During Metallica’s May 30 show at Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo performed a cover of the Rammstein classic “Sonne”. You can watch the video down below.
The unique performance is a staple of a recurring live feature on the band’s current global run. At each tour stop, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo utilize a dedicated segment in the setlist, affectionately referred to by the band as “doodles,” to perform stripped-down, bass-and-guitar interpretations of songs by their musical heroes or local icons. Often, the duo selects tracks that fall far outside of the group’s traditional thrash metal sound, with Robert Trujillo occasionally stepping up to provide the vocals.
During Metallica‘s concert on May 24 at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany, Kirk and Trujillo treated the audience to a surprise cover of the Accept heavy metal classic “Fast As A Shark“.
The tribute to Accept followed another highly localized cover performed during the band’s first night in Frankfurt. Just two days prior, on May 22 at the same venue, the duo delivered a specialized rendition of “Schwarz-Weiß Wie Schnee“ (translated as “Black And White As Snow“). The track is widely recognized as the official anthem of the German football club Eintracht Frankfurt, specifically honoring the popular version recorded by local thrash metal legends Tankard.
Earlier this month, the duo utilized this same segment to honor Greek culture when the band launched the 2026 European leg of their “M72” world tour. Performing for a sold-out crowd of 85,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium in Athens on May 9, the pair delivered an instrumental rendition of “Zorba’s Dance“. Originally composed by the late Mikis Theodorakis, the piece gained international fame through the 1964 film “Zorba The Greek“. They immediately followed it up with a cover of “Den Horas Pouthena” (translated as “You Don’t Fit Anywhere“), originally by the legendary Greek rock band Tripes.
Metallica officially launched the “M72” world tour in Amsterdam in April 2023 to support their eleventh studio album, 72 Seasons. Since then, the heavy metal titans have performed for an estimated four million fans worldwide.
In other Metallica related news, a new public health initiative has been announced involving All Within My Hands foundation, the Welsh Blood Service, England’s NHS Blood And Transplant, and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service. The collaboration represents the first time blood services across the United Kingdom have partnered with a global rock act on this scale to encourage blood and plasma donations.
The campaign urges fans to donate blood surrounding Metallica‘s upcoming U.K. stadium dates in June and July. The initiative highlights the constant necessity for blood products, which carry a shelf life of 35 days, to assist trauma victims, cancer patients, new mothers, and individuals with long-term medical conditions.
Alan Prosser, spokesperson for the Welsh Blood Service, commented on the significance of the partnership:
“This is a truly unique moment for blood donation across the U.K. Partnering with a band of Metallica‘s global reach allows us to connect with new audiences and shine a spotlight on the ongoing need for blood.”
“Just as metal music runs strongly through Metallica fans’ veins — so does the blood which gives the power to save up to three lives with every donation.”
“Donation is always voluntary and unpaid in the U.K., so every person who chooses to give makes a real difference to patients and families in need. We’re proud to be part of a collaboration that brings people together to save lives.”
An official spokesperson for Metallica detailed the band’s motivation for supporting community health services during their global tours:
“Wherever we go on tour, we want to give something meaningful back to the communities that welcome us. We’ve seen in the United States and Australia how working with blood services can help raise awareness of blood donation and support patients, and we’re excited to bring that same approach to the U.K.
“As we close out the European leg of the ‘M72‘ world tour in the U.K., we’re asking fans to step up and be part of something bigger than the show.”
“Looking out for one another and supporting those who rely on donated blood every day is a simple act that can make a powerful difference.”
Gerry Gogarty, director of blood supply for NHS Blood And Transplant, emphasized the urgent need for specific blood types in England, including O negative, B negative, and Ro donors:
“Metallica are experts at raising the volume — and by calling on their millions of fans around the world to become regular blood donors, they are helping to boost life-saving blood stocks too.”
“Every donation can save up to three lives, and we urgently need a new generation of donors ready to roll up their sleeves and make it a lifelong habit.”
“Right now in England, we particularly need more O negative, B negative and Ro donors but every donation is vital. Together we can save even more lives.”
Established in 2017, the All Within My Hands foundation has raised more than $20 million to address food insecurity, disaster response, and vocational education. A portion of ticket sales from every concert on the tour is routinely allocated to local charities. The foundation has actively promoted blood donation drives throughout the “M72” tour cycle, previously resulting in fans donating 152 units of blood during a single tour stop in Philadelphia.
Metallica Upcoming 2026 U.K. Tour Dates:
- June 25 – Glasgow, Scotland – Hampden Park
- June 28 – Cardiff, Wales – Principality Stadium
- July 03 – London, England – London Stadium
- July 05 – London, England – London Stadium
Metallica Remaining 2026 European Tour Dates:
- June 03 – Bologna, Italy – Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
- June 11 – Budapest, Hungary – Puskas Arena
- June 13 – Budapest, Hungary – Puskas Arena
- June 19 – Dublin, Ireland – Aviva Stadium
- June 21 – Dublin, Ireland – Aviva Stadium
Following their remaining dates in Europe this summer, the band is scheduled to return to North America later this year for a highly anticipated residency in Las Vegas.
