 'The Unforgiven' ended up being so spontaneous, that made me want to do them all like that from that point on." Metallica will perform at Black Sabbath/Ozzy Osbourne's final show on July 5. The lineup includes bands such as Mastodon and Gojira, as well as additional performances by legends like KK Downing of Judas Priest, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, and Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins. Recently, Metallica vocalist James Hetfield closed out a packed show with a passionate message that touched the hearts of Metal Guitarist, 62, Makes Bold Statement About His Career first appeared on Parade on Jun 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
We've ranked every Ghost album from worst to best
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Formed by Tobias Forge in 2008 in Linköping, Sweden, Ghost have charted a meteoric trajectory from the tiny clubs of their homeland to the arenas and festival stages of the world, counting the likes of James Hetfield, Dave Grohl and Duff McKagan among their devoted followers - not to mention the millions of converts they continue to leave in their wake. Visually captivating, the Swedes appear as a spooky, blasphemous horde, with a ghoulish anti-Pope as a frontman, leading a pack of anonymous musicians shrouded by dark robes, masks and other nightmare-inducing garb. Every album cycle brings with it a drastic makeover, including a 'new' frontman - the most recent of which, Papa V Perpetua, took the reigns for 2025's bombastic Skeletá. Of course, their success would be nothing without the music, an absurdly-catchy blast of 70s hard rock, 80s metal and ample doses of pop, prog and even show tunes. As the band evolves, their tunes seemingly get all the more glittery and over the top - and the cult just will not stop growing. That said, here's our official ranking of every single Ghost album released thus far, in reverse order of greatness. A cruel, but understandable consequence of a breakout debut — like 2010's Opus Eponymous, for example — is the corrosive deluge of expectations that await the sophomore effort. Ghost found themselves in this very situation with the release of Infestissumam. At times campy (the ABBA cover, I'm A Marionette) and other times fiendishly heavy (Per Aspera Ad Inferi), their second album leveraged the band's burgeoning notoriety in an effective, if calculating way. The front half of Infestissumam absolutely smokes, from the soaring choral harmonies of the title track straight through to the blood-pumping sacrilege of Year Zero. The latter half however, fails to keep pace. The final few tracks are not without their own seditious charms but they collectively lack the kind of ginormous hooks or arena-sized choruses that incite the raising of lighters, the dusting of speed limits or the feverish pounding of chests - that is, until the magnificent Monstrance Clock wraps things up. A fine album, by any estimation, but one that captures Ghost reconciling their first real dose of fame with somewhat mixed results. We're already at the point where it's becoming difficult to separate Ghost records in terms of sheer quality, such has been the consistency of Tobias Forge's output over the years. While Skeletá still ploughed its own path - most of all through a uniquely existential new bent of lyrical focus from Forge - it very much feels like an album joyously waltzing around the same, glittery, 80s dancefloor that Impera and, to a lesser extent, Prequelle gaily strutted on. In that sense, it perhaps falls just a little short of its predecessors - there's nothing quite on the level of a Call Me Little Sunshine, a Rats or a Darkness At The Heart Of My Love here - but it's still absolutely stacked with killer cuts, not least the awe-inspiring opening triple-hit of Peacefield, Lachryma and Satanized, all of which already sit snugly within Ghost's upper tier of all-time bangers. It's undoubtedly the album's best run, but there are some other big highs: Cenotaph sneaks a beautiful emotional punch under it's Quo-aping boogie-riffs; Marks Of The Evil One is an urgent slice of dramatic arena metal; Umbra manages to cram a woozie space-prog break into its otherwise instantaneous synth-rock. All in all, a damn good album, only slightly overshadowed by the sky-high bar Tobias has set for himself. Produced by the Midas-fingered pop maestro Klas Åhlund (Madonna, Usher, Katy Perry), Ghost's magnificent third album revealed aspirations that extended far beyond their metal fanbase, straight into the bloody, beating heart of the mainstream. Witness mega-addictive, instantly-hummable tracks like Cirice and From The Pinnacle To The Pit. Whereas Blue Oyster Cult and Mercyful Fate had offered the most well-lit reference points on the first two albums, Meliora celebrates the brutal potency of the Almighty Riff, courtesy of bangers like Mummy Dust and the unabashedly AC/DC-esque