METALLICA Secures ‘Best Metal Performance’ Grammy with “72 Seasons”

On February 4, 2024, METALLICA added another Grammy to their illustrious career, clinching the “Best Metal Performance” award during the pre-telecast ceremony at the 66th annual Grammy Awards. The ceremony took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The band’s winning track was “72 Seasons,” the title song from their 2023 album.

Bass guitarist Robert Trujillo represented METALLICA at the event and graciously accepted the award on behalf of the band. In his acceptance speech, Trujillo expressed regret that Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, and Kirk Hammett couldn’t be present as they were spending time with their families, emphasizing the importance of family. He added a humorous note, mentioning that living in Southern California made attendance a bit more convenient.

Acknowledging the collaborative effort behind the award-winning album, Trujillo thanked Greg Fidelman, their outstanding producer, and the recording team. He described the process of creating “72 Seasons” as a familial experience, marked by jam sessions and collaboration that embodied the spirit of youth.

Trujillo concluded his speech with a call to keep instruments in the hands of aspiring musicians, urging everyone to nurture the next generation of music creators and keep the dream alive.

While METALLICA also received nominations in the “Best Rock Album” category for “72 Seasons” and “Best Rock Performance” for “Lux Æterna,” they did not secure victories in those categories. Nevertheless, the band now boasts a total of 10 Grammy Awards from 26 nominations.

The history of METALLICA’s Grammy journey includes their inaugural nomination in the “Hard Rock/Metal Performance” category in 1989, where they controversially lost to JETHRO TULL. Notably, TULL’s use of the flute became a subject of jest in response to the upset.

The 66th Grammy Awards, which aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, featured tough competition in the “Best Metal Performance” category. The nominees included DISTURBED with “Bad Man,” GHоST with “Phantom Of The Opera,” SLIPKNOT with “Hive Mind,” and SPIRITBOX with “Jaded.”

The eligibility period for the 66th Grammy Awards spanned from October 1, 2022, to September 15, 2023. The voting process involved submissions from members and record companies, with rounds of screening, online entry, and final voting leading up to the announcement of the winners on February 4, 2024.

As METALLICA continues to make an impact on the music scene, their latest Grammy win solidifies their standing as one of the most influential and decorated bands in the metal genre.