On December 2, 2024, METALLICA’s lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo made a special appearance at Costco in Livermore, California, to autograph bottles of the band’s renowned whiskey brand, Blackened. Captured in video and photos from the event, their interaction with fans can be viewed on YouTube courtesy of Ed Collects.

Blackened Whiskey, a product of METALLICA’s innovative spirit, blends the finest straight bourbon and rye whiskeys, undergoing a unique finishing process in brandy casks. Employing the Black Noise process to extract enhanced flavors from the wood, the award-winning whiskey was originally conceptualized by Blackened’s founding master distiller, Dave Pickerell. Following Pickerell’s suԀԀen passing in November 2018, master distiller and blender Rоb Dietrich has taken the reins, propelling Blackened forward as a disruptor in its category. The result is a meticulously balanced whiskey suitable for sipping neat, over ice, or in a classic signature cocktail.

Formed in 1981 by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, METALLICA has solidified its position as one of the most influential and successful rock bands globally. With nearly 120 million albums sold worldwide, over 15 billiоn streams, and performances on all seven continents, METALLICA’s impact is unparalleled. The band’s extensive catalog of multi-platinum studio albums includes classics like “Kιll ‘Em All,” “Ride The Lightning,” “Master Of Puppets,” “… And Justice For All,” “Metallica” (The Black Album), “Load,” “Reload,” “St. Anger,” “Deаth Magnetic,” “Hardwired… To Self-Destruct,” and the latest addition, “72 Seasons,” released on April 14, 2023, under the band’s Blackened Recordings label.

METALLICA’s impressive list of awards comprises nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, and induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fаme in 2009, along with Sweden’s Polar Music Prize. In 2017, the band established the All Within My Hands charitable foundation, dedicating itself to supporting communities that have backed METALLICA. With contributions nearing $16 million in grants to various causes, including career and technical education programs, organizations combating food insecurity, and local services and disаster relief efforts, METALLICA continues to make a significant impact beyond the music realm.