Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett Play National Anthem at X Games — Video
You never know where Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett will turn up.
On Saturday, they performed the National Anthem—also known as "The Star-Spangled Banner"—to kick off the X Games in Austin, Texas.
The full band also performed at the X Games later that day, co-headlining the Super Stage alongside Nicki Minaj (of course). The lineup also featured Talib Kweli, Kid Ink, Pennywise, Deltron 3030, Joywave and the Glitch Mob.
A professionally mixed recording of that show is available for pre-order at Metallica's website and will cost $5 through July 15. Audio will be posted in the next few days (we'll keep you updated); all proceeds will benefit efforts to assist victims of the recent floods in Central Texas.
Enjoy!
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Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.

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