They Are The Architects Of What We Know As Heavy Metal

Again in October of 2023, Metallica shared a photograph of Kirk Hammet and James Hetfield rocking out to Judas Priest through the Steel Gods efficiency on the Energy Journey Competition in California. The photograph was taken by Ross Halfin, the band’s longtime photographer.

Final Could 25, bassist Robert Trujillo, and guitarist Kirk Hammett participated in a Q&A session on the Metallica: The Black Album in Black & White guide signing session that happened in Munich, which was hosted by Halfin, and through the occasion, that exact same picture was displayed on the display whereas Trujillo was flipping by way of a few of Halfin‘s captured moments.

Hammett minced no phrases when reflecting on the second: “We had been worshipping on the altar of Judas Priest. Their music means a lot to us. And the way in which Glenn Tipton and Okay.Okay. Downing performed the guitars — I imply, they’re architects of what we now know as heavy steel, to place it bluntly. And James and I, we love Priest.”

“We do not actually get an opportunity to see bands, a number of occasions, after we’re enjoying an enormous competition or one thing as a result of we’re at all times backstage doing press or preparing for the present or rehearsing or no matter,” Hammett defined concerning the rarity of such second for them. “So after we did Energy Journey, we bought there early — just a few days early — simply in order that we may see all the opposite bands. And it was nice — the anticipation of seeing Iron Maiden, Priest, AC/DC, and Guns N’ Roses, and really seeing them. It was an exquisite time.”

Trujillo additionally added a humorous remark, highlighting the surreal vibe through the competition: “And it was type of a visit as a result of, on the ultimate day of the Energy Journey competition, it was, like, ‘Oh, that is proper. We now have to play now.'”