Metallica axemen Kirk Hammet and James Hetfield have launched a dual guitar assault on ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ in a precursor to Game 3 of the NBA Finals matchup between the band’s hometown Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors at Oakland’s Oracle Arena.
Surrounded by US flags, the legendary thrash duo performed a guitar-only version of the ‘Murican theme song, complete with soaring guitarmonies.
Sadly, it wasn’t powerful enough to fuel the injury-riddled Warriors to victory, with the Raptors bagging the win 123-109 despite GSW superstar Stephen Curry scoring a whopper 47 points.
Still, Metallica’s rendition of the anthem has definitely been better received than popstar Fergie’s was at last year’s NBA All Stars game and Chili Peppers bassist Flea’s was two years before that at Kobe Bryant’s farewell
:
The U.S. anthem should always be done by guitar, preferably by Metallica
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) June 6, 2019
The Metallica US anthem was awesome. Although I wish James Hetfield would have sung it too.
Oooohh saaay can you seeeeeeeeyyeaaaahhhh
— David Alter (@dalter) June 6, 2019
metallica playing the national anthem is what it’s all about pic.twitter.com/fx1JyM9LOv
— campbell g (@rodeoman) June 6, 2019
Metallica performing the national anthem is AMERICAN
— Eric (@FaZeJinx) June 6, 2019
The national anthem by #Metallica was straight fire!!!!
— Cliff Brunt (@CliffBruntAP) June 6, 2019
Watch Hammet & Hetfield shred ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ below, and ICYMI you can catch Metallica touring Australia alongside Slipknot this October.