Absolution. Far more than a rehash of the first two albums, Meliora discloses its vast depth in the velvety Laurel Canyon harmonies of He Is, in its baroque organ passages (Spirit), and in the anti-religious bombast of classical choirs (Deus In Absentia). Masterfully balancing its sharp siege of power riffs with softer moments of genuine melodic splendour, Meliora never feels scattered. Meant to be enjoyed at neighbour-bothering levels. The album that started it all. By the late-Noughties, a handful of retro outfits had struck commercial gold by reverting to the oldest trick in the retro rock songbook - sound exactly like Led Zeppelin (see Wolfmother, Graveyard, etc.). It was something of a revelation, then, when Ghost smashed their way into the thick of the fray with elegant, melodic compositions, radiating with warm production and showcasing Forge's feathery vocal harmonies. Where was all the noisy, overdriven Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden worship? They were there, of course, but stitched deep within more obvious references such as Blue Öyster Cult, Mercyful Fate and Pentagram, as well as with less-conspicuous influences like Uriah Heep, Demon and the Devil's Blood. As the funereal organ passages of opener Deus Culpa give way to the unholy wail of guitars and keyboards in Con Clavi Con Dio, you know you're in for a literal Hell of a ride. Tracks like Ritual and Stand By Him combine surging, hard rock riffing with spacious choruses big enough to knock satellites out of orbit. There's not a bad track on the album. Opus offered a convincing demonstration that Ghost could not merely conjure a unique sound but they could effectively employ it in a broad range of styles, from the heaviness of tracks like Satan Prayer or Elizabeth to the smooth instrumental purr of Deus Culpa and Genesis. Unsurprisingly, with its overt Satanism and galloping riffs, the album's earliest adopters hailed from the metal community, which is no small feat, considering that Opus is not a pure metal album by any stretch. In fact, one of Opus' highest achievements is that it inspired diehard metalheads to expand their sonic horizons; to look beyond genres, beyond blastbeats and beyond metal's beer-stained, leather-and-studded tropes and to appreciate catchy, mainstream rock at its finest. In 2019, in the midst of Prequelle's album cycle, Forge stated that its successor had already been conceived and that it would be a darker and heavier effort altogether. Yet, at first blush, Impera feels like Prequelle's younger sibling – a bit livelier and more colourful and in some ways more extreme, yet very much a sonic pairing. Bursting with juicy glam metal hooks, Impera uncorks one banger after another. From the siege of power chords and the piercing opening wail of Kaisarion to the towering gothic grandeur of Hunter's Moon, Impera bottles all of the energy and theatricality of an 80s stadium show. Informed by Andrew Lloyd Weber as much as Def Leppard, Forge once again partnered with Klas Åhlund to synthesise his grandiose vision into an ambitious and cunningly-catchy affair. You want pure pop? Spillways, with its breezy chorus and blinding fretwork will do you nicely. If it's balladry ye seek, Darkness At The Heart Of My Love unfolds with a memorable, lighter-waving, arms-around-your-mate chorus that you'll still be humming days after you've last heard the song. Doggedly fresh and genuinely affecting, Impera is an instant classic. Ghost's fourth album remains their greatest show of force – a relentlessly ambitious outing that synthesised Ghost's trademark sound with Forge's grand, theatrical vision, exemplified by the lush choral pageantry of Pro Memoria and closer Life Eternal. Further underscoring the Broadway vibes were the instrumentals – the dreamy Helvetesfonster and Miasma, a proggy space rock voyage, building to an exhilarating crescendo that manages to include both an unambiguous Michael Jackson reference and a goddamned saxophone solo. We'd be forced to draw Spinal Tap comparisons if the band didn't pull these off so utterly convincingly. Prequelle also reaffirmed Forge's enduring love affair with the polished album rock of the early-80s in the guise of full-tilt anthems like Rats and Witch Image. Swedish to the core, he also boasts a preternatural gift for writing sugary pop classics, none catchier than the dancefloor-packing Dance Macabre. Prequelle is both an extension of all that fuelled Ghost's rapid ascent and a bold step forward. The whole thing could have backfired, alienating potential new fans with its unvarnished Luciferian imagery, while repelling existing fans with its heavy pop and showtune undercurrents. Instead, it dazzled them all. Debuting at number three on the Billboard charts, Prequelle united critics and fans in frothy acclaim, attracted legions of new followers and it has easily stood the test of time, destined to enjoy, dare we say, 'Life Eternal.'
