Metallica’s James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett took to the ice before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center to perform the National Anthem, Metallica style.
It may not have been quite the Jimi Hendrix experience, but it was surely the best performance anyone in a Sharks uniform had Monday night. The Sharks went on to lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-1, putting the Sharks on the brink of elimination, and putting Sidney Crosby and the Pens one win away from hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Metallica ESP guitars used during National Anthem today available via #NHL Auctions: https://t.co/j0oJHmS3Qc. pic.twitter.com/0avPcCnPx9
— Sharks Community (@sjscommunity) June 7, 2016
When it comes to the National Anthem, I tend to be a pretty strong traditionalist who shudders at the performances music artists tend to give when taking on the honor of performing the Star-Spangled Banner. So, naturally, you might think I have a couple of negative comments to say about this. To which I say, I actually have none, and hope that other rock bands take note to how Hetfield and Hammett handled this.
YOU HEAR ME “AMERICA’S MOST PATRIOTIC ROCK BAND,” MADISON RISING???
Madison Rising still, to this day, has performed the most annoying rendition of the national anthem I have ever heard, and I have had the misfortune of hearing it live before a Military Bowl. Watching Madison Rising, if they still exist (oh no, they do) perform the national anthem almost makes you wish you were hearing some other country’s anthem, which appears to be a regular occurrence for soccer players these days. And we haven’t forgotten about that mishap in San Diego either.
Of course, this performance by Whitney Houston remains the gold standard for anthem performances.
