Metallicamade its first hometown appearance since frontmanJames Hetfieldopened up about hismental health strugglesonstage in Brazil this month, returning to San Francisco’s Oracle Park for the San Francisco Giants’ annual Metallica Night.
The band played the national anthem at the stadium on Tuesday, May 24, marking the eighth season thebaseball teamhas paid tribute to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame act. It was also the first in-person Metallica Night since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
.@Metallicaplayed tonight’s national anthem with City Connect guitars and equipmentpic.twitter.com/a6lAkV0Db2
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants)May 25, 2022
As has become tradition, the members of the band participated in various activities throughout the game: Hetfield and guitaristKirk Hammettplayed an instrumental heavy metal version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” drummer Lars Ulrich threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and bassistRobert Trujilloannounced, “Play ball!”
“Obviously, as anybody who’s a Metallica fan knows, we’ve flown the flag for San Francisco for just about 40 years, and the relationship with the Giants has been very special,” Ulrichtold NBC Sports Bay Areain the Giants dugout before the game. “The fact that we have this tradition — for us, for the fans, for the city, for the Bay Area — is so super cool.”
Metallica frontman opens up about mental health struggles, cries onstage in Brazil
Always good to see our friends@Metallicapic.twitter.com/tlCbziQl2i
— SFGiants (@SFGiants)May 25, 2022
赫特菲尔德（Hetfield）在本月初在巴西举行的乐队演出中窒息了，因为他公开与歌迷谈论了他对现场表演的焦虑。
“I’ve got to tell you, I wasn’t feeling very good before I came out here. Feeling a little bit insecure, like, ‘I’m an old guy, can’t play anymore’ — all this bulls— that I tell myself in my head,” the 58-year-old singer and guitarist told the crowd at the Estádio do Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on Thursday, May 12. “So I talked to these guys, and they helped me — as simple as that. They gave me a hug and said, ‘Hey, if you’re struggling onstage, we’ve got your back.’ And I tell you, it means the world to me.”
Hetfield’s speech, which came just before Metallica played its classic song “Sad But True,” inspired the other band members — drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo — to walk over and join him in an impromptu group hug.
“And seeing you out there, I am not alone,” Hetfield added, pointing to the tears in his eyes. “I am not alone, and neither are you.”
The appearance at San Francisco’s Oracle Park came as Metallica prepares to headline the first night of this year’sBottleRock Napa Valleymusic festival, which is scheduled to take place Friday-Sunday, May 27-29, at the Napa Valley Expo.
Oh, and the Giantsdefeated the Metsin a wild 13-12 game.