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Seeing Metallica live it's clear to see why fans still love these four rock gods
RIDE THE LIGHTNING | As one fan said, 'Metallica didn't just play Philadelphia tonight, they detonated it!' Last weekend I travelled to Philadelphia to find the answer after they announced two mega-shows for Dublin's Aviva Stadium in June 2026, with tickets going on sale tomorrow morning at 10am. I met superfans who have built their lives around Metallica, some having seen them hundreds of times as they followed their heroes around the globe with like-minded souls. And watching the American group's two incendiary shows at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field stadium - or 'The Linc' as it's locally known - last Friday and Sunday night it was clear to see why fans love these four iconic rock gods. Metallica performs at JWA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, New York, on April 19, 2025 Despite the heavy nature of the songs, the Metallica live experience is an adrenaline pumping, crowd bonding, mind-blowing, life affirming, fun event. As one fan said, 'Metallica didn't just play Philadelphia tonight, they detonated it!' Since opening in April 2023 in Amsterdam, their M72 World Tour has already seen Metallica strut their stuff on stage to around four million fans. After 44 years at the top of their game and with nothing to prove, the band members could be forgiven for sticking their juggernaut on cruise control at every performance these days. But watching them take fans on a rollercoaster ride around a giant stage in each of their brace of shows at The Linc last weekend, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo looked like they were still fired up with enthusiasm for the challenge of live performing and were having the time of their lives on stage. Their interactions with each other were like those of an emerging band that had suddenly hit the big time and couldn't believe their good fortune. And despite playing to around 67,000 metal heads in the giant stadium that is home to the Philadelphia Eagles American football team, the Metallica behemoths somehow managed to make a personal connection with each member of the audience. Entering the stadium you immediately see the first star of the show, a breath-taking stage 'in the round' with eight gigantic towers hosting video screens and a colossal sound system that ensures even fans sitting in the gods have a good experience. Metallica performs at JWA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, New York, on April 19, 2025 Throughout the night, Metallica unleashed a barrage of their most celebrated and revered songs from their impressive arsenal, with manic drumming from skinsman Lars driving the full-on, power-packed performance. James Hetfield's voice is a force of nature and he looks like he's in the best shape of his life these days - having struggled with alcohol abuse in the past - as he prowls the stage mesmerising us with his guitar work. 'Music saves my life every day, I hope you feel the same,' Hetfield told us at the first show. On the second night he addresses the issue of suicide… 'I know darkness, I know everyone here knows darkness, and we don't know how hard it needs to get to go there (suicide). But that permanent solution to a temporary problem is not worth it. 'I say talk, talk that sh*t out, get that sh*t out… that's not why you're here. You are here to be loved and cherished, so talk to your friends.' The M72 Tour in support of their 72 Seasons album is also a No Repeat Weekend experience, where the legendary band delivers two completely different sets with two unique opening acts each night. Read more The support acts announced for Aviva Stadium next June are Gojira, Pantera, Knocked Loose and Avatar. And in each city they visit they do a 'takeover' with lots of sideline shows and attractions. In Philadelphia last weekend there were seven events, including A Conversation with Kirk Hammett, who was interviewed at a local venue called The Fillmore, and a pop up merchandise store. Superfan Brian Thomas from Raleigh, North Carolina told us that at this stage his connection with Metallica is as much about the bonds he's built with other fans from all over the world as the music and live shows. What does he think is the appeal of Metallica? 'They're an American institution,' he says. 'Even people who aren't fans, they know Metallica because they hear them all the time. 'You can't go to a sporting event in the United States without hearing a Metallica song because it's high energy, excellent music, amps the crowd up and everybody's feeling good when they hear it.' Metallica's M72 World Tour will play Dublin's Aviva Stadium on June 19 & 21, 2026. Two-night tickets go on sale tomorrow morning at 10am. For further information, enhanced experiences, travel packages and more, see here
