Metallica’s James Hetfield has shared a spoken-word version of ’Twas The Night Before Christmas’. Check it out below.
- READ MORE: Metallica live in Amsterdam: still the greatest heavy metal band around
The musician’s version of the 1823 poem was shared on Metallica’s own SiriusXM channel, Maximum Metallica, alongside the message: “Grab your cocoa and settle in by the fire before your long winter’s nap for a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Papa Het.”
Shortly afterwards, an animated video featuring Hetfeld’s narration appeared on YouTube, complete with a festive, crackling fire and Christmas stockings.
Check out the full video below.
In other news, 2025 has seen the band continue their giant ‘M72’ tour, which kicked off back in 2023 and comes in support of the thrash giants’ metal icons’ 11th and latest studio album, ’72 Seasons’.
When they kicked off their UK and European leg, NME gave their opening night in Amsterdam a four-star review, and praised the band for still being able to create an electric atmosphere, over four decades since they formed.
“Metallica have always been a gateway band for heavy music, but there’s a renewed excitement around them now. Tonight’s surprising, ambitious and giddy gig matches that energy at every turn,” it read. “From the gorgeous ‘Nothing Else Matters’ through to the unifying ‘Seek & Destroy’, the majesty of heavy music is on full display throughout the gig as Metallica prove why they’re clearly still the greatest metal band around.”
Back in May, Metallica confirmed that their lengthy trek of ‘M72’ shows will continue into a fourth year, with more UK and European shows lined-up for 2026. These include two nights at the London Stadium on July 3 and 5. You can buy remaining UK tickets here and European tickets here.
In other news, a guitar that Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett played on at Black Sabbath‘s final gig recently sold for a whopping $76,800, well over 12 times its original $4000-$6000 estimate.