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Metallica is bringing its M72 World Tour to Dublin — here's what you need to know
Metallica is confirmed to bring its record-breaking M72 World Tour to Dublin next year as part of a 16-show extension of the tour in Europe and the UK. Since opening in April 2023 in Amsterdam, the M72 tour has seen Metallica play to some four million fans. The tour's European and UK itinerary will continue the No Repeat Weekend tradition, with each night of the two shows in each city featuring entirely different setlists and support lineups. These will include the band's shows at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt on May 22 and 24 and at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on June 19 and 21, at Puskas Arena in Budapest on June 11 and June 13 and at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 3 and 5. M72 2026 will also bring several single shows offering fans the tour's full production, with its massive in-the-round stage, to cities including Athens (May 9), Bucharest (May 13), Chorzów (May 19), Zurich (May 27), Berlin (May 30), Bologna (June 3), Glasgow (June 25) and Cardiff (June 28). Singer/guitarist James Hetfield of Metallica performs during a stop of the band's WorldWired Tour at T-Mobile Arena on November 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Picture:. Why are there two shows in the same city in one weekend? Four stops on the 2026 tour will continue the No Repeat Weekend tradition of the tour. Metallica will play two completely different setlists each night, with two different opening acts for each show in Frankfurt, Budapest, Dublin, and London. Will single-day tickets be available for the No Repeat Weekend shows? A limited number of single-day tickets for No Repeat Weekend shows will be available on July 25, 2025. There will be a fan club presale before this date, with exact details to be announced. Does purchasing a two-day ticket mean I will be seated/standing in the same location each night? Yes, each ticket allowing entry to the two shows will be in the same location, either the same seat or the same standing area. When do tickets go on sale? The general sale for two-night No Repeat Weekends Dublin tickets will take place at 10am on Friday on Fan club pre-sales began on May 27. All fan club members need to request a personal presale ticket code here.. A code will be emailed to the profile address and appear on the Fifth Member profile page. Each code is good for purchasing up to four tickets per show, including Snake Pit tickets. For more information or to sign up to join the fan club, visit How much are tickets? Two-night tickets for Dublin's Aviva Stadium on 19 and 21 June cost from €121.25 to €261.25, subject to Ticketmaster charges. Is there a limit on the number of tickets I can buy? There is a ticket limit of six tickets per online purchase on Are accessible tickets available? Yes, accessible tickets for the Aviva Stadium gigs are available. To purchase accessible tickets, click here. Will more shows be added to the tour? Likely yes. Fans are advised to keep an eye on for details about additional dates in 2026. What are the Enhanced Experience packages? Enhanced Experiences are available for all non-festival shows. Offerings include access to a meet and greet, production and stage tours, food and beverage in the Black Box Lounge, Snake Pit Passes, and early entry into the venue. Visit for more details. Who are the supporting acts? The European and UK leg of the M72 tour, which is produced by Live Nation, will see support from Gojira, Pantera, Knocked Loose and Avatar.
